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Creating “Better Buildings” With Solar Energy

Anne Cosgrove

June 12, 2017 |

Facility Executive Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Richfield, Minnesota

With the prices of solar technology dropping and the opportunity to save drastically on energy usage and costs, businesses and organizations across the country are investing more in solar infrastructure for their buildings and facilities. The Better Buildings Initiative of the US Department of Energy is helping by providing guidance and documenting effective approaches and financing for renewables installations - from hotels, to schools, to big box retail.

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The Philanthropy World Is Embracing Impact Investing

Ben Paynter

June 05, 2017 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

The resources needed to tackle some of the world's most pressing social and environmental problems - from poverty to climate change to inequality - are generally far beyond the reach of governments and traditional philanthropies. Fortunately, the private sector is taking an increasing role in social entrepreneurship through the practice of impact investing. Organizations and individuals alike are investing funds into meaningful, scalable projects that are generally proven to also provide a return; a win-win for everyone that generates sustainable change.

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How New York Is Building the Power Grid of the Future

Leslie Kaufman

May 25, 2017 |

Inside Climate News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

New York is determined to become a national leader in the renewable energy sector, and they are leveraging numerous approaches to help integrate better and more environmentally conscious technologies into the grid. The multi-faceted approach includes updating laws and regulations to be more renewables-friendly, hosting competitions to foster entrepreneurship and creative solutions in the field, piloting new technologies, and creating better incentives for utility companies.

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How Cities Fought the White House, and Won, in the 1980s

Brentin Mock

May 24, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

In 1986, the city of Baltimore battled the Reagan administration over its local anti-apartheid ordinances—and won. How they prevailed may have important lessons for cities trying to resist Trump today; from his policies regarding immigration to climate change.

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Research Says ‘Voucher' Programs Can Help Students

Tammy Worth

May 23, 2017 |

Flatland |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Kansas

The Catholic Education Foundation in Kansas City has provided nearly $600,000 in scholarships to approximately 300 low-income students to give them the choice to choose where they want to go to school. Because it is funded by businesses through tax-deductible contributions, it is a contentious issue by involving public money. The program has found over time that although the difference in test scores between private and public schools is modest, the real benefit of the program is helping families make informed choices about their education without access being an issue.

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How to Trick People Into Saving Money

Rob Walker

May 01, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salem, Illinois

A large number of Americans are "unbanked or underbanked"—meaning they are not tied to traditional financial institutions to manage their money—which makes saving difficult. Walmart has managed to serve this population with a debit card program called MoneyCard that provides financial incentives to users to regularly put aside money into a "vault." This approach effectively takes into account behavioral economics in terms of how humans approach short- versus long-term rewards. Launching in August 2016, the program's membership had grown more than 130% and savings increased by 38% by December 2016.

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Chicago Sees Big Shift in Grocery Shopping Habit

Rachel Dovey

April 25, 2017 |

Next City |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

What happens when you get charged for something? People will be less likely to do it, that’s the theory behind taxing plastic bags, a move that is seeing big results in cities like Chicago.

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Inside the Nudge Unit of New South Wales

Medha Basu

April 24, 2017 |

GovInsider |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, New South Wales

Missing a doctor's appointment has a significant cost. Hospitals lose money and doctors lose time that they could be using to attend to other patients. Dr. Alex King believes that through testing and then implementing certain behavioral nudges, hospitals will stop losing as much money and patients will benefit from a better experience.

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Smart idea: Dump your waste, get paid

Mayank Manohar

April 16, 2017 |

The Times of India |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

In order to encourage people to properly dispose of their waste, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has installed smart vending machines for recyclable waste at Connaught Place and India Gate. In return for making the sustainable waste choice, users receive monetary rewards via e-wallet.

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The world's greenest island

Tom A. Peter

April 16, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Samso

Samsø, a small island in Denmark, has done what no other city has reached; energy independence. People on the island use a combination of wind, solar, and biomass, energy. How is such a large feat accomplished? Local leaders say it wasn’t because of technological breakthrough, but through collective action.

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