In the United States in 2002, brothers Juan and Ramiro Ramos, along with their cousin Jose Luis Ramos, were cumulatively sentenced to 34 years in prison for transporting Mexicans to Florida to work as enslaved fruit pickers. At least 700 workers were held in the well-guarded camps . . .

The Changemakers Innovation Awards recognize the best social change strategies that emerge from "open source" competitions hosted here every two months. Each competition cycle identifies and refines solutions to a pressing global problem.

To learn more about the program, and to vote on the compelling contest entries, visit www.changemakers.net.

Americans love their cars dearly and the independence they bring. They drive to work, honk at other Americans in traffic, and drive home again. They drive to the mall, they drive to go bowling, they drive to buy Pez and, when convenient, drive to pick up the mail.

And when they get out of their cars, they try to ignore the fact that they can no longer see the sky through the quickly thickening blanket of smog.

This is why a paradox exists for many Americans: cars are bad for the environment. And while many would like to do something about it, giving up their means of transportation is simply out of the question. Even Austrian-born American Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a recent act of manic inspiration, had one of his eight environment-busting Hummers converted to hydrogen power at a cost of $100,000.

What is TerraPass?

For a fee between $30 and $80 per gasoline-powered car, Americans can assuage the guilt of owning a gas-guzzling beast. The money goes to fund renewable energy resources, thus “wiping away” the individual impact of the vehicle upon the environment.

Does TerraPass make make sense? Let us know what you think!

The Social Edge team is proud to announce that the Social Edge newsletter received a Bronze Award in the Newsletters category in the 2005 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications program!

Sponsored by the Council on Foundations, the awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. "The work submitted by The Skoll Foundation demonstrates its commitment to public accountability and effective communications and serves as a model of excellence for other grantmakers," stated Dorothy S. Ridings, President and CEO of Council on Foundations.

The Social Edge team would like to thank the Council on Foundations for this award and the Social Edge community for all the feedback and support you have given us!