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Portland, Ore., Tackles Untested Sexual Assault Kits with Tech

Zack Quaintance

February 01, 2019 |

Government Technology |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

To tackle the backlog of untested sexual assault kits, police agencies in Portland, Oregon collaborated with the Portland Bureau of Technology Services to create a tracking system for the kits, leading to a decrease in untested kits and ensuring that data was able to be analyzed and shared quickly when necessary. The Sexual Assault Management System, known as SAMS, is now being scaled to cities across America.

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The Green New Deal is already at work in one Portland neighborhood

Jessica Kutz

February 01, 2019 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

A community in Portland, Oregon piloted a sustainable housing initiative that looks a lot like a micro-scale of the touted Green New Deal. While the Cully neighborhood's local sustainability nonprofit, Verde, already trains and employees locals in the field of sustainable landscaping, the organization has bigger goals: building green affordable housing.

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You Flushed the Toilet. They Made Some Bricks.

JoAnna Klein

January 31, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Australia, Melbourne, Australian Capital Territory

A civil engineer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in Australia is converting biosolids, or disinfected leftovers from the water treatment process, into bricks for building. He claims they look, smell, and work the same as conventional fired clay bricks, but with an added benefit of saving land and energy and reducing carbon emissions.

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Nepalese Rice Farmers Boost Yields By Sowing Fewer Plants And Cutting Water

Danielle Preiss

January 30, 2019 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Nepal

Using a somewhat counter-intuitive process, rice farmers in Nepal are seeing higher yields practicing the system of rice intensification (SRI), a method which calls for planting fewer seedlings, planting them younger and using less water. Some farmers have reported a 100% increase in crop yields, which can triple incomes with an added environmental benefit.

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The shopping mall where everything is recycled

Dougal Shaw

January 29, 2019 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV Programs |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: Sweden, Eskilstuna

In Eskilstuna, Sweden, there is a different kind of shopping mall – one that sells used and upcycled goods. In an effort to combat consumerism and bolster sustainability, the mall, called ReTuna, is nicely curated and organized, making second-hand shopping mainstream. The mall sees 700 people each day, on average, and has sold nearly $3.5 million worth of items.

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This City Made Access to Food a Right of Citizenship

Frances Moore Lappé

January 29, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Brazil, Belo Horizonte

In 1993, a new administration in Belo Horizonte, Brazil's fourth largest city, declared food access a fundamental citizen right. The city government partnered with rural farmers to bring fresh food into the city limits, make produce more affordable, and ensure healthy options are distributed to all members of the population, regardless of socioeconomic status.

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The natural products that could replace plastic

Adrienne Bernhard

January 28, 2019 |

BBC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

As many governments and societies are waking up to the negative effects on the environment that comes with an overreliance on plastics, scientists, engineers, and designers are developing myriad new materials. From stone wool, in which igneous rocks are spun into fibers, to mycotecture, in which mushrooms and other fungi are turned into packaging and insulation, these new materials are helping turn the tide of climate change.

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This microplastic biodegrades instead of sitting around for hundreds of years

Adele Peters

January 28, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Microfiber company PrimaLoft has developed a new insulation material for clothing like fleece jackets that is made from recycled fiber. Other materials can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, but the new material breaks down quickly in landfills and oceans.

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An Italian City Will Pay Residents to Bike to Work

Feargus O'Sullivan

January 28, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Italy, Bari

A city in Southern Italy is starting a program that pays commuters to cycle to work on the heels of similar successful programs in France and the Netherlands. While more cycling can mean improved public health and lower traffic congestion, cities have to be ready with adequate cycling lanes.

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Adding density: Project tests if city changes have made backyard apartments more attainable

Abby Lynes

January 27, 2019 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bozeman, Montana

Community members in Bozeman work with students at Montana State University and city officials to test the sustainability and practicality of backyard apartments, or ADUs. Though high costs and historic value could be obstacles for home-owners, these studio and one-bedroom apartments offer a space-saving solution to Bozeman's housing shortage.

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