365 Ways to Change the World How to Make a Difference, One Day at a Time

Introduction What's the big idea? The world is full of all sorts of problems, including HIV/AIDS, which is infecting more and more of the world's populationA widening North-South divideWar and terror(and the "War on Terror")All the "isms"(racism, sexism, ageism, etc.) that deny people opportunitiesEnvironmental degradationand pollutionA scarcity of waterfor living and workingHungerfor far too many of the world's populationA lack of universal primary educationCorruption and bad governancein too much of the worldAbuse of human rights(including slavery and torture)Global warming, which will have an impact on almost everything . . . and many more. We all have our own ideas about what's wrong with the world.We argue about which are the most important issues. But everyone agrees that things could be a lot better than they are and that something really does need to be done. But what? Do we just leave it to governments and international institutions? Or are there things we can do that will actually make a difference? The issues that confront us may seem so huge,so complicated, so difficult to deal with that it's hard to believe that anything we can do will have a meaningful impact. But there are a lot of us in the world. A lot of people doing a lot of little things could have a huge impact. And by doing something, we are also demonstrating that lots of people really do care. Together we can change the world.That is the idea underlying this book. Through the way we live, the adjustments we make in our lives, and the action we take on issues that really concern us, we can begin to make a difference. This book has an idea a day for changing the world.Most are quite simple, can be done from home, and will not take up that much time. Some require a bit more time, energy, and commitment. Get going on changing the world.You can make a start at anytime. But the best time is right now! Just open the book to today's date, read, enjoy, be inspired to action . . . and do something. Visit www.365act.com:To complement the book, we have created a website that includes all the 365 ideas and many more. You will also be able to click on the weblinks to go straight to the sources of information listed in the book. This book is just a starting pointfor an ideas bank for changing the world. We need your help, your ideas, the feedback from what you have tried to do in order to help us make our dream -- of people everywhere doing all they can to change the world -- a reality. We look forward to hearing from you. Copyright 2005 by Michael Norton New Year'sREVOLUTION The best way to predict the future is to invent it. -- Alan Kay New Year's Day is traditionally a time for looking forward,when we resolve to make a fresh start, do better, try harder, live up to expectations. But all too often these resolutions evaporate by the time we have cleared up the remains of the previous night's party and almost certainly by the time we get in to work the next day. And if nothing is changing in the world around you, and the same old problems -- war, famine, injustice, torture, poverty, disease -- are reported in the news day after day, you may feel as though there is little point in resolving to give up smoking, lose those extra pounds, walk to work. So here's a suggestion: instead of watching, wracked by guilt, as world events unfold on your TV screen, bring about a New Year's Revolution. Change your life by resolving to change the world. Taking the first step is important.Once you've gotten started, everytNorton, Michael is the author of '365 Ways to Change the World How to Make a Difference, One Day at a Time', published 2007 under ISBN 9780743297783 and ISBN 0743297784.