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How NASA accidentally found a way to make buildings safer during earthquakes

Margo Pierce

February 22, 2016 |

Quartz |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Huntsville, Alabama

NASA developed a new stabilizing technology, known as the LOX Damper, in 2013 after working on a violently shaking rocket. Testing revealed that the technology could help design earthquake-proof buildings.

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How to Save a Sinking Coast? Katrina Created a Laboratory

John Schwartz

August 07, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, Louisiana and federal officials launched an audacious $50 billion master plan to rebuild the receding coast in an effort to mitigate the effects future storms. These are expensive and massive in scale, and although success is not guaranteed, they're attracting interest from cities around the U.S., and low-lying countries like Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Moving beyond engineered “solutions” of the past, many of these efforts focus on rebuilding land through methods that mimic natural processes for building land mass and vegetation.

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How to Grow More Food with Less Water

Matt Weiser

August 03, 2015 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bushland, Texas

The U.S. government has developed different sensors for irrigation devices that gauge water demand and help conserve use. as water shortages caused by drought have increased across the globe, and farmers are faced with economic burdens, such technology is focusin on sustainability for the future.

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Beer and business: the unexpected benefits of water access in Cameroon

Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

July 07, 2015 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Cameroon

Cameroon was plagued by droughts, water-related illnesses, and an influx of refugees--all of which required a surplus of clean water. The government devised solar panel water distribution systems, which brought fresh water for irrigation. The surplus also inspired citizens of Cameroon to start small businesses that used the water, including brewing beer.

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How Detroit Taught Itself to Demolish Vacant Houses Safely

Cassie Owens

June 12, 2015 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

To develop new demolition standards, the Detroit Building Authority brought together a best practices working group that met biweekly. Under the new system, a pre-demolition review takes place to, among other things, plan out what will be recycled or salvaged. When an excavator claws through a building, a water truck or fire hose has to be dousing the structure to inhibit the reach of particulate matter—limiting the environmental and health impacts.

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Peru's Ancient Stone Canals

Juliana Schatz

May 25, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Peru, Huamantanga, Lima Metropolitan Area

Climate change has led to shorter, more violent rainy seasons in the highlands around Lima, Peru, meaning that - even though there is theoretically enough water during the rainy season to sustain the local population, it flows downhill too quickly, leaving residents short of clean water during the dry season. Now, an organization called Condesan is helping the community to restore ancient stone canals from the seventh century that will help to store water from rainfall through the dry season and supply residents with a steady water source.

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The Power of a Calm Sea

Russell Beard

May 18, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland

As the global demand for energy continually increases, the strain on natural resources and the detrimental effects of fossil fuels become more problematic. But new developments in renewable energy technologies may provide new solutions. Minesto, a company based out of Northern Ireland, has a new device - structured something like an underwater kite - that allows for the constant harvesting of tidal power, regardless of current weather or wave conditions.

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Dutch Aquatecture: Engineering a Future on the Water

Russell Beard

May 11, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Netherlands

As climate change causes global sea levels to rise, nations around the world are increasingly concerned about threats to infrastructure and livelihoods. But the Dutch have been keeping the sea at bay for centuries using a variety of methods and technologies. Their designs and plans - such as floating buildings - may provide solutions for other countries looking to evolve and adapt to changing ocean levels.

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Catching Waves and Turning Them Into Electricity

Amy Yee

April 22, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Perth, Western Australia

Researches off the coast of western Australia are harnessing power from the ocean's waves in a new pilot project involving buoys. In their current state, the buoys are able to generate a small percentage of electricity for a nearby military base as well as aid in powering a desalination plant.

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Can saltwater quench our growing thirst?

Brian Bienkowski

April 13, 2015 |

Ensia |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

Population growth, climate change, and droughts are factors that have depleted the world’s freshwater resources. Scientists around the world have experimented with desalination of salt water to increase the supply the drinking water and have achieved positive results. In 2015, more countries and cities in the world look to provide desalination, including California’s $1 billion effort to build a plant for San Diego.

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