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 2383 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Hydrogen Fuels Autorickshaws and Dreams of Cleaner Air

Amy Yee

October 01, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

Autorickshaws are a main source of transport within India, but not all autorickshaws are being created equally anymore. In an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, India is experimenting with implementing hydrogen-powered autorickshaws that look and act the same, but emit emissions of only water vapor and heat.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths

Max Fisher

July 23, 2012 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

While the United States struggled with thousands of gun-related homicides in 2008, Japan had a meager eleven. Despite Japan being a developed country, it has controlled and restricted gun-use from the police on the streets to ordinary residents by making policies based on their 1958 law. U.S. gun laws are rooted in the Constitution’s freedom to bear arms, thereby making policy changes more difficult to restrict gun use.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Fighting Depression, One Village at a Time

Tina Rosenberg

July 18, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Uganda

Different programs in various nations are training ordinary people and creating community groups to effectively satisfy the mental health needs of their communities. In many of these regions, "treatment gaps" – where there are little to no mental health treatment plans or resources – exist, but this new informal infrastructure helps to fill that.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Bicycle Revolution in Paris, Five Years Later

Julio Godoy

July 18, 2012 |

Inter Press Service News Agency |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Paris is a city plagued by traffic jams and air pollution. In 2007, the local government created a public bicycle sharing program called Velib that has drastically reduced the number of cars on the roadways and parking lots. During five years, over a hundred million people have used the program and it has a quarter of a million subscribers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Amidst Drought and Famine, Niger Leads West Africa in Addressing Crisis

Fred de Sam Lazaro

July 12, 2012 |

PBS NewsHour |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Niger, Madarounfa, Maradi

Officials in Niger are addressing chronic severe droughts causing food shortages and leading to a widespread threat of starvation. They provide aid to malnourished children and resources for a crop planting technique called 're-greening,' which aims to reforest agricultural regions, restore soil quality and, in turn, increase food supply.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Microhydro Drives Change in Rural Nepal

Amy Yee

June 20, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Rangkhani

Microhydro power plants are finding their place amongst some of the smallest villages in Nepal, bringing both electricity and industry opportunities to the regions. Although they aren't capable of generating near the amount of power as a typical hydro plant, they also have far less impact on the environment and encourage community involvement.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Dawn of the Evidence-Based Budget

David Bornstein

May 30, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

When we consider the vast sums that governments spend — and the responsibility public officials bear — it seems crazy that policy makers don’t routinely make good use of evidence. The new White House effort to base spending decisions on hard evidence is a step toward delivering more social good per taxpayer dollar.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above

Tina Rosenberg

May 23, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York City black tar roofs cause a number of environmental problems, including air pollution, heat absorption that raises energy consumption, and storm water runoff in the sewer system. Efforts to turn these old roofs into green spaces cool the buildings, enable the containment of more rainfall, reduce sewer discharge, generate energy, and absorb carbon emissions. New York City has a pilot program offering financial help for green roofs.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Fighting Crime With Architecture in Medellín, Colombia

Michael Kimmelman

May 18, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Medellín

Medellin, Colombia has looked to architecture to help combat its high homicide rate and other problems. Over the past few decades there have been massive public architecture development, transit improvements, creation of public spaces that have all contributed to renewing this city.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Multiplier Effect: Driving Haiti's recovery by spending aid dollars locally

Jacob Kushner

May 11, 2012 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti

Building Markets, an NGO, has connected Haitian businesses with foreign NGOs who can funnel humanitarian aid through the local suppliers and manufacturers in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2010. Typically, the majority of contracts are granted to international contractors which are easier for foreign NGOs to vet but when contracts are granted to local vendors, the "multiplier effect" allows more money to flow through the local economy and employ Haitians. A directory built by Building Markets allows foreign investors to easily find trustworthy local businesses.

Read More
Go to Original Story