… And some of my favorites from journalists across the world
When I want to learn how communities are responding to climate change, immigration or conflicts, I look to the storytellers in the Solutions Story Tracker by Solutions Journalism.
Reading through them, Solutions stories reveal a response’s shortcomings. No response is perfect, and some work well for one community but may fail in others due to differences in demographics, culture, infrastructure, or other factors. By highlighting these shortcomings, solutions journalism provides a more nuanced and realistic perspective. This helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in addressing social issues. It also encourages a critical evaluation of proposed solutions, fostering a more informed and engaged audience. This aspect of solutions journalism contributes to a more balanced and constructive narrative around social challenges.
Here are my top 5 picks from the first nine months of 2023.
1. On Their Own: Border Humanitarians Respond to a Crisis Created by Governments by Melissa Del Bosque in The Border Chronicle
With a lack of government aid and interference, border communities are stepping up to care for both migrants and local residents through efforts like The Sidewalk School and Casa de la Esperanza — nonprofits that offer shelter, programming and resource centers for migrants and locals in need.
2. Peru’s water shortage: Meet the fog-catchers of Lima by Christoph Röckerath in Deutsch Welle
Locals in Lima, Peru, are combating severe water scarcity by stringing up nylon netting on hills to capture moisture from fog. The water runs down the net, into gutters, through filters, and into collection tanks.
3. Where sun pays the bills: how a village in India is testing the limits of solar power by Aishwarya Jagani in Ubias The News
Thanks to a government-funded electrification project, Modhera is the first solar-powered village in India, and as a result, nearly all of the residents pay nothing for electricity. Instead, they earn money from selling unused power back to the grid.
4. Kenyan fishers put new twists on an age-old marine conservation system by Anthony Langat fin Mongabay
Several villages are establishing no-take zones, or tengefus, to address issues of overfishing, allowing fish to repopulate. With the help of several local organizations and government authorities, there are currently 22 tengefus in various stages of development across the country.
5. The women leading Kano’s charge for a greener future by Yahuza Bawage for Prime Progress
In Nigeria, the Arewa Women Initiative For Climate Change Advocacy And Environmental Sustainability works to educate people on climate change and empower them to make informed, environment-friendly decisions. Through events like tree planting campaigns, the initiative spreads awareness on a variety of issues while coordinating action.
Good solutions journalism doesn’t present solutions or responses as perfect or without flaws. It involves a critical examination of the work being done, including an assessment of its effectiveness, potential drawbacks, and the context in which it operates.
This critical perspective is what distinguishes solutions journalism from advocacy or hagiography (excessive admiration of a particular person or cause). It seeks to provide a balanced and objective evaluation of responses to social issues, recognizing that even well-intentioned efforts may have unintended consequences or areas where improvement is needed.
In essence, solutions journalism aims to present a realistic and nuanced view of the efforts and initiatives aimed at addressing social challenges. It encourages a deeper understanding and thoughtful consideration of the complexities involved.