Joni Evans | 04/17/2008 3:43 pm

A Blueprint and Outline for Changing the World

Dear Friends of wOw’s Change the World*:

Gosh. What a wealth of important ideas, insights and anecdotes you’ve given us. We have put together a blueprint and outline (below) in hopes of imposing a rational structure that harnesses your continued input. Our goal is to not only be heard, but to be effective – to change the world. We look forward to your feedback.

GLOBAL CHANGERS

1. Resources (the best charities/organizations/hospitals/websites)

2. All Things Green (the best examples/corporations/products, etc.)

LOCAL CHANGERS

1. Same as above, but organized by state, city or zip code

2. Volunteers: a bulletin board for solutions – those willing to lend their expertise, time, attention (to those in need of expertise, time, attention)

3. Mentoring (wOw calls it "WoMentorship")

4. Random Acts of Kindness

LIFE CHANGERS

1. The best tips of the day (solutions – big and small)

2. Body: Aging section, Universal Health Care, Health, Favorite Products

3. Mind: All things Zen and beyond

4. Spirit: The Universe, experiences, faith

BEST IDEAS TO CHANGE THE WORLD (AND HOW TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN)

Your essays, anecdotes, lists and videos

THE WOW EVOLUTIONARY

Nominate those (corporations or individuals) putting our planet forward.

(And while we’re at it) Nominate the “Devolutionaries” (frauds, companies) that defile our planet and move it backward.

XOXOX,
Joni

*We are open to a better name for this section. Think. And please send us your suggestions!

Read more about: Change, Environment, Green, Health, Mentor

157 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

well, hopefully you’re putting together a links list Frank. Really drives me nuts when people don’t recycle and city to city programs vary. Many cities in No Calif we have combined recycling….Palo Alto is one of the best. Each household gets three colored rolling trash bins. A very large blue one for mixed recyclables. A slightly smaller one for lawn clippings, leftover table scrapes/compost/paper food cartons/coffee cups/used napkins and the a relatively small one for garbage. It is amazing how little garbage we create….90% is recycled. Grocery stores out here most people use the cloth bags you buy from Whole Foods/Trader Joes. San Franciso keeps threatening to outlaw plastic drinking bottles/bags and encourages use of tap water. It would be interesting to know what other cities do. I do know that the US is right behind Switzerland for recycling, and that construction materials account for 30% of our waste so encouraging green building is a top priority.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/18/2008 2:19 am

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Suzanne, sorry about not linking, on new computer and things are a little different from other. It has a few glitches am working out - haven’t had time lately. I didn’t link the Science News site because you have to buy a subscription, I’ll get them anyway and figure it out this weekend. but Ill figure it out this weekend. My community’s recycling system is just like yours. We incorporated 20 years back and the council members have kept it priority to recycle. They have a toxic waste day twice a year where you can like drive through and turn in old paint, oil, batteries, etc. Usually, local paint stores will recycle your old paint. My next push is plastic fast food containers and plastic bags. The bottles will take a while. Have worked with the city in the past and schools. It is like water on a stone, you just have to keep at it. I learned the less I fought them, and made them my friend, the more people listened and the more they responded to earth conscious requests. Also, I love that you are a francophile, and I love the graphic of the flag on your posts. My mother’s Master’s degree was in French, and since she is gone now, it helps remind me of her and her love. Just one thing. You can call me Frances, your can call me Frannie, put please please please, don’t call me Fran or Frank. Thanks Suzanne.

By Frannie Em on 04/18/2008 3:25 pm

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I need some lunch - there were a few typing errors in that post - sorry

By Frannie Em on 04/18/2008 3:27 pm

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Frances LOL!! Sorry, kid…you mistook my post to Frank Peterson! Meaning he would put his list of links together for things he mentioned……and I know wha you mean about shortening names….I never do that. How neat is that re your mother’s degree and that you’re a Francophile too. My aim when I move to France is to be more French than the French!

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/19/2008 12:43 pm

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Frances….I’d don’t know how got mixed up…but anyway I so agree about shortening others names…

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/21/2008 2:07 am

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Suzanne de. here in suburb of Detroit we have been recycling for years- only 1 color bin however and the truck sorts through what we put in there into the different materials. Hazardous waste is more difficult or less convenient to dispose of.

By Kay Sara on 04/19/2008 9:26 am

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Excellent post , Frances- good news hopeful signs along with constructive actions. Small wins will also encourage more actions.

By Kay Sara on 04/18/2008 11:29 am

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Frances, People keep on posting “How about….” what needs to be done is find the best resource links in your area of interest and post them so they can be included/considered.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/21/2008 12:21 am

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PS—People come to sites and they do scroll through the resource links to find new things….plus whatever links are included in a sites database often then garners reciprocal links on the resource site, and resource links are a great way of making people stay on the site longer,etc…so am a little frustrated when see people mentions cool new things and don’t include a link…perhaps they are planning to later. But if there were a link included—-I’d look at it—-it’s a value added thing for new people coming to the site.

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/21/2008 12:27 am

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Gayle Turner 4/17/08 10:45 pm Change the World—Let’s make a difference —Whatever. If everyone just did one thing a day—like. Turn water off when brushing your teeth, random acts of kindness, drive the speed limit & use your turn signels, buy things you need-more than want. Get involved with a local charity for one day a week, or month. Take time to talk with a friend when you know they are depressed, and let them know you care. Say,” I love you” to the people you love. Well, you can figure out what works for you. Good luck.

By Gayle Turner on 04/18/2008 12:55 am

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using this wonderful cruise control and selecting roughly 61-62 miles per hour, i got great mileage across the state. the engine remained around 2100 revs per minute. it all depended on not having to fiddle around with the cruise control much once i got on the freeway. at the other end, an old lake michigan native said the beach never used to crunch under her feet (zebra mussel shells) forty years ago. we saw about a dozen whooping cranes in the sky (migrating).

By mary lou s on 04/20/2008 9:16 pm

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Watching the Pope’s televised visit today, I could not help wondering why he cannot see that use of birth control and prophylactics would be a huge step toward saving our earth from the devastating climate changes we are experiencing. Less people, less consumption, less trash. Smaller families, healthier children, more educated citizens, more disposable income. What a difference it would make in our ailing ecosystem. What a huge leap for struggling economnies. More resources with less demands. I would hope that somewhere in those marbled halls at the Vatican (if they are actually marbled) the possibility of global change is whispered. If only these spiritual leaders had the love of humanity they profess, one word, one small edict could change our planet. Allow birth control for the poor and desperate through the blessings of the church.

By Terri Vinck on 04/18/2008 1:38 am

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I’m right behind you on that idea, Terri.

By Ms. Dee on 04/19/2008 12:11 pm

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Watching the Pope today, I couldn’t understand why he is so hard on gay people when he runs around in drag all the time. But beyond that, I think Ms. Joni is looking for how we think all these ideas could be organized so that people who are short on time but want to contribute can find ideas quickly that they can act on and contribute. I actually thought using her diagram (maybe Ms. Wagner could design it?) as portals might work. Links to people like Arandhati Roy and Dr. Helen Caldicott — what are they thinking, what are they up to? — I know Dr. Helen is updating “If You Love The Planet” right now, for instance, would be helpful.

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/19/2008 8:10 pm

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Mugsy, Two of my most favorite people evah…..Arandhati Roy and Dr. Helen Caldicott…was in “Beyond War” when HC headed it, or at least was its spiritual force. When people credit Reagan for breaking the Cold War the people to people diplomacy propelled by Beyond War had a lot to do with it. And Arandhati Roy…best speech at World Social Forum, Porto Alegre, Brazil, on 27th January, 2003…here’s the text she is definitely one of my biggest heroes: http://www.sustecweb.co.uk/past/sustec11-4/following_speech_by_arundhati… For those who do not know her she won the Booker Prize for “God of Small Things” and when she comes to US for a speech instantly sells out forums like Madison Sq Garden. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati_Roy Mugsy, I just copied off the headings list on Jane Wagner’s diagram on Word…..and am going through my thousands of bookmarked resources….I have in dif Internet files…checking to make sure links word etc and copying them onto list…..then I’ll just post it here Monday or Tues….and add any book suggestions or ancillary stuff….. Then the wow editors can do what they do. Yeah, it takes some moxie to carp on dis: http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39436000/jpg/_39436623_epsisters.jpg When ya look like dat: http://asapblogs.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/20/pope_420.jp…

By Buh-Bye Hillary Hillary Buh-Bye on 04/20/2008 3:32 am