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Congestion Pricing Works — and It Might Be Headed to Your Town Next

Jaime Buerger

April 19, 2019 |

NationSwell |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

After successful reports from countries around the world about the positive effects of congestion pricing, New York City looks to charge drivers in the most congested areas of the city in order to reduce traffic and environmental impact. The revenue from congestion pricing, which acts as a barrier for drivers in crowded city limits, is funneled back into the city's public transportation budget.

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‘Coal just isn't the future': Meet the Kentucky miners picking up a new trade

Elizabeth McGowan

March 21, 2019 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Harlan, Kentucky

As jobs in America's coal mines dwindle, local Appalachian communities put resources and opportunity into the sustainable energy business. A nonprofit in Kentucky called the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development bridges the gap between the two industries by providing sustainable energy training and internships for former employees of the coal mining industry.

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As oil trains roll into Portland, city residents keep watch

Carl Segerstrom

March 13, 2019 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

In Portland, Oregon, a group of activists have come together to be the eyes for their community when it comes to oil train shipments. There is a surprising lack of transparency when it comes to moving crude oil by train, and the state has yet to implement monitoring standards. Because of this, activists work in shifts to be informal watchdogs for their city, making sure the public is as informed as possible even with the lack of official information.

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Scientists just figured out how to turn CO2 back into coal

Adele Peters

February 28, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Australia, Melbourne, Victoria

Researchers in Australia have discovered a way to capture CO2 from the air and turn it back into solid carbon. The new method uses liquid metal and electricity to process the CO2 and store it at room temperature – something that until now had not been possible. Scientists say it shows potential for large scale use – in combination with sustainable energy – as the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change.

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Norway recycles 97% of its plastic bottles: a blueprint for the rest of the world?

Peter Yeung

February 26, 2019 |

Positive.News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Norway

Infinitum, a Norwegian company, aims to create a never-ending loop of plastic reuse and their deposit hub recycles 97 percent of the country’s plastic drink bottles. While critics question the focus on continuing to produce plastic since it relies on fossil fuels, similar collection schemes in other countries could reduce plastic waste.

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The Netherlands Pays People To Bike To Work

Adam Forrest

February 25, 2019 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

To encourage commuters to shift from driving to biking, cities across Europe have tried out a mileage fee earned for commuting via bicycle, often tax-free. Leaders are learning this needs to be coupled with other incentives, such as consistent bike lanes. Additionally, urban planners are hoping to minimize disincentives to biking, like free car parking.

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These startups are trying to reduce the massive carbon footprint of concrete

Adele Peters

January 14, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A handful of sustainability-oriented startups are working with concrete companies around the world to reduce their carbon footprint. The concrete & cement industry is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions; however, with technologies that capture CO2 within solid concrete, some companies have been able to decrease their emissions, while improving efficiency in the process.

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This old coal plant is now a solar farm, thanks to pressure from local activists

Adele Peters

January 03, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Holyoke, Massachusetts

Turning a coal plant carbon neutral requires a community effort. In Holyoke, Massachusetts, community organizers from the Toxics Action Center and Neighbor to Neighbor, a local Latinx organization, succeeded in getting the coal plant in their city shut down and transformed into a commercial solar farm. Today, Holyoke’s electric utility uses the solar energy as part of a carbon-neutral plan.

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

Dan Collyns

December 27, 2018 |

Mongabay |

Text |

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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Smart ships using wind and bubbles to save fuel

Nick Holland

December 15, 2018 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

The shipping industry has made moves to halve fuel consumption by 2050. With a few clever technological innovations--bubbles and rotating sails--ships are closer to that goal. But whatever the promise of these new technologies, they're not yet cost effective.

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