The Beautiful Place that Stopped Big Bottled Water

When the Ebola virus struck Nigeria and Senegal the governments of both countries took several steps to prevent an outbreak. Both countries responded to the first reported case quickly, traced all of the people that the patient had come into contact with prior to diagnosis and monitored them twice daily for signs of the virus. This public health campaign aimed to dispel fear and educate communities on prevention of Ebola.

The teenage girls of Thennamadevi are leaders in their community. They’re actively fighting against gender discrimination by organizing. They successfully lobbied politicians and brought streetlights, and sanitary napkins to their village. Across the country, similar girls clubs are being implemented, reflecting an international girls power movement.

As cities grapple with higher temperatures, state and local governments are looking for ways to play a larger role in combatting the impacts. Throughout the United States, some of the entities are turning their attention towards solutions that make road more heat-resistant.

Aiming to improve road conditions and cut down on plastic waste, a Scottish engineer found a way to blend the two. After testing a series of different recipes, he found the perfect recipe that is now being used across United Kingdom and the Gulf, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

A program in Jordan works to aid in the country's water crisis by training women to become professional plumbers. While, traditionally, men take on the role of plumbing in Jordan, they're not allowed to enter a house if another man isn't present; training women to fix leaky pipes allows these jobs to happen quicker.

Localscapes is a program in Utah promoting more water-efficient landscaping. The program includes state-based horticulturists, landscape professionals, and water experts who help interested people make the most sustainable use of their yards and lawns. "The program focuses on five techniques: a central open space, gathering areas, activity zones, paths and planting beds."

Water wars have become a norm throughout the United States as droughts become more prominent due to climate change. By releasing more water back into the environment than required to by law, however, Fayette County has become a model for how lack of greediness and push for collaboration benefits not only the environment but also people and industries.

Red meat consumption requires a great deal of water and land resources to produce and is even responsible for a large amount of greenhouse gases. To combat this, the Better Buying Lab is experimenting with marketing strategies to get people to buy more vegetarian and vegan items. After rebranding food with sensory descriptors like "Cuban" or "grilled", sales increased 13% in California and 76% in the UK. Influential brands like Panera are now increasing their efforts to continue this trend.

Tucson-based Mission Garden’s crops are thriving in a drought-stricken region because of the use of techniques and knowledge from the Tohono O’odham Nation to plant traditional local crops and native plants that can handle the lack of water.

In Nigeria, the Arewa Women Initiative For Climate Change Advocacy And Environmental Sustainability works to educate people on climate change and empower them to make informed, environment-friendly decisions. Through events like tree planting campaigns, the initiative spreads awareness on a variety of issues while coordinating action.