Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 2286 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

‘Our biggest challenge? Lack of imagination': the scientists turning the desert green

Steve Rose

March 20, 2021 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, s’-Hertogenbosch

A Dutch group of engineers known as the Weather Makers has an ambitious plan to regreen the Sinai Peninsula — the stretch of desert connecting Egypt to the rest of Asia. Their efforts would restore forests, wetlands, and even adjust the weather for the region. This form of ecosystems regeneration could help with food security and mitigate the effects of climate change. Their process of changing an entire ecosystem can be controversial, but initial tests have shown how this could work on a large scale.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Susu as a Vehicle to Advance Economic Mobility

Nana AmaAddo

March 19, 2021 |

FunTimes Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

A traditional African method of mutual aid, Susu, is helping members of the African Diaspora access capital for businesses, education, housing, and more. The informal loan network enables people to contribute periodically to a group fund with each contributor taking turns receiving the collected money. The informal loan club is a centuries-old African tradition that serves as a security net and can also provide economic mobility.

Read More
Go to Original Story
For Rohingya Survivors, Art Bears Witness

Patricia Leigh Brown

March 19, 2021 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh

Artolution provides art education and supplies to Rohingya Survivors in Bangladesh refugee camps, all of whom experienced severe trauma, to create life-affirming and informative murals. Topics range from safe hygiene practices to the dangers of domestic violence. The group trains artists to become muralists and teachers and pays them an annual stipend. The murals help artists heal, provide important public health information to the community, and amplify the cultural traditions they had to hide for so long. The nearly 200 murals are on almost all surfaces of the refugee camp from latrines to “monsoon walls.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
The human right that benefits nature

Katarina Zimmer

March 16, 2021 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica

A court in Costa Rica decided that a local municipality was illegally polluting a stream and this ruling set the stage for the country to ensure that a clean and healthy environment is a human right. They ingrained this right in their constitution joining about 110 other countries that have constitutionally recognized it. Although the law is not perfect, it has allowed courts to rule that killing endangered green sea turtles is unconstitutional, for example. Costa Rica’s success with this legal pathway could be used in other countries seeking to adopt the right to a healthy environment.

Read More
Go to Original Story
An Illinois district proved programs for gifted students can be diverse

Danielle Dreilinger

March 16, 2021 |

The Hechinger Report |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

U-46, Chicago's second-largest school district faced a legal suit in 2005 for discrimination of Hispanic students in its gifted programs and is now setting an example for how programs can be upended for good. By 2018 U-46's gifted program consisted of 48% Hispanic students, a better representation of a 57% Hispanic district. The changes implemented by the district included addressing systemic issues by not relying on teacher recommendations and instead testing all third and sixth graders, expanding the number of seats for gifted students. The district also has teachers undergo antiracism training and more.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How the West Lost COVID

David Wallace-Wells

March 15, 2021 |

New York Magazine |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Although no universal set of policies were likely to have prevented the spread of Covid-19, the general inaction and lax interventions by countries in the western hemisphere prevented Europe, North America, and South America from containing the spread of the virus. Comparatively, actions taken by governments and citizens in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia allowed that region to prevent a high death toll. Similarly in East Asia, South-East Asia, and Oceania, the region experienced "inarguable success."

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Texas is trying to reverse falling college enrollments

Nicolette White

March 14, 2021 |

Dallas Morning News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, Texas

Future Focused Texas is a new initiatiative aiming to assist college-bound seniors and college students by providing assistance through a suite of resources and making it available to counselors and mentors. The initiative works as a collaboration between schools and partners who establish guidelines, and resources, like a bot called ADVi, to answer students' most common questions. Over 730 "college-access professionals" are taking part in the program.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Closing Haiti's Science and Technology Gap with Bioscience

J.O. Haselhoef

March 11, 2021 |

Haitian Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Haiti, Hinche

The science and technology gap in Haiti is being bridged through the establishment of the Haitian Bioscience Initiative, which is a full science lab. The program has successfully trained students that have gone on to find gainful employment in the field. “The more people trained in basic science sills, the better it will be for the country.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
Home Game

Leah Cantor

March 10, 2021 |

Santa Fe Reporter |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

A variety of approaches are helping ease housing instability in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Built for Zero program helps different entities coordinate homeless services through a comprehensive database that strives to capture everyone experiencing homelessness at any given time. An affordable-housing complex known as Siler Yard was also created through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for artists to live and work in. Additionally, Public Land Trusts have also created a considerable amount of affordable housing in Santa Fe.

Read More
Go to Original Story
What Can Biden's Plan Do for Poverty? Look to Bangladesh.

Nicholas Kristof

March 10, 2021 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh

Bangladesh has made huge strides in reducing poverty by investing in women experiencing the most economic hardships. As a result, children have lower rates of malnutrition, fewer child marriages, higher rates of completing elementary school, and women have more job opportunities. Over the course of 15 years, 25 million Bangladeshis have been able to break out of poverty. Progress in Bangladesh is a model of success that could be possible in America with Biden's American Rescue Plan which has provisions that would mitigate childhood poverty in America.

Read More
Go to Original Story