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Beyond the Prison: Alcatraz’s History of Native American Survival and Protest

January 19, 2026

The history behind the Native American occupation of Alcatraz represents an effort of resistance and Native identity in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

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In Human Rights, News and Social Action, North America, USA Tags USA, Human Rights, North America

Digital Illiteracy in the Philippines

January 13, 2026

Digital illiteracy and misinformation remain a serious barrier to democracy and freedom in the Philippines. 

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In Asia, Education and Empowerment, News and Social Action, Philippines Tags philippines, Asia, Human Rights

Climate Change and Australian Surf Culture

December 30, 2025

With Australian surf spots under threat from climate change, opportunities arise for civilian activism.

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In Australia, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, Oceania Tags Australia, Climate Change, Oceania, featured story

Why Do the Pacific Islands Have Such High Smoking Rates?

December 15, 2025

Smoking remains a serious health issue in the Pacific Islands region, with most nations having higher rates of cigarette smoking than the global average.

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In Global Health & Crisis, News and Social Action, Oceania Tags Oceania, Global Health

Radioactive Waste at the Most Polluted Site in the US

December 15, 2025

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation houses nuclear waste tanks that are leaking into the desert near the Columbia River, threatening to expose hundreds of thousands of people to radiation. 

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In Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, North America, USA Tags Sustainability, North America, USA

The History Behind Kalaupapa National Historical Park

December 9, 2025

Behind Hawaii’s Kalaupapa National Historical Park lies a rich history of loss, resilience and compassion now preserved as a memorial site. 

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In Art Food & Culture, Human Rights, News and Social Action, Oceania, USA Tags Human Rights, Arts and Culture, Oceania, USA

Climate Inequality Between the Global North and South

December 9, 2025

Wealthier, high-emitting countries have attempted to push climate responsibility onto developing nations in the Global South. 

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In Environment and Sustainability, Global, News and Social Action Tags Global, Environment

Catalyst Planet’s 30 Best Books of 2025

December 6, 2025

An abundance of thought-provoking titles were published this year, covering a wide spectrum of genres, countries, global issues and diverse perspectives. Below is a list of our top fiction and nonfiction picks from authors around the world.

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In Round Up, Booklist, Art Food & Culture, News and Social Action Tags Round Up, Booklist, Arts and Culture, News & Social Action, featured story

The Sinister Reason the Great Lakes Are So Clear

November 30, 2025

The Great Lakes are clearer now than ever before, but this clarity comes with a cost to local ecosystems. 

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In Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, North America, USA Tags North America, USA, Environment

The Disappearing Islands of Kiribati

November 30, 2025

Rising sea levels have swallowed up and flooded land in Kiribati, jeopardizing the South Pacific island nation’s future.  

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In Environment and Sustainability, Kiribati, News and Social Action, Oceania Tags Oceania, Environment, Kiribati

The Problem with “Fast Furniture”

November 24, 2025

Furniture used to be characterized by luxury or utility, but now it’s become just as disposable as last season’s polyester top.

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In Environment and Sustainability, Global, News and Social Action Tags Global, Sustainability

Truth in Fiction: Understanding India’s Class Struggle Through “The White Tiger”

November 21, 2025

The 2008 Booker Prize recipient, Aravind Adiga, and his book “The White Tiger” highlight and critique the reality of social disparity in India. 

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In Asia, Human Rights, India, News and Social Action, Booklist Tags Asia, Human Rights, india, Booklist

Alaskan Coastal Wolves Are Dying of Mercury Poisoning

November 17, 2025

Wolves in coastal Alaska are turning sea otters as a source of food, dying of mercury poisoning as a result.

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In Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, North America, USA Tags USA, North America, Environment

Finding Community in China’s Underground Churches

November 17, 2025

Despite the threat imposed by the Chinese government, underground Chinese Christian communities continue to find hope. 

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In Asia, Art Food & Culture, China, News and Social Action Tags Asia, China, Arts and Culture

Lithium Mining in the Salton Sea

November 10, 2025

The Hell’s Kitchen Project is underway to extract lithium from California’s Salton Sea, raising social, environmental and economic questions.

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In Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, North America, USA Tags USA, North America, Environment

Police Brutality Undermines Free Speech in Kenya

November 4, 2025

As Kenya protests proposed Finance Bills, police respond with violent force, threatening freedom of speech.

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In Africa, Human Rights, Kenya, News and Social Action Tags Africa, kenya, Human Rights

Architecture That Targets the Unhoused in Japan

November 3, 2025

Japan’s unhoused crisis is masked by urban design called hostile architecture, a tool used to alienate those experiencing homelessness, affecting the public in the process.

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In Asia, Human Rights, News and Social Action, Japan Tags Asia, Japan, Human Rights

Beyond The Disappearing Aral Sea

November 3, 2025

The Aral Sea has all but disappeared, spawning a new desert full of toxic sand; however, locals hope to emphasize the history, art and culture of the region as they work to redefine their future. 

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In Asia, Kazakhstan, Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action Tags Asia, Kazakhstan, Environment

The History Behind Peru’s Bird Dropping Fertilizer

November 3, 2025

The boom and bust of Peru’s guano extraction and economy led to great impacts on the surrounding environment and ecosystems. 

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In Environment and Sustainability, News and Social Action, Peru, South America Tags Peru, South America, Environment

Big Plastic’s Misinformation Machine

October 27, 2025

The plastic industry mirrors Big Tobacco by pushing harmful misinformation to the public

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In Environment and Sustainability, Global, News and Social Action Tags Global, Sustainability
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