Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • Making Gum in the Mayan Rainforest

    January 11, 2018 |

    Sierra Club |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Mexico, Tres Garantías, Quintana Roo

    Despite the Yucatan Peninsula being known as a hotspot for deforestation, the Tres Garantías cooperative has found a way to source sap from the forest's trees that doesn’t permanently damage the tree. The sap is used to create organic gum – the only of its kind – and is then shipped out around the world. This practice is not only sustainable for the rainforest, but it also sustains the livelihoods of the indigenous communities that are doing the work.

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  • Energy Democracy: People Power for a Cleaner Planet

    January 11, 2018 |

    Colorlines |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Mississippi

    As the United States grapples with the already-occurring effects of climate change, there is a growing call from the energy democracy movement to make sure energy efficiency remains equitable and affordable. Initiatives like Mississippi’s One Voice or the South Bronx’s Mothers on the Move recognize that climate change hits low-income first and most and are working to address the unequal power dynamics through shared, power-powered energy initiatives.

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  • Is School-Discipline Reform Moving Too Fast?

    January 11, 2018 |

    The Atlantic |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, SeaTac, Washington

    As the national education discussion has shifted away from zero tolerance discipline policies towards reduction of suspensions and the introduction of restorative justice tactics, some teachers and administrators say the change is happening too fast. Following the elimination of suspensions, at one school in Washington state, each year almost 13 percent of district staff left. Teachers cited lack of training and inconsistencies between standards and implementation in different classrooms as reasons for departing.

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  • In Montana, houses are replacing farmland

    January 11, 2018 |

    Missoula Independent |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Missoula, Montana

    Despite a boom in the economy for Montana, not all are feeling the impact equally. In rural Missoula, farmers are struggling to find ways to preserve their land as developers move to build on the rich soil the farmers can't afford to keep. While many tactics have been employed to mitigate this situation and bridge the gap that is dividing this community, one of the greatest solutions found thus far has been turning an eye to a sister state - Vermont.

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  • Can a ‘No Excuses' Charter Teach Students to Think for Themselves?

    January 11, 2018 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Several charter school networks have found that a strict and structured approach to instruction, while it may be improving test scores, is not resulting in the anticipated increase in timely college completion rates for its alumni. One network is piloting a new model that aims to develop more adaptable, "independent thinkers" by encouraging "self-directed learning." Can the introduction of online learning tools, immersive career discovery trips, and increased parent involvement into the current charter school environment help students down the road?

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  • In New York, farms team up to solve the big distribution question that tech can't

    January 11, 2018 |

    The Counter |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Hamden, New York

    Getting food from farm to table isn't as easy as one may think. This is especially true for smaller farms that have to transport their produce to larger distribution sites to see any sort of profit. One local farmer in the Catksills Mountains of upper New York, recognized this problem and ultimately built an "ad-hoc operation acting as both the marketing and distribution agent" for a multitude of farmers in the region. Despite the many challenges he's faced, he's even been able to charge the wholesale buyer the delivery and administrative costs versus the traditional method of charging the farmer.

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  • Colonoscopy? How About a Blood Test?

    January 11, 2018 |

    Bloomberg |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Israel

    A company called Medial EarlySign is using machine learning to predict when a patient is at higher risk for having colon cancer. Results from a simple blood test are entered into a database that looks at several factors and compares the results to anonymous results from thousands of people all over the world. This method is less expensive and less invasive than undergoing a colonoscopy and could also be used to detect risk factors for other diseases.

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  • As environmentalists warn about water scarcity, these two companies are saving water and money

    January 11, 2018 |

    Public Radio International (PRI) |

    Radio |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    Monitoring usage incentivizes water-intensive companies to develop water-saving techniques. Boston-based nonprofit, CERES, helps companies like Pepsi and Levi’s develop more sustainable practices. For example, Pepsi recaptures more of its runoff and has replaced water with pressurized air in its cleaning process. Levi’s also replaced water with air, using ozone gas to treat its denim. Tracking and reducing water use improves efficiency and saves the companies money.

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  • Healthier kids? Just hand their families cash.

    January 10, 2018 |

    Politico |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    A study of a 1910 cash-based welfare program in the United States reveals the positive lifelong results of giving families cash to reduce poverty and prevent the long-term effects associated with it. Providing cash for families with children once resulted in a better rate of return in the form of better nutrition, higher socio-economic status and longer life expectancy. Currently, the government provides the "deserving poor" with welfare benefits such as health coverage and food aid but recipients must meet the strict requirements for eligibility.

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  • ‘I can shut my door and I ain't worried about nothing'

    January 10, 2018 |

    Politico |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

    A program in Houston, Texas is helping to identify and offer housing to those who are both experiencing homelessness and are also frequent visitors to the emergency room for health chronic issues. Although gaining funding for the program has been a complicated process and faces an uncertain future, clients who have participated in the program "have seen an 82 percent decline in emergency room usage."

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