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University of Arizona researchers unveil new model for desert farming in warming world

Henry Brean

September 20, 2020 |

Arizona Daily Star |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

In an experimental garden in Arizona, scientists are seeing how to produce sustainable and local food in a desert environment. They’re growing plants under a photovoltaic “canopy” of solar panels that provide necessary shade for the crops and, at the same time, generate cheap, renewable energy for irrigation systems and farm equipment. So far, they’ve been able to grow basil, Anasazi red beans, and a special bell pepper. While not all crops will work in this system and scaling the garden has its challenges, learning how to grow food in the desert is necessary to adapt to a future with climate change.

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How Europe's Greenest Capital Is Saving City Trees

Edward Belleville

August 03, 2020 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

Cities around the world are using apps and interactive platforms to encourage resident volunteers to care for their urban forests. For example, in Berlin, Gieß den Kiez (Water the Neighborhood) is an app that allows users to watch their local trees and water them in times of need. When the app launched, there were 1,000 unique users and over 7,000 individual tree waterings in the first six weeks. However, the cost of planting and maintaining trees can be expensive and where the trees are located in cities and who benefits from them is not always equitable.

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'Cool pavement' experiments help urban planners find ways to ease rising temperatures

Erin Stone

May 15, 2020 |

AZ Central (The Arizona Republic) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

To combat the effects of rising temperatures due to climate change, Los Angeles piloted an experiment called “cool pavements,” where they coat streets with a light-colored sealant to reflect heat. Researchers are studying how effective this method is at reducing the urban heat island effect. Using a mobile sensor station, they found mixed results: While the surface temperature of the road was cooler, a person could feel warmer on the reflective roads. Figuring out how to balance different heat-mitigating strategies could be helpful as cities like Phoenix figure out how to implement cooling infrastructure.

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

Peter Ford

November 04, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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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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Facing unbearable heat, Qatar has begun to air-condition the outdoors

Steven Mufson

October 16, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Qatar, Doha

In Qatar, where temperatures have reached unbearably high degrees, an engineering professor at Qatar University has designed a way to provide air conditioning to the outdoors. Although the method is arguably not a solution for climate change and could actually have negative impacts, it is successfully allowing people in the country to be able to leave the their homes, which in turn benefits the economy of the country.

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Climate Resilience on Detroit's East Side

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak

September 13, 2019 |

Belt Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Working toward environmental justice takes organizing on the community level. In Detroit, the Women of Empowerment promote resilience against the adverse effects of climate change on the city’s east side by spearheading projects that range from legal cases to the installation of solar panels. The group also partners with local nonprofits like the Eastside Community Network and Heatwaves Housing and Health (HHH), to collect data that can inform climate-resilient city planning.

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Can We Turn Down the Temperature on Urban Heat Islands?

Jim Morrison

September 12, 2019 |

Yale Environment 360 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Researchers are using citizen science volunteers to more accurately identify hot spots in cities, where some temperatures are significantly higher than their surrounding areas. The data has also shown that there is a correlation between lower-income neighborhoods and higher temperatures. Climate change is expected to increase the number of extreme weather events, including heat waves, so mapping these urban heat islands can help cities develop new urban planning strategies.

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Spray Parks Have Been Helping To Keep Cape Town Cool

Christine Ro

September 03, 2019 |

Forbes |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Cape Town

As temperatures across the world increase, many low-income areas are being hit the hardest without anywhere to turn. In South Africa, spray parks are becoming more popular as a solution, providing an inclusive place for children to not only play, but also keep cool in the rising heat.

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Heat is deadly—even in Montana. But the city of Missoula is doing something about it.

Laurie Mazur

August 29, 2019 |

The Daily Climate |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Missoula, Montana

Adapting to climate change takes planning and partnerships. In Missoula, Montana, partnerships with nonprofits like Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX) and Climate Smart Missoula reinforce the city’s climate planning. TEX connects cities and urban planners with professors, experts, and other nonprofits that can assist in tackling climate change issues. By layering socioeconomic data over a heat map of the city, TEX scientists could reveal populations at highest risk of extreme temperature impacts. The team then shared data with health officials, policy makers, and the community.

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Planting Trees to Help Dallas Breathe

Katelyn Newman

August 07, 2018 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In 2016, the Texas Trees Foundation and federal Trust for Public Land partnered to use GIS technology in greening Dallas, Texas, and plant some 1,000 trees to start. Not only does the initiative reduce respiratory problems like asthma--over the next 40 years, the new tree cover is expected to create about $2.9 million in environmental benefits, sucking around 250 tons of CO2 from the air and capturing around 4 million gallons of stormwater.

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