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Houses intact after Hurricane Michael were often saved by low-cost reinforcements

Patricia Sullivan

October 17, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Blountstown, Florida

Small, cost-effective improvements to home construction were often the difference between houses that suffered small amounts of damage from Florida hurricanes and those that were destroyed. Knowing to ask for extra nails, strong windows, and hurricane clips for their roof, home owners can not only save their homes but save money from decreased insurance and energy costs.

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This professor wants to power Puerto Rico with a little help from Reddit

Justine Calma

October 17, 2018 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Puerto Rico, San Juan

After Hurricane Maria devastated much of Puerto Rico, much of the country was left without power and some were subsequently left sick due to fumes from generators. After receiving a call from a relative in his home county, Professor Monxo Lopez of New York City’s Hunter College was determined to create affordable solar for his home country.

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In A Drying Climate, Colorado's 'Water Cop' Patrols For Water Thieves

Luke Runyon

October 11, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Montezuma, Colorado

In Colorado’s water-scarce Montezuma County, having a designated law enforcement official for water conflict is necessary. Dave Huhn is a sheriff’s deputy specializing in water law, responding to 60-100 calls each month – most of which are about water theft. As the region becomes more arid, it also becomes more ripe for conflict, making those who know the intricacies of water law more necessary than ever.

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Fighting fires with goats

Ammar Ebrahim

October 10, 2018 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: Spain, Girona, Catalonia

In northern Spain, the Fire Flocks project uses goats to clear vegetation between grassland, bushes and treetops because this can help stop the spread of future wildfires. This depends on shepherds moving herds to key areas that are vulnerable to fire. It’s a difficult life, so the project supports shepherds by encouraging butchers to sell goat products with the Fire Flocks brand to get support for the organization’s efforts.

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New tsunami warning system

Marco Werman

October 01, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Indonesia, Sulawesi

The warning system in Indonesia to alert residents of tsunamis could not prevent disaster in Sulawesi because it hasn't worked for six years after many of the surface buoys were vandalized. However, a new system is underway where sensors on the bottom of the ocean detect tsunami waves and send acoustic signals back to shore, giving people 20 to 30 minutes warning to evacuate. A prototype has been installed, with more testing and infrastructure development planned.

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This building designed to flood is a glimpse of things to come

Katharine Schwab

September 28, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai

At a factory in Mumbai, clever design and “resilient architecture” join together to form the “Concrete Void,” a space designed to hold water during India’s monsoon season. Rather than trying to keep the water out, the architect designed the factory such that this Concrete Void, positioned below the higher level of the factory, holds water in the rainy season. In the off-season, it functions as an amphitheater space for workers to gather. As climate change becomes more of a threat, more types of this resilient architecture are expected to be created.

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Lessons From Katrina: This Organization Tries to Get Hurricane Florence Survivors Home Quicker

Deonna Anderson

September 27, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Bern, North Carolina

In the aftermath of natural disasters, like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, SBP is an organization that works to provide long-term assistance for affected communities through a limited volunteer base, partnerships with local organizations, and a focus on the disproportionate impact that disasters have on already marginalized communities. And although the group's main purpose is to provide long-term recovery assistance, they've found it is vital to have a rapid disaster-response to prevent mistakes of the past.

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How Facebook's Disaster Maps is helping aid organizations serve people affected by Florence

Ben Paynter

September 24, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Raleigh, North Carolina

To better position services during and after natural disasters, many nonprofits are turning towards mapping technology. Specifically, Facebook’s Disaster Maps share usage data to indicate movement, such as where people evacuated before Hurricane Florence. Humanity Road is another map source that includes data on infrastructure. Putting this information together, nonprofits such as Direct Relief can more accurately target their emergency response services.

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Will More Logging Ease Wildfires? Canada Holds Answers

Nate Hegyi

September 20, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Canada

As regions look for solutions to fight wildfires in the midst of climate change, some call for logging companies to take greater responsibility. While the argument is not new that less trees means less fires, it's the smaller logging companies that are taking the biggest actions focusing their efforts on removing smaller logs despite potential impact to profits.

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On Hurricane Maria Anniversary, Puerto Rico Is Still in Ruins

Frances Robles Jugal K. Patel

September 20, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico

FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Irma has been the “longest sustained domestic airborne food and water mission in the nation’s history. The agency has never distributed more food or installed more generators.” However, due to bureaucracy and delayed decision making, there are still thousands of Puerto Ricans who have not received aid, or were underserved.

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