On repurposing cell phones in Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru

On repurposing cell phones in Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru

A surveillance system made from repurposed cellphones is helping deter illegal logging in the Amazon. From 2001 to 2018, Brazil lost more than 100 million acres of tree cover. Instead of relying on park rangers to wander the forest and pick out sounds of logging...
Two encouraging stories

Two encouraging stories

More and more countries are realizing that measures must be taken to combat pollution and climate change. Here are two examples – Mexico City’s ban on most single-use plastics came into effect in January after more than a year of preparation.  In 2020,...
This City Makes Sure No One Goes Hungry—Even During COVID

This City Makes Sure No One Goes Hungry—Even During COVID

A waiter serves soda to a man at the open-air restaurant installed at Praça da Estação. About 3,000 meals are being distributed every Friday, in addition to food, fruit, and water. Nestled on a wide plateau surrounded by the Espinhaço Mountains in southeastern Brazil...
Reforestation project

Reforestation project

Researchers say the world’s largest reforestation project – the 2011 Bonn Challenge – has beaten its 2020 target. Launched nearly a decade ago by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Germany, the challenge aimed to have 371 million acres of degraded...
Sentenced to Serving the Good Life in Norway

Sentenced to Serving the Good Life in Norway

On Bastoy, an island 46 miles south of Oslo, [125] residents live in brightly colored wooden chalets, spread over one square mile of forest and gently sloping hills. They go horseback riding and throw barbecues, and have access to a movie theater, tanning bed and,...
Fighting stigma with ice cream at Sikia Cafe

Fighting stigma with ice cream at Sikia Cafe

Jinja, Uganda By Caleb Okereke Contributor to the CS Monitor Shadia and Imran Nakueira rented the space for a restaurant in the dreamy, lakeside town of Jinja, Uganda, before they knew exactly what they were going to do with it.  They knew one thing though: They...