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P Is For Phosphorus

Robert Smith

January 26, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Vermont

Phosphate is used for fertilizer on many farms. However, once the phosphorus washes away, it is next to impossible to recover, thus creating a phosphorus depletion. Using a very on the ground, grassroots approach, a small group of local citizens started asking other citizens to donate their urine to be recycled for the phosphate. After just a year, the group had 600 gallons of urine and after filtering it, it's being used on a local Vermont farm to fertilize hay on a dairy.

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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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Bioeconomy: A global trend?

Vijay Shankar Balakrishnan

January 22, 2018 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Finland

Bioeconomy is the practice of using biological processes and organic materials to reduce waste, and it's gaining traction as a means of business. Finland is home to one of the largest bioproduct mills, where "a whole ecosystem of companies" work together on projects such as converting sustainably logged wood into pulp before selling it to Europe and Asia and producing solid biofuels which will eventually create electricity.

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To Help Teachers Buy A Home, This Denver Charter Is Taking A Page From California

Jenny Brundin

January 22, 2018 |

Colorado Public Radio |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Only one percent of Denver teachers have the means to buy a home within the city's limits. Landed, an organization that has located places for California educators to live, is now expanding to Colorado. Buyers provide 10 percent of the down payment, while Landed gives the other 10 percent. A representative from Landed explained, "It is not a loan – it is a shared investment."

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In a district losing money, students from afar fill the gap

David Erickson

January 21, 2018 |

Missoulian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

After a 2010 mill closure led to school staff cuts and student departures and threatened to compromise the central role of the K-12 institution in the community, a small rural town on the outskirts of Missoula took a risk and opened its doors to out-of-district students. By welcoming over 100 new pupils through a screening process and benefiting from the resulting extra state funding, Frenchtown jumpstarted a district-wide revival.

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Farming Brings Refugees Closer to Home Through Food and Community

Sammi-Jo Lee

January 18, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The Transplanting Tradition Community Farm, based outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has given ethnic Karen, Chin, and Burmese immigrants families space to grow and sell food, as well as receive trainings and other services. But they aren't farming just for money - the farm can help refugees find a sense of home and happiness in a new country.

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With Marijuana Now Legal, L.A. Goes Further to Make Amends for the War on Drugs

Kevon Paynter

January 18, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

After California legalized recreational use of marijuana, Los Angeles took the initiative even further to address the social and systemic inequity caused by the war on drugs of communities of color. The city undertook criminal justice reforms like clinics to help people expunge their records, and economic reforms like prioritizing those with past convictions to receive licenses to own and operate dispensaries. Furthermore, LA is practicing restorative justice by directing the tax revenue created by this sector back into the neighborhoods that were deeply affected in the past.

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How This Southern City Is Becoming a Mecca for Startups

Nick Fouriezos

January 17, 2018 |

OZY |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Birmingham, Alabama

The South has not historically been known as a place to work in a tech startup, but Birmingham is changing that perception. Now, venture capitalists, a local university, and the government are pouring funding into high growth companies in Alabama, knowing the money will last longer in Birmingham than in a coastal city like New York or San Francisco. As startups are helping the city grow, talent is beginning to follow.

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From Stopping Point to Destination

Andi Bourne

January 12, 2018 |

Seeley Swan Pathfinder |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Challis, Idaho

Challis, Idaho is a small town, where mining and ranching are the main economies - but with employment and revenue down, the town is turning to recreation to bolster the economy. A collaboration between the Great Basin Institute, the Challis Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation founded the Lombard Trail, a trail meant for recreation and ATV use that is bringing money into Challis.

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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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