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The Unlikely Activists Who Took On Silicon Valley — and Won

Nick Confessore

August 14, 2018 |

The New York Times Magazine |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Alastair Mactaggart, decided he had enough off companies like Facebook and Google, which make trillions of dollars from collecting private data from users. While the U.S. has made attempts to regulate consumer privacy, those efforts were terminated through powerful lobbying. A ballot initiative started by Mactaggart and his team, eventually lead to the most powerful consumer-privacy law in the country.

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The right to disconnect: The new laws banning after-hours work emails

Rich Haridy

August 14, 2018 |

New Atlas |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

France, Italy, Germany, and now the U.S. are passing “anti-stress” laws, which make it illegal or harder for workers to receive emails after work. Research shows that when employees expect to be contacted after work through email, their levels of anxiety and stress go up. "I think this will lessen a lot of the anxiety that goes with having a job in the city and allow people to draw their own lines about when work ends."

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Off the African Coast, a Struggle to Revive a Battered Fishery

Vanina Harel

August 09, 2018 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Video |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Mauritius

The island of Mauritius off the coast of Africa was once a prime destination for fishing and healthy coral reefs. However, the region deteriorated due to issues plaguing many coastal communities such as overfishing and population growth. To turn things around, marine protected areas and stricter regulations were implemented and are slowly proving to have a positive impact.

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In Amsterdam, Even The Tourists Say There Are Too Many Tourists

Joanna Kakissis

August 07, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, a unique set of problems has a unique set of solutions. Overcrowding by rowdy tourists is threatening a normal, peaceful lifestyle for native residents. The city’s solution is twofold: first, government restrictions are being placed to minimize Airbnb rentals and tourist shops. Second, a new “night mayor” position helps regulate nightlife and steer it to areas outside of the city center. The goal is to for tourism to continue benefiting the local economy without driving away locals.

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Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change

Nathaniel Rich

August 01, 2018 |

The New York Times Magazine |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

In the late 1970s to late 1980s, activists, scientists, and politicians began to address the climate change crisis. For a decade, they attempted to ask the U.S. to commit to an international agreement to reduce emissions, and they almost succeeded. “In a single decade, they turned a crisis that was studied by no more than several dozen scientists into the subject of Senate hearings, front-page headlines and the largest diplomatic negotiation in world history.”

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Chicago Hiked the Cost of Vehicle City Sticker Violations to Boost Revenue. But It's Driven More Low-Income, Black Motorists Into Debt.

Melissa Sanchez Elliott Ramos

July 26, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

When Chicago raised the fee for not having a vehicle sticker, the move seemed like a way to raise revenue without punishing compliant drivers. But now, thanks in part to racial disparities in policing, thousands of mostly black people are going bankrupt due to ticket debt.

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In Rwanda, agricultural reforms boost food security and slash poverty

Grace Elletson

July 25, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Rwanda

Through a myriad of policies that help small farmers gain resources and training, as well as inheritance laws that empower women to inherit land they previously couldn't own, Rwanda is increasing food security and decreasing poverty. Although there has been success, critics say that it has come with a cost to human rights and fair elections.

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Equity Makes Bike-Sharing Work, and Other Bike-Share Guidelines for Cities

Rachel Kaufman

July 23, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

New guidelines to help cities manage bike-share programs, based on feedback from 60 cities, could be the key to success for dockless vehicles. The guidelines include recommendations about permits and fines, ways to consider equity programs, and a reference guide to what cities are currently doing in this space. The idea is that, by planning ahead and being deliberate, cities can maximize the benefit that dockless vehicles bring to their cities while regulating any negatives.

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Hong Kong's Pedestrian Mecca Gets the Axe

Mary Hui

July 20, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: China, Hong Kong

Excessive noise, particularly from street performers, can sound the demise of pedestrian zones. After 18 years, Sai Yeung Choi Street South will reopen to cars. Another solution could have been better noise regulation, says a district councilor disappointed with the decision. That option seemed to work in a simulation project on the street.

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Singapore's abandoned bikes show how not to regulate the sharing economy

Leon Voon

July 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Singapore, Singapore

The tale of bike-sharing in Singapore sheds light on how governments can predict and manage technology changes in the future. Three bike-sharing startups quickly dominated the market, raised money, feared impending regulation, and then left Singapore. Had the government utilized better forecasting, by paying more attention to reports and the external environment, maybe the problem of countless deserted bikes could have been avoided. For now, the government can note its regulatory mistakes and prepare better for future technology.

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