The Power of Youth
Severn Cullis-Suzuki is an environmental activist, speaker, author, and television host. She has spoken around the world about environmental issues, urging listeners to define their values, act with the future in mind, and take individual responsibility. In 1992 she raised money with some schoolmates to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where at the age of 12 she made a speech to the U.N. delegates that is as powerful and poignant today as it was in 1992. Check out the video on YouTube and help spread it around -- hers is a voice that needs to be heard now more than ever.

Apples for Teachers
Actress Claire Danes, Apple, and the Cult of Mac blog have joined forces to get $15,000 worth of Apple computers in classrooms across the country, and you can help. Every dollar counts, as Danes is doubling each donation by matching it, and Apple is giving 15% off all computers purchased for schools. It's part of a nationwide educational initiative called Donors Choose sponsored and promoted by American Express. You can contribute to many other school projects at Donors Choose -- all projects have been designed and submitted by teachers for their own schools, and to date over $13 million has been donated to more than 600,000 students. Teachers can also submit proposals for their own schools on the site, and bloggers are encourage to help spread the word.

Fly Through Airport Security Lines
Nothing kills the fun of travel faster than waiting for hours in backed-up security lines. A new program called Fly Clear lets you register in advance and use the no-wait Clear lane at a growing number of airports around the country. For $99/year, Fly Clear will register you with a retinal scan, fingerprint, and ID, and issue a Fly Clear card for participating airports. You step up to the Clear Lane, insert your card, press your finger to the scanner, and proceed through the metal detector without waiting. In most cases, it will not be necessary to remove your shoes as the Clear lanes use an advanced shoe scanner technology. Author Timothy Ferris (The Four-Hour Workweek) says Clear enables him to get through the airport 95% faster than before (a significant perk for frequent travelers). Participating airports include Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Little Rock, JFK, Newark, Orlando, Reno/Tahoe, San Jose, and Westchester County, with more rolling out in the coming year.

Can You Imagine a 4-Hour Workweek?
File this under "books that will change your life." The 4-Hour Workweek asks you to stop envisioning your "dream life" as something you do when you retire. Escape 9-5, live anywhere, and join the "new rich" now. The 4HWW is a playbook for entrepreneurs and dreamers who want to start their own businesses but still have time to see the world, volunteer, learn a foreign language, and spend some time abroad. Author Tim Ferriss has assembled hundreds of great ideas about how to start your own online business, transition your current job to a "remote position," outsource many of your current daily personal and business tasks to India, and and travel the world. The book also discusses the 80/20 principle (80% of tasks are accomplished by 20% of the effort), and offers suggestions to transform your daily efficiency (rule number one: never check your email first thing in the morning). An inspiring read that will definitely make you re-think your life -- it also has a companion website full of ideas (10% of all author royalties are donated to educational non-profits).

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