Advanced filters

Search Results

You searched for:  -

There are 793 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • Cuba: Hurricane preparation

    January 16, 2018 |

    BBC |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Cuba

    Cuba has one of the world’s lowest storm fatality rates in part because citizens learn how to prepare and respond to hurricanes beginning in elementary school. Children know where to go in an evacuation, neighbors open their homes to those in need, local leaders distribute supplies, and vulnerable people such as those with disabilities are assisted early.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Colombia's peace agreement is the world's first to have gender at its core

    January 12, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Colombia

    Colombia’s 2016 peace accord has a chapter on gender and sections specifically responsive to women’s needs, such as an affirmation of women’s right to own land and the establishment of a special unit to investigate conflict-related sexual violence. These provisions, a result of trailblazing inclusion of women and LGBTQ groups in the peace process, break new ground in recognizing the gendered impacts of armed conflict.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Hurricanes blew away Puerto Rico's power grid. Now solar power is rising to fill the void.

    January 04, 2018 |

    Public Radio International (PRI) |

    Radio |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: Puerto Rico

    Solar power is a great advancement for renewable energy, but traditionally relies on connecting to a grid in order to function correctly. So when hurricanes hit Puerto Rico, even those with solar panels lost access to electricity. A micro-grid offers an alternative solution, however, by relying on battery power.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Arvada shelter keeps local homeless warm

    January 03, 2018 |

    Colorado Community Media |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Arvada, Colorado

    High rates of homelessness are an issue for many cities in America, and the associated perils increase dramatically in severe weather situations. In Colorado's Jefferson County, The Severe Weather Shelter Network, a Christian nonprofit, is working with local churches to offer severe weather shelters for vulnerable populations.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Rana Plaza

    December 26, 2017 |

    BBC |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Bangladesh, Savar Upazila, Dhaka District

    As large cracks appeared in the walls of Rana Plaza, workers’ safety concerns were ignored until the building collapsed, killing 1,134 and injuring many more. New regulations and organizations are improving worker safety in Bangladesh, but factories are picking up the bill more than retailers and customers. This puts increased production pressure on workers, who also cite low wages and gender disparities in leadership positions as continuing problems.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • In Harvey's wake, Dutch have much to teach Houston

    December 22, 2017 |

    Houston Chronicle |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Netherlands

    Moving away from brute force and impermeable dams, projects that focus on spatial planning and long-term investment in dynamic infrastructure projects prove more resilient to flooding and natural disasters. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River project is one part of the country’s comprehensive approach toward protecting its citizens from the threat of floods. Instead of relying on private flood insurance, citizens in the Netherland’s pay higher taxes, which help to fund water management projects.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Yes, Something Can Be Done About Wildfires

    December 19, 2017 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Bend, Oregon

    Ventura County, which has been covered in relentless wildfires, can learn a thing or two from its northernly neighbor Deschutes County, which hasn't lost a single house to regular wildfires since 2003. The reason? A comprehensive approach to removing and thinning out trees and other flammable materials around homes.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • The Japanese Tsunami, 2011

    December 19, 2017 |

    BBC |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Japan

    Two schools in Japan experienced the 2011 tsunami completely differently. After the earthquake, students in Kamaishi immediately took off running to get to higher ground, ahead of even their teachers. Meanwhile in Okawa, students evacuated to a playground and awaited further instructions. All but four people died at the Okawa school while everyone from the Kamaishi school survived. The contrast shows the importance of training people to take their own initiative when the unexpected strikes.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • How a custom Microsoft app is helping the Caribbean rebuild after hurricanes

    December 17, 2017 |

    GeekWire |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Antigua and Barbuda, Codrington

    Bringing data analysis technology into post-disaster scenarios can improve methods of allocating funding for disaster relief and reconstruction projects. The UN and Microsoft have partnered to develop the Building Damage Assessment app. Teams on the ground can use the software package to collect and analyze data, which can then be easily disseminated and shared with policymakers.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Officials patched and prayed while pressure built on Houston's dams

    December 15, 2017 |

    Houston Chronicle |

    Multi-Media |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

    Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston officials are taking steps to better prepare the city for flooding. Two damns, Addicks and Barker, have long been in need of repairs to increase their capacity and resilience, and after decades of putting it off – and thousands of homes flooded – the city is hoping to invest in one of the large-scale remedies that have been recommended in the past.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Solutions In Focus

Discover curated content about themes that matter to you, exclusively from the Solutions Story Tracker. Explore collections, resources and more.


Go to All Solutions in Focus