Special Collections:
Sustainability Leaders
On January 9, 2013, First Nation Anishnabe Elder Dave Courchene of Turtle Lodge delivered a statement at the Elders Ceremony in Ottawa. This address was published the following day.
Known as Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man), Elder Courchene is a respected teacher devoted to Indigenous knowledge. Since 1992, he has served as a UN Wisdom Keeper, advising on spirituality and sustainable environmental approaches.
Courchene founded Turtle Lodge in 2002, an internationally recognized center for learning, healing, and sharing. He continues to promote peace, recently sharing the stage with the Dalai Lama. Further details are available here.
The Turtle Lodge was built in 2002, following a vision received by Dave Courchene (Nii Gaani Aki Inini - Leading Earth Man) of the Anishnabe Nation, Eagle Clan. Learn more at Turtle Lodge.
Filmmaker Marco Mascarin documented this in 2002. This content was uploaded on November 6, 2011.
Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace U.S.A. and creator/board member of the Story of Stuff Project, emphasizes Greenpeace's commitment to environmental and social justice.
She outlines their core values: peacefully "bearing witness" to destruction, using non-violent confrontation to elevate public debate, seeking solutions without permanent allies or adversaries, ensuring financial independence, and promoting informed discussion on environmental choices.
Leonard was interviewed at the 2014 AASHE Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, on October 28, 2014. The video was produced by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv and Barry Heidt of GeoSpirit.tv.
Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace U.S.A. and creator of the Story of Stuff Project, advocates for a bias towards Mother Earth, arguing it's beneficial unless driven by financial gain.
She was interviewed on October 28, 2014, at the 2014 Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in Portland, Oregon. The interview was produced by Ruth Ann Barrett (EarthSayers.tv) and Barry Heidt (GeoSpirit.tv).
Her book, *The Story of Stuff*, is available from Amazon or your local bookstore.
Greenpeace USA welcomes Annie Leonard, creator of The Story of Stuff Project, as our new Executive Director. She is eager to collaborate with you in building a greener, fairer world.
Join us in welcoming Annie to the team by leaving a comment. (Published May 7, 2014)
The Story of Solutions explores how to move our economy toward a sustainable and just future by redefining its core objective. The current "Game of More" prioritizes endless growth—more consumption and infrastructure—despite worsening health, rising inequality, and environmental degradation.
What if our economic goal wasn't just "more," but "better"? Imagine an economy focused on improved health, quality jobs, and a viable planet. This reorientation would redefine what true success means for us all.
Joanna Macy (b. 1929), recipient of the 2013 Bioneers Lifetime Contribution Award, discusses the joy of life.
This speech was delivered at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference. The recording was published on February 6, 2014.
Economist Paul Krugman explains how the United States is becoming an oligarchy, a system our founders revolted against. He discusses redistribution, progressive taxation, and related concepts.
This analysis was originally published on April 18, 2014.
Joey Perez serves as spokesperson for the Whale Call Project.
This initiative champions ocean and marine conservation, acting as a critical call for help to protect our vital marine environments.
Over 1.5 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, often relying on expensive, hazardous, and polluting kerosene lanterns or candles. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals highlight electrification as crucial for poverty eradication, aiming to electrify 500 million more people by 2015.
Advances in LED technology offer a vital solution. For instance, homemaker Suranjini Kumar transitioned from oil lamps to bright, clean light in her home using D.Light. This demonstrates how modern lighting solutions can improve lives and contribute to global development goals.
This video shares Acumen Fund's origin story, told through the diverse voices within its community.
Uploaded on November 12, 2011.
Learn more about the Acumen Fund Fellows Program. For detailed information, visit www.acumenfund.org/fellows.html.
This content was uploaded on September 30, 2010.
Jacqueline Novogratz, social entrepreneur and founder of the Acumen Fund, presented her vision at TEDxEuston, challenging the "Status Quo" and "Business as Usual." Her talk, "Power In Our Interconnectedness," urged a new approach to address failures where markets and governments have fallen short, advocating for "investing as a means, not just an end."
The event featured intro and outro music by Kadialy Kouyate, performed at TEDxEuston 2011. You can view the full performance here.
Activists Marshall Ganz, Rachel Laforest, and Madeline Janis explain how organized people achieve social change. Ganz, affiliated with the Leading Change Network, highlights the distinction between movements and special interests, the power of strategy and narrative, and that the powerful don't always win. Visit Marshall Ganz's website for more insights.
His book, Why David Sometimes Wins: leadership, organization and strategy in the California farm worker movement, delves into these themes. An interview, "Why Stories Matter," also references Paul Tillich's Love, Power and Justice, another recommended read. Both books are available on Amazon or at your local bookstore.
Bill critiques the hypocrisy of "justice for all" in a society that squanders billions on fraudulent wars while neglecting its poor. He specifically highlights the failing legacy of *Gideon v. Wainwright*, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that established the constitutional right to legal representation for indigent criminal defendants.
Despite this foundational right, true justice remains largely inaccessible and unaffordable for the most vulnerable. This report, originally published on March 29, 2013, argues that the promise of "justice for all" remains unfulfilled.
America faces a growing economic divide, yet public outcry remains minimal. Media scholar Marty Kaplan attributes this to a pervasive appetite for media distraction.
The program also features acclaimed historian Gary May, who offers historical context on the recent Supreme Court decision impacting the Voting Rights Act.
America faces undeniable economic inequality. Bill's essay highlights extreme wealth and poverty, exemplified by California's Silicon Valley. There, tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Apple create millionaires, while the region's homeless population has surged 20% in two years, living in tent cities near these companies.
A social equality illustration by Brandon Cripps accompanies this discussion.
This content was originally published on April 11, 2013.
Acclaimed historian Gary May, interviewed by Bill Moyers, provides historical context for the Supreme Court's decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act. He emphasizes this ruling as part of a long, continuous struggle to ensure voting rights for all Americans.
May, a specialist in American political and social history, authored "Bending Toward Justice: The Voting Rights Act and the Transformation of American Democracy." The book is available for order on Amazon or at your local bookstore. This interview was published on July 12, 2013.
The U.S. is a wealthy nation, not broke, yet its economy is fundamentally flawed. It generates excessive pollution and waste. Instead of investing in sustainable alternatives, we prop up this "dinosaur economy" with billions in taxpayer money.
The Story of Broke advocates for a crucial shift in government spending. It proposes redirecting funds towards clean, green solutions: renewable energy, safer materials, and zero waste. These investments promise jobs and a healthier environment, offering a better way to rebuild the American Dream.
Releasing Tuesday, November 9, "The Story of Electronics" exposes the high-tech revolution's collateral damage: 25 million tons of e-waste, poisoned workers, and public costs. Host Annie Leonard guides viewers from gadget production in mines and factories to their grim end in Chinese recycling shops. The film advocates a "green 'race to the top'" for designers to create long-lasting, toxic-free, and easily recyclable products.
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition, promoting green design and responsible recycling, partnered on this production.
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The Many Passions of Matteo Lane
Matteo Lane is a multifaceted artist—stand-up comedian, painter, singer, and Broadway performer. In this interview, he shares how these skills intertwine in his creative process, likening art to a tree that branches out in various directions.
We explore his role as Billy Flynn in Broadway’s Chicago, his journey from bar shows to international comedy tours, and the evolution of gay representation in comedy. Lane also discusses his artistic roots at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, his admiration for Maria Callas, and his philosophy of focusing on the journey of creation rather than the end product.
Official website: pbs.org/americanmasters






















