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The Unlikely Upside of Cape Town's Drought

Eve Fairbanks

April 19, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

When faced with the dire likelihood that the city would run entirely out of water, Cape Town communities responded by looking at the challenge with resiliency, rather than complacency or inconvenience. Though not without limitations, those that were able to implement a perspective shift created a social shift that allowed for greater communal efforts and resulted in successful water conservation, including a 40% city-wide decrease in water use.

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Less water, no soil, more fodder: Kenya farmers beat drought

Justus Wanzala

February 09, 2018 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Timau

Over 5000 farmers across Kenya have begun using hydroponic techniques to grow fodder for their cows. This trend ensures milk production is still high in time of drought, when traditionally grown grass doesn’t do well. Groups including Hydroponics Kenya and Grandeur Africa have trained farmers in these water-saving techniques.

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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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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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Instead Of Water Fights, This Ga. Water Agency Shares Its Supply

Molly Samuel

July 28, 2017 |

WABE |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Fayette, Georgia

Water wars have become a norm throughout the United States as droughts become more prominent due to climate change. By releasing more water back into the environment than required to by law, however, Fayette County has become a model for how lack of greediness and push for collaboration benefits not only the environment but also people and industries.

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Amid persistent drought, a nation of herders plots a new course

Scott Peterson

July 27, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Somalia, Hargeisa

In the face of severe drought and one of the worst humanitarian crises since World War II, nations on the Horn of Africa are fighting to stave off famine and the spread of disease. Some places, like Somaliland, have been able to apply techniques learned in the severe famines of the 80s to increase their chances of survival. Many once-nomadic tribes are now settling into farming with some help of the government and a few non-profits, trading in livestock for more secure sources of fresh water, and learning new agricultural trades to keep their families - and hope - alive.

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Madagascar skirted famine – barely. Now, it's boosting resilience before drought returns.

Peter Ford

July 25, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Madagascar, Ambovombe, Androy

Drought in Madagascar grows worse each year as its minimal public infrastructure and extensive poverty slow efforts by the UN and various NGOs for food and water distribution. But in recognizing the severity of the cyclical water shortages, organizations are piloting new approaches. These include solar pumps from portable groundwater sources; distribution and cultivation of drought- and rot-resistant seed strains for staple crops; cash-stipends for "productive goods," delivered by phone to bypass the problem of damaged roads -- which are building newfound resilience among residents.

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Jordan's Water Wise Women

Amani Zain

May 17, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Jordan, Mafraq, Mafraq Governorate

The country of Jordan has one of the scarcest water supplies of any country on earth - one that can barely sustain its population, especially with Syrian refugees pouring in and further straining limited resources. Poor piping infrastructure and leaks greatly contribute to the shortage. An organization called Water Wise Women is training women in plumbing skills, empowering them to repair leakages in their homes and communities to help save precious water.

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Ladakh's Ice Stupas

Russell Beard

May 17, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Leh, Kashmir

Nearly a billion people living in the arid regions of the Himalayas depend on glaciers for their water supply. But with climate change, glaciers have been retreating drastically every year, threatening the life source of villagers like those in the Ladakh region of Kashmir. One engineer, Sonam Wangchuck, has come up with an ingenious feat of engineering to help the villages store glacier water by constructing stupas - or towers - using thorn branches that retain ice in tall structures, which melts and provides clean water for drinking and agriculture during the dry season.

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Kenyans turn to camels to cope with climate change

Andrea Dijkstra

April 24, 2017 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Isiolo, Nairobi

In agricultural communities across Kenya, global warming has led local farmers to turn to camels -- as an alternative to cows -- for dairy products both to feed their families and take to the local markets to sell. Furthermore, with an uptick in demand both regionally and nationally for camel milk, farmers are finding themselves with new purchasing power for various goods and services.

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