Advanced filters

Search Results

You searched for:  -

There are 178 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • Curing Our Plastic Problem

    September 30, 2019 |

    Bloomberg |

    Video |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: Thailand

    A company in Thailand called Universal Bio Pack created biodegradable packaging made out of cassava starch and natural fiber that could reduce the amount of single use plastic that people consume. Another company in Spain called Plastic Energy takes mixed plastics that can’t be recycled and converts it into usable oils that make fuel. Both are different solutions that could be used simultaneously to tackle the world’s plastic pollution crisis.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Step by Powerful Step, Citizens Lead Puerto Rico into Its Solar Future

    September 19, 2019 |

    NACLA |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Puerto Rico

    After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, knocking out power across the country, solar energy has stepped in to be a sustainable possibility. Such efforts have included lobbying local legislatures to incentivize communities to create their own solar project and training residents to install solar panels on their own. Many of the solar initiatives that have started have been community-led and hyper-local, meaning that what many deem a basic right – access to energy and electricity – are more accessible than ever.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Storing energy in compressed air could finally become cheap enough for the big time

    September 19, 2019 |

    Quartz |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Canada, Toronto, Ontario

    To reduce carbon usage in electric grids, companies around the world have turned to new technologies that store wind energy that can be converted to electricity. One such company called Hydrostor, based in Ontario, Canada, traps compressed air in underground caverns to store energy without the use of fossil fuels.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Solar Panels as Solution for SEPTA's Power Outage Problems

    August 26, 2019 |

    WCAU-TV |

    Broadcast TV News |

    Under 3 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Storing solar energy improves the resilience of public transportation systems to disruptions in the energy grid. With the potential of extreme heat or weather conditions to cause issues in the reliability of electrical power, Philadelphia’s SEPTA public transportation system has begun to invest in solar power. By storing solar energy in batteries at various hubs, the public transportation system can avoid delays caused by local outages.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Buried lines helping prevent outages during Carolina hurricanes

    July 26, 2019 |

    Carolina Public Press |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, North Carolina

    Coastal cities across South and North Carolina are considering the benefits of underground power lines. With hurricane winds doing major damage to above-ground lines, buried lines often go unharmed, leaving residents with power during such storms. Those in the field note that the cost of rerouting power underground is substantial, and something that residents must cover themselves.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Is it time for a radical new approach to fighting global warming?

    June 25, 2019 |

    Global Ground Media |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Indonesia

    Geoengineering, a term used to cover a broad range of large-scale, drastic measures to combat climate change, has the science and policy communities divided. These measures are currently being explored across the world, and while they could work as a response to climate change, many cite them as temporary band-aids that will only delay the effects of global warming. Many cite the need to understand the complexity of the issue and, rather than bandaging the issue, take a comprehensive, structural approach.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Termite and ventilation system

    May 20, 2019 |

    BBC |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Zimbabwe, Harare

    Buildings with permeable surfaces increase energy efficiency, mimicking natural structures. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the Eastgate Centre employs methods borrowed from termite mound construction to efficiently regulate the building's temperature. By employing insights that scientists had gained by studying the airflow in termite mounds, the Centre’s architects used materials with a high thermal mass, increased surface area, and maximized ventilation.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Oakland's 'Pothole Vigilantes' Take Street Repairs Into Their Own Hands

    May 20, 2019 |

    KQED |

    Radio |

    Under 3 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

    In Oakland, CA, two men deemed the Pothole Vigilantes have paired up to fix every pothole in the city. Made possible by crowdfunding the venture, the two have now developed public meetups to teach others how to fix potholes themselves. This has caught the attention of city officials, who, partly because of this effort, have passed a $100 million plan to repave Oakland streets.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Fish Below Your Feet and Other Solutions for a Living Harbor

    May 14, 2019 |

    Hakai Magazine |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

    Around the world, scientists are eco-engineering urban waterfront areas to encourage marine species diversity. Seattle’s Central Waterfront area was recently enhanced with a textured and angled concrete sea wall to encourage the growth of algae and invertebrates, a built-up seafloor to attract juvenile salmon who like shallow water, and light penetrating glass bricks in the sidewalk, which boost seaweed growth and entice shade-avoidant salmon smolts. The project also enhances the human experience with more pedestrian access, better storm water management, and a new pier park with direct water access.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Lessons Learned From California's Pioneering Microgrids

    May 13, 2019 |

    Green Tech Media |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, California

    Years after the California Energy Commission funded and launched demonstration microgrids, they’re seeing results. These microgrids, which are localized energy sources that can work independently from large electric grids, were fairly costly, but have shown demonstrable success in lowering utility bills and delivering low-carbon power. As the Commission moves forward with this effort, they hope to continue to learn by doing and improving their processes.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Solutions In Focus

Discover curated content about themes that matter to you, exclusively from the Solutions Story Tracker. Explore collections, resources and more.


Go to All Solutions in Focus