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Rwanda invests in model villages to tackle poverty

Tara Heidger

November 13, 2019 |

News Decoder |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Rwanda

Rwanda is taking a controversial approach to tackling poverty within its borders—literally moving people from rural areas into model villages. On one hand, it alleviates the first markers of poverty: having a roof over one's head, access to infrastructure, running water, etc. But on the other hand, the people moved do not have a choice in the matter and now have to figure out how to build a life in a new community. Some villages have turned out to be more successful than others.

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After cyclone Fani, women in a migrant fishing community start resilience fund

Sahana Ghosh

November 12, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Penthakatha, Odisha

After an unexpected summer cyclone in the Indian state of Odisha, hundreds of women from slums across the region formed a community fund for disaster preparedness. The women all try to contribute 10 rupees per month to the fund, slowly building their security net in case of another natural disaster.

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Galvanized by disaster

Beth Edwards

November 11, 2019 |

Indiana Environmental Reporter |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Goshen, Indiana

After devastating floods hit the town of Goshen, the small town in Indiana used the experience as an opportunity to work towards disaster preparedness. Focusing not just on what would work best against environmental change and the subsequent severe weather created by it but also what would move the city forward, the mayor has been able to implement a series of changes including partnerships to increase awareness as well as community youth involvement.

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The Next Pandemic Is Out There. Is the Private Sector Ready?

B. David Zarley

November 08, 2019 |

Freethink |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

In 2019, a Pandemic Response Board made up of international leaders was created to determine a course of action should a contagious outbreak such as SARS occur. Although the director general of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control was not able to join, the region's response to Lassa virus offered lessons to the team, such as the benefits of private-public partnerships and eliminating the spread of misinformation by joining forces with social media outlets.

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Heat waves: How France has cut death toll 90% since 2003

Peter Ford

November 04, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France

Chagrined by its lack of planning that contributed to many deaths in a 2003 heat wave, France developed a coordinated national response that in 2019 cut the death toll by 90% despite even higher temperatures. By paying particular attention to vulnerable elderly people living alone, and requiring officials at all levels of government to communicate warnings and advice clearly, the government promoted simple safety measures and awareness of risks in effective ways, including discouraging outdoor recreation and closely monitoring and cooling older residents.

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'Lots of us have skeletons:' South Burlington firefighters learn yoga, meditation to stay well

Elizabeth Murray

November 03, 2019 |

Burlington Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Burlington, Vermont

Vermont’s South Burlington fire department has started offering its firefighters yoga and meditation services as a way to cope with trauma. The services are offered by the Vermont Center for Responder Wellness, which was created as a response to the traumatic experiences many first responders face. The training includes mindfulness, breathing, stretching, and refocusing.

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Multnomah County Trees Are Doing Much More Than We Think

Monica Samayoa Priyanka Runwal

November 01, 2019 |

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Friends of Trees, a nonprofit organization in the Portland area, are not just planting trees because they help combat climate change and improve air quality, but because they also help stop major flooding and avoid erosion. While it can be expensive to maintain the trees and clean up the leaves from storm drains, these trees could prevent millions of gallons of rainfall from flooding neighborhoods as extreme weather events are expected to increase in the future.

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We've Had Terrible Fires. Why Haven't More Homes Burned?

Sharon McNary

October 31, 2019 |

LAist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In and around Los Angeles, firefighters have been able to better respond to wildfires because of better equipment and more personnel. With more off-road trucks, fire helicopters, fire engines, and a new supercomputer system, the fires of 2019 have had less of an impact than in past years. But without a formal analysis – including one that takes into consideration external factors like socioeconomic status – it’s hard to concretely understand why there’s been less damage.

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Drone Swarms and Gene-Altered Corals Fight Climate Change

Tom Gibson Vicky Feng Leila Hussain

October 29, 2019 |

Bloomberg |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Replanting and replenishing damaged ecosystems is crucial to mitigating further adverse effects of climate change. From the forests of the American Pacific Northwest, to the coral reefs around the globe, startups and scientists are working to increase the resilience of natural systems. DroneSeed, in Seattle, WA, leverages drone technology to increase reforestation efforts. Meanwhile, biologists in Thailand are working to cultivate hardy corals.

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Wildfires and blackouts mean Californians need solar panels and microgrids

David Roberts

October 28, 2019 |

Vox |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Localized, distributed energy systems are popping up around California. As the larger electricity system becomes less reliable in the face of wildfires, more individuals are turning to microgrids and solar energy with help from organizations like Clean Coalition and Stone Edge Farm Microgrid. While still happening on a small scale, such energy systems may become more popular as its sustainability in a changing climate shows to be more resilient.

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