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A Cheap Fix for Climate Change? Pay People Not to Chop Down Trees

Brad Plumer

July 20, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Hoima, Kibaale, Western Region

In a randomized experiment in western Uganda, scientists demonstrated the effectiveness of paying rural farmers not to chop down trees since deforestation contributes to CO2 emissions worldwide. They studied for two years the declines in forest cover between a control group (no payment) and the participant group (paid). Building on a United Nations project in which wealthy nations pay poorer ones in an attempt to equalize the costs of responding to climate change, the outcome of the project proves the existence of a low-cost environmental policy solution to stemming rising global temperatures.

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A Tool to Accelerate Energy Storage for Solar PV Projects

Lucy Kessler

July 18, 2017 |

Clean Energy Finance Forum |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Since its inception, the controversial drawback with solar power is that it is powered by the sun, which fails to shine all of the time. To combat this issue, organizations are working to create a tool that can increase energy storage and expand energy resiliency all while making the effort more affordable.

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The New Technology That Promises to Blow up Illegal Fishing

Paul Tullis

July 17, 2017 |

News Deeply |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Illegal fishing is a grave concern that not only threatens to destroy the ocean's ecosystem but the livelihoods of billions of people around the world who depend on stable fish populations for food. Now, software developed in a partnership between Vulcan - a private Seattle-based tech firm - and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization allows law enforcement to quickly analyze suspicious patterns from the transponders of thousands of ships at a time, using special algorithms that automatically detect is a ship is a high-risk for criminal activity.

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Conundrum Hot Springs Has A Poop Problem, So You May Have To Bag Your Business

Sam Brasch

July 17, 2017 |

Colorado Public Radio |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Aspen, Colorado

Hikers in Conundrum Hot Springs often do not properly dispose of their human waste, burying it or leaving it in the open where it can contaminate the water or make the trails less enjoyable. "Wag bags" are bags distributed to hikers to put their waste in and hike it out of the area and to a trash can.

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The Great Los Angeles Revolt Against Cars

David Dayen

July 17, 2017 |

The American Prospect |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles has faced deepening issues of severe traffic and extreme smog pollution in the past several decades, but for years intentions and promises to broadly improve transportation have fallen flat. At long last, the most congested city in the world - once home to the most extensive urban rail network on the planet - is reviving rail lines and trains as a solution to both issues. Robust public transport has proven to have multi-layered economic, cultural, environmental, and social benefits to communities.

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The Poisoning of Bangladesh: How Arsenic Is Ravaging a Nation

Sam Loewenberg

July 16, 2017 |

Undark |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh

Bangladesh's water is poisoning its residents with arsenic, and several plans to address this problem have stalled. Unicef has installed water facilities with a central filtration plant in some communities in order to provide safe water to its residents, however, much more areas need to be addressed and maintenance plans will be reliant on each community.

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Sustainability Report: High-Tech Coral Reef Monitoring

Margo Pierce

July 13, 2017 |

Paste Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Monterey Bay, California

Increasing coral reef resiliency has become a top priority for many marine scientists, leading to the creation of new tools that take advantage of new technology. Benthic Ecosystem and Acidification Measurements System (BEAMS) is one such creation that acts as an autonomous reef monitoring system, allowing researchers to collect data continuously and at a previously unparalleled rate.

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Rising from the ashes, a Buffalo suburb ends its dependence on coal

Elizabeth McGowan

July 11, 2017 |

Grist |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tonawanda, New York

When the coal-powered Huntley Generating Station began to shut down, the livelihood of the local community in Tonawanda was greatly threatened; numerous jobs were at stake and looming impacts on the town's largest tax revenue stream meant shuttering schools and choking public services. Local community members organized and, through tenacity and frugal reallocation of resources, diverse groups - including labor unions, politicians, and environmental activists - joined forces in creating a way to sustain and revitalize their community beyond coal.

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Digital startup aims to lead a revolution in retail transparency

Eleanor Ross

July 11, 2017 |

Positive.News |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Being able to trace the means of production and transport of an consumer good allows people to make informed, ethical decisions about their purchases. The website Provenance provides this information by working with companies who ethically source their products to share information about their supply chain.

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How to Beat Asthma

Vann R. Newkirk II

July 05, 2017 |

The Atlantic |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Surprisingly, breathing thin air at high altitudes helps some patients with asthma. Other emerging treatments include medicines that suppress the body’s immune response to allergens.

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