Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • They Said the Tornado Would Hit at 9:30. It Hit at 9:30.

    December 14, 2021 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Mayfield, Kentucky

    Advances in meteorological technology have helped drive down the fatality rate from tornadoes in the U.S. to a fraction of what it was a century ago. Violent tornadoes rarely evade advance detection, thanks to weather satellites, advances in radar, and a communication system to announce warnings. The deadly tornadoes that struck Kentucky and other states in December 2021 illustrate the ways in which even this system – one scientist called it "one of the most incredible success stories in applied science" – can fail, including when people ignore warnings or buildings cannot withstand the high winds.

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  • On wildfire patrol: Volunteers gauge success by blazes that don't start

    December 06, 2021 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, California

    In Orange County, a group of more than 300 volunteers patrol public spaces and remote highways when there's the threat of a fire. They are called the Orange County Fire Watch. Some of the things they do include educating the public, preventing blazes from growing into larger fires, and discouraging arsonists. The group patrols the area up to 20 days a year.

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  • He lost his best friend in a mudslide. Now he's using coconuts to fight deforestation in West Africa.

    December 03, 2021 |

    The Washington Post |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Sierra Leone, Freetown

    Alhaji Siraj Bah created Rugsal Trading to decrease deforestation in Sierra Leone. One of the reasons people clear forests is to make wood-based charcoal for fuel. In order to address that need while enouraging sustainability, Bah's company makes a charcoal substitute out of coconut scraps. They've made $11,000 in revenue and produced 100 tons of coconut briquettes.

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  • How Bangladesh is beating the odds on climate disaster deaths

    December 02, 2021 |

    The New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN) |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Bangladesh

    In 1970 Cyclone Bhola hit Bangladesh. It killed up to 500,000 people. Since then, the country has revamped its emergency disaster preparedness through a multipronged process, reducing its cyclone-related deaths by 100 fold. Now, the country collects weather data from more than 50 weather stations. The data is sent to mitigation committees which dispense the info to people through various methods: radio, text messages, and even doorknocking. The country also has a volunteer program with 76,000 volunteers and increased the number of multi-purpose shelters from 44 in 1970 to 512 in 1991.

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  • The U.S. Government Is Wasting Billions on Ineffective Wildfire Policy

    November 30, 2021 |

    Slate |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    The U.S. Forest Service and the state of California's Cal Fire pour billions of dollars into waging all-out war on massive wildfires. Huge camps for firefighters, heavy equipment, and elaborate airborne resources make up the arsenal thrown at a problem that is growing thanks in part to climate change. But the efforts are largely wasteful and ineffective because of the scope of the problem and the lack of focus on aspects of the problem that can be controlled better, such as fires at the "wildland-urban interface" where human habitation meets the forest.

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  • New York City Is Building a Wall of Oysters to Fend Off Floods

    November 19, 2021 |

    Bloomberg |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    From New York City to Texas, localities are using oysters to protect themselves from flooding. They are dropping oysters along the coast for baby oysters to grown on, ultimately leading to the creation of wall-like reefs. The oyster reefs mitigate the blow of big waves during hurricanes. A study showed that reef-protected areas dissipated waves and had 54% less erosion. Building oyster reefs form part of a larger movement known as "green infrastructure" to manage the effects of climate change, as opposed to building concrete infrastructure like sea walls and dikes.

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  • After prison, the fight to be a firefighter

    November 10, 2021 |

    San Francisco Chronicle |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, California

    One year after California legislators created a legal opening for formerly incarcerated firefighters to use their prison training to land firefighter jobs on the outside, the system envisioned by the law's supporters has failed to materialize. Felony criminal records serve as a barrier to employment in such jobs ordinarily. The law was intended to create a pathway through expunging those records for people trained to fight wildfires while in prison. A slow, poorly planned rollout and lack of tracking data means no one knows how many have benefited, though it appears few have thanks to a daunting process.

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  • Four ways Mozambique is adapting to the climate crisis

    November 01, 2021 |

    The New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN) |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Mozambique

    According to the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index Mozambique was the fifth country most affected by extreme weather over the past two decades. This article takes an in-depth analysis into four aspects of the country's climate crisis response; early warning systems, flood defense, resettlement sites, and rebuilding houses. The article evaluates both its failures and successes.

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  • Pueblos in New Mexico turn to goats for fire management

    October 29, 2021 |

    High Country News |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Sandia Pueblo, New Mexico

    Tribes in New Mexico have enlisted over 70 goats to help clear dry brush, branches, and invasive plants, which can otherwise become fuel for potential fires. The program, which has been running for almost a whole year has proven successful and it serves a dual purpose--the goats eat, and the chances of potential fires are greatly reduced. "Sandia Pueblo’s goat experiment has garnered interest from other tribes that see goats as a more natural way to tend the land than heavy machinery and chemicals."

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  • Technology gives critical assist to firefighting efforts

    October 28, 2021 |

    Local News Matters |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, California

    In California, first responders have implemented technology to assist with wildfires and evacuations. The two tools are ALERTWildfire and Zonehaven. ALERTWildfire is a system of cameras that help firefighters locate, confirm, and detect the size of the wildfire before they even leave the station. There are 900 cameras installed throughout the state. Zonehaven is a tool that allows first responders to communicate evacuation plans to residents. The program has been used in multiple counties and jurisdictions.

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