Our approach
Solutions Journalism
Conventional journalism tends to focus on what is wrong with the world. While it is important to know and understand the problems that we face, being constantly bombarded with doom and gloom can leave readers feeling powerless.
Solutions journalism takes a different approach. Instead of just focusing on the problems, it focuses on both the problems and the solutions.
By presenting people with not just the problem, but also the solution, solutions journalism gives people hope and agency. Research by the Institute for Applied Positive Research (2017) found that:
“Solutions-oriented reporting made people feel less anxious, more energised and more connected to the community. Audiences also reported more willingness to talk about the issues, collaborate with others, and hold officials in positions of power accountable for change…”
To learn more about solutions journalism and its positive effects, check out the work being done by the Solutions Journalism Network, an organisation whose work has greatly inspired our own.
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Meaningful Problem-Solving
“Not all problems need solving”
Society today often rushes to diagnose “problems.” But many of these so-called problems are just ordinary features of life. Worse still, some are inventions—fabricated issues that demand false solutions.
Example – The “beauty” industry
False problem: Natural skin, wrinkles, or body hair portrayed as flaws.
False solution: Endless creams, treatments, and makeup to “fix” something that wasn’t broken.
New problems created: Body image issues, unnecessary spending, social pressures and environmental damage.
“Efforts to fix problems can create new ones”
Even well-intentioned “solutions” can backfire, creating unintended side effects—often called externalities. Real progress means anticipating these consequences before rushing to “solve” something.
Example – Lead in petrol and diesel
Problem: Engines needed additives to improve performance and prevent knocking.
Narrow solution: Add lead to fuel.
Externalities: Widespread lead poisoning, harming children’s brain development, damaging ecosystems, and increasing long-term public health costs.
“Problems might just be symptoms”
What we call a “problem” is sometimes just a symptom of something deeper. Tackling only the surface issue can miss the real drivers.
Example – Drug use
Symptom disguised as problem: Drug use, overdoses, drug-related crime.
Narrow solution: Ban drugs, criminalise users, increase policing.
Underlying drivers: Poverty, inequality, lack of mental health services.
However…
“Small steps matter”
Some challenges—like overconsumption, climate change, or poverty—are so vast and complex they can’t be solved overnight. They need long-term cooperation and systemic change. But that doesn’t mean small steps are pointless.
Example – Beach cleans
Symptom: Plastic pollution washing up on beaches.
Underlying driver: Overconsumption on a global scale
Why it still matters: Beach cleans don’t fix the system, but they help wildlife, protect local environments, raise awareness, and build community.
So yes, we should always zoom out to see the big picture—but we shouldn’t dismiss small, local, or temporary efforts either. Short-term actions can reduce harm, buy time, and keep people engaged while we work on deeper solutions.
For more on the problem-solving frameworks that we use, check out the work of the Consilience Project - in particular, their feature article, Development in Progress.
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Impact-driven Organisations
What makes Mangrove Report’s solutions journalism unique is our organisation-centred approach. Our articles focus on specific organisations that are helping to solve important social and environmental problems (more on how we identify problems below). Our definition of “organisations” is broad – it includes companies, non-profits, startups, publications and more.
But why focus exclusively on organisations?
We don’t want people to just read an article and forget about it. We want them to be able to take immediate and concrete steps. Our organisation-centred approach makes this possible. If they are interested in or inspired by an organisation, readers can take action – donate, volunteer, invest, apply for a job… whatever!
Ultimately, we want our articles to be not just informative, but actionable.