Think Bigg

What are you doing on May 10, 2008? Perhaps you’ll be presenting your latest film masterpiece on Pangea Day!

What is Pangea Day? Watch this trailer and find out:

According to their website,

Pangea Day was created by award winning documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim after she won the prestigious TED prize. Pangea Day’s mission is to create a worldwide network of caring and concerned citizens who are making a difference. Our first action is an upcoming global film event called Pangea Day.

Sites in New York City, Rio, London, Dharamasala, Cairo, Jerusalem and Kigali will simulcast a program of films, speakers and music.

So even if you don’t get one of your films chosen for the program, maybe you should mark your calendars anyway!

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Just last week, the World Bank launched a new program called “Lighting Africa,” to provide safer, greener alternatives for the 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who have no access to power.

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Because the World Bank estimates that $17 billion a year is spent on inefficient and polluting light sources, such as kerosene, they are turning loose the private sector with a competition and the promise of cold, hard cash (something that’s always alluring to aspiring entrepreneurs!).

Ten to 20 winners will receive grants of up to $200,000. More than 350 companies have already expressed interest.

According to the article,

Working with its private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation, the bank intends to develop market conditions for the supply and distribution of non-fossil fuel lighting products.

These products can include fluorescent light bulbs and light-emitting diodes for use in rural and urban areas not connected to an electricity grid. Power would come from the sun, the wind and mechanical devices such as pedals.

Perhaps some of you out there have a good idea to throw into the mix? The prize might be small, but the reward is immeasurable!

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Congratulations to my friend Amy Smith on a wonderful write-up in today’s NYTimes!

Covering this summer’s International Development Design Summit, the Times gave a great overview of the mechanics of the summer program, as well as Amy’s heroic efforts to promote truly meaningful design at the university.

As the article nicely puts it,

M.I.T. has nurtured dozens of Nobel Prize winners in cerebral realms like astrophysics, economics and genetics. But lately, the institute has turned its attention toward concrete thinking to improve the lives of the world’s bottom billion, those who live on a dollar a day or less and who often die young.

I’m sure the multitude of Amy’s fans just continue to grow…

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Here’s a cause that even your grandmother could get behind! Despite many local laws that outlaw the practice of hanging laundry outside to dry, Project Laundry is fighting for your right to laundry!

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According to their website, here are just six of the great reasons to dry clothes on a line:

1. Save money (more than $100/year for many households).
2. Conserve energy and the environment.
3. Clothes and sheets smell better.
4. Clothes last longer.
5. It is physical activity which you can do in or outside.
6. Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually.

And from now through October 31st, if you purchase a 14″ X 11″ print of this image at $90, the artist will donate $50 per print to Project Laundry.

For a bunch of other online green laundry accessories, click here.  Why not step outside and get some fresh air?

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Do you remember your favorite childhood blankey? Your softest wubbie? Chances are that by the time you finished with it, the edges were more than a little frayed and the stains never quite washed out, but for an important time, it made you feel protected.

The folks at Taggies know how important a security blanket can be — and more importantly, which features matter most!

According to their website,

Julie, a young mother, recognized that her infant was often more interested in the satin tags on toys and clothing than the object itself. An early childhood teacher, she took the idea to a new level by creating a soft security blanket with assorted tags adorning all four sides. It was the first Taggies!

Since then, the company has added the colorful satin tags to books, bedding, toys and pillows, and the result is a line of very cute, very functional baby items.

And the best part? Taggies Cares!

Next time you’re shopping on the website, just select an item you would like to donate (most items are in the $20 range) and Taggies will match it with another of the same item. Taggies will then donate both of your gifts to a children’s charity of their choice. Click here for a list — they’re all very worthy recipients. You might even get your name posted on the website as a thank you!

What better gift to give a child than a little bit of extra added security?

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