Want to Change the World? Vote.

Seriously.

This year's midterm election has been hard to ignore, which is a good thing since some major initiatives as well as several terrifying candidates have made their way onto the ballot.

So, you're voting, right?

Good.

Before making your way to the ballot box, do a little bit of research about the candidates and the initiative measures, amendments, or propositions whose fate resides in your hands.

In addition to state and county voting guides, nonprofit organizations like the Sierra Club also distribute regional voting guides. If you're lucky enough to have a local newspaper you trust, like The Stranger in Seattle, consult them too.

There are close races all over the country this year, and many will decide policy for years to come. On Tuesday, November 2nd, make sure you, your family, your real friends, your Facebook friends, and even your acquaintances VOTE. Please.

10.10.10 - Just the Beginning

This past Sunday, 7,347 work parties were organized in 188 countries. The goal of each event was to do something tangible about climate change in our communities. As I wrote last week, the events were organized by 350.org. The number and success of these events is clear evidence that there is concern all over the globe about climate change, and commitment to do something about it.



Obviously, these many events are just the beginning of a grassroots global movement, and you can join the effort by visiting the 350.org website for actions you can take in your local community and beyond to address climate change. 

 

350.org Beach Cleanup on Lummi Island

It is also crucial that you vote for leaders who will enact legislation to combat climate change. Be sure to register and vote in the upcoming midterm election on November 2nd. You can check out the environmental voting records of your senators and representatives at the website for the League of Conservation Voters.

Join the Party on 10.10.10!

What are you doing this weekend? No matter where you are in the world, you have the opportunity to do something about climate change this Sunday.

350.org, an organization founded by Bill McKibben and some very inspiring twentysomethings, including Ten Ways world-changer May Boeve, have organized a global work party to encourage people to join or create an action that "will help deal with global warming in your city or community."

The event is a follow-up to last year's 350.org International Day of Climate Action, which was successful in raising awareness about the pressing need to address climate change with tangible actions from community members and political leaders.

 A woman in Babylon, Iraq calls for action at one of the over 5200 Day of Action events.

Photo courtesy of 350.org.

As of this writing, 6846 events are registered in 188 countries. Global work parties range from trash cleanups to solar installations, and there are many ideas for organizing or joining a party on the 350.org website. I'll be at this event on Lummi Island. Join me or find an event near you.

Register or create your own event right now, and remember that the work party is just the beginning. Send pictures, let us know which events you attended, and tell us how you plan to keep the momentum going!

Back to School with Climate Counts

From backpacks to transportation to and from school, students spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars each fall getting ready to make the transition back to the classroom. One of the easiest ways for back-to-school consumers to make a difference is to make sure to spend those dollars on companies that are working to lower their overall environmental footprint.

Climate Counts offers consumers easy tools with its pocket assessment guide that scores companies based on reduction efforts and commitments. When you consider the billions of dollars that college students spend on everything from electronic equipment to food, it is easy to see how much influence back-to-school consumers can have now and throughout the school year. 

Download the Climate Counts Pocket Guide at the Climate Counts website, and join the Back-2-Cool Campaign on Facebook to get started on your own campaign to become the coolest kid in school. 

Educating Girls Matters

As a former middle school teacher, I am passionate about education. I'm always excited about initiatives that seek to improve the quality of education worldwide. A new resource to help do just that has been launched called Educating Girls Matters. 

As chronicled in Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, Half the Sky, education is one of the most effective ways to combat gender inequality around the world.

Speaking Matters LLC, which created this website, launched this initiative to "help potential donors find news and organizations that help educate girls/women." The website is also an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about organizations that may need volunteers locally or abroad. Educating Girls Matters is not only a public service, it addresses a growing need for more information about the challenges we need to be overcome in order for girls all over the world to receive a meaningful education.

The Real Garbage of New Jersey

Tom Szaky, founder of Terracycle, who was featured in Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties, has continued to expand his business that runs on the motto that "There is no such thing as garbage." 

Szaky and his team at Terracycle are featured in new episodes of their series "Garbage Moguls" this Saturday night on National Geographic. I know, it's Saturday night; TiVo it. The show follows the merry band of transformers as they conceive of and create products made from trash. Here is the schedule:

TUNE IN
Garbage Moguls
Saturday, August 21st
Catch the re-airing of the pilot at 7:00pm, followed by three new episodes!
8:00 - "Pet Project"
http://bit.ly/99pYEl
Pedigree has challenged the TerraCycle team to create an entire line of pet products made from dog food bags in just two weeks. From leashes and collars to doggie rain hats and octopus toys, the team crashes on developing, creating, testing and then pitching the goods.

9:00 - "Fishy Business"
http://bit.ly/atENqu
The TerraCycle team develops the “Garbage Garbage Can” — a garbage can made from chip wrappers that is less expensive and just as strong as commercial plastic cans — they pitch to Home Depot. Additionally, they design, create and use fishing lures made from old CDs, then test their product on the open seas.

10:00 - "All-Nighter"
http://bit.ly/awTQfY
Multitasking at its finest — the TerraCycle team renovates, designs, stocks and opens a storefront for business … in one night! Back at the office, there’s no rest for the weary, as Tom tasks his crew to create an entire line of products, including a suit jacket, made from Target plastic bags!

National Park Fee? Free!

This weekend, the price of admission is certainly right for a visit to any of the country's amazing national parks. Here is a list of participating National Parks by state. Find one and go.

At Olympic National Park - Not during the free weekend but definitely worth the $15 entrance fee.