Tesla is coming out with a solar roof that is compatible with their updated battery that can then charge their car. The cost of the roof is supposedly comparable to the cost of a roof plus your current electricity bill. Telsa has recently purchased Solar City as it’s distribution channel. I look forward to see how this technology unfolds.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-31/no-one-saw-tesla-s-solar-roof-coming
Posted in Business, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Economics, Leadership, New idea, Sustainable
Don’t throw away your disposable silverware – eat it! This innovative ‘silverware’ is a food item that is baked, and comes in various flavors to go with whatever you are eating – sweet, savory, etc. Disposable environmentally destructive plastic was ‘innovative’ in it’s day, but we’ve learned now that it’s harmful to the planet and to our health. With todays technology and understanding we can do better! (Plus the edible cutlery is nutritious and delicious according to those who’ve tried it.) What a great new business model.
The above story is from The Better India a news source featuring innovation for positive and practical change. I’ve just discovered it and bookmarked it. Good stuff!
Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Food, health, New idea, Sustainable
This light source powered by gravity produces clean, free energy for lighting. No sun or batteries needed. No breathing kerosene fumes, no danger of damage by fires, only safe, clean, off-grid energy.
Posted in Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Family, health, New idea, Science, Sustainable
Tired of the hassles of big banks? Dave Fishwick brought banking back to its roots: local banks for local people, by the community for the community.
If you’re interested in making a positive difference in your community, Dave Fishwick shows you how to open your own bank:
Humans of New York is a facebook site started as a photography project by Brandon in 2010, shortly after being fired from his finance job. Brandon started HONY to create a catalogue of New York City’s inhabitants, setting out to photograph 10,000 New Yorkers and plot their photos on a map. Somewhere along the way, he began to interview his subjects in addition to photographing them, and alongside their portraits, would include quotes and short stories from their lives.
The facebook site now has over 11 million followers, and has recently turned a corner from an art site to creating social impact in a major way, with the photo and story of a boy named Vidal, from the HONY facebook page:
“Who’s influenced you the most in your life?”
“My principal, Ms. Lopez.”
“How has she influenced you?”
“When we get in trouble, she doesn’t suspend us. She calls us to her office and explains to us how society was built down around us. And she tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter.”
Vidal’s simple comment sent photographer Brandon to Mott Hall Bridges Academy to meet Ms. Lopez. Which then led to learning more about the school, and what they needed from Ms. Lopez and her team. Which led to an indiegogo campaign to send the 6th grade class to visit Harvard. Which led to thousands of people in the comments sections of these posts and follow up posts offering to help not only the kids in this school, but the kids in neighboring schools and kids in schools around the world.
And the story isn’t done yet. Brandon keeps taking photos of kids, teachers, administrators – hearing their stories, giving them names and voices and a platform for positive change. And people all over the world are responding with strength and encouragement and resources and networking. See a video here.
One photographer is changing the world. One face, one story at a time.
The Midomo Water Purifier transports and purifies water at the same time.
Utah is tackling the homeless problem. Their plan is already saving taxpayer money AND is improving the economy, plus they are on track to eliminate homelessness by 2015.
Jerry the Bear is an interactive teaching tool for kids with type 1 diabetes. The bear needs the same thing a child does: checking blood sugar levels, choices on what to eat, and even helping kids master their medical procedures through play.
To learn more about Jerry the Bear, click here. If you don’t know a child with type 1 diabetes, you can still play a part in helping those who do here.
Solar roadways do more than just create abundant electricity and green jobs – they also can:
1. Melt snow in the northern climates so you can drive cars and ride bikes safely year ’round
2. Be programmed with signage – so as traffic patterns change you don’t have to repaint the roadway stripes – just reprogram the configuration
3. Help keep the air and water shed cleaner
4. And a whole bunch of other amazing things.
The technology prototype has already been proven, and the technology is ready to launch commercially – starting with parking lots and private driveways and eventually leading to roads worldwide (if we cover the roads in America, we’ll have 3 times more energy than we need). If you’re a business or an eco friendly early adapter check out the indiegogo campaign.
Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Ikea is developing a prototype of refugee shelter that is easy to put together, is insulated, has a solar light so people can cook/sew/do homework when it gets dark, and other simple yet practical features.
Ikea is getting feedback from refugees to improve upon the concept before they roll out the final design. They also plan to include a system of health care, education, and more so refugee families can not only get stabilized physically, but get all members of a family back on their feet in body/mind/spirit as quickly and respectfully as possible.
Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Frugal, health, New idea, Sustainable
The Good News Network was started by Geri Weis-Corbley in 1997, and I’ve enjoyed the little encouraging stories sent to my email inbox for many years. Recently the Good News Network went through a transformation, and is now a free and easily navigated news service. The insight and direction of Geri’s work and attitude are cutting edge cultural creative. Check out more information about what she’s doing, why, the history, how you can get involved by sending in your own stories, and more here. Now you can start and end your day with GOOD news from the Good News Network – rated #1 on Google.
Posted in Business, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Community, Free, News, Spirituality, Sustainable
Wanna start a free pop-up store for the homeless? Check out this video, which gives how-to information including downloadable posters!
Introducing The Street Store. The world’s first rent-free, premises-free, free ‘pop-up clothing store’ for the homeless, found entirely on the street and curated by you.
Download open-source files and host your own Street Store on www.thestreetstore.org
Follow on Twitter @TheStreetStore and on Facebook.com/thestreetstoreorg
Posted in Business, Fashion, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Accessories, Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Free, Frugal, health, Love, New idea, Sustainable
Vacations are fun! Even if you’re in a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Accessible Adventures is a new video series, hosted by former radio host John Williams, that SHOWS accessible vacation spots featuring wheelchair and limited mobility people having fun in the Northwest! Also check out the blog to see Jim Martinson skiing Crystal Mountain on a mono ski. Here’s a video with John Williams telling more about this timely idea:
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Sharing Ideas events raise awareness of local grassroots efforts throughout Portland Oregon that strengthen community. Project presenters share the inspiration that launched their idea, how it moved into action, where they are today, and their hope for the future. Everyone is invited. RSVP suggested online or by phone at 503.546.7499. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare (9 and under), transportation, and interpretation are provided upon request, with 48 hours advanced notice. When: Saturday, April 26th, from 11 AM to 1 PM Where: Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205. Who: You! Bring your friends and family to this free event and discover pathways to new possibilities! |
Posted in Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Free, health, Sustainable
Rebecca Onie asks audacious questions: What if waiting rooms were a place to improve daily health care? What if doctors could prescribe food, housing and heat in the winter? Here’s a Ted Talk that gives concrete information to create a healthcare system that actually keeps us healthy.
Tennessee is considering using lottery money to fully fund community college and technical school for all high school grads. Since cost is the biggest hurdle to getting a higher education, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is on the right track to make higher education truly attainable – without all the hoops. Read more here.
Dr. Cole Galloway is turning kids toy cars into mobility devices and physical therapy for young children. This is making a lot of people happy – especially the little kids who get to drive the cool cars.
Learn more about the University of Delaware Go Baby Go! program here.
Read more about this on Upworthy here.
Posted in Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Family, health, New idea
Are the qualities of friendship, fun, working together, inclusiveness, and kindness ONLY male traits; female traits; or are they human traits?
These hero’s are making the world a happier, kinder, more inclusive place; creating 3D men (instead of men chained in a 2D world box of destruction, disfunction, and distance).
The First Sign Hair Clip was designed by Rachel Emanuele as a tool to protect women from violent crime. The clip can attach to hair or even a purse strap, and then detects through algorithm if you are being attacked (it knows the difference between a violent attack, a bump on the head, or jogging for instance). It also has a panic button you can push in case of danger as well. The included app collects data as evidence such as where you are, records your conversation, notifies authorities that a crime is being committed, and sends out a verbal message saying you have been located and help is on the way (thus possibly scaring away the attacker so no more harm is done, but also gathering information about him for prosecution).
Here’s the background story
You can reserve a clip for yourself or a loved one, and bring this hair clip to market through your contributions to this Indigogo account.
Thanks to Gizmag for this article on Impact Sensing Hair Clip Helps Fight Violent Crime.
Due to severe Detroit city cutbacks, the bus system didn’t meet the needs of the community. So 25 year old Andy Didorosi bought a bus and started his own innovative transportation company. He uses an app that lets riders know exactly when the bus will arrive, creating a new kind of transit system that only runs when and where it’s needed.
Another goal of Mr. Didorosi and his now public/private partnership with The Skillman Foundation, is to get not only people to work, but the elderly and disabled to their appointments, and kids safely to after school programs. With that in mind, he’s created an online portal to show parents every after school program available for the kids by region, and has worked with these programs to create bus stops convenient to both the kids as well as the programs themselves – and this after school transportation is FREE to the students. By creating only the routes needed, the savings are nearly 90% of what a traditional transportation system costs!
The Detroit Bus Company runs on bio fuels, technology, and lots of community support. Read more about this innovative founder and community transportation idea here.
Posted in Business, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Economics, Family, New idea, Sustainable
Be blown away by youth that demonstrate a passion for restoring the health of the environment! The April 26th Sharing Ideas event, features the Roosevelt High School Science Club, a group of students determined to counteract pollution in Portland, Oregon. These local youth are experimenting with planters that recycle polluted air into clean air and testing of air quality surrounding Roosevelt High School. They have been invited to Washington, D.C. later this year to present their findings.
Better Ideas Now 