In light of the current heated and frequently negative debate surrounding aid to Africa and development in general, I would like to highlight what I consider to be an incredibly uplifting approach to fighting global poverty, embodied in the model of Flying Kites Global, a non-profit organization started by three young intelligent optimists.   Read more...

During my many years in Japan, I've taken the opportunity to dabble in various Japanese arts. I always come away feeling inspired by the sensitivity and attention to detail that is expressed.

One of my explorations led me to take some lessons in Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. During my brief training, my teacher told me the following:

"In contrast to the massing of blooms typical of flower arrangements in the West, Ikebana is usually characterized by a line of twigs and/or leaves, connected by a sparse arrangement of flowers. The idea being to give the viewer the sense that they have come across a scene in nature."   Read more...

Ode's co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Jurriaan Kamp was fortunate enough to moderate a panel on Fortune 500 companies embracing sustainability at the annual LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) Forum happening this week in Boulder, Colorado. The panel had representatives from Walmart, Coca Cola and the Mohawk group answering questions about the steps their companies are taking in the transition toward sustainability.

“We haven’t been sustainable for a long time, but we have a vision to be zero-waste. It’s a lofty vision, but it’s there.” said Candace Taylor, Walmart’s Director of Strategy and Sustainability.   Read more...

As a child growing up in New York City, singer Chloe Temtchine’s parents took her to visit Harlem’s Hale House on a regular basis. Six-year old Chloe brought clothes and toys to the sick children, spent time with them, and formed an early sense of compassion that continues today, with her involvement in Musicians On Call, Life Beat, Dewitt Nursing Home and elsewhere.   Read more...

Fair Trade 50 jaar Original! from WonderlandFilm on Vimeo.

Eerlijke handel in plaats van ontwikkelingshulp: dat werd de revolutionaire aanpak waarmee Fair Trade Original naam maakte, en het verschil maakte. Bekijk hun ontstaansgeschiedenis hier.   Read more...

I recently read a quote that equated switching off cell phone chargers to bailing out the Titanic with a teaspoon. While I understand that the simple act of unplugging a cell phone charger is going to save a negligible amount of electricity, I tend to look at these acts on an environmental fitness scale.

For example, you can’t expect someone who has never worked out a day in his or her life to jump off the couch and run a marathon. The people who are now unplugging their cell phone chargers didn’t even know that the ship was sinking a year ago - so even in that there is progress.   Read more...

Green singles and members of the natural dating community have a new home online: EcoDater.com. EcoDater is an eco-friendly online dating site for green single men and women who care about living a natural, holistic lifestyle. Members include environmentalists, vegans and vegetarians, organic farmers, outdoor enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, adventure singles, activists and much more.

"EcoDater.com is a very open-minded place," says Ryel Kestano, EcoDater founder. "We believe in building a community one person at a time, giving each person the resources to share passions, interests, or musings. We created EcoDater because it represents the best of what we see and experience in this world - community, connectivity, friendship, and a respect for the natural life."   Read more...

Aankomende zomer biedt The Hub in Amsterdam en Rotterdam een aantal ‘learning events’. Deze Summer School is voor iedereen toegankelijk. De workshops en trainingen bieden gereedschap voor succesvol ondernemerschap, vernieuwende initiatieven, duurzaamheid, persoonlijke ontwikkeling en leiderschap.   Read more...

Vanaf 16 juni te bekijken op Het Gesprek: Voor De Wereld van Morgen. Hierin voert Ode's hoofdredacteur Max Christern positief kritische gesprekken over thema's als windenergie, ethisch beleggen en fair trade.   Read more...