Losses of people have unfortunately been just as bad, with the current death toll at between 200,000 and 250,000 people. In a country as big as America, these damages, though incredibly significant, would only impact a single state or area; in the small country of Haiti, the disaster has left the entire country a wreck.

Electric and phone services immediately stopped working in the country. Food and water shortages ran rampant as thousands of displaced citizens sought shelter elsewhere. Nearly 9,000 people–peace keepers from the United Nations and troops from the United States–have been dispensed to Haiti t help–and many of them have even perished in the rubble as hospitals and other buildings collapsed.

Though initial efforts to distribute food and aid were a disaster in and of themselves, the U.N. eventually implemented a voucher system to allow everyone access to food–not just the strongest people who could crowd distribution lines first–though some estimate that only a third of those who need the food are actually getting it as scam artists make copies of tickets to re-use.

Help can be given to Haiti easily by texting “Haiti” to 90999. A ten dollar donation to the American Red Cross will be automatically deducted from the cell phone user’s bill. Many local and national efforts to raise funds are also being conducted nationwide.

At least one in three women will be victims of violence in her lifetime.  Whether in the form of physical abuse, domestic slavery, or sexual abuse, some countries have up to 70% of their women affected by these heinous crimes.

War and natural disasters increase the risk of women and girls becoming victims of violence. Millions of females have a high probability of being beaten, raped, or even killed every day.

In the U.S. alone, three women are murdered by a partner each day and a woman is raped every ninety seconds. 47% of female victims of a homicide in Egypt were killed as an “honor killing” after being raped.

Hopefully this Act will pass, ensuring that preventing and responding to worldwide violence against women are made a top priority not just in the U.S. but in the global community as well. Considered a landmark move, the Act, which is a piece of bipartisan legislation, would also further the United States’ efforts to increase international diplomacy, as well as put its foreign assistance program funds where they are in the most need.

Both medical and mental health care would be provided for victims under the act.  Women would also be able to increase their and their families’ livelihood through the included education and other programs.

And fans can say Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles all they want–because, well, she was involved–but the fact remains that she and John Lennon held some of the most peaceful protests ever witnessed in history.

One such event was their “bed-in” in 1969, during which they did interviews from their bed in Montreal promoting peace. They also recorded one of the most monumental tracks about peace in our time that week–the unforgettable “Give Peace a Chance,” still played today at protests, vigils, and peace rallies worldwide.

Today Yoko Ono and Sean and Julian Lennon are extending the peaceful notions generated by their song in a way that modern people, untouched by (or having forgotten) the sixties, can understand–they’re using it to raise money.

A 40th anniversary digital single of “Give Peace a Chance,” officially by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band is available for downloading at iTunes for $1.29. All net proceeds will go to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

“It is indeed a time when we are all getting more aware of the necessity of doing something to achieve world peace, no matter how small. I feel deeply that we are all one, regardless of where we stand,” says Ono.

Participants will engage in thorough discussions regarding the equality movement, including challenges, opportunities and the latest news available. GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios will be hosting the live events.

This will be the organization’s first attempt to unify supporters all over the country in such a live way with this technology.

“I want to share with you our vision for the future, and how GLAAD will play a lead role in making our world better in the months and years ahead,” says Barrios in his web invitation on the site. “I also want to hear from you and your friends and loved ones as we work toward making equal rights a reality in America.”

GLAAD has been a leading equal rights organization for the past 25 years in America. Their mission is to promote “fair, accurate and inclusive representation” for all people in the media in order to end discrimination and ensure both tolerance and acceptance of the GLBT community based on facts.

From the “Let Ellen Out” campaign to media coverage of the murder of Matthew Shepherd, GLAAD has been helping advance the equal rights movement since the mid-1980s.

The conferences will take place on November 4, November 17, and December 14 at 8 PM Eastern Standard Time. To sign up to host a house party or to attend one near you, click here.

Though a “global warming protest” sounds a bit silly–after all, is global warming going to back off because it listens to the citizens of the world protesting against it?–it’s actually a worldwide event of solidarity and action against a villain that threatens all of us–climate change.

Behind that villain, of course, is we the people, ourselves. In order to gain international attention–particularly that of politicians and other people in power–as well as to inspire the entire earth’s population to combat climate change, tens of thousands of people are planning to engage in a visibility effort that spans across nations and borders.

The main request of the participants is that the CO2 emissions of the planet be reduced by 350 parts per million. Over 3,000 events will be taking place in over 160 countries. Even Antarctica is on stopping global warming.

And in each location, different actions will be taking place. Images of melting glaciers, sinking lands and other effects of global warming will be taken all over the globe. These images will be sent in to the organization 350.org, which is sponsoring the event.

In return, the 350.org staff will be sending the pictures to the UN headquarters–as well as projecting them on big screens in Times Square, New York. Other media events and measures are being conducted as well.

Then the images will be delivered to politicians in time for the UN Climate meeting in Copenhagen.

To register an event or find one to attend, visit 350.0rg.

But is this effort worth a Nobel Peace Prize?

Some say absolutely. Obama has been attempting to reverse the previous administration’s conflict-heavy rule, opting for peaceful solutions, declaring torture wrong, and calling for diplomatic dialog rather than a hit first, ask questions later policy.

However, there are others–including his own supporters–who say no. Not only were there many contenders for the prize this year with much less celebrity status and many more years spent on their causes; there is also the fact that we still have wars ranging on in the Middle East that Obama has not yet pulled out of.

And whether or not people are in support of that, continuing to wage war does not scream “Nobel Peace Prize.” Even famous liberal Michael Moore said that President Obama needed to “earn” his prize. (He later changed his mind.) Some have even argued that accepting the award is simply unconstitutional.

One thing is for sure: people cannot simply blame the president for winning the award. He didn’t buy it, or order it to be given to him, after all. He’s also not the first president to win a Nobel Peace Prize. But will he–or has he already–live up to the award?

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced October 6. The award will be given on December 10, which is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

So far, the concert’s lineup features Donna Summer, Wyclef Jean, Luis Fonsi, Amadou & Mariamand, and Toby Keith. While some of these performer selections make sense, Keith, known for his pro-war stance and songs that promote the “American way” of fighting other countries, may be considered a questionable choice by some.

More performers will be added to this lineup; hopefully the updated list will include a few more pro-peace singers as well. Speculations also abound on whether or not Will Smith himself will perform at the event.

Regarding the event, the Smiths released this statement: “The opportunity to recognize the laureate’s contributions to the world peace movement will be an awe-inspiring experience. We are both humbled and honored to take part in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert this year, and look forward to sharing the historic evening with artists and humanitarians from across the globe.”

Last year’s laureate was Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari. Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson were last year’s celebrity hosts.

Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Geir Lundestad said the Smiths were chosen for their collective impact on philanthropy and the arts in general. He said that they “will be excellent ambassadors of peace.”

Last Thursday, Pitt was recognized for his efforts to rebuild New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina at the Clinton Global Initiative. Through his Make It Right Foundation, he used his knowledge and love of architecture to build sustainable, affordable housing in the city.

During the annual event, organized by former President Clinton, Pitt spoke of his initiative’s efforts, including the goal of building 150 new homes by next year.

Thirteen homes have been completed for homeless families so far.

He is working closely with Global Green USA, as well as thirteen other firms, to fulfill this goal. Many of the businesses are donating their work, and Pitt himself has donated $5 million to the project.

Philanthropist Steve Bing has contributed the same amount.

The eco-friendly homes, which feature solar panels, are expected to eventually have no utility costs.

“Our criteria from the beginning were at odds, to say the least. We demanded that these homes be sustainable, that they have aesthetic qualities … that they be storm resilient and take safety in mind of the families who live there and that they would be affordable,” says Pitt.

He also says that the foundation has exceeded his own expectations.

Pitt has also worked for global health issues and earthquake relief. Along with Jolie, he has created the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which has benefited humanitarian groups such as Doctors Without Borders, Global Action for Children, the Daniel Pearl Foundation and a U.N. refugee agency.

They’ll be doing it with pinwheels.

An estimated 3 million peaceful pin-wheelers will be spinning their colorful creations on Monday. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical effort, the activity is designed to raise awareness about not just peace, but the violence we’ve become so accustomed to in our lives.

As The Pinwheels for Peace Project says, peace needs to become more than just a word. According to their website, peace “comes down to a simple definition: a state of calm and serenity, with no anxiety, the absence of violence, freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people.”

Pointing out that peace isn’t just about the absence of war, the project is a movement for tolerance, harmony, cooperation and unity–an effort to put an end to the daily intolerance and violence in our lives.

Many people will be participating by adding their definitions of peace, or the word peace in different languages, on their pinwheels. Pinwheels will be used as decorations, toys, and distributed items throughout different countries of the world.

As a childhood symbol of more joyful times, pinwheels were selected as the sigil of the day. Since they are easily made, accessible, and simple to use, they are a universal “toy” the world can connect with and share in the simplicity of just being–peacefully, without judgement–much like a child would.

For more information on The Pinwheels for Peace Project, including pinwheel templates and photo galleries, click here.

Each marcher was unique; each one had his or her own personal story. But they were tied the by hope that they all marched for.

There were workers from the City of Detroit, who were marching out of hope that they wouldn’t be laid off soon. There were teachers facing contract disputes from Oakland University, marching in hope of fair negotiations and stable, life-supporting jobs. There were members of the Michigan Education Association, marching in hope of retaining their current health care plan.

They marched for two miles, in hope that their masses would create a strong, unified voice for the American worker. Amidst the signs and colorful group t-shirts, a unified, passionate cry for justice sounded by the people, for the people.

Marchers from the City of Detroit, who face wage and benefit cuts, hope that Mayor Dave Bing will hear their cry. Bing has already sent out 1,000 layoff notices and also plans to cut city transportation.

80,000 people, including industrial laborers, service employees and American workers from all walks of life, turned out in support of health reform, union organizing rights, and worker rights in general.

Politicians did not turn a deaf ear to the event. In fact, several Michigan officials were in attendance, including a handful of Democrats who support the workers’ requests–such as U.S. Representative Gary Peters, U.S. Representative John Conyers, U.S. Senator Carl Levin and Lieutenant Governor John Cherry.

The Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO organized the march.