A Safe Haven in Cartoon Confidants

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/a-safe-haven-in-cartoon-confidantes

David Bornstein

The New York Times

22 November 2010

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Children coming from abusive households are often reluctant to discuss their past experiences. A Mexican foundation is using animated characters to help abused and ill children speak about their lives.

As climate changes, cities grapple with big rains

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/02/04/climate-change-infrastructure

Dan Kraker

Minnesota Public Radio

4 February 2015

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

While some parts of the United States struggle with drought, others are faced with more water than they know what to do with. Minnesota reconstructs roads and drainage systems in order to be more prepared for the large amounts of rain fall they have received, largely due to climate change.

Egyptians Show Pride as Cairo Cleans Up

http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,813052797001_2057154,00.html

Jesse Hardman

Time Magazine

25 March 2011

Video / 3-5 Minutes

Citizens in Cairo have been working to make the streets cleaner in an effort to create more pride for the country and get the government's attention. From picking up trash and painting lampposts to collecting donations from passersby, the community is working together to make a new Egypt.

Curbing Online Abuse Isn't Impossible. Here's Where We Start

http://www.wired.com/2014/05/fighting-online-harassment

Laura Hudson

Wired

15 May 2014

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Harassment on the internet is more accepted but just as harmful as it is in person. RiotGames, a game publisher, decreased abuse by enabling its gaming members to decide and enforce community norms.

Escaping the Cycle of Scarcity

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/escaping-the-cycle-of-scarcity

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

25 September 2013

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Poor people are less likely to make smart financial decisions; however, new research in the U.S. says this is not about intelligence but rather about a brain being overwhelmed with issues related to poverty. To combat that barrier of stress, organizations around the world are making financial decisions easier for people experiencing poverty by making borrowing easier and automating future financial planning, like 401(k) contributions.

Fighting Bullying With Babies

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/fighting-bullying-with-babies

David Bornstein

The New York Times

8 November 2010

Text / 1500-3000 Words

The Canadian federal government has identified bullying as a national problem. Roots of Empathy, based in Toronto, encourages empathy in elementary kids by having them interact with babies.

For Better Crime Prevention, a Dose of Science

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/making-sure-crime-prevention-pays

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

16 January 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Crime is a result of many underlying social issues, but Crime Lab, a research organization with branches in New York and Chicago, is studying which simple solutions will have the most impact in their city. Cost-effective efforts such as tutoring combined with cognitive behavioral therapy have proven to be successful.

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.

Hard Times for Recess

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/hard-times-for-recess

David Bornstein

The New York Times

4 April 2011

Text / Over 3000 Words

Despite strong evidence that school-based physical activity improves children’s cognitive skills, concentration, and behavior, schools under pressure to produce quantitative results and decrease bullying have drastically cut back on recess in recent years. An Oakland-based nonprofit organization called Playworks is working to make healthy play accessible for more children and show schools how productive recess can be to the whole academic world.

For Weight Loss, a Recipe of Teamwork and Trust

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/for-weight-loss-a-recipe-of-teamwork-and-trust

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

15 November 2011

Text / 800-1500 Words

While weight loss can be challenging to maintain, different structures are being created to help. Certain support groups, financial incentives, and tough love are proving to be effective.