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Jordan's capital is creating green mosques and schools to tackle emissions

Adela Suliman

October 31, 2018 |

World Economic Forum |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Jordan, Amman

Mosques across Amman, Jordan are adorned with solar panels, resulting in some very energy efficient places of worship (along with many other buildings). The mosques now cover 100% of their energy needs and can even sell excess energy back to the national grid. The city is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050, and in addition to recycling, environmental education, and solar water heaters, Amman is expanding their ecotourism industry to attract more environmentally conscious tourists.

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Toxic secrets: Pollution, evasion and fear in Wausau's River Street neighborhood

Shereen Siewert

October 30, 2018 |

Wausau Pilot and Review |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Wausau, Wisconsin

A local citizens group called Citizens for a Clean Wausau in Wisconsin is calling for greater transparency from government officials on environmental records related to project zoning and properties. While the group has had some legal successes, project development projects have continued to move forward despite public health and environmental concerns from digging up contaminated soils.

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This professor wants to power Puerto Rico with a little help from Reddit

Justine Calma

October 17, 2018 |

Grist |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Puerto Rico, San Juan

After Hurricane Maria devastated much of Puerto Rico, much of the country was left without power and some were subsequently left sick due to fumes from generators. After receiving a call from a relative in his home county, Professor Monxo Lopez of New York City’s Hunter College was determined to create affordable solar for his home country.

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Alternative toilet facilities in schools attract more children in Kibera

Henry Owino

October 02, 2018 |

Talk Africa |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Kibera, Nairobi

In a slum in Kiberia, Kenya, a new invention called Peepoople Kenya (or Peepoo for short) is addressing a mounting sanitation issue from open defecation and lack of clean facilities. The solution is a single-use, biodegradable toilet (via a bag that spreads across a small pot) in new and maintained facilities. Teachers and pupils testify to the cleanliness and usability of the toilets and have even found unexpected benefits as well, like the facilities in a safer location and less time lost from lessons by waiting in line for a latrine.

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This startup lets villagers create mini power grids for their neighbors

Adele Peters

September 28, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Shikarpur

Solshare, a fast-growing startup in Bangladesh, created a system in which “neighbors can sell extra electricity to each other.” The number of home solar panels has been increasing since a 2014 government program put solar power as a priority on its agenda. Even though more and more people have power, up to 30% is estimated to be wasted. Solshare created a microgrid in which cabling connects people who want to buy and sell power.

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Wastewater and public health in the rural South

Melissa Brown

September 24, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hayneville, Alabama

A wastewater infrastructure crisis in the southern United States is much like those found in far less-developed countries. Now researchers and nonprofits are looking to successes in Africa, in an effort to eradicate obscure diseases and improve quality of life.

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In London, Electric Trucks Are Helping UPS Make ‘Eco-Friendly' Deliveries

Stanley Reed

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

UPS has converted about one-third of its diesel vehicles to electric power, a move backed by the British government to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution in London. While making the switch to electric reveled challenges with the city’s power grid, officials said they have been encouraged by the results of the pilot program, which could also be applicable to other modes of transportation like buses and ambulances in other cities around the world.

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In Sweden, Trash Heats Homes, Powers Buses and Fuels Taxi Fleets

Amy Yee

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Linköping

In Sweden, waste is not just waste, or so the country explains with a total of 34 waste-to-energy power plants that turn garbage into electricity. With an already staggering low percentage of waste ending up in landfills, 50 percent of the portion that does is transformed into energy through an incineration process that plays a large part in heating many homes throughout the winter.

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On Hurricane Maria Anniversary, Puerto Rico Is Still in Ruins

Frances Robles Jugal K. Patel

September 20, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico

FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Irma has been the “longest sustained domestic airborne food and water mission in the nation’s history. The agency has never distributed more food or installed more generators.” However, due to bureaucracy and delayed decision making, there are still thousands of Puerto Ricans who have not received aid, or were underserved.

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Berlin's mayor tries to wean Germans off the water bottle

Luisa Beck

September 14, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

Although commonplace in many parts of the world, Berlin has recently adopted the practice of using water fountains to cut back on plastic bottle usage. Not everyone supports this environmental push, but the mayor is hopeful they will at least catch on with tourists who are accustomed to the invention already as well as act as a resource for refilling plastic bottles rather than throwing them away.

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