PEOPLE

Meet people working for positive change in the world and turning life into a permanent adventure.

Aika Tsubota has created a stunning picture book that is making its way into schools around the world.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki (23) has been a member of Kofi Annan’s Special Advisory Panel. She calls youth to sign the Recognition of Responsibility to pledge their commitment for creating a positive future for all.

Wangari Maathai (63) has received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize für her "contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace"; biography and interview.

Ryan Hreljac (13) was 6 when he decided to make clean drinking water accessible to all people of the world. Today, he has raised more than 2.5 Mio Dollars and realised more than 120 projects in 9 countries.

Hafsat Abiola (27) is seen by many as a hope for democracy in Nigeria. Her vision is to nurture positive leadership in one billion young women worldwide.

Ocean Robbins (30) heard Nancy Reagan tell youth to "just say no" in 1990. Instead, then 16, he founded YES, to help young people lead meaningful lives. Today, YES is a distinguished pacemaker in youth leadership.

Created by

Project Partners

IHTEC Canada

Positive News UK

Content Partners

PNYV's content is realised with outstanding partners around the globe. 

Changemakers.Net

Worldwatch Institute

Big Picture TV

World Conservation Union

OneWorld.net

Curious about PNYV? Take 1 Minute, 2 Minutes, 15 or 60+ minutes to learn 'How to Play PNYV to the Fullest!' * * * * * * * *

WELCOME!

We have been receiving great response to our 'first season' from five continents, and the first steps for introducing PNYV to 16 language hemispheres are underway. PNYV is an abbreviation for fundamental pillars of the future: positive + news + youth + views.

How to pronounce it? Just say 'pniff'. Of course, there exists no 'pniff'-word, but in German, there is 'Kniff' or 'Kunstgriff' which means an artistic, aesthetic trick, a new, inventive way to make a positive difference that matters. It is in the depth of language that we sometimes can discover wisdom and meaning.

As you may not have come across media like PNYV before, we are now unveiling 'The Origins of Spreading Good Examples', which has a lot to do with 'Future Studies' and creating paths towards positive futures. Enjoy!

EDITORIAL   One Earth Day, many Earth Days or EARTH DAY? Any more Actions - Questions Needed?   We have reached Earth Day April 22nd and some might be wondering: didn’t we just celebrate Earth Day with the ringing of UN Peace Bells at Spring Equinox on March 20? Let's explore this a bit closer...        [<<< Have you ever touched and felt it?] HeBe

INNOVATION & SUCCESS STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

JUST PUBLISHED!

On 20 April 2005, a group of international youth experts has released a report on challenges and opportunities for youth to implement the UN's Millenium Development Goals.

"We are the first generation that can end poverty!" and youth organisations around the world are serious about making it happen. Join in!

This most comprehensive study of all times reveals the critical status of the planet's life systems. The report includes action proposals to avoid the collapse of civilsation within our lifetime.

Earth Day is an omnicultural celebration of global balance, harmony and caring for Planet Earth. Founded by John McConnell in 1970 and proclaimed in the same year by UN Secretary General U Thant, it has since been celebrated by the simultaneous ringing of Peace Bells around the world. Join Earth Day as an anchorpoint of sustainability learning and community-building!

Phiri Maseko has turned his farm into a paradise that resists droughts for several years. How? Through water-farming!

Japan's Prime Minister's new, official residence will be the first private home in the world to be equipped with a fuel cell powered heating system.

Bysanivaripalle has been avantgarde ever since it installed the first biogas units in the Eighties. Now, not a single stick needs to be burned any more. The village has gone 100% solar.

Bibai City has 8 metres of snowfall every year. This abundant natural resource is now used to reduce cuts and emissions by a joint initiative of the local stakeholders of sustainability.

The Ecological Footprint calculates the surface area you are using up to feed your lifestyle. If all 6 billion humans led the lifestyle of US American citizens, they would need 4.5 planets! How many planets do YOU need? And how about the effects of war?

Human trafficking is the third-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. The good news is that this fight can be won.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Creating a Strong Citizenry in Brazil "Brazil's citizens are out of shape," says social entrepreneur Luciana Martinelli, and promotes playful ways of guiding youths towards powerful citizenship - with big success!

The "Recognition of Responsibility" is a pledge for walking one's talk for a sustainable world. Originally formulated by Canadian youth, it is making its way around the world and should be signed by you, - today!

NEW DEMOCRACY

Two major Berlin events on youth / future / education applied innovative dialogue methods triggering great enhancement of dialogue quality, intensity and results.

In the last thousand years, England has been at war for 56 years out of every hundred. Diana Basterfield says, "What is needed is a shift. Our culture must be permeated with the tools of non-violence and conflict resolution. We must wage peace with sophistication and commitment just as we now wage war."

COMMUNICATION

Californian company Solar PC announces the introduction of a 100 dollar PC for reducing the digital divide. read

There is a new way of packaging awareness messages into fun electronic nutshells, and guess what - this really works!

SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY

Last year, Brazilians bought 200,000 Flex Fuel Cars running on alcohol. FFC's are climate neutral, reduce fuel costs by 50% and receive tax benefits.

A Cornell University research group discovers how to make plastics from citrus fruits, such as oranges, and carbon dioxide.

Civil society and consumer rights activists have long discussed the powers of an ethical product scanner, which allows customers to access product information from businesses and independent monitoring organisms, such as human rights organisations. The first step has been introduced by Japanese companies.

'Love Cane Shirts' impress with three pleasant qualities: they are air-permeable, antibacterial and have deodorant effects.

Deeply shocked of seeing the gruesome effects of landmines, Japanese businessman Kiyoshi Amemiya decided to have his comany develop an effective mine-clearing machine.

Genetically modified Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) changes colour from green to red within 3-6 weeks when triggered by a specific stimulus, - like landmines.

The world's first commercial-scale floating Wave Energy Converter (WEC), is now successfully delivering electricity into the UK grid.

SOCIETY + COOPERATION

In Argentina, an unprecedented response to the severe economic depression and ensueing social crisis is taking place. Alta en el Cielo - high in the sky, is a 14 year project uniting people from all walks of life in the creation of the greatest united flag of the world.

Ithaca, New York, known for printing its own money, boasts its own co-op health plan, costing members just $100 per year (local cash accepted). Because the Fund makes payments anywhere in the world with any health provider and usually overnight, there are already over 1,300 members in 26 states worldwide. read

GOVERNANCE + POLICIES

Under a new environmental regulation, many car models cannot be sold any longer due to their bad environmental performance.

ECONOMY

Phiri Maseko has turned his farm into a paradise that resists droughts for several years. How? Through water-farming!

WELL-BEING

Hong Kong is becoming a more peaceful place than it was two years ago. A growing circle of school kids, teachers and local residents are learning the skills of peacemaking, inspired by the work of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP).

Even the most talented believed it had left them “slow,” “retarded,” or “damaged.” Hospitals began secretly testing pregnant women for cocaine, and jailing them or taking their children. Represent Magazine decided to publish a special crack issue to help break the stigma and asked the writers to appear on the cover, under the headline ‘CRACK BABIES’ — ALL GROWN UP.

Pastor Elder Benson has made a vision of community-gardening come true. Ensuring that every-one in the area always has economic and physical access to plenty of quality food!

CULTURES + TRADITIONS

"When people of faith commit to address religious violence and other pressing issues facing the global community they follow through. We make a commitment not only to the world, but out of a deeply rooted religious or spiritual conviction. That is why this year’s Parliament is going to make an impact."

EVENTS

Earth Day is a global celebration of global balance, harmony and caring for Planet Earth. Founded by John McConnell in 1970 and proclaimed in the same year by UN Secretary General U Thant, it has since been celebrated by the simultanous ringing of Peace Bells at the United Nations and around the world. Earth Day is celebrated on March 20/21, the Spring Equinox, an omnicultural day of celebration around the world. Join Earth Day as an anchorpoint of sustainability learning and community-building!

CAMPAIGNS

"We are the first generation that can end poverty!" and youth organisations around the world are serious about making it happen. Join in!

With German, Canadian and other G8 coalitions developing their own versions of the 'Click' ad, the Make Poverty History campaign is building mass public support to challenge both the UK and other G8 governments to drop the debt, make trade just and give more and better aid to developing countries.

REPORTS

In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all

Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan

The report is called “In Larger Freedom” because those very words from the UN Charter convey the idea that development, security and human rights inseparably go hand in hand. "Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear, Freedom to Live in Dignity" are three sections of the report calling for governments to stand up to their declarations, respect human dignity at home and abroad and strengthen the United Nations as a non-partisan coordinative body: http://www.un.org/largerfreedom/contents.htm

Millenium Ecosystem Assessment

This most comprehensive study of all times reveals how badly damaged the world's life systems are. The report includes action proposals to avoid the collapse of civilsation within our lifetime. View our entry on this important report, then go study the main site http://millenniumassessment.org/en/index.aspx of this on-going scientific report, and make sure you understand (!) what it means for the lives of you and your family. The popularised version includes outstanding documentation in very nice information layout http://greenfacts.org/ecosystems/.

Worldwatch Institute

+ State of the World Report 2005 & Special Focus: "Redefining Global Security"

   website incl. Trends and Facts — Security Redefined

+ State of the World Report 2004 & Special Focus: "The Consumer Society" 

   website incl. Consumer Spending & Population by World Region

+ various reports for free PDF download

The GlobeScan Survey of Sustainability Experts released last month names State of the World the highest-rated annual publication—and acknowledges Worldwatch Institute as one of the top ten most effective sustainable development research organizations. The GlobeScan report as PDF.

WWF's Living Planet Report

Without profound societal change towards sustainability, humans will consume between 180% and 220% of the Earth's biological capacity by 2050. Already by 2030, human welfare will go into serious decline, - unless governments and You take urgent action. website and graphic

IUCN - Global Species Assessment

Report on biodiversity and the extinction of species

General information and The IUCN Red List

Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index

Bribery and corruption are wrecking inter/national economies. TI is a global NGO monitoring government corruption. Read current CP Index + website + resources

NEW!!

View the PNYV-Slideshows for a quick introduction to PNYV and its 7 Magic Tricks!

Big Picture TV: Meet some of today’s leading problem solvers and innovators, - tune in

"Revolution from the Heart of Nature" RADIO SHOW SERIES

A thirteen-part, half-hour radio series, heard on more than 200 cities in the US and across the globe, produced by Bioneers.

What is the Meatrix?

Now seen by over 5 million viewers, the illusion is about to end. Watch it! (Flash)

And Monsterslash? find out

TIPS + TRICKS

Visit Worldwatch to learn on what you really buy!

KNOW OUR NUMBERS?

[Source: Worldwatch Institute]

Visit these pages to learn about how issues of today interrelate.

Signposts Trivia Quiz:

Agriculture & Food

Population, Health & Economy

Matters of Scale:

Trouble in the Pipeline

Consumer Spending and Population

Web Traffic

Brain Drain

The Hidden Cost of Embodied Energy

Planet Golf

Coal Facts

Chemicals & Warfare

Some Encouraging Trends

Food for Thought

Paying a Price for Democracy

Spending Priorities

more

???

What do Makeup, Ice Cream, and Clean Drinking Water Have in Common?