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How Dutch stormwater management could mitigate damage from hurricanes

Nichole Marks

July 21, 2019 |

CBS News |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Netherlands, Rotterdam

Designing room for rivers and coastlines can mitigate catastrophe. Following a massive flood in 1953, the Dutch government reallocated its resources toward disaster prevention and mitigation. Through measures like building surge barriers and reservoirs into recreational spaces, the Dutch have moved implemented defensive design methods. Additionally, by lowering some dykes, practices have moved from flood control to controlled flooding. The Dutch Water Ambassador serves a global role advising the UN and other countries about the Dutch engineering and design methods.

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How Sonoma's Vineyards Survived a Siege of Fire, Smoke and Ash

Michele Bigley

July 03, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sonoma, California

Through collective action and informed practices, such as promoting grazing in vineyards, residents in fire-ravaged communities build a more resilient future. Across California’s wine region, locals have begun to reorient their way of life to mitigate the effects of future wildfires. The Good Fire Alliance, nonprofit group of organizations, focuses on promoting community resilience to wildfires, educating about safe burning practices, grazing, and encouraging general fire-ecology awareness.

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They were raped during Colombia's civil war. Now they want justice for their children.

Megan Janetsky

June 24, 2019 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia

Following the Colombian civil war, the country enacted The Victims’ Law, which centered on providing reparations to those affected by violence and war. But since its creation, the law has only provided reparations to less than 11% of those who have applied, and for women survivors, it’s even less. Women, who are disproportionately affected by war because of the use of sexual assault, are coming together under the National Tablle for Victim’s Participation, are demanding more.

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Low-cost resilient houses could help Mozambique survive future storms

Adele Peters

March 22, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Mozambique, Beira

Climate change is causing storms to intensify across the world, resulting in mass destruction that ruins peoples homes. Mozambique has recently experienced this reality when a tropical storm resulted in a massive flood that overtook parts of the country. To help prevent future destruction, cities are focusing efforts on building more resilient homes that stand a better chance of surviving similar events.

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A new laser-toting disaster lab aims to save lives by saving data

Hallie Golden

February 26, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Collecting data in the moments after a natural disaster occurs is key to understanding their impact as well as increasing preparedness. When a disaster strikes, the RAPID Facility, a partnership between several universities headquartered at the University of Washington, dispatches researchers armed with drones and other high tech to collect crucial data such as aerial photos of disaster zones, and 3D images of damage. RAPID then makes the data publicly available in an effort to improve hazard forecasts.

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A year of disaster relief shows how important cash is in helping to rebuild

Ben Paynter

January 04, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Puerto Rico

Nonprofit organization Direct Relief is providing financial assistance to organizations and communities struck by natural disasters or extreme poverty, in addition to traditional goods like medicines, vaccines, and equipment. Realizing the sustainability of cash over goods, Direct Relief's funding has helped organizations staff up in times of crisis, or install long-term solutions like converting to solar energy.

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Newcastle's 'digital twin' to help city plan for disasters

Tom White

December 30, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: England, Newcastle

Thanks to technology used in "Formula One teams and engine manufacturers like Rolls Royce," Newcastle is digitally replicating the entire city in order to project potential natural disaster occurrence and population increases. In doing so, the city is able to prepare for ways to act should a disaster occur.

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What went wrong with New Orleans transit?

Tanya Snider

November 20, 2018 |

Politico |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans

After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans' public transportation system had to be rebuilt, but poor planning and the nature of transportation investments means that the new transit system still doesn't work for those who need transit to access jobs and opportunity. The story of New Orleans is one that other cities can learn from to ensure they plan for transportation systems work for everyone.

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California Wildfires Destroy Homes and Lives. Why Do Regulators Encourage Building in Fire Zones?

Christian Britschgi

November 14, 2018 |

Reason |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, Proposition 103 – a decades-old ballot initiative – disincentivizes homeowners affected by wildfires to rebuild in less fire-prone zones. The proposition – which can only be reversed through another ballot initiative – bars insurers from raising their rates based on future risks, meaning people who live in fire zones are not paying a higher rate. Furthermore, because of these regulations and the lack of response to the problem, insurance agencies often err on the side of caution and won’t sell policies at all, leaving some people uninsured entirely.

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Houston Looks for a Smarter, More Equitable Path to Hurricane Recovery

Linda Poon

October 22, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The city of Houston is changing its approach to measuring the full scope of damage from Hurricane Harvey so it can get help where it is most needed and improve future flood mitigation. Using data from numerous sources, Civis Analytics found unmet housing needs were far greater than initially recorded and low-income areas were hit disproportionately harder, even though recovery funding often goes to areas with higher housing values. Now city officials are working to implement solutions based on the data in order to allocate limited funds where they will be most effective.

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