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

Electric Rain

Amina Nazarli

June 16, 2018 |

AzerNews |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Turning rainwater into electric power may sound farfetched, but it has become a reality thanks to 15-year-old Reyhan Jamalova in Azerbaijan. Appropriately dubbed Rainergy, this new source of renewable energy has the potential to bring power to underprivileged communities as well as be marketed internationally.

Read More
Go to Original Story
UW program helps disadvantaged students thrive in tough engineering college

Katherine Long

June 13, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

The University of Washington State Academic Red Shirt program provides enrolled students with an extra year of prerequisite instruction in an attempt to prepare them to pursue an engineering degree. Five years in, the model, which mirrors the academic "red shirt" concept, has shown promising results, enabling students from lower-performing high schools to catch up before formally embarking on the path to an engineering degree.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Virtual power plants are now powering electrical grids without fuel

Michael J. Coren

May 30, 2018 |

Quartz |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Belgium

Batteries have begun replacing power plants. Instead of fueling up a plant when electricity demand peaks, networked batteries can kick in and deliver stored energy, reducing emissions and saving money. The technology is increasingly affordable and reliable.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Paris is building the eco-community of the future right now. Here's how.

Susannah Shmurak

May 23, 2018 |

Ensia |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Clichy-Batignolles, Paris

Setting the bar high for environmental sustainability can encourage innovation and experimentation. Developers of Paris’ new Clichy-Batignolles eco-district are reducing the neighborhood’s carbon footprint in nearly every way imaginable. Solar panels and vegetation cover the energy-efficient buildings, the water table under the 10-hectare (25-acre) park provides geothermal heating, deliveries are directed to a central drop-off site, and much more.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Adaptation to Global Water Shortages

Raisa Scriabine

May 16, 2018 |

KCET-TV |

Video |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Morocco, Id Soussane

Two very different part of the world – California’s Central Valley and Western Morocco – are learning to adapt to water shortages. In the Central Valley, finding and treating water in a notoriously drought-ridden state has been challenging, but a series of connected water districts experimenting with processes like reverse osmosis has showed promise. Halfway across the world, they’ve been using fog collection as a non-traditional method of capturing water so that the rural villages in Morocco can have access to water after decades of water shortages.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Oman's Rocks Could Help Save the Planet

Henry Fountain

April 26, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Oman, Imbra

Are rocks the answer to decreasing the scale of carbon dioxide production across the world? These scientists think so - or at least that these rocks have the potential to play a part in this mission. Carbon mineralization, a process unique to peridotite rocks found primarily in Oman but also in California, Papua New Guinea, Albania and a few other locations, could help combat climate change if the acceleration and scaling processes can be determined.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Problem-Solving Prizes

William Kremer Harriet Noble

April 16, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom

Cash prizes push people to solve all sorts of problems. Advancements in aircraft and spacecraft in particular have came out of public innovation challenges.

Read More
Go to Original Story
World's first electrified road for charging vehicles opens in Sweden

Daniel Boffey

April 12, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Stockholm

Stockholm, Sweden has opened the world's first stretch of road that will recharge car's batteries as people drive. Similar to a tram system, but half the cost, motorists install a moveable arm to the undercarriage of their vehicles which connects to the electrified strip running down the road. Talks have already begun about expanding the pilot in order to move towards achieving independence from fossil fuels by 2030.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Taking Out the Space Trash

Nick Holland

March 27, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Surrey

An international effort will deploy new technology to remove space debris that threatens satellite technology. Scientists developed an innovative net and harpoon system that will trap debris.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Anacostia Rising: What's Next For D.C.'s 'Forgotten' River

Jacob Fenston Tyrone Turner

March 26, 2018 |

American University Radio (WAMU) |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The Anacostia, which has long been one of the most polluted rivers in the country, has been given a new lease on life, thanks to cleanup efforts and a recent sewer upgrade in D.C. Since water quality has improved, there's been renewed interest in waterfront recreation and development. Now local groups are working to mitigate displacement from gentrification, with some success.

Read More
Go to Original Story