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 201 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

A Greener Afterlife

Courtney Duchene

September 11, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s West Laurel Hill Cemetery has gone green. While the burial business may be notoriously filled with chemicals, this cemetery has introduced 50 different sustainability initiatives, including banning machinery use, only allowing biodegradable caskets – or no caskets at all – and keeping the grounds flourishing with native plants instead of manicured lawns. The efforts also include community engagement to bring residents into the environmental shift as part of a larger, cultural trend toward sustainability.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Will Asia Stop Severe Air Pollution while Development Rages on?

Viola Gaskell

August 30, 2019 |

Global Ground Media |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: China, Beijing

Air pollution plagues much of Asia, but a handful of countries are putting energy and resources towards lessening the rising health concerns that come from breathing unclean air. From leveraging technology to create cheaper yet more effective air filters to government mandates, the countries are experimenting with a variety of solutions.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Heat is deadly—even in Montana. But the city of Missoula is doing something about it.

Laurie Mazur

August 29, 2019 |

The Daily Climate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Missoula, Montana

Adapting to climate change takes planning and partnerships. In Missoula, Montana, partnerships with nonprofits like Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX) and Climate Smart Missoula reinforce the city’s climate planning. TEX connects cities and urban planners with professors, experts, and other nonprofits that can assist in tackling climate change issues. By layering socioeconomic data over a heat map of the city, TEX scientists could reveal populations at highest risk of extreme temperature impacts. The team then shared data with health officials, policy makers, and the community.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How small businesses in Salt Lake City are helping to clear the air

Heather May

August 28, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Logan, Utah

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a type of pollutant that can be found even in homes and small businesses, but across Utah, small businesses are finding creative ways to reduce their emissions. A mix of mandatory rules at the state level as well as supplementary grants to pay for the cost to switch to more environmentally-friendly machinery and materials has fueled this shift. Businesses including coffee shops, lawn care companies, and furniture stores are stepping up.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The all-electric home: Tackling air pollution by cutting off natural gas

Heather May

August 27, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Herriman, Utah

In a collaborative effort between developers, power companies, and the government, a new apartment complex in Utah will be almost entirely powered by solar energy. The complex, developed by Wasatch Premier Communities, will work with Rocky Mountain Power to determine how to integrate such technology into the region’s electricity grid. This kind of development is gaining ground in Utah, and those in the industry hope to educate others of the benefits of going electric.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Homes are a big part of Salt Lake City's air pollution problem. They also are the solution.

Heather May

August 26, 2019 |

The Salt Lake Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salt Lake City, Utah

Across Salt Lake City, Utah, housing developers are building more net zero energy homes. Facing air quality issues, the state has yet to set more energy efficient codes for new homes, which means the kind of homes being built by developers like Redfish, Garbett Homes, and Ivory Homes, are being constructed on a much smaller scale. Such homes, while costing 2-5% more to build, have shown to decrease energy costs by 50-60%.

Read More
Go to Original Story
South Mountain HS cross-country team pushing for electric school buses

Kristine Harrington

August 16, 2019 |

KPHO-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Phoenix, Arizona

Because of a collaborative effort between a high school cross country team and Chispa, an environmental advocacy group, Arizona’s Phoenix Union High School District has bought its first electric school bus. While nearly three times more expensive than a regular school bus, the school district considered the long-term sustainability, not just in terms of fuel and maintenance costs, but in regards to larger, environmental efforts as well.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A tiny garden in Boulder is showing signs of stress from smog. The scientist behind it is thrilled.

Amanda K. Clark

August 12, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

A garden at Boulder, Colorado’s Museum of Natural History is being used to track the effects of smog and educate visitors as well. Called an “ozone garden,” this plot – and other like it around the world – shows researchers and visitors how plants are damaged by ground-level ozone levels. Beyond education, the researchers behind the ozone garden are using it to show how crops and food availability will diminish as climate change continues.

Read More
Go to Original Story
These high school runners train in 'nasty air,' so they're working to clean it up

Priscilla Totiyapungprasert

July 29, 2019 |

AZ Central (The Arizona Republic) |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Phoenix, Arizona

Grassroots organization can generate change in carbon emissions practices at the community level. In Phoenix, the Chispa nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social justice, is working to get schools to apply to Arizona’s Lower-Emissions Bus program, funded by money paid to the state in the aftermath of Volkswagen’s emissions scandal. By mobilizing volunteers to canvass neighborhoods and attend school board meetings, the group has succeeded in getting at least one school district to purchase an electric bus and implement a pilot program.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Renewing London

Oliver Gordon

July 04, 2019 |

Struggles from Below Magazine |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: England, London

In London, two community-driven initiatives are working side by side to engage residents in sustainable practices. Energy Garden, a community energy cooperative, has created green spaces in rail stations offers residents community gardens, nature education, and solar power. Repower, the other initiative, works with residents to communally invest in renewable energy for low-income neighborhoods while also providing those neighborhoods with energy jobs and mentoring services.

Read More
Go to Original Story