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This makeup company is using its supply chain to revitalize the rainforest

Eillie Anzilotti

August 21, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Guatemala

Much of Guatemala's lands have been degraded due to a consistently burgeoning industrial market for palm oil and cattle farming. As a company that makes makeup using a variety of plants, beauty corporation Lush has committed to investing in natural plant production by buying land that would otherwise be at threat of deforestation. The Sustainable Lush Fund then works with on-the-ground organizations and farmers to sustainably utilize the land and increase the diversity of crops all while supporting local agriculture.

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California divers fight to turn the tide on a collapsing ecosystem

Claire Stremple

August 20, 2018 |

KALW |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, California

Purple sea urchins are taking over the California coastal waters that were once known for sought-after species such as abalone. Seen as an indicator of an ailing ocean as well as a detriment to local diving businesses, divers from all over California are joining forces to work towards removing a vast amount of the species.

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Cities Sic the Taxman on Vacant ‘Ghost Homes'

Liz Enochs

August 20, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver

Vancouver is one city that has shown benefits of a tax on “ghost homes,” or units that sit empty for a certain period of time. The idea is to encourage development and ensure there is ample housing stock for newcomers to the city. San Francisco is considering implementing this system, but it is still in the very early stages of such a shift. However, in Vancouver, the tax has generated millions in taxes which will fund housing initiatives, while decreasing the vacancy rate significantly.

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With no-fishing zones, Mexican fishermen restored the marine ecosystem

Deepa Fernandes

August 17, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Agua Verde, Baja California Sur

In Mexico, many communities rely on fishing to sustain their livelihood. However, in Baja California Sur, this became a problem when the fish disappeared due to overfishing. Although a controversial decision, the community found success in revitalizing the marine population by implementing a number of no-fishing zones and shifting their focus to turning their city into an eco-tourism hub.

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Empowering Teenage Girls in a Traditional Village and Across Morocco

Marjorie Olster

August 17, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Morocco, Douar Laadam

Project Soar is trying to get more young girls in Morocco to finish school, and it’s working. The nonprofit offers after school programs and tutoring to teenage girls, in hopes they continue their education and don’t get married at a young age. “This academic support has increased the passing rate for girls in Project Soar to 73 percent compared with the average passing rate of 44 percent for ninth grade girls in the Marrakesh region, according to the American Embassy in Morocco.” Around 475 girls have benefited from the project.

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Latest Attraction at French Theme Park: Crows That Pick Up Trash

Laura Holson

August 17, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: France, Les Epesses

France's second largest theme park faces a daily dilemma of people not throwing their trash away in the bins. To bring awareness to this issue, the park has trained crows to pick up the trash. Although not necessarily employed as a long-term solution, the campaign allows for positive peer pressure with the hope of guilting people into throwing away their own garbage.

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Climate Change, the Rio Grande and Border Water

Naveena Sadasivam Zoë Schlanger Daniel Wolfe

August 16, 2018 |

Texas Observer |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, El Paso, Texas

The Rio Grande River, which provides water to 6 million people and irrigates 2 million acres of farmland, is one of many transnational sources of water imperiled by climate change. Indeed, many states and countries that share water are drawn into conflict over dwindling resources. One relationship between officials in Mexico and the U.S. offers some hope that (with the right coaching) countries can cooperate, even in the face of greater political problems.

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Los Angeles Will Be the First City to Use Body Scanners on Subways. Which Could Be Next?

J. Brian Charles

August 16, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Transportation Security Administration has partnered with cities across the country to bring body scanners to metro stops and rail stations. While heralded as an efficient way to check crowds for weapons, body scanners have raised concern among privacy advocates.

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How One Kid Stopped the Contamination of a River

Nicole Javorsky

August 16, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Nova Scotia

After discovering that raw sewage was flowing into Nova Scotia's LaHave River at alarming rates, an 11-year-old in the community decided study the issue for her science project. After testing the levels of the water and relating the cause of the issue to a certain type of sewage system, she publicized the results through social media, prompting the community to organize around change.

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Giving new life to vacant buildings can boost struggling towns

Eillie Anzilotti

August 15, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Newburgh, New York

In New York, an intentional form of housing development is keeping affordability in mind. Neighbors for Neighborhoods provides funding for locals to redevelop blighted property from land banks and rent it out as affordable housing. The parameters ensure local impact: there is a limit to how many properties an individual can rent out, and the properties must be rented to people making below 80% the median income in the region. The program has $4 million in funding so far.

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