News
Politics
Do you know the political slant of your portfolio? Every election cycle, US businesses pour hundreds of millions of dollars into campaigns, parties, and politically affiliated groups. Some of that money is reported, some isn't. Now a movement to get corporations to disclose voluntarily their political contributions is gaining ground. Read more...
Energy
E. Coli can be used to produce energy: For most of us, Escherichia coli (the bacteria commonly known as E. coli) doesn't exactly have the most pleasant connotations, unless, for some strange reason, you really love to follow a meal out with a trip to the emergency room. But … by genetically modifying a strain of e. coli [Thomas Wood]… has discovered a way to make it produce 140 times more hydrogen than it would under ordinary circumstances.
Solar
Solar-collecting roads heat buildings in the Netherlands. Solar is a highly efficient way to heat water. Combine it with underground storage, and a year-round system can be created where the system can cover heating requirements in the winter and cooling in the summer. The Dutch company Ooms Avenhorn Hilding BV has taken this concept and moved it a step forward. Read more…
Shout Outs
Contest
If Not Now is looking for ideas for a contest. We'd like to encourage people to think about how to work together across generations, so we'd like a cartoon or film clip that will carry our message and gain viewers. Any ideas for the specifics of the topic? If so, please tell us your suggestions in the Forum section. And, while we're on the subject, kudos to Dave Schlafman for his video entitled The Sky is Falling. It's wonderful; take a look.
Goods
For so many reasons we need to stop turning objects into garbage. By now we've collected a LOT OF STUFF, and it ought to be moved along to people who can make use of it. Please don't throw your no-longer-pleasing goods away, instead, please send us ideas about how to get objects to people who can use them, and take a look at www.freecycle.com.
Across Generations
We reach across generations for our own pleasure as well as to create strong bonds and habits of cooperation, problem solving and support. It's great to help our own children, and really wonderful to help each other's children. Often it's nice to be involved with people our own age at the same time. For some ideas take a look at the following:
We'd like to know about your experience of intergenerational partnerships via the Forum section.
The new sail-driven cargo ship.
Support
GIVE AWAY OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY - because you don't need to have it to give it . Just clicking on TheHungerSite.org will result in a donation — you don't have to buy anything.
Around the World
To get aid to survivors of Cyclone Nargis you should take a look at ActionAID.
Quote Of The Day
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Young Voices
It's also instructive to look at TakingItGlobal.org. Reading the Discussion Board posts provides a fascinating window into an international conversation between young adults.
Give
A Plea
We need to hear your stories about progress - however small, because there's a much better chance that we'll be able to do enough if we each do something. And there's a better chance that we will each do something if we see that progress is possible. Please use the Forum to post questions, opinions and successes. And please also use it to tell us how to be useful to you
Guilds
GUILDS will be informal user defined groups focusing on a particular problem such as homelessness, microfinance, or global warming etc. Guilds might be solely educational/conversational, or might choose to take on a specific project. You can start a Guild in one of two ways:
1] Use the Forum page to start a conversation and rally support.
2] Use the “Contribute News” tab to post a “Shout Out” or a link to your own Blog.
Guild members can post interviews with experts, and can use If Not Now to create connections.
Housing stability is an issue with far-reaching ramifications: There's no guild formed yet, but if you want to learn more here is a great Interview with an Expert.
“Affordable rental housing is going to be rented to people earning no more than 80% of the area median income. But in a high income area like Boston, that could be folks earning up to $60,000.00 a year.” Read more...
Jobs
The world of service work and volunteerism is undergoing a transformation of unprecedented proportions driven by the greatest demographic shift in our nation's history, the baby boomer generation.
Here are a few really interesting organizations that are hiring:
Here are a few great resources for volunteer opportunities:
And if you'd like to volunteer to help If Not Now please contact us. We are looking for Guild Leaders, Interviewers, and Researchers.