Impact Your World - Special Reports from CNN.com

Earth Day 2009

Protecting and preserving the environment is a global effort. This Earth Day, observed on April 22, find out more about issues affecting the planet and ways you can help.
• ENVIRONMENT: Volunteering and resources

Past Highlights
	World Malaria Day Malaria claims almost a million lives each year. But a simple prevention tool is one way you can help -- low-cost mosquito bed nets prevent the disease from being transmitted. As World Malaria Day is marked on April 25, find out more. Learn more about malaria How you can help: • Nothing But Nets • Malaria No More • PATH
	Giving shelter ShelterBox is a life-saving box containing tents and medical supplies for disaster victims and to date, 80,000 of them have been shipped to survivors in 57 countries. Video \| Inventor of ShelterBox How you can help: • ShelterBox
	Earthquake rocks Italy Survivors of the deadly earthquake in Italy face the prospect of rebuilding their shattered lives after thousands of homes were demolished and the death toll at nearly 300. Clowns in tent city \| Survivors mark somber Easter How you can help: • American Red Cross \| Italian Red Cross \| British Red Cross • The National Italian American Foundation • Operation Blessing International • Save the Children
	Helping the maimed The organization Doctors Without Borders has set up a project in Jordan to treat Iraqi war victims. Video How you can help: • Doctors Without Borders • Global Medical Relief Fund
	Unraveling autism Autism is an often mysterious disorder that affects an estimated six out of every 1,000 children in the U.S., with the number of cases rising. Around World Austim Day, CNN took a look at the latest research and also the personal stories of living with and loving someone with autism. In Depth: Autism How you can help: • Autism Research Institute • Autism Society of America • Autism Speaks • Autism Source
	Rowing across an ocean alone For nearly three months, Paul Ridley, 25, has been rowing up to twelve hours a day on a 2,950-mile journey to raise cancer awareness and hopefully raise money for cancer research. Full story How you can help: • Row For Hope • Yale Cancer Center
	Cricket for change Some believe the game of cricket can help build cultural bridges and preach religious tolerance. Video How you can help: • Cricket Without Boundaries • The Lord's Taverners
	Help for veterans Six years after the Iraq War began, some veterans and their families need help to cope with the terrible costs of war. Full story How you can help: • Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of America • Veterans of Foreign Wars • AMVETS • Veterans for America • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) • ReMIND • Fisher House • When Duty Calls • More ways to help
	Begging for care International donors have spent at least $15 billion on aid in Afghanistan in the last few years. Still, one in five children will not make it to their 5th birthday. CNN's Paula Newton visits one children's hospital in Kabul to find out why. Video How you can help: • Save the Children • UNICEF
	Making noise for women One is a Bosnian mother. Another is a woman who runs a school for girls in Mali. A third is a widowed AIDS activist in Vietnam. All three, however, have one thing in common: They made a powerful noise. Video How you can help: • UNIFEM • CARE
	Eradicating a parasite The parasitic Guinea worm has caused millions of people to suffer, especially those who drink unfiltered water that allow the parasite to enter the body. But prevention and education techniques are cutting that number down -- and health officials hope the disease will be entirely wiped out soon. Video \| Q&A;: Wiping out a disease How you can help: • The Carter Center • Health and Development International • WaterAid

Take action on the news you consume! These resources include some of the highest-rated charities by CharityNavigator.org (an independent and non-profit organization that evaluates and rates thousands of charity groups based on effectiveness and financial stability) and are vetted by CNN journalists for credibility. CNN does not endorse any organization and information is provided as an inspiration for you to explore the best ways for you to impact your world.

TAKE ACTION: VOLUNTEER

You can make a difference by offering your time. These organizations will help you find a cause that inspires you and fits your schedule. Recent grads turn to national service

• USA Service
• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Volunteering in America

• Charity Guide
• VolunteerMatch
• USA Freedom Corps

GOOGLE PROJECT 10^100
May those who help the most win! Google's Project 10^100 is helping you Impact Your World. People across 42 countries submitted their ideas for making the world a better place -- and Google has committed $10 million to turning up to five of those ideas into a reality.
More about the project

IMPACT UPDATE
Mohammed Rasoul had his leg blown off in an Iraq car bombing. He can walk again, thanks to an American-based charity. He and his mother wish all Iraqis could see the United States in the same light as they do. "When I went to America, I saw such kindness and humanity," his mom says.
Full story \| Video


Send, Share, See Your Stories How have you made a difference in the world? Send in your photos and videos that tell the story of how you saw something that needed help and your effort to impact your world.
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