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Denmark May Hold the Key to Integrating Large Amounts of Intermittent Renewables

Silvio Marcacci

July 27, 2016 |

Green Tech Media |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

Denmark has consistently maintained a commitment to energy independence since the 1970s when their first policies were put in place. Through collaborations among government actors, grid operators, and utilities, it has built one of the most reliable sustainable energy grids, most notably with 40% of its electricity powered by wind.

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How Congress made micro-hydro easier for mountain towns

Allen Best

July 25, 2016 |

Mountain Town News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Grand Lake, Colorado

Micro-hydro projects in the United States have become much more accessible and more financially viable since Congress passed a law in 2013 making it easier for small hydroelectric projects to get federal approval. Specifically, water treatment plants that can retrofit their systems to generate electricity are an excellent energy opportunity. The plant in Grand Lake now produces more electricity than it consumes.

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How a new source of water is helping reduce conflict in the Middle East

Rowan Jacobson

July 19, 2016 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Israel, Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel experienced extreme drought a few years ago and its water supply was very low. National campaigns to install desalination plants have helped Israel turnaround its inadequate water supply into a surplus. The water scientists who have helped make this surplus see an opportunity for water diplomacy and the de-politicization of water in the Middle East so that more of it can be shared with other geographies.

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Controversial Railway Splits Kenya's Parks, Threatens Wildlife

Jacob Kushner

April 18, 2016 |

National Geographic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Tsavo

As a new railway is built in Kenya, conservationists are using satellite collars to study elephant movement and how they interact with the transport system. There are some overpasses at various points throughout the track for the elephants to cross through, but little is known about how they are passing under the railway. While building overpasses can be costly, conservationists hope the data can convince the government to ensure that any future infrastructure will include this design to allow the animals to migrate.

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Can we Quake-Proof a City?

Neal Razzell

March 22, 2016 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Nepal

Can we engineer buildings to prevent collapse in earthquakes? The answer is yes, and the Inquiry dives into how better building design can save more and more lives as urban density increases.

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How NASA accidentally found a way to make buildings safer during earthquakes

Margo Pierce

February 22, 2016 |

Quartz |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Huntsville, Alabama

NASA developed a new stabilizing technology, known as the LOX Damper, in 2013 after working on a violently shaking rocket. Testing revealed that the technology could help design earthquake-proof buildings.

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How to Save a Sinking Coast? Katrina Created a Laboratory

John Schwartz

August 07, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, Louisiana and federal officials launched an audacious $50 billion master plan to rebuild the receding coast in an effort to mitigate the effects future storms. These are expensive and massive in scale, and although success is not guaranteed, they're attracting interest from cities around the U.S., and low-lying countries like Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Moving beyond engineered “solutions” of the past, many of these efforts focus on rebuilding land through methods that mimic natural processes for building land mass and vegetation.

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How to Grow More Food with Less Water

Matt Weiser

August 03, 2015 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bushland, Texas

The U.S. government has developed different sensors for irrigation devices that gauge water demand and help conserve use. as water shortages caused by drought have increased across the globe, and farmers are faced with economic burdens, such technology is focusin on sustainability for the future.

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Beer and business: the unexpected benefits of water access in Cameroon

Elias Ntungwe Ngalame

July 07, 2015 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Cameroon

Cameroon was plagued by droughts, water-related illnesses, and an influx of refugees--all of which required a surplus of clean water. The government devised solar panel water distribution systems, which brought fresh water for irrigation. The surplus also inspired citizens of Cameroon to start small businesses that used the water, including brewing beer.

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How Detroit Taught Itself to Demolish Vacant Houses Safely

Cassie Owens

June 12, 2015 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

To develop new demolition standards, the Detroit Building Authority brought together a best practices working group that met biweekly. Under the new system, a pre-demolition review takes place to, among other things, plan out what will be recycled or salvaged. When an excavator claws through a building, a water truck or fire hose has to be dousing the structure to inhibit the reach of particulate matter—limiting the environmental and health impacts.

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