7 hopeful climate stories from around the world

http://www.cgdev.org/blog/7-hopeful-climate-stories-around-globe

Jonah Busch

Center for Global Development

20 April 2015

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Evidence continues to build that humans are contributing to a climate change issue that is nothing but bad news for the planet. Hopeful stories from seven countries, including India, Indonesia, and China, show that efforts to combat climate change might finally be working.

A low-income Brooklyn high school where 100 percent of black male students graduate

http://hechingerreport.org/a-low-income-brooklyn-high-school-where-100-percent-of-black-male-students-graduate

Meredith Kolodner

The Hechinger Report

14 July 2015

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The overall graduation rate for black male students in New York City was 58 percent in 2014 - student retention rates are equally poor. But one school achieved a 100% on-time graduation rate last year, motivating their students with a student-founded, student-sustained 'fraternity'.

Amazing New Process Treats Wastewater, Captures Carbon and Makes Renewable Energy

https://www.alternet.org/2015/08/amazing-new-process-treats-wastewater-captures-carbon-and-producing-renewable-energy

Trent Knoss

Alternet

18 August 2015

Text / Under 800 Words

Cleaning up wastewater can often be a process that harms the environment. But an electrochemical reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases while creating renewable energy could transform emission-heavy industries.

Big Ideas in Social Change, 2014

https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/big-ideas-in-social-change-2014

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

11 December 2014

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A overview of 2014's Fixes columns - connecting the dots between 60 or so ways that people are trying to change the world.

Climate Change Mitigation's best-kept secret

http://ensia.com/features/climate-change-mitigations-best-kept-secret

Jim Motavalli

Ensia

6 January 2015

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The breakdown of the ozone layer is one of the most well-known effects of climate change. Citizens enact different ways to protect the atmosphere from a build up of methane gas.

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

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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.

How One Weekend in Dallas Sparked a Movement for Urban Change

http://nextcity.org/features/view/how-one-weekend-in-dallas-sparked-a-movement-for-urban-change

Mike Lydon

Next City

20 April 2015

Text / Under 800 Words

A Dallas urban neighborhood was dilapidated with abandoned storefronts and offered no vitality for pedestrians. A group of artists and community members created Build a Better Block, in which local artisans and small businesses took over a vacant block and transformed it for a limited time to encourage the ingredients for more permanent urban renewal.

How Seattle Made Dark Alleys Safer—By Throwing Parties In Them

http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/how-seattle-made-dark-alleys-safer-by-throwing-parties-20150826

Araz Hachadourian

Yes! Magazine

26 August 2015

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Alleys in Seattle were once places of illicit, illegal, and unsanitary activity. The International Sustainability Institute in Seattle began organizing music and art events to bring in people, which, in turn, cleaned-up the crime and garbage. As an urban development strategy, adjacent vacant storefronts re-opened for business and beautification could be seen in new gardens.

How to Build a Better Neighborhood

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/how-to-build-a-better-neighborhood

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

18 June 2014

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The Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas suffered from recession-closed businesses and crime. Then community members used placemaking, in which people shaped their own environment to improve the quality of life, and the concept of Build a Better Block, which was a pop-up event showcasing art, food, music, and local faire. The idea gives citizens a fresh look at the possibilities through which to transform the space in which they live, and it has attracted attention across the country and around the world.

Seniors Take Manhattan

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/senior-living-initiatives-ill-take-manhattan-114227#.VYmluvlViko

Debra Bruno

Politico

13 January 2015

Text / Over 3000 Words

Cities tend to be dangerous and difficult places to live for older residents. A private public partnership in New York is catering to seniors through small changes in the city such as para-transit options and seniors-only hours at public establishments.