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Squeezing more out of taps: How Cape Town cut consumption in half

Ryan Lenora Brown

April 30, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

In early 2018, Cape Town was on its way to becoming the first developed city to run out of water for its residents. The city has since cut its consumption in half, led by residents who have decreased their water use dramatically, sharing tips in person and on social media. However, there is concern that changes are also encouraging illegal workarounds for the city's richest while the poor continue to be left behind.

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In India, Products Made From Crop Waste May Curb a Tide of Plastic

Priti Salian

April 24, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Bengaluru

India has been a longtime contributor to water and air pollution, largely due in part to the amount of plastic the country generates. To address both kinds of pollution, one company is creating biodegradable packaging made from plant fibers.

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The Amazon's solar-powered river bus

Laura Plitt

April 20, 2018 |

BBC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ecuador, Kapawi

The isolated Achuar peoples in Kapawi village in Ecuador live in an area without roads, and they'd like to keep it that way. As a way of proving they can function without them while still allowing for public transport, the village has implemented a solar powered canoe that can transport villagers up a network of interconnected navigable rivers.

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In India, this group helps turn wasteland into greener pastures

Fred de Sam Lazaro

April 19, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV Programs |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Tamil Nadu

An organization funded by the government called Foundation for Ecological Security is leading the charge to reforest wastelands in India to alleviate some of the struggles that rural areas undergo. This creates holding ponds, replenishes soil, and even prompts the community to work together to equitably distribute any leftover water amongst the farmers. It also helps stem the tide of urbanization and addresses the concern that the country may soon run out of food. The group has worked in 13,000 villages across India, reaching about 8 million people, and they still have millions of acres of land to reforest.

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The Unlikely Upside of Cape Town's Drought

Eve Fairbanks

April 19, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

When faced with the dire likelihood that the city would run entirely out of water, Cape Town communities responded by looking at the challenge with resiliency, rather than complacency or inconvenience. Though not without limitations, those that were able to implement a perspective shift created a social shift that allowed for greater communal efforts and resulted in successful water conservation, including a 40% city-wide decrease in water use.

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Anacostia Rising: What's Next For D.C.'s 'Forgotten' River

Jacob Fenston Tyrone Turner

March 26, 2018 |

American University Radio (WAMU) |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The Anacostia, which has long been one of the most polluted rivers in the country, has been given a new lease on life, thanks to cleanup efforts and a recent sewer upgrade in D.C. Since water quality has improved, there's been renewed interest in waterfront recreation and development. Now local groups are working to mitigate displacement from gentrification, with some success.

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Less water, no soil, more fodder: Kenya farmers beat drought

Justus Wanzala

February 09, 2018 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Timau

Over 5000 farmers across Kenya have begun using hydroponic techniques to grow fodder for their cows. This trend ensures milk production is still high in time of drought, when traditionally grown grass doesn’t do well. Groups including Hydroponics Kenya and Grandeur Africa have trained farmers in these water-saving techniques.

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With kids' health suffering, one Guatemalan town is trying to adapt to climate change.

Deepa Fernandes

January 23, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Guatemala, Comitancillo

With climate change warming agriculture lands, many communities are losing ground for farming. In one Guatemalan indigenous community, this resulted in many children becoming malnourished. The community rallied together to make changes that included taking advantage of the warmer weather and learning new techniques for diversifying their crops and conserving water.

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

Jason Margolis

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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Newark DIG: Doing Infrastructure Green

Scott Morris

December 19, 2017 |

CivicStory |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

Due in part to an outdated infrastructure, Newark's storm sewers get overwhelmed with litter, oil and other materials that end up impacting the cleanliness of the community's drinking water. To combat this issue, a group of passionate community members formed Doing Infrastructure Green (DIG) to help bring education to residents about sustainable solutions around the water supply.

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