Change.org's: America's Top Ideas

	America's Top Ideas; Death Row Exonerations; Future of Wind Power Congress has recently shown that there is no problem too large for continued partisan bickering. But where our politicians are failing, citizens are stepping in. Over the past month, 100,000 of you have participated in an open, democratic framework to suggest, debate, and vote on the best Ideas for Change in America on Change.org. Your ideas continue to flood in, from creating new jobs that add social value, to addressing the crisis in food access and obesity, to reinvigorating our civic life. This broad, grassroots participation and constructive debate demonstrates that whatever happens in Washington, people across the country haven't given up their hope for a better future or a willingness to fight for the change they believe in. First round voting ends this Thursday afternoon, and the final round will begin next week. To become part of the largest citizen-driven project to identify the top ideas for change across the country, go to www.change.org/ideas. For news and commentary from your favorite causes from the past week, see the summaries below.		Stop Facebook from Switching to Dirty Coal by Change.org Take action » Urge Cabela's and Sportman's Warehouse to Withdraw their Support for Wolf-Killing Derbies by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Take action »
	Death Row Exonerations When it comes to wrongful convictions, Florida has one of the worst track records in the country. Criminal Justice blogger Elizabeth Renter writes that Florida has exonerated more people on death row than any other state - some 23 individuals, all told. Given that high rate, isn't it time for Florida to establish some sort of agency charged with investigating claims of innocence? Tell Florida lawmakers to create a state-sponsored Innocence Commission to curb this high rate of exoneration, and to make sure no innocent people end up wrongfully in prison. (Read more)   Future of Wind Power New estimates suggest that the United States could get its energy needs met nine times over using only wind power. Environment blogger Mike Gaworecki writes that the only thing holding investors up is lack of a Renewable Energy Standard that would lock wind power in as a contender to gas and coal. As Americans, we have the opportunity to choose what our energy future will be. Will we choose to build a clean, healthy future on renewable energy - and create jobs to boot - or will we stick with the dirty, polluting energy sources of the past? (Read more)   Human Trafficking Victory After receiving more than 4,200 letters from Change.org members, Choice Hotels has taken a firm stand against child trafficking. End Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer writes that the move comes after a five-year-old girl was sold into prostitution and taken to one of the company's hotels. In the wake of that incident and activist pressure, Choice Hotels announced that all franchisees will receive training in preventing child prostitution. (Read More)   High Cost of Cheap Food When strolling through the aisles of the grocery store, most consumers have no idea that they are paying a far greater price for their Coca-Cola and Doritos than what their check-out total may lead them to believe. Sustainable Food blogger Greg Plotkinwrites that these externalities - the hidden costs of food - are not reflected in a product's purchase price, but are instead passed along in the form of environmental impacts or health care costs that someone else must eventually pay. (Read more)   Wolf-Killing Competitions While some companies sponsor the Olympic Games, others put their money behind wolf-killing competitions. Two companies, Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse, are proud sponsors of these predator derbies. But as Animals blogger Stephanie Feldstein writes, in addition to seeing how many points-per-carcass hunters can rack up, these tournaments bankroll anti-wolf lobbyists who are making sure wolves stay off the endangered species list. Take action and urge these two companies to withdraw their support for wolf-killing tournaments. (Read more)   Have a great week, - The Change.org Team