All People Making a Difference
- Could the blackout be fuel for India's energy entrepreneurs?
New technologies created by India's energy entrepreneurs could provide affordable clean energy through community-scale micro-grids, solar home systems, and solar lanterns that displace the need for subsidized kerosene and provide a hundred times the lumens for a fraction of the cost.
- As cities grow, technology could help quench the world's thirst
Applying known technologies and changing old practices could make a big difference in ensuring an adequate water supply for both agriculture and cities, one expert says.
- How cities can get drivers biking
How can planners attract the 60 percent of Americans who say they would bike more if they felt more secure? The answer could be cheap and simple.
- A modern, wired university grows in Nigeria
The American University of Nigeria provides a modern education right in the backyard of Boko Haram, Nigeria's homegrown terrorist group. One clue: The campus claims 55 percent of all the Internet traffic in Nigeria.
- Bamboo farming takes pressure off Kenya's forests
Evicted from Kenya's protected forests, displaced people are finding a new way to make a living – without cutting trees – by turning to bamboo farming.
- Difference MakerOne-time skinhead Arno Michaels helps youths respond with compassion
His Kindness Not Weakness outreach program challenges diverse audiences to show the kind of 'warrior' strength needed to practice nonviolence.
- 12 innovations that could combat drought
Climate change is making it increasingly important to protect US agriculture and address its vulnerability to natural disasters, such as drought.
- 'Own your own boda' (motorcycle taxi) empowers Ugandans
A startup helps motorcycle taxi drivers in Kampala, Uganda, buy their bikes, which in turn helps them buy homes, start businesses, and send their kids to school.
- 'Popovers for Pigs' helps green up famous Acadia National Park restaurant
'Popovers for Pigs' is just one of the many environmental initiatives undertaken by Jordan Pond House, the only restaurant to operate inside Acadia National Park on the scenic seacoast of Maine.
- Difference MakerChepe Ubaque survived Colombia's mean streets. Now he helps others do the same.
Hip-hop, graffiti, break dancing, and journalism programs give teens in Colombia a safe way to express themselves – and avoid violence.
- Charities plan to distribute $2 million in aid for Colorado shooting victims
More than 2,500 individuals have donated to help victims and their families in the aftermath of a shooting spree in a Colorado theater. At GivingFirst.org donors can choose from a list of 10 organizations to contribute to.
- Teach Twice shares stories with the world
Teach Twice's title echoes its dual purposes: Provide parents with great stories to read to children, and provide financial aid to schools and students in developing countries.
- Fish-loving Japan begins to embrace sustainable seafood
In fish-crazed Japan, where eating seafood is a vital part of the nation's culture, conservation groups are working with companies to persuade more Japanese to eat certified, sustainably caught seafood. If they succeed, it could have a significant positive impact on the world's fisheries.
- Water harvesting slakes thirst at an innovative Kenyan inn
Faced with an expensive and unreliable municipal water supply, an entrepreneur collects rainwater for his inn in an underground tank, creating an abundant supply for the guest rooms, toilets, bathrooms, kitchen, and restaurant.
- Social media: Kids leverage online networks for civic engagement
Social media is a tool that enables kids to engage in issues they care about and bring about real change. Just ask Seventeen magazine and Universal Studios.
- Why resilience is the key to solving 21st century problems
Author and PopTech executive director Andrew Zolli says the ability of people and institutions to bounce back from challenges will be needed more and more. It can be learned, as he found out in his own life.
- US students major in ... philanthropy
Indiana University has built a serious program around charitable works, including the first philanthropy doctoral program. Now it has graduated the first students in the US to earn a bachelor's degrees in philanthropy.
- Why a grateful father helped raise $1.1 million to help veterans
Phillip Green did not have to send his children to Iraq or Afghanistan, so he wanted to thank the troops that did go. He's part of a group trying to convince some rich families to pledge 1 percent of their net worth to helping vets.
- An Olympic 'truce' on the tough streets of East London
Young people in a rough London borough use peacebuilding techniques to curb local violence.
- Sharing local knowledge helps farmers succeed
Five groups highlight how farmers can share their problems and solutions with each other and policymakers around the world.