VIDEO: Hip Hop's Rising Stars from the Land of Tupac

In San Rafael, not far from Marin City, where a young Tupac lived with his mother there is a new generation of MC's and producers practicing the craft and expressing themselves through song. Helping them along that journey is a new and innovative teen center, The MYC, and a well seasoned hip hop artist and educator, Jahi. The MYC offers these young artists free studio time, writing workshops and one-on-one instruction to hone their skills.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

Video: Richmond Fights Back with Solar

Richmond CA is home to one of the US' largest oil refineries. Originally built by Standard Oil in 1901, the plant has been owned by Chevron since 1984 when a merger formed the oil super-power. For a century much of the cities work force, economic growth and eventual depression has been linked to the giant plant. Now the city of Richmond is fighting back. By teaching young people how to install Solar Panels on low income roofs they are creating jobs, reducing crime and fighting global warming.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Ping Pong for Rwanda

"Think Globally, Act Locally" is a phrase that came about in the late sixties. Well in 2008 young coffee drinkers in San Francisco are doing just that to ensure that the cup they are about to enjoy is supporting the far-away farmers that grew the beans. Ritual Coffee Roasters held its first annual Ping Pong Fundraising Tournament for Bikes to Rwanda. A west coast non-profit providing cargo bikes to coffee farmers to help them get their crop to market. Ensuring a higher price and a better brew.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Refugee Youth: Using Pictures To Speak A Thousand Words

The adage goes a picture speaks a thousand words. That may have been the idea behind the foundation of the AjA Project. In San Diego, The AjA Project runs Journey, an after school participatory photography program for refugee youth. On top of vast cultural differences, many of refugee youth come to the US speaking very little English if any at all. The AjA project teaches these youth how to express their religion and culture through photography.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

Video: Teen Filmmakers talk about Teen Pregnancy

All this month I am highlighting young people that make media to educate their peers and parents. This week we are looking at TILT, Teen Pregnancy and St John's Educational Threshold Center. With support of this powerful partnership a group of Mission High School girls are making a film on teen pregnancy. This project is designed to educate other teens about safe sex and the reality of raising a child. The film is written, directed shot and edited by teens and will be shown in SF schools.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Street Side Productions

Since the beginning of 2008 California's governor has been cutting educational programs and services. Supposedly this is an attempt to close the state budget gap. While state parks are being closed and educational programs cut the state has increased spending on police officers and juvenile correctional facilities. One of the programs that has been forced to close their doors is Street Side Productions. This is a program that teaches youth on probation professional video production skills.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

The Big Picture

With a world full of services like netflicks, youtube and myspace who needs to go to the theater to watch movies. Well the founder and director of the Santa Cruz Film Festival believes that people should watch films on the big screen surrounded by community members. She also believes that young filmmakers should be honored along with their adult peers. That is why since the inspection of the SCFF youth films have always been a valuable part of their programming.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Harvesting the Power of the Sun

Sun Farming... Plants, animals and finally humans have been harvesting the power of the sun since before the beginning of time. It is only in this day and age that responsible and sustainable agriculture is regarded as "green" or "revolutionary". For generations David Evan's family has been gathering energy from the great power plant in the sky. They maximize the amount they can harvest and leave enough left over for all of the other creatures in their unique ecosystem to survive.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Border Angels

In 1994 the US government began building a wall between the US and Mexico. Named operation Gate Keeper, this wall has been pushing poor immigrants further and further into the high desert to try and cross into the US. Border Angel's President and founder Enrique Morones estimates that 10,000 travelers have died as a result. Determined to help save the lives of these desperate travelers The Border Angels have been dropping water along immigration routes for the last ten years.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: City Year LA : Young People Serving our Country one Community at a Time

For as long as I can remember entrenched politicians have been telling the youth of America the best thing you can do is serve your country. The problem is the service that they are speaking of usually involves picking up a gun and traveling to a distant land with out an invitation. Well finally there is a group that is revolutionizing the meaning of national service. City Year trains 17-24 year olds to work in 17 cities across the country volunteering in schools and community centers.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay : A World Stage for Protest

San Francisco was chosen as the only city in the US to hold the Chinese Olympic Torch Relay. The relay did not come off as planned. City officials changed the route and then canceled the closing ceremony fearful of widespread non-violent protests. The relay did provide a world stage for the continued debate over China's occupation of Tibet. Although very few attendees were able to see the torch many took part in discussions on the history and current state of the Chinese and Tibetan conflict.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Sprinter : Is Light Rail The Answer to California's Congested Freeways?

At the Center of Southern California's Coastal living is Northern San Diego County. Known for it's sunny weather, long white beaches and outdoor shopping malls and better known for is it's TRAFFIC. Unless you are traveling it's 8 lane freeways in the middle of the night you can expect to share the road with thousands of other motorists. The North San Diego County Transit District has just launched the Sprinter, a new light rail train, to help alleviate some of that gnarly freeway congestion.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Save Trestles

When I think of Southern California two things come to mind, Surfing and traffic. At the intersection of these is the San Onofre State Park, one of the world's best surfing beaches and the proposed 241 toll road. At the center of this debate are young people. Making the call for action, democracy and protection of wild and open spaces. One of the thousands of people that have been involved in fighting the destruction of San Onofre State Park is Marty Benson.

Originally Posted at Think.MTV.com

Produced by: Corduroy Media

VIDEO: Literacy for Environmental Justice : Closing California's Urban State Parks

With California's state budget in a huge deficit, Governor Schwarzenegger is planning the closure of 48 state parks. Candlestick point is one of the parks slated for closure. Established as the countries first urban state park the closure of Candlestick point would mean the elimination of a vital recreation area for thousands of Hunters Point residence. Home to 365 federally designated toxic sites, the residence of Hunters Point can't afford the loss of this precious green space.

VIDEO: The Light Brown Apple Moth: Destructive Pest or Cash Cow

Published onThink.mtv.com
 

The Light Brown Apple Moth : Destructive Pest or Cash Cow
 
Last spring a world renowned UC Berkeley biologist discovered an irregular visitor to northern California. After checking his backyard insect traps he discovered several small moths. Having studied this creature in it's native born Australia, The Light Brown Apple Moth was easy for him to recognize. Since it's discovery in Australia it has been found on several continents and regarded as a benefit or detriment depending on the local. Since it's discovery last year the state has become very concerned that it will become an agricultural liability. Although there has been zero crop damage reported the Department of Agriculture has declared a state of emergency and has commenced with a plan to spray the entire state in hopes of eradicating the tiny "pest."

The spray consists of a moth hormone that will render it sterile. Although used in some agricultural settings the spray has never been tested for prolonged human contact.

Because the state has declared an emergency they may continue spraying unrestricted by the EPA for the next ten years. With the prospect of being sprayed with an untested hormone that can linger in the air for up to 90 days many residences have become alarmed. This concern has raised many questions. I recently visited with both sides of this debate in the cities of Berkeley and Oakland.

VIDEO: Power for the Powerless : California's New Immigrant Voice

With increased media coverage of the national immigration debate it has become more difficult for young people to navigate the media messages they receive and formulate their own ideas and opinions around the issue. A young poet in San Jose California, Yosimar Reyes, is helping high school students navigate these confusing messages in a safe and fun environment free of judgment.

VIDEO: Berkeley Stand Off

Ever since the Marines placed a recruiting center at the center of Berkeley the peace loving citizens of this liberal town have been up in arms, literally. Leading the fight is Code Pink a women centric peace organization co-founded by Medea Benjamin. Determined to shut the office down Code Pink has been protesting outside of the recruitment office 5 days a week. Located on Shattuck avenue right at the center of Berkeley protesters fear that the Marines will pull young people from near by UC Berkeley Campus and Berkeley High School with promises of training, education and at times US citizenship.

After taking notice of the strong disdain for the Marines the Berkeley City Council joined the fight by passing 29 different resolutions aimed at discouraging the military recruiters from conducting their business. Code Pink was given a parking pass and permit to use a loud speaker right in front of the office every Wednesday. The council also delivered a letter to the recruiters calling them unwanted inside the city limits of Berkeley.

Already having great dislike for the "peace loving residents of Berkeley" right wing media and Military supporters have respond in kind with their own protest of support for the office. This past week the council meet again to revisit the issue. This time they were courted by hundreds of Peace Activists and Pro Military Supporters.

Video : Biodiesel, California Trend or Sustainable Solution

From a high powered motorcycle to a community fueling station, learn why thousands of Californians are turning to Biodiesel.