Crowdfunding Clean Energy

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/crowd-funding-clean-energy

David Bornstein

The New York Times

6 March 2013

Text / 1500-3000 Words

In Oakland, a company created an online crowdfunding platform that allows users to earn interest by financing clean energy projects and gives people with good social intentions a direct line of action. Across the world, there is a growing movement toward people-powered clean energy.

Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/in-urban-jungles-green-roofs-bring-relief-from-above

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

23 May 2012

Text / 1500-3000 Words

New York City black tar roofs cause a number of environmental problems, including air pollution, heat absorption that raises energy consumption, and storm water runoff in the sewer system. Efforts to turn these old roofs into green spaces cool the buildings, enable the containment of more rainfall, reduce sewer discharge, generate energy, and absorb carbon emissions. New York City has a pilot program offering financial help for green roofs.

Growing A Solution To California's Groundwater Crisis

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/06/growing-a-solution-to-californias-groundwater-crisis

Peyton Fleming

National Geographic

6 August 2014

Text / 800-1500 Words

Due to drought and water shortage in California's Central Coast, community members collaborate with local government to create better water usage systems from runoff and to recycle waste water in order to irrigate crops.

Hot, Crowded and Smart

http://nextcity.org/features/view/hot-crowded-and-smart-san-antonio-water-system-drought

Sarah Goodyear

Next City

22 July 2013

Text / Over 3000 Words

For the past three years, water levels in the San Antonio Edwards Aquifer have decreased to uncomfortable levels and drought periods may continue as the population booms. The San Antonio Water System organization has set up rules to limit water use and has recycled water for conservation frugal innovation.

How This Teen's Quest to Define 'Sustainability' Changed State Law

http://thetyee.ca/News/2014/10/17/Sustainability-Definition-Changed-Law

Geoff Dembicki

The Tyee

17 October 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Hawaii private school students were taught about ecological sustainability, but public school students were not. After losing a school essay contest about sustainability, a high school student convinced Hawaii’s legislature to pass a resolution requiring that every student learn the meaning of the concept. Due to this student’s advocacy, the state is also piloting a program to install solar panels on its public schools to teach children how to be more self-sustaining.

Out of India's Trash Heaps, More Than a Shred of Dignity

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/out-of-indias-trash-heaps-more-than-a-shred-of-dignity

Sarika Bansal

The New York Times

12 June 2013

Text / 800-1500 Words

Throughout India, wastepickers – people who scour landfills for garbage they can sell to recyclers – live at the bottom of society. But the city of Pune did something radical: with the help of a collective, they did away with expensive garbage trucks, and now all household garbage is collected by wastepickers with pushcarts. Pune saves millions of dollars each year and recycles more – and the wastepickers have decent wages and social standing. The concept is now spreading globally.

In Aleppo, cell phones are helping some desperate Syrians find clean water

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-08-26/aleppo-cell-phones-are-helping-some-desperate-syrians-find-clean-water

Joyce Hackel

Public Radio International (PRI)

26 August 2015

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

In war zones, people have a difficult time finding clean water and safe areas to inhabit. Social media, smart phones, and technology applications are aiding in people’s survival. In Aleppo, Syria, the International Committee of the Red Cross posted a map on Facebook to show alternative sources of clean drinking water that reached approximately 140,000 people.

In Colorado, Teaching to a Changing Climate

https://medium.com/bright/in-colorado-teaching-to-a-changing-climate-831b81a32358

Mary Slosson

Bright Magazine

2 June 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

Colorado has had challenges teaching climate change to elementary and secondary school students because of political divisiveness. Regional advocacy groups and professionals manage to teach climate change through engaging field trips, filmmaking, and outdoor learning.

In India, Latrines Are Truly Lifesavers

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/in-india-latrines-are-truly-lifesavers

Vivekananda Nemana

Ankita Rao

The New York Times

13 November 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

India has had a problem in which 620 million people openly defecate outdoors, causing harm to hygiene, sanitation, food, and water resources. The president of India funded an initiative to build public toilets for the people in his country, but the people did not use them because of old traditions and behaviors. The Total Sanitation Campaign is slowly changing villagers’ minds by having local leadership persuade those who resist the toilets by holding community activities and creating special committees to maintain the sanitation.

Recycled Kitchens, Salvaged Splendor

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/realestate/recycled-kitchens-salvaged-splendor.html

Tim McKeough

The New York Times

21 August 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Renovating and furnishing a home can be hugely expensive. Homeowners who are renovating on a budget, and want to do so in a way that is evironmentally friendly, can find recycled luxury kitchens and other lightly used fixtures at stores like Green Demolitions.