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 1021 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

The Dirt on Waste: Understanding College Recycling Programs

Mary Margaret Davis Griffin Finck

June 06, 2019 |

Pepperdine University Graphic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Malibu, California

Pepperdine University is having some trouble as they try to go about achieving the goal set by the California government stating that 75% of waste must be diverted by 2050. This article covers the specifics of the conservation efforts at Pepperdine, and also looks at more successful programs going on at UCLA and Santa Clara University. Some effective tactics include a comprehensive education plan on recycling, requiring faculty and staff to dispose of landfill waste themselves by only collecting recyclable waste, and partnering with athletic teams to champion conservation.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This California Neighborhood Was Built to Survive a Wildfire. And It Worked

Lauren Sommer

June 03, 2019 |

KQED |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

In the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood of California, one neighborhood was designed and built to protect homes from wildfires. Included in the design were certain regulations, like regulating weeds, brush, and mulch, and installing noncombustible siding and roofs. Because of climate change, the strength and frequency of wildfires have increased across the state, prompting residents, firefighting professionals, and legislators to become more resilience- and prevention-oriented.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Why you want oysters and a salt marsh between you and a hurricane

Anne N. Connor

June 03, 2019 |

Vox |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Beaufort, North Carolina

Instead of building hard seawalls to protect communities from hurricanes, some are turning to “living shorelines.” These are made out of crushed rock or oyster shells that are placed offshore in front of a wetland. There are more than 120 of these types of habitats — including in Beaufort, North Carolina — and they have shown that they can absorb 50 percent of wave energy, which can reduce the risk of loss of human life and property from flooding. This might not work for all coastal communities, but living shorelines are cheaper than the traditional seawalls.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Life After Conflict: Healing the Environmental Wounds of War

Tania Rashid Habib Battah

May 28, 2019 |

Al Jazeera |

Video |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Bangladesh

With the aftermath of conflict often focused on humanitarian crisis, international and local actors are also working to restore damage done to ecosystems. From Rohingya refugees volunteering to make sure endangered elephants can reach their grazing lands – and not destroy the refugee camps – to Lebonese seed banks being recreated to restore biodiversity, the international stage is paying closer attention to the environmental tolls of conflict.

Read More
Go to Original Story
An (Even More) Inconvenient Truth: Why Carbon Credits For Forest Preservation May Be Worse Than Nothing

Lisa Song

May 22, 2019 |

ProPublica |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Brazil, Rio Branco, Acre

This story examines the well-publicized climate-change strategy of carbon credits: the idea that a CO₂-emitting company could offset its emissions by funding anti-logging efforts, effectively "saving" the equivalent amount of carbon. However, as it turns out, despite its popularity, most carbon credit programs do not actually work or, worse, may do more harm than good. This article details the shortcomings of this attempted solution to the effects of global warming.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Could you give up flying? Meet the no-plane pioneers

Emine Saner

May 22, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Southampton

There’s a new environmental movement: the no-fly movement. In Europe especially, people are realizing the detrimental environmental impact of flying and are seeking alternatives to air travel, even if it means being creative with time and money. It’s not for everyone - but for this movement, days of train travel trump the emissions created from a long flight.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Meating In The Middle: The Challenge of Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions On Farms

Madelyn Beck

May 20, 2019 |

Harvest Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

From small farms to the larger, agriculture industry, changes are being made to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas being emitted into the air. With methane emissions considered one of the top worst greenhouse gasses – and agriculture a major contributor to it – the industry is looking toward new practices, like cover crops and new diets for cows. Responses are happening on many levels, but in order to make sustainable change, farmers and researchers must collaboratively work together.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Greenhouse Gas Scientist Questions How To Cut Emissions On Her Own Farm

Kate Payne

May 20, 2019 |

Iowa Public Radio |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Jewell, Iowa

As a response to global climate change, many are turning to farming and agricultural practices as a response. Plants are able to bring carbon dioxide into soil, where some is stored, reducing the overall amount in the air. While initially seen as a silver bullet solution, scientists are now discovering limitations – like overestimating how much carbon can be stored. For small farms, in order to adopt more eco-conscious practices, they need more economic incentives to change their ways.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How the Mental Health Community Is Bracing for the Impact of Climate Change

Andrea Marks

May 16, 2019 |

Rolling Stone |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Climate change is impacting not just the environment but the way in which humans are able to exist within the altered landscape. As ecosystems shift, storms worsen and loss of homes continues to rise, the mental health industry is looking towards changing traditional practices in order to account for clients presenting with "eco-anxiety and climate grief."

Read More
Go to Original Story
Dairy Alternatives: Converting Cattle Methane Into Renewable Energy

Raisa Scriabine

May 16, 2019 |

KCET-TV |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pixley, California

After California passed new regulations mandating that the dairy industry needs to mitigate the amount of methane emissions produced from cows, some farms like Airoso Dairy are adopting new technologies to do the job. The farm works with energy companies to use a digester that converts the cow’s manure into biofuel. While the initial investment in the technology can be expensive, this conversion of fuel has also added a new revenue stream for the farm.

Read More
Go to Original Story