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Harvey overwhelmed some levee systems. Future storms could do worse.

Emily Foxhall

December 14, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey left many Houston residents questioning the efficacy of one of the city’s only protections, the Levee Improvement Districts (LID), responsible for providing flood protection. In neighborhoods prone to flooding, there has been much debate about the actual protection the current levees provide, leading many to call for solutions like the expansion of the LIDs through elections (rather than appointees) or raising the levees.

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Meet India's dam-building grandmother

Aamir Rafeeq Peerzeda

December 12, 2017 |

BBC |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, India, the Aakar Charitable Trust is building dams in previously drought-ridden areas using traditional practices that use the contours of the land to retain water. These check dams are cost-effective, partially owned by local communities, and do not displace residents; the trust builds an average of 30 dams each year, but they hope to ramp up construction in the future while cautioning that the method will not work for every topography.

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Ancestral Pueblo logging practices could save New Mexico pinelands

Maya L. Kapoor

December 11, 2017 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

As wildfires become increasingly more prevalent and powerful, researchers in New Mexico are turning their attention to mitigation successes from ancestral generations. By implementing some of these methods such as selective logging, the hope is that intentional thinning of forests will lead to similar results.

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Build, flood, rebuild: flood insurance's expensive cycle

David Hunn Ryan Maye Handy James Osborne

December 09, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

What was originally conceived of to help protect homes from flooding has instead trapped homeowners in an endless cycle of filing claims and rebuilding their homes. The National Flood Insurance Program was supposed to discourage development in flooding zones and ease the costs after disasters. With lobbying money and power from developers, realtors associations, and others with vested interests, any opportunity to redesign the system through Congress have haven’t gone far.

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Georgia Initiative Brings Business To The Table To Save A Rare Animal

Molly Samuel

December 06, 2017 |

WABE |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Georgia

Gopher tortoises might be labelled as endangered under federal law, which brings strict guidelines that businesses want to avoid. Georgia Gopher Tortoise Initiative is dedicated to finding gophers in their natural habitat and protecting the areas they are found in, as well as other methods to help grow the population.

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Day care and mud guards: How health officials are building a firewall against deadly burns

Joanne Silberner

November 30, 2017 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

After studying where and how severe burns were happening to people in developing countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, it became clear what was needed for effective prevention. Inexpensive day care got children out of the home during the day when supervision could be lax, and mud walls around ground cooking fires provided additional household safety.

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How Do I Protect My Students from Gun Violence?

Robyn Jordan

November 21, 2017 |

Bright Magazine |

Illustrations |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Preventing school shootings is difficult, but there are basic strategies that can curtail them and lessen loss of life. Those include limiting school access and making all visitors check in, ensuring intercoms and other technology work, but also working to prevent suicide so someone doesn't engage in a shooting to get themselves killed. Schools also need procedures in place for any crisis to ensure everyone is communicating and coordinating and children are reunited with approved family members.

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To Save Their Water Supply, Colorado Farmers Taxed Themselves

Luke Runyon

November 18, 2017 |

NPR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Colorado is only now recovering from a 16-year long drought that resulted in the aquifer irrigation system becoming increasingly dry. Until the farmers decided to tax themselves for water consumption, realizing that saving water now and taxing themselves would protect their farms and livelihood in the long run.

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Yachters Are Sailing to the Rescue of Hurricane-Ravaged Islands

Erica Cirino

November 16, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Anguilla

The 2017 hurricane season resulted in damage to the Caribbean. YachtAid and Superyacht Aid Coalition are comprised of people who volunteer their yachts to bring supplies and aid to these damaged regions.

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'Making war is easier than making peace': in conversation with Colombia's President Santos

Gabriela Jones Lucy Lamble

November 08, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Colombia

The rights of victims are at the center of Colombia’s peace agreement. These rights include those to reparations, justice, non-repetition, and truth. This choice - as well as investment in education, health, infrastructure, and technology - is helping the country recover from decades of armed conflict.

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