Discouraging news and warnings about the great problems of our time are pervasive. It’s understandable that many people throw up their hands and turn away when faced with so many essential issues that seem impossible to conquer. Fortunately, there are others who instead dedicate their talent and energy to Make It Better.
In this series, you’ll find pieces about the work being done by The Audacious Project, No Kid Hungry, The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), The Earthshot Prize, and Comfort Cases – to name a few. Maybe their work will give you an idea of something you can do to help repair our tattered world.
Who Are They?
The Audacious Project funds BIG IDEAS that can change the world. Housed at TED, it matches ideas by proven changemakers with philanthropists who fund and help turn those ideas into successful multi-year plans. Audacious projects cover Climate Solutions, Breakthrough Science, Health for All, Social Justice, Social Safety Net, and Tech for Change through initiatives around the world. To date, 49 projects have been launched with $4.2B in funding. Make It Better will follow their progress.
No Kid Hungry is focused on alleviating childhood hunger – one kid at a time. Their efforts are focused in the US, where millions of kids lack access to adequate nutrition. Why this US-based initiative? Because this is a problem we can solve right now. Learn about their program with Make It Better.
The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) is all about biodiversity and the future of our planet. Organizations worldwide are doing their part to sequence the genome of every living organism. These affiliated project networks share their data. I spoke with Harris Lewin, Chair of the Executive Council, last year. His vision is broad, and his enthusiasm is contagious.
The Earthshot Prize describes its work as “urgent optimism and action to repair the world.” Launched in 2020 by Prince William (Prince of Wales), The Earthshot Prize is an independent charity focused on initiatives related to nature, our air, our oceans, waste-free, and climate solutions. Read about their work in this series.
Comfort Cases is an organization dedicated to supplying a backpack to replace the usual trash bag for the belongings of kids entering the foster care systems each day in the US and UK. These backpacks include essentials and comfort items to meet the needs of children of different ages. As an adoptive mom, this work touches my heart and spurs me to do what I can to Make It Better.