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This little town decided to go green. And they did it without the government.

Ally Hirschlag

October 16, 2016 |

Upworthy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: England, Ashton Hayes

Ashton Hayes- a small town in England- adopted a Carbon Neutrality mission, meaning they hoped to produce as much energy as they consumed. Over the past 10 years they have reduced their emissions by 40%, attributing their success to the resulting neighbourhood cohesion, dedication, and it being a public decision as opposed to one made or implemented by politicians.

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Building upgrades give downtown St. Paul smaller energy footprint

Elizabeth Dunbar

October 11, 2016 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

Madison Equities is investing in significant efficiency upgrades to a number of buildings in downtown St. Paul, overhauling their energy systems in an upgrade driven in part by tenants' interest in energy efficiency and in part as a major effort to shrink the city's carbon footprint and save on long-term operating costs. The the timeline for the St. Paul project was impressive and shows what's possible, not just for the planet but for a company's bottom line.

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The One and Only Texas Wind Boom

Richard Martin

October 03, 2016 |

MIT Technology Review |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

To increase renewable energy from wind, Texas is the site of many wind turbines across wind farms, which not only produce energy but also provide income to farmers who own the land. There are still some problems but by deregulating the electricity market, making use of the open lands of Texas, and the relaxed attitude of Texans toward living near turbines Texas is a major generator; while other states struggle behind.

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Earthbags Are Harnessing Soil to House the Nepalese

Temma Ehrenfeld

September 20, 2016 |

Garden Collage |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

In an effort to rebuild after Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, Earthbags have become a growing method of sustainable, affordable construction. These bags are carefully filled with soil, and stacked on one another to build structures like homes and schools. Across the country, officials, local residents, and non-profits like Good Earth Nepal have embraced the method in a grassroots push to rebuild the country for and by themselves.

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Compost Can Save the Earth

Ellen Berkovitch

August 31, 2016 |

Santa Fe Public Radio (KSFR) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Reunity Resources is a Santa Fe-based company that has stepped into the national arena in which many cities are contemplating what to do with the enormous problem of food waste. Some 40% of the food supply goes uneaten in the U.S. annually. Ellen Berkovitch researched this story as part of KSFR’s Solutions Journalism Network grant initiative.

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Camp shines light on solar energy for kids

Elizabeth Dunbar

August 22, 2016 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Novel solar projects are helping to make renewable energy more accessible and transparent for low income and minority communities in Minnesota. An interfaith cooperative provides families access to solar energy gardens regardless of income level or credit score, and a pilot program offers solar energy camp for children to learn about energy alternatives and careers in renewables.

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Farmers, Chefs, and Lawyers: Building an Ecology of One

Patrick M. Lydon

August 21, 2016 |

The Nature of Cities |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Korea, Hongcheon

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization provides some pretty grim predictions for the future of global food stability if modern, monoculture farming practices continue to degrade land, spread pesticides, and destroy natural habitats at their current rate. A revival in the "ecology of one" mindset is bringing many farmers, like Ryoseok Hong in South Korea, back to more natural, traditional methods of agriculture which place greater value on community relationships and farm-to-table transparency, as well as biodiversity and preservation of the greater ecosystem.

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"Carbon farming" good for the climate, farmers, and biodiversity

Erik Hoffner

July 28, 2016 |

Mongabay |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nairobi

Deforestation, overgrazing, and increased carbon emissions are familiar challenges as climate change continues to threaten our food systems. Author Eric Toensmeier discusses how "carbon farming" - or practices such as agroforestry, improved annual crop rotation, and better grazing practices are not only good for farmers - increasing yields and reducing land degradation - but good for capturing carbon and environmental health overall. Toensmeier also discusses how to get more farmers to practice these methods: improved financial models, government support, and a certification system.

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Taking a conservative approach to clean energy

Elizabeth Dunbar

July 25, 2016 |

Minnesota Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

As consumers across the country increasingly demand access to cleaner, more affordable energy and traditional coal plants become more expensive to operate, a new group is working to give conservatives a voice in natural gas, wind, and solar energy policies. Though any bi-partisan agreement on climate change has so far seemed impossible to broach, a growing number of Republicans are in agreement about clean energy, and aim to reframe the debate to get conservatives back to the table.

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How Congress made micro-hydro easier for mountain towns

Allen Best

July 25, 2016 |

Mountain Town News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Grand Lake, Colorado

Micro-hydro projects in the United States have become much more accessible and more financially viable since Congress passed a law in 2013 making it easier for small hydroelectric projects to get federal approval. Specifically, water treatment plants that can retrofit their systems to generate electricity are an excellent energy opportunity. The plant in Grand Lake now produces more electricity than it consumes.

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