Impact

The big ideas that are changing the world

Wayfarer Studios, the company behind Disney Plus’s ‘Clouds,’ makes social justice the star

Beyond just creating content with a message, the upstart studio wants to upend the traditional model by building a company that puts equity at the fore.

Wayfarer Studios, the company behind Disney Plus’s ‘Clouds,’ makes social justice the star

This old but innovative form of real estate deal could help heal segregated cities

Calls to resolve inequality have raised an idea with century-old roots: community land trusts to assemble land for the benefit of Black Americans.

This old but innovative form of real estate deal could help heal segregated cities

Forget U or V or W: We may be headed toward a K-shaped recovery

The lack of further stimulus aid from the government could create more and more divergence between our society’s “haves” and “have-nots.”

Forget U or V or W: We may be headed toward a K-shaped recovery

What’s in store for 2021? Epidemics are often followed by social unrest

Throughout history, periods of disease have exacerbated existing social tensions—which then explode.

What’s in store for 2021? Epidemics are often followed by social unrest

This new monument will be the first to remember the victims of COVID-19

In Uruguay, the World Memorial to the Pandemic will force people to confront their relationship with the deadly potential of nature.

This new monument will be the first to remember the victims of COVID-19

Wildlife populations have declined by 68% since 1970—and it’s humanity’s fault

The World Wildlife Fund finds that climate change and deforestation are doing massive damage to the world’s animals.

Wildlife populations have declined by 68% since 1970—and it’s humanity’s fault

Earth may temporarily pass the dangerous 1.5°C warming limit by 2024

There’s a chance that weather patterns could push us over the limit (for a little while) sooner than expected. But there’s still time to reverse the trend.

Earth may temporarily pass the dangerous 1.5°C warming limit by 2024

The best philanthropy takes the biggest risks

Making a big bet on one moon-shot idea can have more impact than funding many organizations.

The best philanthropy takes the biggest risks

These running shoes are designed to be 100% recycled

Salomon is debuting a fully circular shoe, the Index.01.

These running shoes are designed to be 100% recycled

Look at the West Coast’s apocalyptic hell sky

As wildfires rage up and down the western seaboard, people in California and Oregon woke up to an eerie, orange-tinted world.

Look at the West Coast’s apocalyptic hell sky

McDonald’s is testing a new system of reusable, returnable coffee cups

As part of the experiment in the U.K., you’ll be able to return the cup to McDonald’s when you’re done—or drop it off at a network of collection sites at places like supermarkets.

McDonald’s is testing a new system of reusable, returnable coffee cups

This interactive map shows the key places that must be protected to curb climate change

See where the Earth’s most biologically important land is.

This interactive map shows the key places that must be protected to curb climate change

This Gates-backed startup is building a better battery for electric cars

QuantumScape will produce the batteries that power VW’s future electric vehicles—using a different kind of tech than is currently in most EVs.

This Gates-backed startup is building a better battery for electric cars

When roads heat up during the summer, the asphalt poisons urban air

When roads get heated by the sun, asphalt can emit greater quantities of secondary organic aerosols than on-road gasoline and diesel vehicles combined.

When roads heat up during the summer, the asphalt poisons urban air

This new clothes-sharing platform lets you borrow clothes from someone else’s closet

Wardrobe uses a network of dry cleaners to store, clean, and ship clothes you want to let other people rent.

This new clothes-sharing platform lets you borrow clothes from someone else’s closet

Our definition of ‘success’ is holding business back—it’s time for a new one

Old success was selfish and short-lived; new success must be shared and sustaining.

Our definition of ‘success’ is holding business back—it’s time for a new one

Food wrappers just passed cigarette butts as the most common beach trash

Of the nearly 32.5 million pieces of trash collected by Ocean Conservancy cleanups, there were 4.7 million food wrappers.

Food wrappers just passed cigarette butts as the most common beach trash

How to separate fact from fiction when you read COVID-19 news

Anecdotes and data often appear side by side in news stories about the pandemic. And data can be interpreted in multiple ways. Here’s what to look for.

How to separate fact from fiction when you read COVID-19 news

What the CDC eviction ban means for tenants and landlords: 6 questions answered

The decision could be a huge break for renters affected by the pandemic, but it’s not totally clear who qualifies or what the terms are. We’ve tried to clear it up.

What the CDC eviction ban means for tenants and landlords: 6 questions answered

New Jersey will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for professional licenses

The law represents a significant barrier lifted for thousands of undocumented immigrants—particularly during the pandemic. New Jersey is the first state on the East Coast to take the step.

New Jersey will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for professional licenses

Impact

Shifting to plant-based plastic is a start—but it can’t be the only solution to plastic waste

The insidious ways building private prisons creates more prisons

Tom Steyer: The climate crisis is now threatening the health and safety of every American

News

RIP RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87

How to keep wildfire smoke out of your home: Avoid these 5 surprising mistakes

60% of shuttered businesses on Yelp will never reopen

Co.Design

This library looks like a giant game of Scrabble

Returns are bad for the environment. Pottery Barn wants to do something about it

The world’s most unconventional use of business cards

Work Life

Obama’s White House photographer takes his Instagram shade against Trump to a new doc

This is how mentorship relationships should adapt to the pandemic

What the CROWN Act means for Black women at work