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Evidence Indigenous burning works is growing. Could Australia offer a model for B.C.?

Stefan Labbé

August 07, 2021 |

Tri-City News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

A review of 120 years of data found that traditional indigenous fire burning practices, which are low-intensity and controlled, lead to an increase in biodiversity. The practice has been done for years in indigenous communities to clear forage space, stimulate growth, or clear waterways. In Australia, where the practice has wide support, traditional low-intensity fires have led to a reduction in the intensity of large wildfires. They have also reduced and methane and nitrous oxide emissions by close to 40 percent. Other countries like Canada face hurdles to implementing the practice on a wider scale.

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Fighting plastic waste: a double-edged sword

Justice Nwafor

July 26, 2021 |

SciDev.Net |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Lagos

Teams of recyclers in Nigeria gather plastic bottles from the streets and landfills and brings them to recycling plants where they can exchange the waste for money. HISL Recyclers collects this waste — which usually contains polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a dangerous chemical — as a way to remove the waste from the environment. However, more work needs to be done to get more people to participate in the program and to scale the operations. So far, they’ve been able to recycle up to 20 tonnes of plastic waste a month.

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This Is the First Ecosystem With Its Own Insurance Policy

Oliver Gordon

July 20, 2021 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Mexico

In Mexico, the Mesoamerican Reef, a 100-mile long coral reef system, the second largest in the word, is insured. The insurance policy is the result of a collaboration between the local government, hotel owners, an international NGO, and an insurance company who saw the value of protecting the reef. After Hurricane Delta, the insurance first kicked in, the insurance paid out $850,000. The money was used to uproot 2,152 coral colonies and close to 14,000 coral fragments. The model could be an example of future moves to insure the environment.

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Vail Pays Property Owners To Keep Housing For Local Workers. Could It Work In Idaho?

Rachel D. Cohen

July 20, 2021 |

Boise State Public Radio (KBSX) |

Multi-Media |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Ketchum, Idaho

An affordable housing initiative in Vail, Colorado is paying owners to reserve rentals for those who live in the area year-round, instead of selling to part-time residents. The success of the program is inspiring Ketchum, Idaho, a community on the search for affordable-housing solutions.

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Philly should offer rewards for shopping local like they do in Akron, Ohio

Jessica Blatt Press

July 14, 2021 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

Shoppers who are given financial incentives to spend their money on mom and pop stores are boosting local economies. The city of Akron created an app, Akronite, to incentivize local business after the fallout from Covid-19.

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Can we keep lumber out of the landfill?

Anna Lamb-Yorski

July 08, 2021 |

Living Here |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada

Pollution caused by demolition is expected to be 2.2 billion tons by 2021. However, up to 75 percent of materials in a demolition can be recycled. An alternative method to demolition is deconstruction or unbuilding. The method always for lumber and other materials that are recyclable to be salvaged. Cities like Vancouver that have passed ordinances encouraging recycling saw results. One company, "Unbuilders," that specializes in deconstruction shows that using methods like tax receipts and appraisals can lead to both profit and better results for the environment.

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Cooler, Cleaner Megacities, One Rooftop Garden at a Time

Marianne Dhenin

July 08, 2021 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Egypt, Cairo

Organizations in Egypt and Bangladesh are greening their cities by turning rooftops into urban gardens that can grow food, reduce air pollution, and decrease air temperatures. Green Savers in Dhaka has installed more than 5,000 rooftop gardens in the city and Urban Greens in Cairo partners with sponsors to install hydroponic rooftop gardens for families experiencing economic hardship. It’s been a challenge to convince people that the cost to maintain these spaces is worthwhile, but through community outreach efforts, these organizations have seen an increase in interest in installing rooftop gardens.

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Could casitas help prevent displacement in the West's cities?

Jessica Kutz

July 08, 2021 |

High Country News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

Casitas, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are being legalized and promoted by several western states. Arizona is the latest to legalize ADUs in a bid to ease the shortage of affordable housing. An ADU pilot in Denver is helping moderate-income homeowners build units in rapidly gentrifying areas. They are incentivized to rent these ADUs at affordable rates, providing a benefit to homeowners as well as future renters.

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From Vail to Jackson Hole, Down Payment Assistance Tries to Keep More Workers Housed

Will Walkey

June 30, 2021 |

Jackson Hole Community Radio (KHOL) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

A pilot program in Jackson Hole is trying to make home ownership affordable for the local workforce. The program provides help with the down payment by granting $150,000 to families that meet the requirements. The initiative puts a cap on the appreciation value of the homes bought using the grant which ensures that the property values stay affordable over time. A similar program in Vail, Colorado has produced impressive results.

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Oregon Bottle Bill at 50

Geoff Norcross

June 23, 2021 |

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Oregon

In 1971, Oregon became the first state to adopt a law that established refundable deposits on beer and soft drink containers. So, if a consumer returned their plastic bottle, they would get their deposit back and that bottle then gets recycled. The Bottle Bill turned 50 this year and has proved to be a huge success. In 2019, it had a 90 percent return, meaning nine out of ten containers were being recycled. Other states are looking towards Oregon to replicate the model.

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