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These probiotics for plants help farms suck up extra carbon dioxide

Adele Peters

February 07, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

A startup called Locus Agricultural Solutions has created a "probiotic" for soil that uses a mixture of beneficial fungi and bacteria. Not only does it increase productivity of crops, but it also absorbs enough carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere per acre to offset the emissions of a passenger vehicle. Tests done on an orange grove in Florida showed that areas treated with the product took up an extra 4.38 metric tons of CO2 per acre.

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You Flushed the Toilet. They Made Some Bricks.

JoAnna Klein

January 31, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Australia, Melbourne, Australian Capital Territory

A civil engineer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in Australia is converting biosolids, or disinfected leftovers from the water treatment process, into bricks for building. He claims they look, smell, and work the same as conventional fired clay bricks, but with an added benefit of saving land and energy and reducing carbon emissions.

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This microplastic biodegrades instead of sitting around for hundreds of years

Adele Peters

January 28, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Microfiber company PrimaLoft has developed a new insulation material for clothing like fleece jackets that is made from recycled fiber. Other materials can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, but the new material breaks down quickly in landfills and oceans.

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The natural products that could replace plastic

Adrienne Bernhard

January 28, 2019 |

BBC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

As many governments and societies are waking up to the negative effects on the environment that comes with an overreliance on plastics, scientists, engineers, and designers are developing myriad new materials. From stone wool, in which igneous rocks are spun into fibers, to mycotecture, in which mushrooms and other fungi are turned into packaging and insulation, these new materials are helping turn the tide of climate change.

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Isle of Arran is Scotland's first plastic-free community

Elle Duffy

January 26, 2019 |

The Herald Scotland |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Scotland, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire

The Isle of Arran became Scotland's first Plastic Free Community when they were accredited by the Surfers Against Sewage for their efforts to reduce plastic usage in their community. They credit their success to the help of organizations and businesses in changing packaging and consumer habits, as well as regular beach cleans and plastic-free produce. Last year alone they removed more than 800,000 straws from milk cartons and fruit juice cartons in all schools and cafes, and they plan on using the accreditation to expand their campaign to include more businesses and tourists.

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A ‘FitBit for squid' could help track the ocean's squishier species

Marianne Messina

January 21, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

Squids play an important role in the ecosystem, so scientists are focusing efforts on better understanding how the species adapts to climate change. By creating a "FitBit for squid," scientists have successfully been able to monitor soft-bodied invertebrates.

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Cleaning New York's filthy harbor with one billion oysters

Jackie Wattles

January 17, 2019 |

CNN |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Since 2014, the Billion Oyster Project has been working to restore oyster reefs to the New York coasts in an attempt to reduce pollution and bring back marine life. In partnership with restaurants and students throughout the city, the foundation and grant funded project is seeing the return of some oyster reefs and using artificial reefs to support more marine life.

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After Hurricane Sandy, Hoboken rebuilt itself for climate change

Jesse Nichols

January 17, 2019 |

Grist |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Hoboken, New Jersey

After Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the city, Hoboken, New Jersey decided to rebuild the city with climate change and increased flood risks in mind, rather than returning to "normal." With the help of federal funding - and their relatively well-off tax base - Hoboken is joining other East Coast cities in building climate resilient cities.

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My hometown is going to burn. Here's how my neighbors are preparing

Nathanael Johnson

January 14, 2019 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nevada City, California

In wildfire-prone Nevada County, California, community squads that do controlled burns are on the rise. According to the Nevada County fire council, some 23 associations are active, while about 50 more are forming. By reducing wildfire "ladder fuel," these local groups can reduce the severity of future wildfires, all while protecting their homes.

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As Disease Ravages Coral Reefs, Scientists Scramble for Solutions

Ret Talbot

January 10, 2019 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

As corals die-off globally, research groups around the world are working on a suite of remedies. From Australia to Florida, scientists are breeding resilient corals strains, transplanting healthy corals to new areas, and even applying antibiotics. But the solutions aren't yet scalable. Unless stresses like global warming and pollution are also addressed, such research is likely not enough.

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