Stories from Grant Whittington
Sponsored
Force for Good: Giving Back to Communities Nationwide
The Philadelphia Union is Scoring On and Off the Field in Partnership with Subaru
Neighbors in the Philadelphia-Camden metro, the automaker and professional soccer team joined forces in 2020 to drive greater impact in the communities where they work. They've since cut waste sent to landfills, adopted elementary schools, fed locals with an organic community garden and more.
May 8, 2023
Energy
France Starts Banning Short-Haul Flights and Urges a Return to Travel by Rail
Short-haul flights have a huge carbon footprint. Now, France is starting to curb domestic flights, and leaders are mulling a ban on private jet travel, too.
December 8, 2022
Voices for Change
FIFA and Qatar Drop the Ball on an Inclusive World Cup
As the World Cup soon reaches the quarter-finals round, the spotlight grows brighter on FIFA's own goal on how it has handled LGBTQ rights in Qatar.
December 5, 2022
Community Development
Women-Led Alliance Launched at COP27 Demands Climate Finance for Indigenous Peoples
Historically, Indigenous communities have been slow to receive their share of funds for climate protection projects, but this alliance seeks change.
November 22, 2022
Sponsored
Changing the Game: The Sports and Entertainment Sector Embraces the SDGs
Cultural Changemakers Have a Powerful Role in Promoting Climate Action
The sports and entertainment sectors are striving to push ahead on sustainability through awareness-building campaigns and climate action initiatives.
November 10, 2022
Sponsored
Equalizing Care: Busting Disparities in the Healthcare System
Why Clinical Trial Diversity is So Important — and What the Healthcare Sector Can Do
Most clinical trials don't include women or people of color, and this absence of representation can create major gaps in treatment and serious repercussions for quality of care.
October 3, 2022
Energy
Solar Farms and Sacred Mountains in Colombia: Indigenous Community and Developer Link Arms to Save ‘Irreplaceable’ Nature Reserve
A project in Colombia’s biodiverse Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains pairs solar power with newly built villages for the indigenous Arhuaco people.<br />
April 14, 2022
Community Development
As the War in Ukraine Puts Latin America’s Poor at Further Risk, This U.N. Project Boosts Food Security in Bolivia
As the Ukraine war's effects are felt as far as Latin America, this UN project seeks to boost the resiliency of 20,000 smallholder farmers in Bolivia.
April 4, 2022
Energy
Peace Renewable Energy Credit Project Helps Electrify South Sudan
The largest Peace Renewable Energy Credit (P-REC) purchase to date will enable the solar-powered electrification of a South Sudan hospital.
March 28, 2022
Community Development
Minecraft is Promoting Peacebuilding Through Gaming
Minecraft has created digital educational experiences to inspire students so that they can help achieve peace through actions of all sizes.
March 11, 2022
Sponsored
Force for Good: Giving Back to Communities Nationwide
Goal for Good: How Subaru Park and the Philadelphia Union Achieved Zero Waste
With a deep run in the 2021 MLS playoffs and reaching zero landfill status, the Philadelphia Union has much to celebrate on the field as well as off. We spoke with the leaders behind the zero landfill move to find out how they did it.
March 8, 2022
Energy
‘A Rapidly Closing Window’ — Five Takeaways from the 2022 IPCC Report
In the latest IPCC report, scientists warned that the window to limit the world-threatening impacts of climate change is rapidly closing.
March 1, 2022
Community Development
Bronx Highway May Get Capped: Here’s Why It Matters
South Bronx residents may soon be able to breathe again as NYC received $2 million to devise a plan to “cap” a highway reflecting the country's racist past.
December 20, 2021
Community Development
Electrification is Affordable and Sustainable, But Can It Be Equitable?
Affordable housing advocates warn building electrification must be done equitably or such policies could leave many low-income communities behind.
December 7, 2021
Energy
A Look into COP26: Does the World Have a Shot?
Negotiators representing nearly 200 countries used just about every second of the two-week COP26, the global climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, to reach an agreement to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.
November 16, 2021
Energy
PGA Tournament Venue Proves Golf Can Be Sustainable
The TimberTech Championship’s pledge to zero-waste is signaling a new era in golf: one that cares as much about going green as it does hitting the green.
November 15, 2021
Community Development
COP26 Results in a New Opportunity for Smallholder Farmers in Central America
During COP26 the Government of Honduras and IFAD committed to promoting climate-smart agriculture in order to benefit smallholder farmers.
November 4, 2021
Energy
Island Breaks Ground on Brazil's First Circular Economy
A new circular economy lab on a Brazilian island popular with tourists expects to recycle 100,000 pounds of aluminum in its first year of operations alone.
November 1, 2021
Sponsored
Changing the Game: The Sports and Entertainment Sector Embraces the SDGs
AEG Breathes ‘15-Minute City’ To Life with London’s The O2
As cities from Addis Ababa to Zagreb reflect on the U.N.'s World Cities Day, the concept of a community having all of its necessities within a 15-minute walking or biking radius is captivating cities all around the world, and for good reason.
October 27, 2021
Corporate Responsibility
Women Smallholder Farmers Are Not Getting Their Fair Share
Women smallholder farmers face unique barriers that mute their recognition and devalue their critical role in feeding the world’s most at-risk.
October 7, 2021
Community Development
Reconnecting America’s Racialized Roads? Infrastructure Bill Doesn’t Pack Enough Punch, But It’s a Start.
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will allocate $1 billion to reconnecting cities upended by past projects - particularly historically Black neighborhoods.
September 9, 2021
Community Development
App Eliminates Food Waste, Supports Local Businesses and Saves Users Money: Too Good To Go Is Almost Too Good To Be True
The Too Good To Go app is a marketplace for hungry users looking to score “surprise bags” from restaurants wishing to avoid food waste.
August 30, 2021
Corporate Responsibility
Chocolate Company Beyond Good Lives Up to Its Name
Beyond Good started in 2008 with a simple mission: Manufacture chocolate at the origin. Soon, the company plans on expanding beyond its base in Madagascar.
August 24, 2021
Community Development
To Reward or Punish? The U.S. Changes Tone on COVID-19 Vaccines
Companies are now wielding the COVID-19 vaccination stick as the days of flashing a CDC card for freebies like beer, lottery tickets or donuts are ending.
August 10, 2021
Community Development
The Eviction Moratorium Is Over. Now What?
As the federal eviction moratorium ends, it's unclear how many renters will be affected; as many as 11 million of them are “seriously delinquent” on rent.
August 2, 2021
Community Development
Countries Invest in Research Aligned with SDGs, But Are They Going Far Enough?
A study of nearly 200 countries shows that research in emerging economies are increasingly aligned with the SDGs focused on combating climate change.
July 30, 2021
Sponsored
The Power of Purpose: How Companies Drive Community Impact
U.S. Cities Need a New Vision For Affordable Housing — And Business Can Help
Governments grappling with the housing gap recognize the massive scope of this problem, often leaning on private companies to fund developments and increase the housing supply.
July 13, 2020
Community Development
Homeless Americans Are Particularly Vulnerable to COVID-19: What Can Cities and States Do?
A recent study raises alarms at just how vulnerable the homeless population in the U.S. is as the novel coronavirus continues to spread.
April 14, 2020
Community Development
Prisons and Surrounding Communities at Huge Risk to COVID-19
Prisons and the communities surrounding them are at risk of COVID-19 outbreaks, and no nationwide protection or order to keep them out of harm's way exists.
March 31, 2020
Sustainable Living
Tiny Apartments Gain Traction in Latin America: How Small Can They Go?
Developers and architects are promoting tiny apartments as an innovative way to respond to the demand for affordable housing in Latin America and beyond.
July 23, 2019
Community Development
Brave Girl Rising: A Short Film Symbolizing International Women’s Day
Making its debut on International Women’s Day, Brave Girl Rising tells the story of a 17-year-old girl’s determination to continue her education despite the hardships occurring while growing up in one of the world’s largest refugee camps.
March 8, 2019
Voices for Change
Kaepernick’s Settlement with the NFL: A Winner or Loser?
The NFL’s recent settlement with Colin Kaepernick offers a lesson to business in how to manage, or actually not manage, employee activism.
February 25, 2019
Community Development
Bigger Than the Game: Five NBA Players Giving Back
The NBA’s All-Star Weekend showcases its superstars with entertaining 3-point and slam dunk contests, skills challenges and celebrity games, all […]
February 18, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
With Climate Change Linked Even More to Conflict, 4 Ways Companies Can Step Up
Many media reports have connected climate change to conflict in nations such as Syria along with crises including the surge […]
February 3, 2019
Voices for Change
The NFL’s Politicization: Super Bowl Ads Anger and Inspire
I hold that the toughest balancing act to play when watching the Super Bowl is knowing when to talk and […]
January 24, 2019
Corporate Responsibility
Apparel Brands Support National Parks as Shutdown Drags On
My girlfriend and I recently returned from what we thought would be a foolishly timed tour of three jaw-dropping and […]
January 21, 2019
Voices for Change
Netflix Nixes Show Following Saudi Protest; Protests Ensue
Netflix, responding to complaints from Saudi Arabia’s government, has removed an episode of a quick-witted political show which criticizes Crown […]
January 3, 2019
Energy
Soy (Hopefully) Won’t Become the Next Palm Oil: Here’s Why
Representatives of Brazil’s soy industry, local NGOs and nearly two dozen large international companies are rounding the corner in an […]
December 13, 2018
Energy
Study: 'Meat Tax' Could Save 220,000 Lives Annually
Taxing red and processed meats could prevent more than 220,000 deaths globally each year while also saving $40 billion in […]
November 16, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Colorado Votes to Abolish Unpaid Prison Work, But Paltry Wages are Still the Norm Nationwide
This week Colorado voters passed Amendment A, a ballot initiative to remove language in its state constitution that previously allowed […]
November 9, 2018
Energy
Water.org, Bank of America Partner to Bring Safe Water and Sanitation to India and Brazil
Water.org received a $3 million grant over three years from Bank of America to unlock safe drinking water and promote […]
November 5, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Forests and Supply Chains in Trouble as “Trump of the Tropics” Could Win Brazil’s Presidency
Brazil’s presidential election on October 28 could prove damaging for the Amazon – and global companies’ commitments to ensure sustainable […]
October 18, 2018
Energy
The Good Life Goals – A Company’s Vision to Simplify the SDGs
With overwhelming goals like end poverty for all, achieve gender equality worldwide, feed an increasingly growing population and change the […]
October 11, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Report: Food and Beverage Giants Not Doing Enough to Fight Forced Labor
International food and beverage giants are advancing their commitment to ending forced labor in their supply chains, but a new […]
October 9, 2018
Energy
The Life of a Straw – A Harrowing Narrative to Support #TheFutureDoesntSuck
Bacardi, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, has been teaming up with venues and organizations worldwide to ban single-use […]
September 18, 2018
Energy
Company Deploys Massive Plastic Catcher to Clean Up Pacific Garbage Patch
Ocean Cleanup, an environmental firm with its sights on shrinking the unparalleled size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, released […]
September 12, 2018
Corporate Responsibility
Ivanka Trump Dines With Chinese President Xi, Receives Chinese Trademarks
April 6 was quite the night for Ivanka Trump. Not only did she enjoy a wonderful dinner with Chinese President […]
April 24, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
ExxonMobil Seeks Waiver to Drill in Russian Waters
ExxonMobil is seeking a waiver from the Treasury Department to lift sanctions restricting drilling exploration in the Black Sea. The […]
April 21, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Big Pharma Pushes Back on Arkansas Executions
Big pharma companies let out a collective sigh of relief earlier this week when two federal judges blocked Arkansas from […]
April 20, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Kelley Blue Book Ranks Best Eco-Friendly Cars
While Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day top the list as the biggest holidays for spending, maybe Kelley Blue Book’s timely […]
April 18, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Plastic-Free Legos? Toy Giant Seeks Alternative Material for Blocks
“Back in my day, these Legos used to be plastic. Can you believe that?” This may not be too uncommon […]
April 18, 2017
Finance
New App Could Help Refugees Access Bank Accounts, Avoid Black Market
Refugees seeking salvation from their war-torn countries are often met with harsh realities in their new homes. Beyond finding ways […]
April 14, 2017
Voices for Change
Pope Francis Opens Laundromat to Serve the Homeless for Free
Six washers and dryers lining a creamsicle-colored wall in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood exemplify Pope Francis’ sweeping efforts to alleviate homelessness. […]
April 14, 2017
Energy
Dakota Access Pipeline Developers Linked to 69 Spills in Two Years
In the past two years, the companies responsible for heading the Dakota Access Pipeline reported 69 incidents accounting for nearly […]
February 10, 2017
Voices for Change
With Famine On the Horizon, U.N. Aims to Fund Yemen
The United Nations and its partners are seeking funds to mitigate the hunger and malnutrition in Yemen amidst one of the […]
February 10, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Starbucks Faces Boycotts After Pledging to Hire 10,000 Refugees
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S. for […]
February 1, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Trump's Infrastructure Wish-List Includes Renewable Energy Investments
Last week a 50-page infrastructure priorities list, reportedly compiled by a consultancy on behalf of Donald Trump’s transition team before the […]
January 31, 2017
Energy
Does Elon Musk Have Trump's Ear? And If So, Will It Matter?
Donald Trump’s election could spell bad news for Elon Musk, the outspoken entrepreneur and brainchild of Tesla Motors and SolarCity. […]
January 30, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Mastercard Winning WFP’s Hunger Hero Award? Priceless.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) commemorated Mastercard with the Hunger Hero award for its effort to curb worldwide […]
January 30, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
From Lab Coats to Pinstripes: Scientists May Make a Run for Washington
Feeling suppressed by a newly-energized wave of skepticism surrounding climate change stemming from Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency, scientists […]
January 27, 2017
Corporate Responsibility
Voter ID Laws Loosen Up as Election Heatens
As the general election looms, who will be able to vote on Nov. 8 remains in question. Fifteen states are enacting new restrictions to […]
August 5, 2016
Voices for Change
Black Lives Matter Reveals Platform Focusing On Six Demands
Ed Note: Care about this issue? Check out our new series: Black Lives Matter and Beyond – Corporate Leaders Respond […]
August 4, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Facebook Looks to Africa for Next Free Internet Project
Facebook co-founder and chairman Mark Zuckerberg is inching closer to his goal of connecting the world to the Internet after […]
August 4, 2016
Energy
Chernobyl May Become Home to the World's Biggest Solar Park
Believe it or not, the sun still shines on Chernobyl. Thirty years after one of the worst nuclear disasters in […]
August 3, 2016
Energy
More Charges for Officials Linked to Flint Water Crisis
The tragic Flint water crisis saga continued last week with more criminal charges. Six current and former state employees were […]
August 2, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Study: Abstinence Education Does Little to Prevent HIV/AIDS
Since 2003, the United States has devoted nearly $1.5 billion toward abstinence programs in Africa, aiming to halt the spread […]
August 2, 2016
Voices for Change
Michael Jordan Donates $2 Million Amid Recent Violence
Michael Jordan, one of the most decorated athletes of all time, used his stage and his bank account to speak […]
August 1, 2016
Voices for Change
White House Seeks to Reduce Local Jail Populations
With more than 11 million people passing in and out of its local jails annually, the United States boasts the largest […]
July 13, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Volkswagen Agrees to Pay $14.7B Following Emissions Scandal
On Tuesday, Volkswagen reached a record settlement to pay up to $14.7 billion as a result of its “dieselgate” emissions […]
June 30, 2016
Voices for Change
New App Helps Combat Human Trafficking in Hotels
A new app, TraffickCam, is compiling a database of hotel room photos to detect patterns in carpeting, furniture, room accessories and window views to catch traffickers using hotels as their venue.
June 30, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Does Capitalism Have Competition in the United States?
The negative connotation baby boomers once associated with the political theory of socialism has evolved with help from the progressively-thinking […]
June 28, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Trump Tower's Public Gardens Aren't as Public as They Should Be
Republican nominee, presidential candidate, business mogul, TV personality and … gardener? Donald Trump’s resume boasts many impressive accomplishments. But among […]
June 24, 2016
Voices for Change
Cuban Coffee Back in the States After 50 Years
Cigars? Rum? Not quite yet. But coffee will be the first Cuban product to come back to the United States after a […]
June 23, 2016
Technology
Apple: Latest Powerhouse to Skip GOP Convention Funding
Apple announced it will not lend funding to the GOP for the 2016 Republican National Convention. It will also pull […]
June 22, 2016
Voices for Change
This Incubator Has Saved 200,000 Premature Babies
In 2013, the World Health Organization reported that preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children 5 […]
June 17, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Strippers and Ubers? They May Be More Alike Than You Think
When you think of Uber, strippers aren’t likely to pop into your head. For one, Uber drivers, unlike taxi drivers, don’t expect […]
June 16, 2016
Technology
Mississippi Residents Struggle to Access High-Speed Internet
Thirty-four percent of people living in Mississippi will have trouble viewing this article. Mississippi, the state with the highest percentage […]
June 16, 2016
Voices for Change
Combining Hip-Hop and Ballet? Viral Video Sours Race Relations
Some Facebook users are up in arms about a new style of ballet that is gaining popularity thanks to a […]
June 14, 2016
Voices for Change
Spanish Political Party Puts Twist on Boring Electoral Catalogs
Reading an almost 200-page political advertisement may not sound like the most entertaining way to spend your time, but Podemos, […]
June 14, 2016
Finance
Silicon Valley Company to Experiment with Basic Incomes
“What would you do if your income were taken care of?” asks a large, 7-ton sign in Geneva, Switzerland, that […]
June 6, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Big Tobacco is Losing Ground in Europe
Axa, a French insurance company with total assets exceeding $616 billion, announced it will stop investing in the tobacco industry. […]
June 6, 2016
Corporate Responsibility
Internet Company Aims to Boost 'Made In America' Goods
Maker’s Row, a startup company aiming to produce more goods domestically, may make Americans who are passionate about keeping factory […]
May 31, 2016
Voices for Change
Obama Touts Hip-Hop in Suppressed Vietnam
While fielding questions from members of the Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, President Barack […]
May 27, 2016
Voices for Change
Dallas Houses the Homeless, Saves Taxpayers Money
Dallas is looking to halt chronic homelessness, following the movement recently bolstered by its neighbors in Houston. Fifty of Dallas’ most […]
September 2, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Brazil Ups Arrests as Timber-Laundering Sweeps the Nation
More than 30 officials were arrested in Brazil after an investigation revealed local businessmen and sawmill owners were timber laundering […]
August 28, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Connecticut Labor Department Inspects 25 Nail Salons, 23 Axed
The Connecticut Labor Department shut down 23 nail salons after surprise inspections revealed that the parlors were violating wage laws. […]
August 20, 2015
Voices for Change
Bic Back in Headlines for Sexist Advertisement
Bic celebrated South Africa’s National Women’s Day with a surprisingly ironic misogynistic advertisement. The pen-manufacturing company posted the ad of […]
August 19, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Aging Water Pipelines Sicken Residents in Flint, Michigan
While California’s drought dominates the headlines, another severe water problem is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.S.: aging […]
August 19, 2015
Finance
Just How Tough Is it to Live On Garment-Worker Pay in Cambodia?
An international team of labor rights groups recently hired a Cambodian research firm to enlighten the government on how […]
July 31, 2015
Energy
Big-Time Companies Hop Aboard the Climate Pledge
Thirteen well-known companies have signed President Barack Obama’s climate pledge, each promising to tackle environmental issues in its particular field. […]
July 30, 2015