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Norway recycles 97% of its plastic bottles: a blueprint for the rest of the world?

Peter Yeung

February 26, 2019 |

Positive.News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Norway

Infinitum, a Norwegian company, aims to create a never-ending loop of plastic reuse and their deposit hub recycles 97 percent of the country’s plastic drink bottles. While critics question the focus on continuing to produce plastic since it relies on fossil fuels, similar collection schemes in other countries could reduce plastic waste.

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With no upfront costs, this innovative financing tool makes energy efficiency affordable to all

Nate Berg

February 26, 2019 |

Ensia |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Aulander, North Carolina

North Carolina’s Roanoke Electric Cooperative is helping members bring down energy costs. Because the energy costs in this area is due to a lack of energy efficiency, the cooperative offers tariffed on-billing to help homes offset expenses like insulation and new heat pumps. The tariffed on-billing uses federal loans to pay for said expenses, and then the customer pays the tariff charge in their bill – which ends up being lower because of the energy efficient upgrades.

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The Netherlands Pays People To Bike To Work

Adam Forrest

February 25, 2019 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

To encourage commuters to shift from driving to biking, cities across Europe have tried out a mileage fee earned for commuting via bicycle, often tax-free. Leaders are learning this needs to be coupled with other incentives, such as consistent bike lanes. Additionally, urban planners are hoping to minimize disincentives to biking, like free car parking.

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Shipping industry takes a page from bitcoin to clean up its act

Maria Gallucci

February 21, 2019 |

Grist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

As part of a larger shift toward transparency, the shipping industry is exploring blockchain technology through a collaboration between Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration and Frontier Sky. Together, they applied blockchain technology – in this case, apps on their smartphones – at every step of the shipping process, to verify the contents, contracts, and delivery of the process. The industry moves around $4 trillion in cargo annually, and in the global shift to decrease emissions, such technology may be a way forward.

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This grantmaker wants to break white men's stranglehold on philanthropic donations

Adele Peters

February 19, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

A grantmaking organization known as The Solutions Project seeks to diversify the traditional white male-dominated world of philanthropy by pledging to invest 95% of its resources in renewable energy projects led by people of color, and 80% to organizations led by women. Recognizing that these populations are often the most affected by dirty energy and climate change, The Solutions Project is building on past investment successes, like a project that turned an old school into solar-powered housing for seniors.

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Could New Mexico go solar? Bill provides tax relief for those giving it a shot

Adrian Hedden

February 15, 2019 |

Carlsbad Current-Argus |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

The state of New Mexico has its sights set on going solar and the state government is incentivizing those who are willing to try. “In a state that ranks second for solar potential nationwide, it’s crucial that New Mexicans have an easier path to installing solar on their own homes and businesses,” the state's governor explains.

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Where Glaciers Melt Away, Switzerland Sees Opportunity

Henry Fountain Ben C. Solomon

February 14, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Switzerland, Gadmen

Melting glaciers threaten the Swiss Alps, especially the hydropower it provides. The idea of building a dam as a back-up way to generate power is catching on. The permitting process just began, but construction will need to be fast before further dramatic melting occurs.

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Putting the sun in Sunshine State? Florida's about-face on solar power

Eva Botkin-Kowacki

February 11, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

“We’re in the midst of one of the largest solar expansions in the country,” says Alys Daly, a spokesperson for Florida Power and Light, the largest utility provider in the state of Florida. This statement represents a shift in which Florida has seized on decreasing costs of solar power and is working to increase its capacity tenfold. Power companies are helping residents save costs in an environmentally conscious way.

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Community Solar Developers Get Creative to Finance Big Projects

Zoe Sullivan

February 06, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Organizations across the country work to make sustainable solar energy accessible for low-income communities. Through creative financing models that allow community members to maintain ownership over their neighborhood solar panels, these organizations keep financing in the hands of community members rather than corporate entities.

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FGCU's geothermal air conditioner reduces impact on the environment

Jaryd Brady

February 06, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University utilizes a cooling plant that serves as the primary air-conditioning unit for multiple buildings on campus. This plant uses geothermal energy, which compared with traditional air conditioning units, has less of an impact on the environment and saves the university money on its power bill. FGCU currently has 146 total thermal storage tanks producing over 23,000 tons of cooling capacity for its academic buildings.

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