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 2477 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Drowning in Dysfunction

Rob Powers

December 22, 2016 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Faced with abysmal customer service during a spate of incorrect, excessive usage bills from Cleveland's municipal water department, residents turned their attention to the nation's top-ranked utility, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. Unlike Cleveland, the Miami department has a customer-oriented business model from top-to-bottom: not only does it provide credits in cases of underground or inexplicable leaks, but its leaders focus on supporting employees in providing responsive service, proper usag

Read More
Go to Original Story
Can the private sector solve Metro Detroit's infrastructure woes?

Patrick Dunn

December 21, 2016 |

Metromode |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan's roads have been in disrepair for years. Now with increased private sector funding and partnerships between companies and the government, the state could start to see improvements in its infrastructure.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Stockholm's Ingenious Plan to Recycle Old Christmas Trees

Feargus O'Sullivan

December 20, 2016 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Stockholm

In Stockholm, old Christmas trees are being converted into biochar. When integrated into the city's highly-efficient power grid, the project has been wildly successful--not only in improving soil, but also in retaining groundwater, greening the city, and lowering carbon emissions. For this reason, officials as far away as California have been eying the plan with interest.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How To Make Hydropower More Environmentally Friendly

Matt Weiser

December 20, 2016 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Dover, Delaware

Dams make for complex and often controversial infrastructure. While hydropower generated from large dam projects is currently providing the bulk of the planet's renewable energy, dams can also cause major environmental and social damage by interrupting animal migrations, displacing indigenous communities, and collecting toxins. A number of solutions are being implemented, however, to address the various issues caused by dams, to help make them a more eco-friendly and viable source of clean energy.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Nepal, 'appalling' river runs cleaner in wake of unusual partnership

Atul Bhattarai

December 18, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'Bribing' Mums To Feed Their Kids

Emma Wilson, Sahar Zand

December 18, 2016 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Peru, Tarma, Junín

One in three children in Peru are stunted by a lack of nutritious foods in their diet. In 2005, the government gave cash hand-outs to poor mothers, but only on the condition that they had regular health check-ups and their children went to school. By 2014 the number of children growing up too small had halved.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Free Cash in Finland. Must be Jobless.

Peter S. Goodman

December 17, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Finland, Oulu

Monthly unemployment checks are dissuading individuals from finding work for fear that their work will pay less. Oulu, Finland is testing out 'basic income' where everyone receives a government cheque, to encourage people to work without fear of losing their monthly assistance.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Costa Rica modernized without wrecking the environment. Here's how.

Nathanael Johnson

December 15, 2016 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, San Jose

Unlike other countries suffering with an impoverished population, Costa Rica has not destroyed the environment while modernizing its economy. Costa Rica has created a coffee alliance, a collective effort between the government and local farmers to grow and cultivate sustainable coffee agriculture through public policy and land distribution. The coffee alliance has given economic empowerment to the people, while being environmentally green.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Colorful maps and wooden blocks have lured some skeptical parents — but can free public Montessori survive in Detroit?

Erin Einhorn

December 14, 2016 |

Chalkbeat Detroit |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit implemented the Montessori Method at several public schools, despite funding constraints. The program has attracted families that might otherwise look to the suburbs and private schools for education. It has resulted in more diverse classrooms and more opportunities for students.

Read More
Go to Original Story
15 countries, other states use social impact bonds, too

Kristen Jordan Shamus

December 13, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Peterborough

A project launched in the United Kingdom uses social-impact bonds to reduce recidivism among prisoners, bringing together public and private resources to implement more effective and cost efficient social programs. Their success is inspiring other countries to follow suit.

Read More
Go to Original Story