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An ancient people with a modern climate plan

Jim Morrison Jovelle Tamayo

November 24, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Swinomish Reservation, United States, Fidalgo Island, Washington

The Swinomish tribe in Washington state is combining traditional knowledge and science to combat the effects of climate change and improve the health of its land, water, and people. In recent years, their salmon harvest has diminished due to warming waters, but they’ve instituted salmon recovery efforts by restoring tidelands and channels and planting trees along stream beds to cool the waters. Their focus on ecosystem and community health could be a model for other Indigenous tribes looking to create their own climate plans.

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In Rwanda, Learning Whether a ‘Smart Park' Can Help Both Wildlife and Tourism

Amy Yee

November 24, 2020 |

Atlas Obscura |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda

Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, once a conservation failure, has been revitalized with fences, patrols, and new technology to become a successful wildlife park. The government partnered with conservation group African Parks to manage the national park, which has led to an increase tourists, patrols, and even lions and black rhinos. Akagera also became the world first “Smart Park” after it installed a telecommunications network called LoRaWAN to securely track, monitor, and communicate between rangers, vehicles, equipment, and animals.

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S.D. farmers raise 'heritage' turkeys to preserve ancient breeds and meet growing consumer demand

Mark Andersen

November 24, 2020 |

South Dakota News Watch |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, South Dakota

A band of farmers in South Dakota are reviving “heritage turkeys,” an ancient breed of turkeys that went nearly extinct in the 1990s. There can be a learning curve and upfront costs when working with heritage turkeys, but because of efforts nationwide, the breeding stock of these creatures went from 1,335 in 1997 to 14,000 by 2016. The farmers are breeding, raising, and selling these turkeys as part of the farm-to-table movement, but they’re also working to preserve the critically endangered breed.

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A Desert City Tries to Save Itself With Rain

Chris Malloy

November 23, 2020 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

As Tucson works to combat the effects of climate change, the Arizona city has been implementing policies to conserve its limited water supply through initiatives like a city rebate program. By focusing efforts on water harvesting — both rainwater, which can be drinkable, and stormwater, which can be used for irrigation — the city can use that water to create more green spaces and lower water bills. The rebate program pays back residents as much as $2,000 for purchasing water harvesting systems. During one year, the program saved 52.1 million gallons of water, which is enough for 160 households.

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'It gave me hope in democracy': how French citizens are embracing people power

Peter Yeung

November 20, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Cities across France are using citizens’ assemblies, where a diverse group of citizens study important issues and make policy recommendations. In Paris, 150 citizens spent nine months working on the climate convention, which resulted in 149 recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. President Macron pledged more funding and accepted all but three of the proposals. The convention also showed how citizens’ assemblies improve community cohesion and reduce polarization. Ireland, the UK, and Belgium have also successfully used citizens' assemblies to address important social issues.

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This entrepreneur is plugging the world's drinking water into the (digital) cloud

Brianna Baker

November 20, 2020 |

Grist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

“In 2015, nearly 21 million U.S. residents relied on water systems that violate the standards set by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.” Meena Sankaran is helping to reverse the trend. Her startup, KETOS, uses analytics and sensors that provide real-time data that can be sent through a mobile app. Instead of having to wait for people to monitor and process the data, or for people to get sick, data can be delivered instantaneously. “So far, the company has compiled 13 million data points from municipalities across all 50 states, spanning the last 18 years.”

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L'ex-Allemagne de l'Est, bonne élève de la rénovation énergétique

Violette Bonnebas

November 19, 2020 |

Reporterre |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Neuruppin

En ex-Allemagne de l’Est, la rénovation énergétique des bâtiments va bon train. Depuis 2015, les émissions de CO2 ont ainsi diminué de plus de 30 % dans la ville de Neuruppin. L’objectif ? Un parc immobilier neutre en carbone d’ici 2050. Pour cela, les communes s’appuient sur une politique incitative et comptent notamment sur les réseaux de chauffage urbain.

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Gold star for you: New Zealand council puts stickers on bins of best recyclers

Eleanor Ainge Roy

November 16, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: New Zealand, Christchurch

Officials in Christchurch use a public reward and shaming system to motivate proper recycling sorting after only 48% of recycling was able to be accepted. Residents who correctly sort contents receive a large gold star on their bin while those who do not are given a warning. After three warnings, bins are confiscated and residents must sign an agreement to recycle properly to get their bin back. 155,000 bins have been spot checked, with 26% receiving gold stars, 61% receiving warnings, and 246 bins have been removed. The percentage of recycling content that can be accepted has increased to almost 80%.

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Why Las Vegas Is at the Heart of Western States' Water Conundrums

Frederick Clayton

November 15, 2020 |

Truthout |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Las Vegas, Nevada

After running out of water during a drought in 2002, the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District took proactive steps to conserve the region’s water for future generations. Thanks to public service campaigns, outdoor water usage limits, and turf replacement programs, the region’s water usage per capita has dropped by 46 percent. However, many people still don’t fully comply with the city’s water regulations and the region continues to grow at an expanding rate. Yet, similar conservation efforts could be a model for other arid regions around the United States.

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How Mumbaikars can coexist peacefully with ferocious spotted cats

Hepzi Anthony

November 13, 2020 |

Citizen Matters |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Nashik

As humans encroach further on leopard habitat, more people get attacked by the wild cats. After four people were killed in Nashik in a four-month span of 2020, Sanjay Gandhi National Park leopard rescue team and others set up cameras and traps to capture nine leopards. Though DNA testing failed to determine which animal was responsible, the attacks stopped. Those animals believed safe were returned to the wild away from human populations, while others were kept in captivity. The rescue operation, part jail and part rehabilitation, combines with public education to try to lower human-animal conflict.

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