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

In India, Latrines Are Truly Lifesavers

Vivekananda Nemana Ankita Rao

November 13, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Odisha

In India, 620 million people openly defecate outdoors, causing harm to hygiene, sanitation, food, and water resources. The president of India funded an initiative to build public toilets for the people in his country, but the people did not use them because of traditions and behaviors. The Total Sanitation Campaign is starting to change villagers’ minds by having local leadership persuade those who resist the toilets by holding community activities and creating special committees to maintain the sanitation.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A start-up in India treats the poor as discerning customers, not aid recipients

Rhitu Chatterjee

November 06, 2014 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Tamil Nadu

Two Americans created a small start-up in rural India to help bring life-sustaining technologies to the poor. But they're not giving away solar lamps and low-power appliances: They're selling them.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The City That Turned Its Water Into Cash

John Tierney

September 22, 2014 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown, Pennsylvania uses a creative financing strategy - leasing the city's water and sewage utilities - to pay for expensive public pension programs. To keep from raising rates for Allentown residents, the lease agreement has a strict rate cap that rises with inflation.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Sun and Wind Alter Global Landscape, Leaving Utilities Behind

Justin Gillis

September 13, 2014 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Bremerhaven

With climate change continuing as a threat to the planet’s health, Germany has contributed efforts to curb greenhouse gases by installing wind turbines and solar panels to generate renewable energy. Germany’s commitment and financial investment in renewable energy beats other industrial countries but, at the present, the cost is still high.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Minnesota starts to think about re-using wastewater

Elizabeth Dunbar

August 04, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Mankato, Minnesota

Mankato, where treated wastewater is used for everything from irrigation to industrial cooling, is one of the few places around this water-rich state where water is being recycled in this way. But as concerns about the availability of groundwater rise in certain parts of the state, interest in reusing wastewater is growing.

Read More
Go to Original Story
LED street lighting kindles interest in Michigan

Kat Friedrich

July 10, 2014 |

Midwest Energy News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

As the traditional sodium vapor lamps used for decades in street lights begin to burn out and need replacement, many municipalities, like Detroit, are turning to LED lighting - thanks to rebates and conscientious consumer demand. Though they sometimes have higher up-front costs, LEDs have multiple benefits including long-term cost savings (as they require less maintenance), increased energy efficiency, better lighting that can help decrease crime, and less light pollution and glare.

Read More
Go to Original Story
State officials promise tougher approach on nitrates contaminating groundwater

Mark Steil

July 07, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Worthington, Minnesota

Minnesota farmers are closely following the debate over how best to manage nitrates. Many farmers—no one knows the number exactly–are already taking action to lower their use of nitrates, which can contaminate water.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Desert city uses water, then uses it again

Dan Kraker

May 27, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

Tucson has slashed its per capita water consumption by more than a third, and one of the more startling ways it's done that is by reusing water after it's flushed down the toilet or run through a washing machine.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A first in Minnesota, cities launch system to treat, stash water underground

Jennifer Vogel

April 16, 2014 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, St. Michael, Minnesota

Capturing water during times of plenty, storing it underground, and pulling it out later when it's needed—it's a strategy used in the western and southeastern parts of the country, and now, for the first time, in Minnesota.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Refurbished Wind Turbines to Power the Developing World at a Profit

Mary Mazzoni

January 30, 2014 |

Triple Pundit |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The commercially-based Wind for Prosperity initiative may have devised a solution to meet growing demands for electricity in developing economies, where fossil fuels are expensive, difficult to access, and take a toll on environmental and human health. The venture works to refurbish wind turbines from Europe and re-deploy them in the developing world, providing clean and affordable power where it’s needed most.

Read More
Go to Original Story