Every generation makes a commitment to see its children lead better lives than they have and to leave the world a better place than they have inherited.

Today's issues are combining to create the first generation of children expected to lead shorter, unhealthier and unhappier lives than their parents. Scary stuff, right? A new book “Actions Speak Loudest” is designed as a clarion call to help us keep our generational promise.

The tome delves into the heart of thirty-two issues, ranging from childhood obesity to climate change, that are critical to the well-being of your generation and those to follow. The book is a compilation of evocative photographs and articulate essays, and offers attainable, ambitious ideas for action. The contributors—who span all walks of life and fields of work—are not just limited to well-known celebrities, authors and experts but also include everyday American heroes who have overcome their own personal challenges to make a difference in the lives of youth in their community.

As a non-profit project all proceeds are going back into the causes and organizations featured in our pages, including DoSomething.org, which the book hails as one of the growing number of tools designed to help you make your actions speak loudest.

What can you do?

Keep taking action in your community! Don't know what to do? Check out DoSomething.org's action matrix! No matter what your cause, how little (or lots) of time you have, or how many people you want to take action with (alone, with your fam, peeps, etc.), we have a list of things you can do to effect change! And don't forget to report back and tell us about the amazing things you're doing.