As global urbanization accelerates, affordable housing has become a critical concern. Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director

As global urbanization accelerates, affordable housing has become a critical concern. Dr. Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, advocates for housing to be central to urban planning, design, and overall strategy. This emphasis is crucial for addressing the affordable housing challenge.

Affordability, as defined in a recent MGI report, represents the financial burden a household bears—typically 30-40% of its income. This information was published March 19, 2015.

Miriam Turner, Interface's Assistant VP of Co-Innovation, identified a unique opportunity. With 660 million people globally relying on oceans for livelihoods, many in poverty, she was inspired by

Miriam Turner, Interface's Assistant VP of Co-Innovation, identified a unique opportunity. With 660 million people globally relying on oceans for livelihoods, many in poverty, she was inspired by Aquafil's recycling efforts to create an inclusive business model.

Her vision involved purchasing discarded fishing nets directly from local fishermen, providing them with vital extra income. This initiative would simultaneously clean beaches and oceans, benefiting both communities and the environment.

This concept was published by Interface Europe on September 3, 2013. More details can be found at www.interface.com/neteffect.

This panel discussion, presented on November 4, 2005, and published April 9, 2015, examines Portland's evolving approach to homelessness. It contrasts Mayor Bud Clark's 1985 "12-Point Plan" with

This panel discussion, presented on November 4, 2005, and published April 9, 2015, examines Portland's evolving approach to homelessness. It contrasts Mayor Bud Clark's 1985 "12-Point Plan" with the city's 2005 "10-Year Plan to End Homelessness," questioning how strategies have changed and why new outcomes are anticipated.

Moderated by Gretchen Kafoury (former city commissioner and Portland State University faculty), the panel featured three key community leaders. Erik Sten, City Commissioner, discussed the city's program. Genevieve Nelson, co-founder of Sisters of The Road, shared insights from a survey of 400 homeless individuals. Lisa Schroeder, a business owner and co-chair of the Downtown Retail Council, provided the downtown business perspective.

The University of Chicago Wisdom Research Forum 2014, published August 6, 2014, featured three lectures. Jason Swartwood,

The University of Chicago Wisdom Research Forum 2014, published August 6, 2014, featured three lectures. Jason Swartwood, a philosophy doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota, explored how wisdom is defined and recognized.

Sayuri Hayakawa from the University of Chicago Psychology Department discussed how bilingualism and language influence cognition. She noted that a lack of expertise can sometimes enhance creativity and lead to wiser decisions.

Guilherme Albieri of SUNY presented on wisdom's relationship to academic and clinical success. He highlighted that wise individuals possess superior self-regulatory and interpersonal skills, which mediate their interaction with the environment.

Shell is preparing another attempt to extract an estimated 400 billion barrels of oil and gas from the Arctic. However, drilling in this region is expensive and dangerous.

Falling oil

Shell is preparing another attempt to extract an estimated 400 billion barrels of oil and gas from the Arctic. However, drilling in this region is expensive and dangerous.

Falling oil prices and potential government action could jeopardize Shell's ambitions in the face of these significant challenges.

For further reading, see This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein here. Published by The Guardian on July 16, 2015.

Sustainability Pioneers' film, "It Takes a Village," highlights the power of community. Filmmaker Kirsi Jansa visits Butler,

Sustainability Pioneers' film, "It Takes a Village," highlights the power of community. Filmmaker Kirsi Jansa visits Butler, Pennsylvania, and Balcombe, UK, where residents are envisioning alternative futures amidst ongoing fossil fuel development.

Environmental lawyer Josh Roberts from Client Earth explains community power as a renewable energy system designed to benefit the broadest population. Support this vision by making a tax-deductible donation to Sustainability Pioneers.

Published on June 18, 2015, by Democracy Now, this report covers Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment and climate change. In the encyclical (available

Published on June 18, 2015, by Democracy Now, this report covers Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment and climate change. In the encyclical (available to download here), Pope Francis called for urgent action to protect the planet, urging leaders to hear "the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor." He emphasized a moral imperative for all to safeguard the environment, advocating for a shift from a "throwaway" consumer culture in rich countries and an end to attitudes that prioritize profit over the common good. A key theme is the disparity between rich and poor, with the Pope noting the vast difference between those in "desperate and degrading poverty" and those with excessive possessions.

The discussion features Naomi Klein, author of "This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate," who was invited to speak at the Vatican's "People and Planet First: The Imperative to Change Course" conference. Also joining is Nathan Schneider, a columnist at America magazine, a national Catholic weekly published by the Jesuits.

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour, airing weekdays on over 1,300 TV and radio stations. Their livestream is available Monday through Friday, 8-9 am ET.

Banks are the primary creators of money. This raises the question of whether society should reclaim this sovereign power through public ownership of financial institutions.

Ellen Brown,

Banks are the primary creators of money. This raises the question of whether society should reclaim this sovereign power through public ownership of financial institutions.

Ellen Brown, founder of the Public Banking Institute, advocates for owning banks—or at least some of them. She argues this would safeguard public and private deposits, redirect profits to the public interest, ensure control over credit allocation, and reduce government expenses.

Baba Brinkman's "Rap Guide to Climate Chaos" is a hip-hop theatre show and album exploring climate change through character-driven song chapters. Using prodigious rhythmic phrasing, engaging

Baba Brinkman's "Rap Guide to Climate Chaos" is a hip-hop theatre show and album exploring climate change through character-driven song chapters. Using prodigious rhythmic phrasing, engaging visual projections, wit, enthusiasm, and peer-reviewed facts, Baba covers the salient causes, consequences, and solutions.

A featured song, "Make It Hot," delves into the game theory dynamics driving global warming and advocates for urgent carbon emissions pricing. You can see Baba Brinkman perform it here, and learn more about Baba at bababrinkman.com.

For additional information about the show, visit rapguidetoclimatechaos.com. Support Baba's "Climate Chaos" IndieGogo campaign here.

Capitalism is often seen as a dual force: a driver of prosperity that has lifted billions from poverty, yet also a system that can foster greed. Both views contain truth.

While free

Capitalism is often seen as a dual force: a driver of prosperity that has lifted billions from poverty, yet also a system that can foster greed. Both views contain truth.

While free enterprise promotes global prosperity, we must guard against materialism, remembering that money serves as a means to greater ends. Join Arthur Brooks—New York Times columnist, bestselling author, and president of the American Enterprise Institute—for this thought-provoking discussion.