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Renewables roadshow: how the 'nonna effect' got Darebin's pensioners signing up to solar

Michael Slezak

March 22, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Darebin, Victoria

Although solar installations have been on the rise, it's often those that could most benefit from this renewable energy source that can't access it. The Darebin City Council in Australia recognized this challenge faced by very low-income households, and began what is now known as the Solar Saver program. Although it initially began as a way to help these families cut electricity costs, it is now focused on making solar more accessible by providing no cost installations and a 10-year payment plan that ultimately helps the families cut costs.

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A passive house takes an active stand for the environment

Emma Murray

March 22, 2017 |

Boulder Weekly |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

The heating and cooling of homes accounts for some of the greatest energy consumption in the United States, and contributes significantly to the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. A movement of "passive housing" is cropping up in response - the building of small, low-impact houses that are energy efficient and eco-conscious. One in Boulder, CO - built by an amateur architect - has received international certification and may serve as a model for future housing construction.

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While Trump promotes coal, other countries are turning to cheap sun power

Nick Miroff

March 21, 2017 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Chile

The Atacama Desert in Chili is known to be so arid, that very little can survive the harsh climate. Despite its inhospitable climate, however, it is the world’s best place to produce solar energy. In fact, it's so ideal for producing solar energy, the Chilean Energy Minister Andrés Rebolledo claims that “we’re talking about an infinite fuel source.”

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Solar air heating in factories reduces carbon emissions

Jency Samuel

March 10, 2017 |

India Climate Dialogue |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Theni

Businesses across India are using a practice called solar air heating to produce electricity and energy more efficiently. The process – which uses black, rooftop surfaces to capture heat under a glass panel that’s then carried through forced air and pipelines – has shown to save time and money in its effectiveness and ability to reduce traditional energy consumption.

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The 'sun king' who built a solar city in China

Alvaro A. Ricciardelli

March 08, 2017 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: China, Dehzou, Shandong

Shandong Province in China is burdened with heavy air pollution due to being a hub of coal mining. To create a cleaner energy system, one man created a "city" entirely powered by solar energy, complete with a "solar museum" and "solar hotel". The buildings are designed to adopt solar panels into its structure, making the "city" not only beneficial to the environmental, but a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece.

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A beneficial way to dispose of the Sierra's lost trees: Use them for energy

Jacques Leslie

March 07, 2017 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

What do you do with 102 million dead trees, strewn across the Sierra Nevada’s forests? According to California’s Forest Service, something productive; previously left to stand in place and risk spreading fire at a much faster rate, the trees are now being used to produce energy. Though this solution had been tested in the 1990s and was found to produce more environmental harm than good, a few small, innovative companies are now working to extract energy through an environmentally sound method.

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How China is Cleaning its Air

Mukul Devichand

March 05, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: China, Beijing, Jingjinji

Air pollution is a huge problem for China, but surprisingly, the Air Quality Index in several cities is improving because of a variety of experimental projects that are being rolled out and a number of clever pollution solutions from around the country.

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Illegal logging in Malawi: can clean cooking stoves save its forests?

Nathalie Bertrams Ingrid Gercama

February 23, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Malawi, Mount Mulanje, Lilongwe

In much of Malawi, the electrical grid is highly unreliable and the cost of fuels like petroleum prohibitive, forcing most families to rely on the black market for illegally-sourced charcoal and leading to heavy deforestation. But some NGOs are tackling the issue with a grassroots approach: rather than relying on the army to punish illegal logging, they are helping women provide cleaner, more efficient cookstoves to their communities - reducing the amount of fuel burned as well as toxic smoke from open fires.

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The future will be battery-powered

Amelia Urry

February 21, 2017 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

There is an ongoing competition to improve batteries as a method of energy storage that is environmentally conscious. Intense research on batteries is ongoing, including the development of the "saltwater battery', in order to improve their reliability, storage abilities and safety.

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Mumbai church turns tonnes of waste flowers to eco-friendly cooking fuel

Akash Sakaria

February 20, 2017 |

Hindustan Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai

After seeing prayer flowers wasted week after week, one church in Mumbai, India, implemented a new biologically-sustainable solution. The church now creates its own biogas, reducing waste and creatively producing energy alternatives.

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