All People Making a Difference
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.
Thinking local and sustainable makes economic sense, says Tom WesselsResearch ecologist argues a healthy economy and a healthy ecosystem go hand in hand.
Irrigation expert crosses religious, political lines to win World Food PrizeDaniel Hillel developed a system called micro-irrigation, which has opened up dry regions to farming, revolutionizing agriculture worldwide. The Israeli scientist has worked closely with Arab friends in Jordan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.
The goal: Help India's poorest of the poor brickmakersIrish nonprofit GOAL teaches seasonal brickmakers in Kolkata to read and do math, a crucial step toward self-sufficiency.
Country star switches from feudin' to healin'Country music singer Toby Keith, once known for his acrimonious feud with the country trio the Dixie Chicks, now spends his time raising funds to build a center to improve the lives of children receiving medical treatment and their families.
Beyond standardized tests 鈥� teaching empathyMore than ever children need skills in how to work with changing teams of collaborators and how to seek solutions rooted in the needs of others, the author says.
Difference MakerIndia's feisty 鈥� and effective 鈥� environmental championSunita Narain has learned that being an environmentalist in India means being an advocate for the poor 鈥� and for immediate action.