A Passion for Peppers: The Movement to Save New Mexico’s Treasured Chiles
New Mexico's traditional landrace chile varieties have adapted to hot days, cold nights, and long dry spells. But can they survive modern agribusiness?
Economy
To Truly Address Inequality, Let’s Build a People-Centered Economy
The high-tech hubs and natural gas drilling the president called for in his state of the union speech aren't the answer to our economic woes. Instead, we need to follow the leadership already coming from communities, workers, and small-business owners.
How a Fruit and Vegetable Auction in Rural Ohio Helps Appalachian Farmers Thrive
Produce auctions are getting fresh vegetables into food deserts, building community, and helping rural farmers earn a living.
10 Clever Ideas From Around the World to Root Out Inequality (Like Fining Extreme CEO Pay)
From Switzerland to New York, it seems like people are talking more than ever about inequality—and its antidotes. Here are some of the most promising and provocative ideas from last year that could shift our course in 2014.
After 20-Year Fight, Bronx Community Wins Big on Development Project Committed to Living Wages and Local Economy
The people of New York’s poorest borough fought to ensure that redevelopment of its castle-like landmark will benefit those who live there. Will it be a gamechanger?
An Economy That Benefits Ordinary People? What We Learned From the 1%
When thinking 40 years into the future, people step out of the current political situation, and our sense of what's possible becomes much more expansive. We are not only able to think bigger—we crave it.
Get Hopeful For 2014: YES! Founder Sarah van Gelder Talks to Democracy Now!
From new leadership in the fight against climate change to an uprising in the education system, there's a lot to be excited about in 2014.
10 Hopeful Things That Happened in 2013 to Get You Inspired for What’s to Come
Beyond the headlines of conflict and catastrophe, this year’s top stories offered us some powerful proof that the world can still change—for the better.
Philly’s New Land Bank: Will It Give Blighted Communities a Boost?
The city is home to more than 40,000 vacant properties. Now neighborhoods are hoping a new public entity can help them bounce back from the post-industrial blues.
Only 4 Percent of the Lowest-Wage Workers Get Paid Family Leave: Could a New Law Change This?
Many small businesses do want to give their workers paid time off to care for new babies and sick family members, but lack the means. How a new bill could make it possible.
Can this Small College in Maryland Pass the Fairest Wage Policy in US Academia?
An initiative developed by staff, students, and faculty would tie the earnings of the school's highest-paid employees to those of the lowest.
We Know Who Stole the Economy—National People’s Action Moves to Take It Back
"Listen to and work with your base to create a shared, big-picture narrative."
Artist’s Dollar-Bill Collages Question the Meaning of Money
"Anarchists are certain I'm an anarchist because I cut up a favorite tool of the oppressor," artist Mark Wagner says. "Capitalists think I'm a capitalist because I revel in it."
Hey, NY Times, Want Fairness in Pacific Trade Deal? Then Advocates Must Get Seat at the Table
A recent editorial in the The New York Times argued that the Trans Pacific Partnership should strengthen environmental and labor regulations. But that won't happen unless we change the process.
Bill de Blasio: A Mayor for the New Economy
New York City's new mayor has laid out a radically inclusive economic agenda.
The Economy of Smallness: Making Economic Exchange a Loving Human Interaction
Philadelphia restauranteur and local economies movement leader Judy Wicks on making good and doing good.
Main Street Comeback: How Independent Stores are Thriving (Even in the Age of Amazon)
Despite behemoths like Starbucks and Amazon, the number of independent bookstores, coffeeshops, and other businesses is growing.
Can Eminent Domain Be Used to Avert a Foreclosure Mess? This California City Thinks So
Governments usually use eminent domain powers to displace people. But one hardscrabble Bay Area city is going to the mat to do just the opposite—stabilize its economy and keep residents where they are.
Nobel Prize? Meet the Economic Movement That Really Deserves Praise
This week, the Nobel Prize for economics may have gone to three academics, but the real work of fixing our local economies was happening on the ground—as part of New Economy Week.
How Domestic Workers Won Their Rights: Five Big Lessons
After decades of exclusion, home care workers are finally covered by federal minimum wage laws. Anyone who works for social change can learn from how they did it.
What 11-Year-Olds Get—and Adults Forget—About Child Labor in Chocolate
Marie Hogan confronted Hershey’s about using children in its supply chain because she cares about other kids, fairness—and candy. Here’s what we can learn from her.
What’s Fairer than Fair Trade? Try Direct Trade With Cocoa Farmers
Fair trade is good, but it still leaves cocoa growers in poverty. Here’s how to do better.
Welcome to Commonomics: How to Build Local Economies Strong Enough for Everyone
In our new series, YES! Magazine investigates what it will take to strengthen our local economies for the benefit of all.
Brand New From Annie Leonard: The Story of Solutions
The final film in the “Story of Stuff” series asks, What if the goal of our economy wasn’t more, but better—better health, better jobs, and a better chance to survive on the planet?
White House Makes History by Granting Minimum Wage to Home Care Workers
The Obama administration makes good on its promise to give direct care workers the same rights as nearly everyone else—and to top it all off, California follows suit.
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