Milk: It Does Everybody Good!

21
Gallons of milk consumed per person in the U.S. annually.

9,201,000
Number of cows providing the supply.

6
Gallons each cow produces per day.

80 to 100
Pounds of manure each cow produces per day.

6
Nanograms of testosterone in each 8 oz glass of milk.

4.6 Billion
Calories saved in U.S. schools annually by switching to low-fat milk.

520 Million
Grams of fat also saved by the switch.

Now grab a cookie, and get to dippin' people! Have YOU helped save the world today?



For more information, visit: takepart.com

Microsoft and The Red Cross are Parting Waters...Literally!

As if dealing with its horrific aftermath in the physical form wasn't enough, Hurricane Katrina left deep scars on many people’s hearts emotionally. In order to alleviate a fraction of the incessant pressure on the victims‘ shoulders, The Red Cross and Microsoft announce their collaboration on a new website, Katrinasafe.org.

The purpose of the website is to help reunite families that may have been separated due to the inclement weather.

Until now, victims in the past have had to face challenges of sifting through multiple confusing websites searching through endless names which in most cases, lead to dead ends due to outdated or false information.

However, with this newly created site, Microsoft and The Red Cross have formulated a super-list with the most current and accurate information of those affected by the hurricane. Best of all, it’s all listed on ONE site.

"The goal of this collaboration is to make this process as simple as possible during this difficult time," says Steve Cooper, Chief Information Officer for the American Red Cross. "We are proactively bringing together data from every site we can so people do not have to search multiple sites."
While dealing with the strain of losing one’s resources in life, The American Red Cross accompanied with Microsoft are trying to give the victims back something that can help glue their lives back together: family. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: charitywire.com

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Equal Rights For All....Cell Phones?

All cell phones are created equal. Hey, at least that’s what they’re saying over in Europe with the new innovation of a universal cell phone charger!

By this time next year, Europeans will have the opportunity to share battery chargers with friends, rather than suffer from the annoyance of either having to buy another battery charger if away from home, or constantly badger perfect strangers to see if they share the same type of cellular phone.

Thanks to the efforts of the European Commission, the largest cellphone brands, including Apple, Motorola, Samsung and Research in Motion have signed an agreement stating that their cells phones will be compatible with the innovative Company’s highly anticipated charger starting in 2011.

Not only does a universal charger equate to less hassle, it also means less waste, which translates to being more ecologically conscientious. This new one-size-fits-all means that fewer chargers will meet their demise in a landfill, less electronic waste, and fewer resources consumed in manufacturing chargers.

Because our country doesn't have a government setting a deadline, it’s solely up to the cell phone makers to change to a single standard charger. This also may mean that these powerhouses may lose out on a few bucks from those Americans who are constantly forgetting their chargers while away on business. So, do we expect to be in the race with Europe for the universal charger? We’ll will kindly remind you not to hold your breath.

Not only is Europe ahead in their time zone, they're running circles around America with their technological way of thinking! Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: cnn.com

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Sincerity of A Stranger

Do you know what over five million letters actually look like? Yea, neither do we. But to the American soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other parts all over the world, those five million letters have been a main source of inspiration and motivation of those at home waiting for them to return. And this is all thanks to twenty-one year old, Shauna Fleming and her organization, A Million Thanks.

Although it’s currently gaining notoriety nationwide, Fleming thought up the idea of A Million Thanks shortly after 9/11, when she was just fifteen years of age. She remembers seeing every home in her neighborhood covered with yellow ribbons following the atrocity. As time went on, however, the yellow ribbons began to disappear, and Fleming became inspired to create an organization that would never stop appreciating our soldiers, irregardless of the worldly atmosphere.

The original goal of A Million Thanks was to place one million letters in the hands of hard working military men and women residing in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the quota was easily surpassed, Fleming shifted gears and went into overdrive, and the letters, of course, followed suit.

Whether it’s from a friendly acquaintance or a complete stranger, an expression of appreciation goes a long way. Whether you stand opposed or aligned with the US military obligations abroad, one thing is for sure: Our American soldiers need us almost as much as we need them. And that my friends, we shall never forget. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: takepart.com

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How the iPhone Could Save Your Life!

Need to find a health care provider for you and your family? There’s an app for that!

Qualcomm, the mobile phone chipmaker, and AT&T, the largest US phone company, are uniting to provide a wide array of applications providing health-related services to consumers on the go and at home. With the massive influx of smart phones and applications, the two media moguls have struck gold in providing an important piece of the highly anticipated emerging market.

If you crack open your high school Economics book, it’s clear to see that the widely undisputed phenomenon of supply and demand is the reasoning behind the emergence of these so-called “m-health” market apps.

US sales of related wireless gadgets, applications, and services for consumers are projected to double to $600 million this year and could possibly double again to a whopping $1.3 billion, in 2011. Because of the “m-health” market’s promising potential, other tech industry giants such as Intel, IBM, Sprint Nextel, and Best Buy are following suit in the development of health apps.

Stemming from the aging American population in addition to governments’ and businesses’ abilities to control health care costs, people have now turned to at-home care and of course, their cell phones. In fact, health care’s share of the GDP alone climbed to 16.2 percent in 2007, a nearly ten percent increase from its previous number in 1970. The costs will continue to rise as the number of people sixty-five and older skyrockets to nearly 71 million, from 40 million just last year! Let’s put it simply, no one can afford their family doctor anymore!

In light of our wavering economy and rising health care costs, Americans are now focusing their attention to the one thing that they know best: the smart phone! Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: businessweek.com

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Curb Your Enthusiasm (and Your Uterus)

If you plan on getting married in India, you may way to think again. The district government in Satara, India, has created a new special honeymoon package for newlyweds which includes a monetary gift equivalent to one hundred and six dollars. Seems sweet. Seems practical. Yet, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

That’s because in order to receive the financial gift, newlyweds must accept a condition in which they may not conceive a child for at least two years. Although it may put a dampener on most brides highly anticipated day, the country done have its reasons.

In India, the population is about 1.2 billion and is likely to surpass China as the most populous country in the world in the near future. In more real terms, nearly half of the population is under the ripe ol’ age of twenty-five! To put it in even realer terms, a new baby is born in India every 1.25 seconds. A single day contains 86,400 seconds!!!

The obvious aim of the honeymoon package is to curb the country’s high birth rate since India’s schools and other resources are being stretched so thinly.

Currently, over 2,300 couples have enrolled in the program. Aside from discouraging these couples to expand their families, the package is hoping to help couples save their money and eventually finish school. Although the package somewhat stifles the rights of its people, one could argue that at least it has the best of intentions, right? Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: takepart.com

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Lions, Tigers and Bikers...oh my!

Step aside Hell’s Angles. Take a seat Pagans...there’s a new motorcycle crew in town, and these guys aint messin’ around. Rescue Ink is changing the way both you and I think about the leather-wearing, chain-toting, long-haired “born to be bad” hellions of the world.

Rescue Ink is an animal-rescue group dedicated to battling animal abuse and neglect, and educating and informing children and families about the mistreatment of animals. But don't confuse this animal group with most of the others. This tough-talking tattooed chain-gang isn't afraid to use their verbal muscle power to pick a fight against animal cruelty, and it’s a fight they don't plan on losing.

The Rescue Ink riders use their intimidating presence to shame and report animal abusers all the while rehabilitating distressed animals. Being that the organization is still a young one, what with being founded just earlier this year, they are open to any job that is presented to them.

When a group of renegade chickens took roost in a Queens neighborhood a few months back, the boys came to the rescue and helped guide the New York City animal control to victory and caught all of the wild chickens including the rogue rooster responsible for the mass multiplying, who they charmingly named Junior.

So next time you see your neighborhood friendly biker, give him a hug rather than a shrug! For he may be the guy who rescues your new kitten Whiskers, when she’s stuck in the tallest branch of a nearby tree! Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: rescueink.org

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Who’s Hungry For Change?

Truth be told, snacking is one of America’s favorite pastimes. From the early morning until the late night hours, everyone finds enormous satisfaction in a little “pick-me-up.” Although snacking may do harm to our waistline, companies like Sun Chips are now making snacking a pastime that is healthy for the most important entity within our lives: the earth!

Sun Chips have made a packaging breakthrough that works as great as it sounds! In order to create a world with less waste, Sun Chip’s bags are now fully compostable. In fact, every 10.5 ounce bag is designed to fully break down in just fourteen weeks when placed in a hot, active compost bin or pile.

Aside from its obvious benefit to Mother Nature, the noise that sounds when opening a bag of Sun Chips is literally “music to our ears!” If the bag’s crinkling sound seems apparently different than previous ones, it is because of the plant-based materials used in its production which enable it to be eco-friendly.

As seen on NBC’s Today Show in addition to creating a world-wide phenomenon all over YouTube, Sun Chips packaging is stirring up some noise when it comes to preserving our earth and our taste buds! It takes a conscientious company like Sun Chips to demonstrate just how simply irresistible change can be! Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: sunchips.com

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Barefoot and Benevolent: How a Young Man is Making Some Worldly Changes One Step at a Time

Have you ever wondered what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes? While most of us cannot even fathom such an idea, a middle-school student and UNICEF youth ambassador Bilaal Rajan, can positively say that he has, in a more literal sense of the term.

The young ambassador hailing from his hometown in Toronto, is pledging to go barefoot for three days this upcoming week in order to raise awareness for child poverty on International Children’s Day.

The reason behind his pledge to go barefoot is Rajan’s commitment to understanding the lives of children all around the world with lesser means than he, who can appreciate the massive benefits of something as simple as a pair of shoes.

Rajan is so passionate about this cause that he has organized his entire school, teachers and staff included, to take off their shoes for the entire Tuesday school day.

However, this is not the first time Rajan’s feet have felt the cold hard cement streets of the city. In fact, Rajan’s Barefoot Challenge has now become an annual event in Toronto, raising awareness and funds for children’s aid foundations worldwide.

When he’s not walking barefoot aimlessly throughout Canada’s streets, this philanthropic overachiever is tirelessly campaigning for humanitarian causes that span across the globe. From raising thousands of dollars to even writing a book about humanitarian work, Bilaal Rajan has lived a full life through his charitable acts, all at the ripe old age of thirteen. Have YOU helped save the world today?


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People! Listen Up and Put Your Spoons Down!

Ben & Jerry’s is one conscientious company. Not only does the ice cream boast the most intense of flavors, it’s ecologically-friendly reputation has made the sweet company one of the most popular mainstays in American culture! However, similar to the Tiger Woods’ story, we may soon discover that Ben & Jerry’s is not all that it’s cracked up to be.

According to the watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the ice cream company short changes one small category in its marketing scheme: product labeling.

When it comes to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and yogurt flavors being “all natural,” CSPI is piping up to call their bluff. In fact, according to Eatocracy, all but five out of fifty-three of the flavors “contain dextrose, alkalized cocoa, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils or other artificial flavors and chemically modified ingredients.”

CSPI is so outraged with this falsity in advertisement, it is also threatening to bring in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the ice cream moguls don’t fess up to their fake-ness.

If up to this point in reading you’re still not too disappointed in Ben & Jerry’s superficial ways, then perhaps you can find it within your heart (and your stomach) to forgive the company of its ill doings. After all, it has pledged abstinence from dairy farms that use bovine growth hormone, in addition to sourcing paper products from a completely sustainable paper supplier. Ben & Jerry’s even purchases carbon offsets to help equalize its contribution to the global output and sends its unwanted ice cream waste to a methane bio-digester.

What we are saying to Ben & Jerry’s is that we’re cool even if everything about the product isn’t completely real. Sometimes, we as human beings actually need a little superficiality within our lives just to even out the playing field. All we are asking is for the company to maintain its safe and responsible environmental practices and to simply, just keep it real....Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: takepart.com

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Build It and They Will Come: The Wall Against Hunger

You’ve heard of the Berlin Wall and it’s infamous “iron curtain.” You can see the actual Great Wall of China from outer space. So what could possibly be more powerful and influential than these historical and colossal monuments? How about a wall that breaks barriers rather than creates them. We are talking about the great food wall that hails from the grand state of Kentucky.

In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, local food-aid organizers are striving to give their somewhat unknown city a chance to make world-record headlines by constructing a massive wall made of canned goods.

At 100,000 cans already stacked with some 20,000 waiting to be added, the Wall Against Hunger is on track to pommel the past record of 115,527 cans while simultaneously stocking needy food pantries for many months (or years) to come!

With the collaboration of philanthropic groups such as Feeding America, North Hardin HOPE, Helping Hand of the Heartland and local chambers of commerce, organizers of each group are hoping to reach their goal of 198,000 cans which would fill two local food pantries for up to two years!

Aside from the obvious, the Wall Against Hunger has another paramount purpose: becoming a replica of the 164-foot Vietnam War memorial in Washington, D.C to honor the veterans.

With it’s massive size and meaning behind its structure, the Wall Against Hunger is sure to leave a mark not only in hungry people’s lives, but in history itself. In it’s quest to leave a mark in the world records, Elizabethtown, Kentucky is demonstrating that a even a small rural town, can make a world of difference. Kind of makes the “world’s tallest woman” record seem a bit frivolous, doesn't it? Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: takepart.com

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APCH Adds New Meaning To “Saved By the Bell”

Keeping kids out of trouble has been a problem that many concerned parents have often failed to tackle. Now take one parent out of the equation, and more times than not, the problem has exponentially increased. In many situations where the parent is away working to make ends meet, idle kids at home seek stimulation from their peers which can sometimes result in gangs, violence, and drug-use.

To help battle the war on young idle minds, a charitable program was developed in hopes to guide these kids in a better, more productive direction. In 1993, Founder and President Debrah Constance, created A Place Called Home (APCH) which was designed to give the gang affected youth of the impoverished inner-city a place where they could come after school, get a snack, do their homework, watch TV, play with their friends, and be around people that care for their well-being aside from their parent(s). In other words, APCH is trying to provide normality in a troubled teen’s life.

From their fundamental concept of providing care for the kids, APCH grew at an alarming rate and now is proud to offer its youth members many programs including a day-long school in collaboration with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Additionally, the APCH offers a computer lab, music and art classes, dance studios, tutoring and mentoring to students who seek extracurricular activities when the last bell of the day rings.

Aside from its obvious single-parent fans, APCH boasts a vast roster of high profile celebrities such as Brian McKnight, Jamie Lee Curtis, Orlando Jones, and Monique who support their cause. However, probably the most important supporters are the very ones who the charity directs its efforts: our nation’s youth. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: apch.org

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Stimulating the Senses One Angle at a Time

Our society is filled with contraptions and products that ensure a longer and healthier life span. Additionally, Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year on cosmetic surgery to keep the over-cherished appearance of their youth. But what if we could avoid spending absurd amounts of money on these promising youth serums and doctors, and opt for something more practical to lengthen our lifespans...something else like...a house? That’s right, I said a HOUSE!

The New York based architects Arakawa & Gins, whose motto is “We have chose not to die,” say that their bizarre homes offer their inhabitants ways to stay sharp and young. However, the so-called methodology behind their homes may seem rather unorthodox to some.

The circular and obscure angles the home offers would appear to leave people thinking they’re a mouse in a maze rather than a king in a castle. However, Arakawa & Gins explains that their units will ensure youthfulness by taking away people’s stability and encourage them to keep on their toes with the unexpected level changes, unusually small door openings, iridescent and luminous color schemes, and inconsistently bumpy flooring.

So what is the cost for this modern-day Mcdonald’s playground for the elderly? With just two rentals up for grabs thus far, the units are available for 220,000 to 250,000 yen (near $2,000 to $2,400) per month, which in retrospect, is a pittance to pay for everlasting youth. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: inhabitat.com

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How One Small Person Can Made a World of a Difference

Remaining on the same air travel trend as the previous post, today we will delve a bit deeper to highlight one of the employees of Continental (what a coincidence!) who has made a mark on the international scene of giving.

Continental flight attendant, Mary Beth Lavin, discovered that tremendous effects and events can unfurl simply from performing a daily act of which every one of us are guilty; opening our email (both on and off the job). That particular email happened to be from a friend who desperately needed formula for thirty-five infants in her Ethiopian orphanage. Because formula is a black market commodity in Africa, finding it is obviously extremely hard to come by. What would come next would surprise not only Lanvin herself, but the rest of the country as well.

Upon receiving the email, Lanvin quickly reached out to friends, family, and her church in her hometown of Orlando, Florida. The response and engagement spread like a brushfire...Soon Lanvin found herself on an international flight to Africa, and using her benefits as a flight attendant, delivered over $1,000 worth of formula and cash donations to her friend’s orphanage.

One would think that this philanthropic effort would have stopped at that point. However, as soon as she returned stateside, Lanvin began building support for her mission, which is now dubbed, Formula One Life. “It just seemed right because Formula One car racing has a sense of urgency that we certainly have on our mission.”

Having sent aid to Haiti and collaborated with other charitable foundations and organizations, Formula One Life has now delivered more than $25,000 worth of formula and powdered milk to those in need abroad. Although Lanvin is simply a Continental flight attendant, her actions are paralleling that of the United States President. How is that for a little dose of perspective? Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: formulaonelife.org

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Continental is Piloting Their Way To The Top

Being that the airline industry has taken a huge hit with our current economy, travelers seem to hold the upper hand when it comes to flying the friendly skies. So, aside from price and accommodations, what else influences your decision to fly on a certain airline? If you answered “eco-friendliness,” then we know exactly whose aircrafts that you’re boarding.

Continental airlines is striving to separate itself from the rest of its competition by paying more attention to making our earth happy, in addition to its customers.

One small change that has made a vast difference from its competitors is Continental’s recycling efforts. Between 2006 and 2009, the airline collected more than 16.6 million pounds of recyclable materials from its hub airports. By placing designated “EcoSkies” recycling bins throughout various terminals in addition to the airplanes themselves, Continental has managed to blow past its competition in recycling efforts throughout the nation.

Continental also works with contract caterers at the non-hub airports it serves in order to encourage further recycling. Today, more than ninety one percent of Continental’s domestic catering partners and more than eighty seven of their international caterers recycle. To top it off, proceeds from Continental’s recycling program are donated to We Care, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to Continental employees facing tough times.

Lastly, but possibly most important, Continental Airlines became the first US carrier to perform a flight demonstration using biofuel, back in 2009. To keep this green momentum rolling along the tarmac, Continental has partnered with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM International, and Honeywell’s UOP to select algae and jatropha-sources that do not compete with food crops for water resources or contribute to deforestation-as sustainable biofuel resources.

This partnership comes at the most opportune of times as studies have shown that this new biofuel is responsible for an approximate 1.1 percent increase in fuel efficiency and reduces green house emissions by sixty to eighty percent!

With it’s uber-efficient recycling program accompanied with its active studies in biofuel usage, Continental is jet-setting its way past the competition. Add to the fact that Continental actually serves in-flight meals that are completely complimentary, well my friends, they’ve just made those blue skies a whole lot friendlier. Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: www.continental.com

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The City of Lights Goes Electric!

Ahh, the unforgettable city of love...the most romantic city of them all: the one, the only, Paris. While the Parisians are busy loving each other, their cars are busy loving our earth through the new innovative electric car sharing program soon to be launched.

Come September of next year, Paris hopes to capitalize on the success of its bike sharing program with a similar plan called Autolib, which would replace bicycles with electric vehicles.

How it will work is that available electric cars will be stored in both parking garages as well as the street as part of a partnership between Autolib and the city of Paris. Although prices on the program have yet to be set, the company promises that it will cost significantly less per year than owning a car in the city.

With over four thousand cars currently being manufactured, Parisians all around their enchanting city will be loving themselves, each other and, above all, our earth. Have YOU helped save the world today?

For more information, visit: inhabitat.com

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Don’t Be Profane, Please Abstain!

From MTV to TLC, television networks are beaming from the buzz in which teen pregnancy is creating world-wide, and simultaneously profiting off of it. From the hit series 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, people everywhere have become astounded by the drama and strength in which these teens endure. The fact is that by the end of this year, over 750,000 teens will become pregnant. Which leads us to question that although the troubled youth gives us hours of relentless entertainment, perhaps we should stop and think of who is really helping them out?

The Candie’s Foundation is the answer. It works to help formulate the way in which young people in America think about teen pregnancy and parenthood. Since it’s beginning in 2001, the foundation has been set up to educate our youth not only about the acts that can cause a pregnancy, but the consequences in which it entails.

What makes this foundation so riveting is its highly controversial and engaging ad campaigns. From young celebrities who have endured the strains of pregnancy, like Bristol Palin, to others who share a promise of abstinence until marriage, such as Hillary Duff, the Candie’s Foundation is constantly searching for ways to relate to teens nationwide and spread their powerful message.

Although it may promote a formidable ideal, The Candie’s Foundation has got the star power to back it up. The foundation boasts over twenty four A-listers who endorse its campaign...and counting. Now that should make any starry-eyed teenager take a second and “pause for the cause.” Have YOU helped save the world today?


For more information, visit: candiesfoundation.org

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