The Weekly Theme
Each week, we feature a new theme of solutions for those passionate about learning in-depth on how we are building a better world!
Agrihood: This community combines suburban living with farming
Tsawassen, Vancouver has been a farming community for generations, but when suburban housing developments started cropping up, the Century Group development company was torn on how to best use the 500 acres of land it owned in the area. They came to the conclusion to use the land for an innovative Read More...
Researchers create the first global map of bee species
There are over 20,000 species of bees around the globe, but information on the location and population health of different species is sparse. In an effort to bolster bee conservation, biologists have created the first modern map of all the bee species around the world. Michael Orr, the study's Read More...
The Optimist View: Empowerment, skills training, and the fight to eradicate hunger
“Hunger is not an issue of charity. It is an issue of justice.” - Jacques Diou By Amelia Buckley Right now, 80 percent of food banks in the US are serving more people than they were at the same time last year. The pandemic has exacerbated the need for immediate food relief, but it has Read More...
The world’s biggest fur auction house is closing its doors
Real animal fur is becoming increasingly out-of-style within the fashion industry. More and more people are straying away from the inhumane trade, and some cities, countries, and companies have placed bans on fur in recent years. In another blow to the fur industry, the world’s largest fur Read More...
Have an old campaign sign? Donate it to a beekeeper!
During election season, it’s completely normal to see front yards covered with campaign signs. But now that the election season is over, what should be done with all these political signs? Rather than toss it in the trash, a beekeeper in Florida is asking people to donate them to help keep her Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: A note to non-profits
What is the most impactful organization in your community? In this week's Thankful Thursdays prompt, we look at organizations and non-profits that serve our neighborhoods and the global community. This can be an organization that you have been involved with, have been helped by, or simply just Read More...
Alone for the holidays? Here’s how to cultivate joy and stay connected
With travel and large gatherings restricted, the holiday season will undoubtedly look very different this year. Some people may be spending the holiday season alone for the first time in their lives, but we can still stay connected to people and traditions even when we’re physically apart. Here Read More...
The elections are over. Here’s how to continue your role in democracy
So you cast your ballot and participated in the democratic process, now what? There are so many more ways to remain involved in the democratic process beyond just voting. Today we share some ideas for contributing to collective civic good any time, not just during election season. Reach out Read More...
Steelers deliver hot meal to ballot counters in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania was one of the tightest electoral races in the 2020 election, but poll workers counting ballots in Pittsburgh got an extra helping hand from their local NFL team: the Pittsburgh Steelers. As the count continued in Allegheny County, the state’s second most populated county, the Read More...
Colorado votes to reintroduce wolves to the state
While most of America was paying attention to the messy madness surrounding the presidential elections, environmentalists in Colorado were quietly celebrating a little victory: the passing of Proposition 114, which tasks Colorado Parks and Wildlife with crafting a plan to reintroduce wolves to the Read More...