Environment

Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities

https://ensia.com/features/capturing-reusing-urban-storm-water-stressed-cities?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Lindsey Konkel

Ensia

4 January 2019

Text / 800-1500 Words

With water scarcity becoming a reality for many cities, people are looking towards the premise of recycling stormwater into drinkable water collected from urban runoff. One major limitation of this is that the water often is too polluted for consumption, however researchers have piloted several new technologies that may hold the key to being able to scale the stormwater recycling solution.

Health departments are on climate change’s front lines

https://ensia.com/features/public-health-departments-climate-change?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Dave Levitan

Ensia

2 January 2019

Text / 800-1500 Words

Climate change is proving to have a significant impact on more than just the weather. From an influx of diseases due to more natural disasters to extreme heat, climate change is taking a toll on the health of many worldwide. In response, public health departments are taking steps to implement programs to lessen the impact while also learning from one another about what works and what limitations exist.

Climate Change Is Bad For Peru's Pastures ... But There's A 1,200-Year-Old Fix

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/01/02/600833370/climate-change-is-bad-for-perus-pastures-but-theres-a-1-200-year-old-solution?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Elda Cantú

NPR

2 January 2019

Text / 800-1500 Words

Not all solutions have to be new in order to work, some just have to be modernized for today's needs. This was the lesson learned when villagers in Peru decided to restore centuries-old hydraulic systems to revitalize their depleting wetlands.

Zimbabwe: Solar Cures Energy Ills At Zimbabwe's Power-Short Clinics

https://allafrica.com/stories/201812240631.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Jeffrey Moyo

All Africa

24 December 2018

Text / 800-1500 Words

Solar power systems and panels are being installed at health centers across Zimbabwe. In a country with common electricity shortages, these solar power systems ensure there are lights, refrigeration, and working machines to treat patients.

How One County Became a Lab for California’s Prison Reform

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/12/21/how-one-county-became-a-lab-for-california-s-prison-reform?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Abbie Vansickle

Manuel Villa

The Marshall Project

21 December 2018

Mixed Media / 1500-3000 Words

After San Joaquin County adopted a slew of criminal justice reforms, crime dropped by 20 percent and hit a decades-old low. One of the things that was implemented were speciality courts saimed at decreasing arrest time and helping “former prisoners find jobs, housing and treatment for mental health and addiction problems.” Other measures include ending cash bail and racial bias training. ““Crime has always been issue No. 1, but the narrative in this city is one about being a second chance city.”

A Community in Guanacaste Decided to Change the Destiny of Endangered Turtles

https://vozdeguanacaste.com/en/a-community-in-guanacaste-decided-to-change-the-destiny-of-endangered-turtles?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Noelia Esquivel

Voz de Guanacaste

20 December 2018

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When a people in Playa El Jobo, La Cruz realized that their beaches were home to sea turtle eggs, they took action to protect the species by joining together. What started as a neighborhood effort to patrol the beaches has now turned into a successful NGO that collects data for research purposes and teaches tourists, students and children how to become research assistants.