Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 483 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

The importance of early engagement for new public service initiatives

Amanda Bernardo

February 22, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Canada

When designing policies, user engagement is an essential part of obtaining feedback and raising awareness among the very people that the policies are intended to impact. One small government team in Canada, the Next Generation HR an Pay Team, also contends that user engagement must come early on in the process to allow for course correction.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Soda taxes turn out to be very effective at curbing soda drinking

Adele Peters

February 21, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

In 2014, Berkeley, California passed a soda tax that proved so successful in decreasing the sales of sugar-filled drinks, that the the policy is now being considered for a statewide expansion. Although Berkeley was one of the first cities to implement this tax in the United States, other countries have also implemented similar taxes that significantly raise the price of these drinks.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Berkeley's sugary soda consumption plummeted after tax, study says

Erin Allday

February 21, 2019 |

San Francisco Chronicle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

California marks the first state in the United States to join the ranks of other countries such as Mexico that saw a significant decline in soda sales and increase in water sales after enacting a sugar tax. Critics of the tax have voiced concerns about the policy's impact on small business owners and infringement on consumer choice, but lawmakers are still moving forward with expanding the tax statewide.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This grantmaker wants to break white men's stranglehold on philanthropic donations

Adele Peters

February 19, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

A grantmaking organization known as The Solutions Project seeks to diversify the traditional white male-dominated world of philanthropy by pledging to invest 95% of its resources in renewable energy projects led by people of color, and 80% to organizations led by women. Recognizing that these populations are often the most affected by dirty energy and climate change, The Solutions Project is building on past investment successes, like a project that turned an old school into solar-powered housing for seniors.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Scrubbing The Past To Give Those With A Criminal Record A Second Chance

Eric Westervelt Barbara Brosher

February 19, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Indiana

Indiana's Second Chance law was passed in 2013 and allows people to petition to remove their misdemeanor convictions and arrests from public view. In Marion County alone, more than 11,500 people have visited the full-time paralegal processing all requests since legislators implemented the law. Many of those visitors speak with relief about the newfound opportunities that have come their way since the dismantling of that barrier. This is part of a growing movement in the US to reimagine the existing criminal justice system that creates far more problems than it solves.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Could New Mexico go solar? Bill provides tax relief for those giving it a shot

Adrian Hedden

February 15, 2019 |

Carlsbad Current-Argus |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

The state of New Mexico has its sights set on going solar and the state government is incentivizing those who are willing to try. “In a state that ranks second for solar potential nationwide, it’s crucial that New Mexicans have an easier path to installing solar on their own homes and businesses,” the state's governor explains.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How to Cut U.S. Emissions Faster? Do What These Countries Are Doing.

Brad Plumer Blacki Migliozzi

February 13, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada

Across the world, countries are taking heavy swings to reduce their impact on climate change. From British Columbia’s carbon tax, to Norway’s incentivization of electric vehicles, to the European Union’s legislation that ends the use of hydrofluorocarbons, the United States could learn a lot from these initiatives. As American lags behind in this effort, citing these initiatives, or even better yet, applying them all, could have a drastic impact.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Revised San Diego Law Allows for More Parklets, Pop-Ups

Rachel Kaufman

February 12, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

San Diego residents may be seeing more placemaking projects, like murals or pedestrian plazas, because of a more streamlined permitting process. The city, notorious for making such projects difficult and expense to install, passed legislation and will be reviewing it to assess whether it should be expanded. San Diego has also created a fund that can help offset the costs of permit fees and other expenses.

Read More
Go to Original Story
More states adopting gun-seizure laws after Parkland tragedy

Ryan J. Foley

February 10, 2019 |

Associated Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

Across the United States, state legislatures are passing “red flag” laws as a preventative effort to mass shootings. These laws make it possible for law enforcement to take guns away from people showing signs of violence or suicide. While there has been push back from gun-rights advocates, with fourteens states passing laws like these, it seem to be a part of a larger, cultural shift.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Cities across Colorado saw how gentrification impacted Denver. They're trying to avoid the same pitfalls.

Kevin Simpson

February 06, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Collins, Colorado

As gentrification drives involuntary displacement in Denver, Colorado, the city planners elsewhere in Colorado aim to avoid the same fate by instituting policy safeguards. Fort Collins has put in extra protection for mobile home parks, one of the only viable housing options for low-income residents, and another city program controls utility costs.

Read More
Go to Original Story