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As more Mass. first responders test positive for COVID-19, police and fire departments lean on each other to maintain services

Scott J. Croteau

March 26, 2020 |

MassLive |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

As communities work to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the risk for emergency responders to contract the illness is high; but in Massachusetts, departments are putting new practices and plans into place to address this. From changing the way police respond to calls, to creating a backfill system if or when officers are quarantined, the departments are working to keep both their responders and their communities healthy.

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Reducing Fire, and Cutting Carbon Emissions, the Aboriginal Way

Thomas Fuller

January 16, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Australia, Cooinda, Northern Territory

With the dramatic increase in wildfire danger in Australia causing international distress, officials look to an ancient Indigenous fire-prevention technique that reduces the risk of large wild-fires. This Aboriginal technique - which involves lighting small, controlled fires throughout the year - eliminates excess debris that can easily catch fire in a wildfire, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires in the Northern region of the country by 40%.

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Shouldering the Burden

Sena Christian

December 17, 2019 |

Comstock's Magazine |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Guinda, California

Drastic solutions to climate change tend not to pan out (like trying to get everyone to stop eating meat), but careful adaptation is making real progress. In California, many smaller-scale farms are trying out new methods of adapting to the new realities of climate change, including not tilling the land so that nutrients build up and the soil strengthens. This article covers a range of approaches that farmers take to protect their livelihood and conserve their resources.

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Indigenous-wildlife ranger collaboration conserves rare Australian rainforests

Nick Rodway

November 18, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Western Australia

Revegetation and fire management practices are helping to preserve Australia’s biodiversity. In Western Australia, collaborative efforts between Environs Kimberley, an environmental NGO, and local rangers from the First Nation communities of the Dampier Peninsula are working to document, conserve, and manage the region’s monsoon vine thickets (MVT). As part of the Kimberley Nature Project (KNP), local rangers employ traditional methods like seasonal burns to allow for revegetation and to reduce the threat of larger bushfires.

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'Lots of us have skeletons:' South Burlington firefighters learn yoga, meditation to stay well

Elizabeth Murray

November 03, 2019 |

Burlington Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Burlington, Vermont

Vermont’s South Burlington fire department has started offering its firefighters yoga and meditation services as a way to cope with trauma. The services are offered by the Vermont Center for Responder Wellness, which was created as a response to the traumatic experiences many first responders face. The training includes mindfulness, breathing, stretching, and refocusing.

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We've Had Terrible Fires. Why Haven't More Homes Burned?

Sharon McNary

October 31, 2019 |

LAist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In and around Los Angeles, firefighters have been able to better respond to wildfires because of better equipment and more personnel. With more off-road trucks, fire helicopters, fire engines, and a new supercomputer system, the fires of 2019 have had less of an impact than in past years. But without a formal analysis – including one that takes into consideration external factors like socioeconomic status – it’s hard to concretely understand why there’s been less damage.

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Drone Swarms and Gene-Altered Corals Fight Climate Change

Tom Gibson Vicky Feng Leila Hussain

October 29, 2019 |

Bloomberg |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Replanting and replenishing damaged ecosystems is crucial to mitigating further adverse effects of climate change. From the forests of the American Pacific Northwest, to the coral reefs around the globe, startups and scientists are working to increase the resilience of natural systems. DroneSeed, in Seattle, WA, leverages drone technology to increase reforestation efforts. Meanwhile, biologists in Thailand are working to cultivate hardy corals.

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Wildfires and blackouts mean Californians need solar panels and microgrids

David Roberts

October 28, 2019 |

Vox |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Localized, distributed energy systems are popping up around California. As the larger electricity system becomes less reliable in the face of wildfires, more individuals are turning to microgrids and solar energy with help from organizations like Clean Coalition and Stone Edge Farm Microgrid. While still happening on a small scale, such energy systems may become more popular as its sustainability in a changing climate shows to be more resilient.

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As fires rage, California refines an important skill: Evacuating

Heather Kelly Scott Wilson Joy Lanzendorfer

October 28, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Rosa, California

With wildfires becoming more and more common, Californians have become improved their evacuation procedures. Alerting residents earlier via cellphone and then ongoing door-to-door notices have made a difference, along with residents trusting the evacuation calls more than before. Notable improvements have been made in hospitals, with staff making arrangements with other hospitals as soon as they receive the evacuation notice.

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Sonoma and Butte counties see natural lessons in wake of megafires

Stephen Nett

October 25, 2019 |

The Press Democrat |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sonoma, California

California’s Sonoma and Butte counties have been taking new approaches to wildfires – rather than preventing them, they’re hoping to support the ecosystem to withstand them and bounce back. This resilience-centered approach includes controlled burns, fuel breaks, cross-organizational collaboration, and educating the public – especially homeowners – about how they can help.

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