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‘Energy Aggregation' Has the Potential to Transform How We Get Power, But Hurdles Remain

Chad Small

October 14, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

California communities are turning to “community choice aggregators,” which allows them to buy electricity from green providers and have more control over the energy grid. However, the financial pressure for these programs to offer competitive rates as public utilities can mean that the programs might increase their dependence on cheaper, less green energy sources. So far, 21 of these community-choice programs are in the Golden State, serving 10 million customers.

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Growing vegetables in seawater could be the answer to feeding billions

Giulia Bottaro

October 14, 2020 |

Euronews |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Ayrshire, Scotland

As climate changes causes seawater to flood land and increase the salt content in soil, farms in Scotland and the Netherlands are experimenting with using the saltwater to grow food. Seawater Solutions is growing crops called halophytes that have a high-salt tolerance and can be eaten or used as material for cosmetics and biofuels. And the Salt Farm Foundation has shown that potatoes, cabbage, and tomatoes can grow in saltwater. These projects can labor intensive, but seawater irrigation could be a viable climate adaptation solution.

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Reclaiming Indigenous Legacy One Beer at a Time

Bailey Berg

October 12, 2020 |

Life & Thyme |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oklahoma

A coalition of Native American–owned breweries is using lagers and ales to educate the public about their heritage and to correct the racist narrative about Indigenous peoples’ relationship to alcohol. For example, Skydance Brewing Co. in Oklahoma labels its beers with names that pay homage to the experiences of Native Americans. “It’s important that we have Native American entrepreneurs tell our story for ourselves,” says Jake Keyes, the brewery founder. “For us to reclaim it.”

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Pee fanatics want to feed the world with your liquid gold

Katy Lee

October 07, 2020 |

Wired |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Bordeaux

A French startup is turning urine into an environmentally-friendly fertilizer that could replace chemical products. Early tests suggest that the urine mixture created by Toopi Organics can compete with synthetic fertilizers, which end up in waterways and can alter lake and river ecosystems. While the organic fertilizer requires a significant amount of urine to make, it could be a viable alternative to grow crops.

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No ‘take-out' option: How are metro Detroit's music venues surviving?

Kate Roff

October 07, 2020 |

Metromode |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Lake Orion, Michigan

The music industry has been uniquely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, as described by the co-owner of a boutique music venue in Lake Orion who says, "We were the first to close and will be the last to re-open." To adapt to the constraints of the pandemic and generate revenue, artists and businesses have turned to livestreaming performances and partnering with entities such as the Downtown Development Authority and a local hotel to host concerts that respect the social distancing guidelines.

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Bug Breeders Are Cultivating Waste-Guzzling Flies to Gobble Up America's Trash

Colleen Stinchcombe

October 05, 2020 |

Future Human |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Camas, Washington

A growing number of bug breeders in the United States are raising black soldier flies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and food waste. The larvae can convert waste into fertilizer for crops, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In one experiment at Louisiana State University, about two tons of cafeteria food waste is processed by the fly larvae. Creating a similiar system on a larger scale for municipalities can be expensive, but the flies could be a multifaceted solution to the country’s trash problem.

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An unexpected outcome of the Great Bear Rainforest agreement: tasty sustainable scallops

Matt Simmons

October 03, 2020 |

The Narwhal |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Coastal Shellfish, an Indigenous aquaculture company in British Columbia, is focusing on sustainable food and food security through its product Great Bear Scallops. This is the first project funded by the Costal Funds trust set up by donors, governments, and First Nations to support sustainable Indigenous-led businesses. The company has been selling scallops to several local businesses like restaurants and breweries.

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Mutual aid groups rushed to the rescue during COVID-19

Elizabeth M. Miller

September 28, 2020 |

New Mexico In Depth |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Mexico

Mutual aid groups in New Mexico are packing and delivering groceries and other staples to New Mexicans in need during the pandemic who have not been adequately served by existing social safety nets. Groups like Albuquerque Mutual Aid, McKinley Mutual Aid, and Santa Fe Mutual Aid Network accept cash donations and donated goods. Volunteers then distribute the goods to people whose immigration status, health risks, or lack of transportation block them from receiving traditional government aid. The groups are planning to coordinate their work to be more efficient so they can continue after the immediate crisis.

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Kenyan engineers recycling plastics for bricks

Yvonne Okwara-Matole

September 28, 2020 |

Citizen TV Kenya |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya

Gjenge Makers Ltd is an alternative building product manufacturing company that creates products – such as pavers and blocks – out of recycled plastics. Founded by four Kenyan engineers, the team began by studying the manufacturing process and researching what products would do well on the market. They then built all of the machinery themselves, which break down the plastics, and then mix them with other building material products to ultimately create customizable plastic bricks that can withstand larger weight and are less expensive than concrete. They are popular in rural and lower-income areas.

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How Detroit chefs reinvented their food businesses to survive the pandemic

Dorothy Hernandez

September 24, 2020 |

Planet Detroit |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

When the coronavirus pandemic caused restaurants to close their doors due to safety and health concerns, some Detroit restaurant owners pivoted their businesses into food delivery services and community grocery store operations. Although not all solutions have been profitable, some businesses are finding that they could be sustainable even after the pandemic.

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