Economist Paul Krugman explains how the United States is becoming an oligarchy, a system our founders revolted against. He discusses redistribution, progressive taxation, and related concepts.

This analysis was originally published on April 18, 2014.

Joey Perez serves as spokesperson for the Whale Call Project.

This initiative champions ocean and marine conservation, acting as a critical call for help to protect our vital marine environments.

Over 1.5 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, often relying on expensive, hazardous, and polluting kerosene lanterns or candles. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals highlight electrification as crucial for poverty eradication, aiming to electrify 500 million more people by 2015.

Advances in LED technology offer a vital solution. For instance, homemaker Suranjini Kumar transitioned from oil lamps to bright, clean light in her home using D.Light. This demonstrates how modern lighting solutions can improve lives and contribute to global development goals.

This video shares Acumen Fund's origin story, told through the diverse voices within its community.

Uploaded on November 12, 2011.

Learn more about the Acumen Fund Fellows Program. For detailed information, visit www.acumenfund.org/fellows.html.

This content was uploaded on September 30, 2010.

Jacqueline Novogratz, social entrepreneur and founder of the Acumen Fund, presented her vision at TEDxEuston, challenging the "Status Quo" and "Business as Usual." Her talk, "Power In Our Interconnectedness," urged a new approach to address failures where markets and governments have fallen short, advocating for "investing as a means, not just an end."

The event featured intro and outro music by Kadialy Kouyate, performed at TEDxEuston 2011. You can view the full performance here.

Mary Robinson, President of the Mary Robinson Foundation, delivered a speech on climate justice at the BSR Conference in San Francisco, November 2013.

Learn from the woman who broke glass ceilings and took on the challenge of leaving no
one behind. Mary Robinson is the former President of Ireland, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and
cofounder of Project Dandelion, a woman-led global campaign for climate justice

A member of the Elders and the Club of Madrid, she has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama.

Please NOTE:

ABOUT UPCOMING SCREENING of film, Mrs. Robinson
We are reaching out to invite you to a screening of the documentary Mrs. Robinson on Friday, November 14th, at 7PM EST/4PM PST. You can register here to participate on our streaming site, Kinema at earthsayerscinema.com. You will receive a confirmation email from Kinema. Learn from the woman who broke glass ceilings and took on the challenge of leaving no one behind.

This video is a trailer for Annie Leonard's book, *The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-And How We Can Make It Better*.

In the book, Leonard explores the effects of overconsumption on our planet, communities, and health, and proposes ways to improve these issues. To purchase the book, visit Amazon or your local bookstore.

The U.S. is a wealthy nation, not broke, yet its economy is fundamentally flawed. It generates excessive pollution and waste. Instead of investing in sustainable alternatives, we prop up this "dinosaur economy" with billions in taxpayer money.

The Story of Broke advocates for a crucial shift in government spending. It proposes redirecting funds towards clean, green solutions: renewable energy, safer materials, and zero waste. These investments promise jobs and a healthier environment, offering a better way to rebuild the American Dream.

Releasing Tuesday, November 9, "The Story of Electronics" exposes the high-tech revolution's collateral damage: 25 million tons of e-waste, poisoned workers, and public costs. Host Annie Leonard guides viewers from gadget production in mines and factories to their grim end in Chinese recycling shops. The film advocates a "green 'race to the top'" for designers to create long-lasting, toxic-free, and easily recyclable products.

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition, promoting green design and responsible recycling, partnered on this production.

Released July 21, 2010, "The Story of Cosmetics" is a seven-minute film by The Story of Stuff Project. It exposes the widespread use of toxic chemicals in everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo.

Produced with Free Range Studios and hosted by Annie Leonard, the film reveals the health and environmental implications for consumers and workers. It also outlines ways to transition the industry towards safer alternatives.

The film concludes by urging viewers to support legislation that ensures the safety of cosmetics and personal care products.

Larry Merculieff presented "Womb at the Center of the Universe" at the Earth Day Conference 2012, sponsored by the Earth & Spirit Council. This excerpt is from a three-hour teaching circle.

Merculieff's presentation emphasizes "Original Instructions" and "Natural Laws" for harmony, highlighting women's vital role and discussing the "New Spiritual Warrior." Videotaped by Barry Heidt of Sustainability Action Media (SAM) on April 20, 2012, a longer version is available on YouTube. The full teaching, "TEACHINGS FROM THE WOMB: The transformative Powers of Ceremony," is also accessible and was added to the EarthSayers.tv collection by Ruth Ann Barrett.

Season Two launches March 1st with "The Story of Citizens United v. FEC." This episode explores the excessive power corporations wield in our democracy.

It is the second installment in a series by Annie Leonard, creator of The Story of Stuff. Learn more at storyofcitizensunited.org.

During the Copenhagen Climate Talks, Kenyan tree-planting activist Wangari Maathai was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon bestowed the honor, symbolized by a pinned dove, in a ceremony witnessed by RRI's Elizabeth Baker, a delegate associated with Maathai's Green Belt Movement.

Professor Maathai emphasized activism's crucial role in safeguarding civil society's global interests. She urged for decisive climate action within a Copenhagen agreement.

This excerpt is from Mr. Johnson's 2008 speech on public lands.

The full address is available at Fora.tv.

Huey Johnson, President of the Resource Renewal Institute, highlights a key element for professional success.

He discusses the importance of cultivating respect and positive relationships within the workplace environment.

Huey Johnson, founder of the Resource Renewal Institute, discusses the critical importance of green planning. He champions an approach that integrates sustainable development principles.

Johnson's advocacy focuses on implementing these comprehensive strategies at a national scale, promoting environmental health and long-term societal resilience.

Green Plans are comprehensive, integrated management strategies designed to achieve environmental and economic sustainability, replacing traditional single-issue policies.

These plans have been implemented worldwide, including New Zealand, the Netherlands, and other European Union countries. Advocate Huey Johnson has introduced them to parts of the United States, believing they are crucial for managing Climate Change.

The Netherlands' National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP), adopted in 1989, is the longest-running example. Despite facing severe environmental problems like congestion and heavy industry, the country achieved significant recovery in under 20 years through its implementation.

Rachel Carson, often dismissed as "hysterical," courageously confronted powerful chemical companies. Her groundbreaking 1962 book, *Silent Spring*, meticulously exposed the devastating environmental impact of pesticides.

Carson's compelling arguments ignited public awareness, fundamentally challenging industrial practices and laying the groundwork for the modern environmental movement.

Kaiulani Lee portrays Rachel Carson in a semi-documentary based on Carson's own writings. The film depicts two interviews during Carson's final year, as she battles cancer and addresses the controversy surrounding her groundbreaking book, "Silent Spring."

This moving film can be streamed for free on [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com) and [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com) (free with Prime). It explores not only environmental issues but also profound themes of life, death, courage, and truth.