The Latest - YES! Magazine Solutions Journalism

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A Brief History of Happiness: How America Lost Track of the Good Life—and Where to Find It Now

For decades, we've been taught that economic growth and buying more stuff will make us happy—while trashing the planet. The good news is, there’s a better kind of happy: It starts with meaningful work, loving relationships, and a thriving natural world.

Sarah van Gelder | May 15, 2015

40 Acres and a Mule Would Be at Least $6.4 Trillion Today—What the U.S. Really Owes Black America

Slavery made America wealthy, and racist policies since have blocked African American wealth-building. Can we calculate the economic damage?

Jeff Neumann, Tracy Matsue Loeffelholz | May 14, 2015

Local economies | Sustainable food and farming | Water

Even in a Drought, California Farms Have a Future—But They’ll Need Local Control to Succeed

Some California farmers have discovered ways to farm that use very little water, yet thirstier methods still dominate. What gives?

Keith Harrington | May 12, 2015

Water

Want the Best Solutions for California’s Epic Drought? Ask a Farmworker from the Central Valley

“Low-income disadvantaged communities are the best water conservationists: At the end of the day, we’re not going to waste water because it costs money.”

Sarah Mirk | May 12, 2015

Citizens United

Watch John Oliver Explain How Absurd the US Standardized Testing System Is

John Oliver does a damn good job of explaining how ridiculous our standardized testing system is.

Liz Pleasant | May 8, 2015

Tiny Houses in Paradise! 20 Incredible Vacation Rentals on Airbnb

From caves in Spain to treehouses in Cape Town, check out Airbnb's best tiny house destinations.

Cat Johnson | May 6, 2015

Local economies | Citizens United

One in Four Local Banks Has Vanished Since 2008. Why We Should Treat It as a National Crisis

While megabanks make megabucks, local banks are financing businesses that create jobs and improve well-being. So why are they disappearing so rapidly?

Stacy Mitchell | May 6, 2015

Call for Submissions: Our Minds, Bodies, and Well-Being

From healing personal trauma to building safe and sustainable communities, we're going to explore what health means today. Send us your pitches by May 20!

| May 4, 2015

Alicia Garza and Bay Area Black Lives Matter photo by Kristin Little

Meet the Woman Behind #BlackLivesMatter—The Hashtag That Still Fuels a Civil Rights Movement

Alicia Garza and two friends first tweeted #BlackLivesMatter to spark a conversation after the death of Trayvon Martin. Three years later, their hashtag has become a movement.

Liz Pleasant | May 2, 2015

After Baltimore: It’s Time to Make Things Right‏

From slavery to police brutality, reconciliation begins with the truth‏.

Sarah van Gelder | May 2, 2015

Citizens United

Is the Local Economy Too Local? Why Co-Ops and Credit Unions Need a Broader Strategy

Author and activist Gar Alperovitz calls it a “checkerboard strategy.” In the first piece in a series, we look at the organizations working to transform our economy, and how they can benefit from working together.

Keith Harrington | Apr 29, 2015

Why Seattleites Think They Can Stop Shell Oil From Drilling in the Arctic

The Port of Seattle has welcomed the oil company to temporarily moor its drilling rig before it’s towed to Alaska. But these protestors are threatening to block it.

Araz Hachadourian, James Trimarco | Apr 27, 2015