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Eight months on, is the world's most drastic plastic bag ban working?

Jonathan Watts

April 25, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nairobi

Curbing society's reliance on plastic has become a top priority on international levels. In light of this, Kenya took the most drastic approach and implemented a ban on all plastic bags enforced with consequence of jail-time and steep fines. After 8 months in action some are still finding this ban to be unjust due to cost infringements on businesses, but Nairobi’s shanty towns are seeing cleaner streets, healthier waterways and improvements in sanitation initiatives.

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Meet the Judge Who Transformed California's Criminal Justice System

Abbie Vansickle

April 23, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Using the catalyst approach, Judge Thelton Henderson was able to reform California prisons. He employed courts to change bureaucratic systems, and was moved by the idea that if you “encourage everyone involved to buy into a solution.. long-term change will happen.” Coupled with court orders, Henderson oversaw lawsuits involving overcrowding and inadequate medical services in prisons. A move that led to statewide change.

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Basic Income Is Already Transforming Life and Work in a Postindustrial Canadian City

Jordan Pearson

April 23, 2018 |

Motherboard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Hamilton, Ontario

A pilot program in Hamilton, Ontario tests the viability of a universal basic income. While bureaucratic red tape and critics from both political sides limit the enrollment in the program, citizens partaking in the pilot note that support in the form of cash keep them healthy and able to avoid living in poverty.

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The peace talks with a difference

Richard Kenny

April 19, 2018 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Israel

In the People's Peace Talks, ordinary people from Israel and Palestine come together for five hours in a room to reach a peace agreement, without the presence of politicians. With no communication between the two governments, one academic is trying a new tactic by engaging the public in the negotiation process. Despite some shortcomings of a simulation, the ideas generated may be part of a real solution in the future.

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The Unlikely Upside of Cape Town's Drought

Eve Fairbanks

April 19, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

When faced with the dire likelihood that the city would run entirely out of water, Cape Town communities responded by looking at the challenge with resiliency, rather than complacency or inconvenience. Though not without limitations, those that were able to implement a perspective shift created a social shift that allowed for greater communal efforts and resulted in successful water conservation, including a 40% city-wide decrease in water use.

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San Francisco has the only women's department in the US — and it shows

Odette Chalaby

April 17, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Department on the Status of Women has pushed gender sensitivity in policymaking since 1975. As a result, the city leads the nation in paid parental leave, lactation support, and rights to flexible work arrangements.

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Scientists accidentally created an enzyme that eats plastic and it could be the answer to our waste crisis

Josh Gabbatiss

April 16, 2018 |

The Independent |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Japan

Plastic is a leading cause of much of the world's pollution problem. But thanks to a discovery in a Japanese recycling center, scientists believe they may have identified a substance that can drastically reduce the amount.

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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.

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A Year Later, Fewer Deportations in Cities That Adopted “Welcoming” Policies

Michael J. Dax

April 11, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

In the state of New Mexico, policy makers, activists, religious leaders, and the community are all working hand in hand to make the state a safe harbor for undocumented immigrants. The state is refusing to cooperate with ICE and aside from California is one of the most friendly to immigrants. A community organizer says, “We wanted to push back against this narrative that ICE just gets to come in our communities and kidnap people from their homes.”

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Saving for Retirement: How Auto-IRA Plans May Secure the Future

Emily B. Hager, Clara Ritger

April 11, 2018 |

Wall Street Journal |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Medford, Oregon

Oregon is helping its residents save for retirement by automatically enrolling those eligible for the Roth IRA retirement savings program. Employees can choose to contribute or opt out, and thus far the participation rate is 80%. As social security benefits are at risk in the future, this program, in Oregon and around the country, is helping people start early in preparing for retirement.

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