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Climate change: 'Sand battery' could solve green energy's big problem

Matt McGrath

July 05, 2022 |

BBC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Finland, Kankaanpää

A team of Finnish engineers havevinstalled the first commercial battery made of sand, which can store green energy in it for months. Solar panels or wind turbines generate electricity, which is then stored as heat in the sand battery. When needed, the battery can discharge hot air to heat up water which is then used to heat homes, offices, and a swimming pool. This solution may be difficult to scale, but it’s a low-cost storage idea that could be useful when it’s cold and energy is more expensive.

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Soilless Farming to the Rescue. How to Boost Agriculture Without Hurting Forests

Abdullah Tijani

June 30, 2022 |

Foundation for Investigative Journalism |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

A Nigerian agricultural entrepreneur is embracing hydroponics — a method that grows crops with water and no soil — as an alternative to farming methods that have led to land degradation. Because of Adebowale Onafowora’s knowledge, he has trained more than 20,000 people; and helped set up over 200 hydroponic centers. His inspiration led to the establishment of the Landmark University Greenhouse and Hydroponic Technology Centre, a place for research and training in the technique.

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How one New Hampshire sawmill is taking a stand against big timber

Whitney Bauck

May 24, 2022 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Timberdoodle Farm in New Hampshire provides locally logged and processed lumber for its clients, a stark contrast to larger timber companies which source wood all over the world. For example, the small sawmill produces about 100,000 board feet of wood per year compared with other companies that produce that much each day. The difference is that these smaller operations can better utilize lumber that would otherwise go to waste.

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Eco-friendly firefighting foam is based on soap

Yui Sawada

May 11, 2022 |

J-Stories |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Japan, Fukuoka

Shabondama Soap, a company based in Japan, manufactures an eco-friendly foam extinguishing agent that can be used to fight wildfires. After an experiment showed that the shop can put out a fire quickly and with less water, the company started introducing it to other regions of the world including Indonesia and Thailand.

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A Night Market Creates Opportunity for Black Communities

Morgan Florsheim

May 03, 2022 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

An evening market in Nashville provides a location for local Black business owners to sell goods and gain exposure.

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How "Kitovu Technology" Improves Small-scale Farming, Food Security In Nigeria

Angela Umoru

April 26, 2022 |

Prime Progress |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Iseyin, Oyo State

Kitovu Technology is a social enterprise that aims to use data and technology to help farmers in Nigeria increase their crop yields and access new markets. Since 2017, the company has trained over 300 agents to work with about 12,000 farmers on using the mobile app to track their progress. The company also partnered with the government on a pilot program to introduce an electronic warehouse system to allow farmers to store their grains.

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A mudslide killed his family — so this entrepreneur is using coconuts to help prevent future disasters

Lilian Manansala

April 18, 2022 |

Business Insider |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Sierra Leone

Rugsal Trading turns coconut waste into fire fuel as an alternative to wood. Replacing wood and charcoal with this fuel can prevent deforestation and deadly mudslides.

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Liberian women leading the way in tackling plastic pollution

Tina Mehnpaine

April 04, 2022 |

African Women in Media (AWiM) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Liberia, Monrovia

A recycling initiative in Liberia turns plastic waste into tiles and provides income for the women who collect it. From picking up plastics, some women can earn up to $40 a week. While it’s not always easy, picking up the waste has also unblocked drains which has reduced flooding.

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In Austria, the Government Pays to Repair Your Stuff

Kaja Šeruga

March 22, 2022 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Austria, Vienna

In 2020, Vienna, Austria launched a program to subsidize half the cost of repairs to items such as clothing, electronics, bicycles, and furniture. The initiative supported the repair of more than 35,000 items, saving 850 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and spurring other localities, such as Thüringen, Germany, and Portland, Oregon, to roll out their own repair bonus schemes.

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California Gives a Big Boost to Corner Stores that Sell Fresh Produce

S. E. Smith

February 22, 2022 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, the state's Healthy Grant Refrigeration Program is enabling corner stores and small markets with means for refrigeration and distribution channels so they can offer fresh food to residents in their communities who otherwise do not have access to it.

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