All People Making a Difference
Women bring a new approach to philanthropyFemale-headed households are more likely to give to charity than male-headed households, and women are creating their own styles of giving.
Schwarzenegger still a man of (environmental) actionThe former California governor and action film star has founded R20 Regions of Climate Action. It teams local and state governments, and other partners, to find ways to become energy efficient in economically viable ways.
Seeing 'vacant' lots as a community assetIn many neighborhoods people are turning vacant lots into parks, gardens, playgrounds, and more.
A 10-year-old urges restaurants to 'be straw free'Ten-year-old Milo Cress has started BeStrawFree, a website that encourages restaurants to cut plastic waste by not automatically offering plastic straws to customers.- Difference MakerSon of an anti-Nazi hero uses family estate to nurture democracy and rule of lawHelmuth Caspar von Moltke, son of an anti-Nazi hero, uses the family estate in Poland to teach teenagers about democracy and protecting human rights.
Three families pledge to raise $30 million in aid for US veteransThree affluent families have donated more than $1 million to help US veterans groups and plan to seek contributions from other wealthy people.
Biogas project helps Kenyan school save money, and treesA school in Kenya uses biogas from human waste for fuel, saving money and trees, and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions from burning wood.
Turning to old crop varieties for tough timesA new project led by Bioversity International reconnects farmers with older crop varieties developed over millennia 鈥� but never bred by scientists 鈥� that may help them adapt to changing climate conditions.
Difference MakerWalter Dean Myers writes books troubled teens can relate toJuvenile book author Walter Dean Myers writes stories troubled teens can identify with. He knows their world because he once was one of them.
鈥楻andom Hacks of Kindness鈥� uses technology to solve problemsAt 'Random Hacks of Kindness' events, technology experts volunteer to solve problems facing nonprofits and other organizations interested in doing good.
Forgive but don't forget, Myanmar comedian-turned-activist saysZarganar, a comedian who is now a political activist, focuses on ways to ensue the atrocities of Myanmar's past are recorded and not forgotten by future generations.
Blow-up solar lantern lights up Haiti's prospectsThe elegant clear-plastic lantern, which charges itself when left out in the sun and emits the light of a 60-watt bulb, will bring a safe and inexpensive light source to those without electricity.
How to build a 'bike train'Forty years ago, almost half of American kids biked to school. Bike trains are a smart idea for getting kids pedaling again.
Difference MakerViolence in a Rio slum turned a suburban pastor into an activistAnt么nio Carlos Costa was happy as a pastor in suburban Rio de Janeiro. But violence in a city slum changed his life forever.
Buried seed vault guards thousands of crop varietiesThe remote, frozen Svalbard Global Seed Vault stores more than 740,000 sample of seeds that contain genetic treasures such as heat resistance, drought tolerance, or disease and pest resistance.
Tunisians opened their homes and hearts to people fleeing LibyaThe outpouring of generosity came spontaneously 鈥� people simply responded with compassion, a new report says.
Three-wheeled carts, better septic tanks help clean up JakartaMini 'sanitation trucks' that remove fecal sludge, and improved holding tanks, may help bring improved sanitation to millions of Indonesians without it.
Pulling up pavement: from parking lots to 'paradise'The nonprofit group Depave, in Portland, Ore., removes unused and unwanted pavement to fight water pollution and beautify the city.
10 ways to build a close neighborhoodNeighborhoods can 鈥� and should 鈥� be more than just a cluster of houses.
Difference MakerFamily-to-Family links well-off families to others in needPam Koner started a nonprofit group that helps families who want to aid less-fortunate families.
