Sweden is implementing tax breaks and refunds on repairs in order to incentivize consumers to repair broken objects rather than replace them. This measure is intended to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions related to consumption. It also will help grow the service industry for home repairs, which may help immigrants without formal education to find […]
Changing the Conversation on Sustainable Development in Canada
Changing the Conversation is an organization in Canada that provides “a civil, open source inter-generational space where Canadians can come together to join or start a conversation around issues that matter to them and their communities.” They hold dialogues on issues such as energy, food security, waste, and rural revitalization. They also provide tools for […]
California Pays Farmers to Add Nutrients to Soil
California’s Healthy Soils Initiative has set aside $7.5 million for a program paying farmers to add nutrients to the soil, such as by adding compost or planting cover crops that return organic matter to the soil. This measure could help the soil and the plants grown in it absorb millions of tons of carbon dioxide every year. It […]
Transforming Women’s Health with Solar in Zimbabwe
Oxfam International’s Rural Sustainable Energy Development Project has equipped five health clinics in rural Zimbabwe with solar power, providing not just light but also reliable vaccine refrigeration and water pumps. Patients and expectant mothers no longer have to provide their own lighting when visiting the clinics, and clinic staff no longer have to use candles or cell […]
Cityfixer Reports on Multisolving Solutions for Cities
Cityfixer, a part of The Atlantic’s Citylab, is a one-stop shop for reporting on solutions to the problems that plague the world’s cities. It includes ideas, best practices, and experiments by cities around the world in the realms of public transit, energy efficiency, street design, and much more. It is a great resource for practical tips […]
Creating Jobs and Forests in Oaxaca
The Government of Mexico and the World Bank are providing assistance to communities in the Mexican state of Oaxaca to manage their forests sustainably while also using them as a source of employment (link in Spanish). The trees can be cut under certain regulations, and reforestation and sustainable management practices must occur simultaneously. People use the […]
Singapore Is Creating Therapeutic Gardens for the Elderly
Facing an aging population, the city of Singapore created a therapeutic garden to improve quality of life for the elderly. Green spaces reduce stress, improve mood, clean the air, and provide a place for people to exercise and gather. The garden also serves as a space to practice horticultural therapy, which reduces isolation and increases mental and physical […]
Environment Africa Brings Together Conservation & Sustainable Livelihoods
Environment Africa is an NGO working in Southern Africa on conservation and sustainable development. They use a holistic approach to tackle cross-cutting issues such as sustainable livelihoods, climate change, social justice, biodiversity, and health. For example, one of their projects in Zimbabwe helps the children of AIDS victims by planting gardens and water wells in schools, which allows vulnerable […]
New York’s Clean Energy Fund Will Reduce GHGs and Energy Costs
New York State’s $5 billion Clean Energy Fund aims to both mitigate climate change and lower energy costs for low-income families, many of whom are forced to choose between “heating or eating” in the winter due to high energy costs. The Clean Energy Fund will initiate a design competition to bring down the cost of […]
Detroit Uses LEDs to Reduce Emissions, Stimulate the Economy
Detroit has added 65,000 LED lights to replace old, broken-down sodium lamps across the city. The new lights save the city of Detroit $3 million in electricity bills and cut carbon emissions by 40,000 tons per year. They even discourage crime because they replace copper wiring with aluminum, so there is no incentive to strip […]