Change.org's Predictions for the New Decade

	Change.org's Predictions for the New Decade Hey Changemakers, It's a new year and a new decade, and there's no better time to take a look toward the future of social change. What will be the defining moments of 2010, and what victories might we be celebrating come 2020? Will this be the decade that the world finally sees a vaccine for HIV or a cure for Alzheimer's Disease? Might this be the decade where foreign policy analysts start to draw the connections between terrorism and human trafficking? Or maybe the 2010s will be the decade that fully embraces civil rights for LGBT people, from marriage to anti-discrimination laws? Above all, one thing seems for certain: the 2010s will be the decade where social action not only changes the status quo, but creates a renewed sense of optimism that communities of concerned people can indeed make history. As we start this decade, people have never had so much power to shape conversations and take action on the issues they are most passionate about. That's why we at Change.org think that in the next 10 years we have the collective potential not only to meet the many challenges we face, but to make an impact that will last for generations to come. For predictions from your favorite causes across Change.org, see the summaries below.		Protect Children from the USDA's Unsafe School Lunches by CREDO Action Take action » Petition Against Awarding Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award by Romy Nocera Take action »
	The Rise of Citizen Journalists If you're looking for a 2010 prediction on the issue of homelessness, don't go turning to your local paper. According to End Homelessness blogger Noah Jennings, the next year will be marked by the role of citizen journalists. That's a good thing for the nation's poor, who haven't faced such overwhelming problems in this country since the time of the Great Depression. Back then it took a nation of independent writers, photographers, artists and folklorists to illuminate the crisis of poverty. Might it take the same in 2010, too? (Read more) Pledging to Eat More Sustainably Have you made your New Year's resolution yet? If not, how about pledging to eat more sustainably in 2010? Sustainable Food blogger Katherine Gustafson has ten ways for you to make your diet more sustainable in the coming year. From using your cell phone to find out if the fish you're consuming is sustainable, to starting a garden or entering a meat-sharing program with your friends, there are a number of clever and unique ways to make 2010 the year of sustainability. (Read more) Hopes for Women in the Military Women's Rights blogger and U.S. Navy Veteran Brandann Hill-Mann gives us her top five hopes for women in the military. From ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," to making sure the reproductive rights of women in uniform are preserved and respected, 2010 has real potential for progress - but success will require collective action from both the military and members of the Armed Services Committee. (Read more) Possible Health Care Breakthroughs What if 2010 is the year where we find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease, or the year where an HIV vaccine becomes a reality? Health Care blogger Gillian Hubble looks at six possible breakthroughs in health care for the next year that could change the trajectory of disease, and lead to revolutionary treatments for people at risk for strokes, heart attacks and more. While politicians in Washington may be going around in lucrative circles claiming progress, researchers may be leading the way for real health care breakthroughs. (Read more) A Banner Year for Ending Slavery Peeking into her crystal ball, End Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer says that if you thought the past year was a big one for the issue of slavery, wait 'til you see what 2010 is cooking. What will the New Year bring? Well, on the bad side, likely a whole bunch of trafficking stories from both the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2010 World Cup. But on the bright side? How about renewed partnership between public and private ventures to fight trafficking, as well as a push to move away from human trafficking "awareness," and toward "action." (Read More) To read predictions from all of Change.org's causes, check them out on The Change.org Blog. Happy New Year! - The Change.org Team