In This West Virginia City, Health Is a Communal Effort
The people of Williamson, West Virginia, are rethinking how health care is provided in the community, starting with re-opening their closed hospital.
YES! Article archive
The Unsung Caribbean Roots of the Vegan Food Movement
While eating a plant-based diet is often presented as a white, millennial fad that accompanies gentrification, Black people have a long and rich tradition of plant-based eating.
Settlers Have an Obligation to Defend Treaty Rights, Too
“The treaties are not just a concern for Indigenous people. They were entered into by the U.S. government, and as citizens, we have a responsibility to ensure our government honors that law.”
For Black Women, Self-Care Is a Political Act
“To thrive, we must embrace both our strengths and our vulnerabilities, and give ourselves permission to be human.”
Cities Use Public Transit to Make Nature More Accessible
Seattle is one of several major cities implementing a “transit to trails” program to help more people access local wilderness.
Why Reparations Are About More Than Money
Addressing histories of mass violence have to include both material reparations and public and visible symbolic gestures.
Tribes Are Leading the Way to Remove Dams and Restore Ecosystems
When the Elwha River dams fell, it was the culmination of many decades of successful partnerships to support the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in righting historic wrongs.
Delivery Co-ops Provide an Answer to High Fees and Low Wages
The Grubhub model is here to stay. But community-based delivery services could be lifelines for small restaurants battling huge commission fees.
Protesting Shouldn’t Be Banned at the Olympics
Athletes continue to be punished for speaking out at the Olympics. But that’s contrary to the celebration of intercultural connections that the Olympics are supposed to represent.
Does Every Vote Still Count?
Democrats don’t seem too worried about the current Republican war on voting rights. They should be.
The Power of Local Money for a Thriving Local Economy
Alternative currencies can be a vehicle for local power and justice.
Cooler, Cleaner Megacities, One Rooftop Garden at a Time
Growing greens can be a powerful tool for change.
What Critical Race Theory Is—and What It Isn’t
Critical race theory is more patriotic than those who are opposed to it because its framers believe in the promises of equality.
Heat: A Comic
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, hot and bothered and insulted by my children.
The Beauty of Beasts (and How to Save Them From Us)
In grappling with the complicated history of environmental conservation, Michelle Nijhuis eschews blind hope in favor of pragmatic possibility.
Rights for Rivers: Fighting for the Legal Rights of Nature
Arguing for the legal standing of nature was greeted as ridiculous in the 1970s. But now the idea is catching on.
Why the Shift from “Climate Change” to “Climate Emergency” Matters
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, emergence through emergency.
On July 4, We Need to Prioritize Interdependence. Our Future Depends on It.
This fraught holiday is a time to hold the truth that we need each other to survive and thrive.
An Independence Day Reflection
Nearly 160 years after Frederick Douglass first delivered his iconic address “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?,” his questions and challenges are as relevant as ever.
The YES! Crossword: Let Loose
Sit back and cool down with our July puzzle.
How “Solitary Gardens” Help Envision a World Without Prisons
Volunteers team up with people currently held in solitary confinement to build empathy, compassion, and advocacy for a world without prisons.
Is This the World’s Best City to Grow Old In?
Arnsberg, Germany’s Department of Future Aging is dedicated to ensuring quality of life for its residents over age 55.
Finding Joy in the Struggle
Embracing joy as part of our everyday lives can expand our ability to heal ourselves and our communities.
How the White Mountain Apache Tribe Beat COVID
After being hit hard at the beginning of the pandemic, the Arizona-based tribe has slowed the spread of the disease and helped curb death rates.
Rethinking the Farming Economy
A Vermont nonprofit is connecting independent farms with buyers and distributors, reducing food surplus and working to eliminate food insecurity.
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