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Smart Grid Experiment Saves Participants the Equivalent of One Electric Bill Per Year

Lynne Peskoe-Yang

February 04, 2019 |

IEEE Spectrum |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Turkey, Istanbul

Gamifying energy-efficient behavior can help consumers adjust their habits. Project GresBAS (Grid Responsive Society through Building Automation Systems) incentivizes consumers by allowing them to compete against their own personal records, as well as their neighbors. The Project has piloted studies in Turkey and Portugal, signaling the broader possibilities of gamifying user interactions with smart grid technologies.

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Adding density: Project tests if city changes have made backyard apartments more attainable

Abby Lynes

January 27, 2019 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bozeman, Montana

Community members in Bozeman work with students at Montana State University and city officials to test the sustainability and practicality of backyard apartments, or ADUs. Though high costs and historic value could be obstacles for home-owners, these studio and one-bedroom apartments offer a space-saving solution to Bozeman's housing shortage.

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Deer Wars: The Forest Awakens

Leslie Anthony

January 22, 2019 |

Hakai Magazine |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

On the British Columbia group of islands called Haida Gwaii, a project called Restoring Balance is working to lessen invasive mammals and restore the ecosystem to what it once was. A key part of this was the targeted eradication of deer, which happened mostly through hunting and ambush stations. One year later, most are gone. Bit by bit, species by species, the removal of invasive animals has allowed the land to return to its native biodiversity and strengthen its ecosystem resilience.

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The inspiring thing that happened when a Japanese village went almost waste-free

Alex Gray

January 21, 2019 |

World Economic Forum |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Japan, Kamikatsu, Shikoku

Kamikatsu, a small Japanese village on an island, is on track to become a zero-waste village. The community is made up of only 1,700 residents and—through a combination of community conversations and sorting the waste to be profitable—they managed to keep more than 80% of their waste out of landfills and incinerators. On top of the environmental impact, the Zero Waste Academy brings together a largely-elderly population as a group focused on a mission and has led to an increased sense of community and well-being.

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Beet juice, molasses and mag: Colorado's search for the right highway de-icing mixture

Pam Boyd

January 19, 2019 |

Sky-Hi News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

As Colorado searches for the most effective and efficient de-icer for its winter weather, the state weighs the pros and cons of using agricultural by-products like beet juice and molasses as base ingredients. The quest for finding the perfect de-icer comes up against environmental concerns – especially considering the robust outdoors of Colorado – as well as budget limitations and effectiveness.

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DOT hopes technology can turn wrong-way drivers around on NC highways

Adam Owens

January 18, 2019 |

WRAL-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Raleigh, North Carolina

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is trying out new technology – sensored flashing lights – that will help alert drivers when they’re going the wrong way down highways. While still being tested, the technology has already prevented four cars from entering an expressway the wrong way. Beyond alerting the drivers, the technology also alerts the State Highway Patrol and State Traffic Operations Center with location information.

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Lawrence reborn: A polluted mill town reclaims its future

Story Hinckley

January 11, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency empower local communities—and workers—to redevelop abandoned industrial sites. These sites, known as brownfields, are often left in disuse because of the presence of hazardous pollutants. In Lawrence, Massachusetts, public and nonprofit job training programs funded by the EPA retool locals in environmental remediation. These new jobs help economically disadvantaged communities platform toward a more sustainable future; and they promote new development, attracting further investment.

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China gets tough on US recyclables. How one Maine town is fighting back.

Christa Case Bryant

January 03, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sanford, Maine

When China, the country that processes much of the United State's recyclables, became much more stringent about how much contaminated recycling it would accept, municipalities had to figure out how to avoid the fines that could come with recycling done wrong. In Sanford, Maine, they manages to cut their contamination rate from 15-20% to 0-3% by investing in more serious inspections and helping residents learn what is recyclable and what isn't.

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For Those Experiencing Homelessness, ‘The Bin' Honors Their Belongings

Rikha Sharma Rani

December 21, 2018 |

Next City |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, The Bin gives homeless people a chance to store their valuables. “If I didn’t have this bin, I’d have to get rid of most of my stuff. These bins are really great to have.” Across the nation, other cities are unfolding efforts to help the homeless population.

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Silicon Valley voters just demanded that tech companies be responsible for their communities

Sean Captain

November 07, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Taxing big tech is a popular idea among residents of cities profoundly shaped by the industry. San Francisco, Mountain View, and East Palo Alto have all approved new taxes pulling money from big tech to fund housing and homelessness programs, public transportation and bike paths, and local STEM education.

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