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Can rationing carbon help fight climate change?

Frank Swain

February 17, 2020 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Australia, Norfolk Island

As countries wrestle with how to reduce their carbon emissions, grassroots carbon rationing experiments are taking shape around the word. On an Australian Island of 800 people, a quarter of them participated in a test that calculated their carbon footprints with a goal of reducing their fossil fuel use by 10 percent. The average household reduced their usage by 18 percent and almost two-thirds of participants wanted to continue. Other experiments in Finland and the United Kingdom have taken place, yet some question if carbon rationing is equitable.

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The Green Miles

Gabriel Popkin Jahi Chikwendiu

February 13, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kentucky

After strip-mining for coal devastated Kentucky’s forests and planting grass didn’t revive Appalachia’s ecosystems, a federal employee reversed course and spearheaded an ambitious reforestation effort. By planting trees on used mine land, Patrick Angel and his nonprofit Green Forests Work are providing employment for out-of-work miners and are helping prevent frequent flooding. They have planted more than 187 million trees on about 275,000 acres of former min

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The Bitter Side of Cocoa Production

Teresa Carr

February 13, 2020 |

Sapiens |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Dominican Republic

Carla Martin is an anthropologist at Harvard University, who also founded the Nine Cacao and Chocolate Institute — a nonprofit that brings together industry professionals, academics, and producers to share insights and discuss the challenges of producing chocolate. Cocoa production historically has participated in questionable labor practices, unfair wages, and tropical deforestation, so through her workshops, Martin aims to empower the workers along the supply chain to ensure their voices are heard through the process.

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The Coral Ark That Hopes to Save Florida's Ailing Reefs

Sabrina Imbler

February 12, 2020 |

Atlas Obscura |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Coral Rescue Project is trying to save coral reefs, and their newest tool is a series of arks at Nova Southeastern University that will house and study corals that are under threat of a mysterious carribean disease. So far, they have collected 1,747 colonies and are storing them in the arks and at zoos across the U.S.The hope is that ultimately, the reefs can be restored to their ocean home in Florida.

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Beer Waste Helps Montana Town Save Money On Water Treatment

Rachel Cramer

February 12, 2020 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Havre, Montana

Finding ways to reuse brewery waste can save water treatment plants money. In Havre, Montana, Triple Dog Brewing has entered into a partnership with the town’s wastewater treatment plant, supplying discarded barley to feed the plant’s microbes. The barley replaces commercial bacteria feed, which would have cost the plant thousands of dollars. The town was also able to avoid having to do costly upgrades to its water treatment plant. Other towns are looking to this process for inspiration.

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Artificial reefs breathe new life for Tamil Nadu's fishing communities

Mahima Jain

February 11, 2020 |

Mongabay |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu

After climate change led to a declining fish catch, fishermen in Tamil Nadu experimented with artificial reefs to boost biodiversity that would provide fishermen with a better catch. Artificial reefs can serve many purposes, but it must identify the needs of the community before it can be successfully implemented. Only a year later nearly 60 concrete structures have been built around the city and fishermen report bigger catches.

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Return of indigenous crops helps reduce farm distress and restore ecosystems

Basudev Mahapatra

February 10, 2020 |

Mongabay |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Odisha

By returning to indigenous varieties of crops, farmers can increase ecological diversity and reliance to climate change. In India, hundreds of farmers in the state of Odisha have been returning to indigenous crops, like millet, vegetables, and tubers. In contrast to the high yield varieties of seeds provided by the government, heritage crops prove more resilient to changes in climate, water shortages, and local pests. Using heritage crops also reduces the need for pesticides, helping to restore ecological balance in the region.

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Gotta catch 'em all: Pokemon-style app aims to save Indonesia's forests

Michael Taylor

February 10, 2020 |

The Jakarta Post |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Indonesia

A Pokemon Go-style app encourages residents in Indonesia to help map land to fight deforestation. The technology offers visitors of umapped areas surveys that they complete, which fills in the data, and motivates users with gamified statuses from “volunteer” to “warrior.” Now over 600 students across the country have participated in this application, and several international environmental organizations have supported its use.

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How Is Plastic Getting Into Hawaii's Soil?

Claire Caulfield

February 10, 2020 |

Honolulu Civil Beat |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Hawaii

Hawaiian farmers are increasingly concerned about the amount of plastic they’re finding in their compost, which can have long-term effects on their crop growth. Hawaii Earth Recycling, the island’s largest compost provider, turns more than 140,000 tons of yard clippings and food scraps into compost and mulch that farmers can use for plants and crops. However, changes in where people can drop off their green waste and a lack of education among residents about proper plastic waste management have resulted in microplastics ending up in the organic soil.

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Havre's Wastewater Woes Solved By Beer

Rachel Cramer

February 10, 2020 |

Yellowstone Public Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Havre, Montana

Upcycling spent barley helps to ease wastewater treatment. In Havre, Montana, the town’s wastewater treatment plant uses barley from a local brewery, Triple Dog Brewing, to feed bacteria. The nutrients from the barley give the bacteria a boost, helping to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the water. The collaboration means that Havre can save on expensive solutions and upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant.

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