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Scientists are using bacteria to remove harmful contaminants from our water. Here's how.

Hannah Thomasy

January 08, 2019 |

Ensia |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rialto, California

It turns out that bacteria can do a lot more than contaminate water--some species break down toxic chemicals and remove heavy metals. Active sites already clean water in states like Kansas, Utah, Texas, and California; for example, one Californian groundwater treatment plant can clean 2,000 gallons of perchlorate-contaminated water per minute. Though some logistical and technical hurdles remain, these bacterial allies in the fight against water pollution are very promising.

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Precycle Is a New Bushwick Grocery Store With a Mission

Emma Orlow

January 07, 2019 |

New York Magazine |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In Bushwick, the grocery store Precycle is on the front lines of the battle against plastic pollution. Selling food in bulk, while inviting customers to bring their own containers, reduces not only plastic waste but food prices. But will the inconvenience of bringing containers stand in the way of waste-free stores' success?

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Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities

Lindsey Konkel

January 04, 2019 |

Ensia |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

With water scarcity becoming a reality for many cities, people are looking towards the premise of recycling stormwater into drinkable water collected from urban runoff. One major limitation of this is that the water often is too polluted for consumption, however researchers have piloted several new technologies that may hold the key to being able to scale the stormwater recycling solution.

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How a Guatemalan Town Tackled Its Plastic Problem

Lola Mendez

January 03, 2019 |

Atlas Obscura |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Guatemala, San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna, a town in Guatemala, has banned single use plastics including plastic bags and straws after realizing that plastic pollution was ruining the ecosystem of Lake Atitlan and that a new waste facility would be unable to handle the amount of garbage created in the village. To ensure that people follow the new regulation, there are heavy fees - but the town also bought traditionally made biodegradable replacements; the change is being framed as a way to return to traditional, indigenous ways for the communities.

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Climate Change Is Bad For Peru's Pastures ... But There's A 1,200-Year-Old Fix

Elda Cantú

January 02, 2019 |

NPR |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Peru

Not all solutions have to be new in order to work, some just have to be modernized for today's needs. This was the lesson learned when villagers in Peru decided to restore centuries-old hydraulic systems to revitalize their depleting wetlands.

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Millet anyone? Facing soil crisis, US farmers look beyond corn and soybeans

Story Hinckley Laurent Belsie

December 28, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Iowa

After decades of planting almost solely corn and soybeans, across the Midwest and Plains, farmers are trying new methods to restore nutrients and replenish their soils. Methods like no-till farming, growing diverse cover crops during the winter, and using soil-sensitive crop rotations are growing in popularity. While the new practices face some resistance, cultural awareness is growing and being encouraged by new legislation.

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With no oil cleanup in sight, Amazon tribes harvest rain for clean water

Dan Collyns

December 27, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ecuador, Lago Agrio, Sucumbíos

Following decades of oil companies contaminating the water, indigenous groups in Ecuador’s Sucumbíos province have built systems for rainwater collection and filtration. These systems have provided people with clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing--a potentially powerful tool for other contaminated rural areas.

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Montana waters test negative for mussels

Rob Zolman

December 19, 2018 |

Valley Journal |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Helena, Montana

In Montana last year, Fish Wildlife and Parks has worked with stakeholders across the state, running 35 watercraft stations that inspected over 100,000 boats. Meanwhile, the agency has coordinated with other organizations to educate the public about invasive aquatic species. At least in part thanks to these efforts, no new invasive mussel introductions were found last year.

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From Grassroots to Government: A Climate Assessment Presents a Moral Opportunity

Christina Colón

December 03, 2018 |

Sojourners |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Annapolis, Maryland

With climate change no longer a hypothetical situation but a very tangible problem being felt by many across the globe, grassroots efforts are gaining traction as the search for solutions intensifies. Citing a moral obligation, these grassroots organizations aim to inspire political action while also making concrete changes along the way.

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This Ohio Paint Production Experiment Creates Art — and Potentially Jobs — From Polluted Mine Sites

Sara Schonhardt

November 19, 2018 |

100 Days in Appalachia |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Corning, Ohio

In Ohio, artists and scientists are teaming up, turning hazardous mine run-off into paint pigment. High demand for such pigment, public funding, and enthusiasm for clean waterways could go a long way to mitigate water pollution.

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