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Can We Turn Down the Temperature on Urban Heat Islands?

Jim Morrison

September 12, 2019 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Text |

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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A simple solution to help cities fight overheating: more trees

Adele Peters

July 20, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

Trees are an effective bulwark against summer heat, providing shade and cooling the air as water evaporates from leaves. A collaborative project mapped heat and other considerations in Dallas and picked the neighborhood of Oak Cliff to plant more than 1,000 trees. The ultimate goal is to revegetate the entire city.

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It turns out vodka and icy roads can be a good mix

Matt Rocheleau

January 30, 2018 |

The Boston Globe |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Although alcohol and driving don't typically go hand-in-hand, researchers found one way to successfully and safely combine the two. By taking the by-products of the distilling process and combining them with the typical road salt that is used to help melt snow during winter conditions, these researchers created a super mixture which enhances the capabilities of melting the ice.

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Arvada shelter keeps local homeless warm

Shanna Fortier

January 03, 2018 |

Colorado Community Media |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Arvada, Colorado

High rates of homelessness are an issue for many cities in America, and the associated perils increase dramatically in severe weather situations. In Colorado's Jefferson County, The Severe Weather Shelter Network, a Christian nonprofit, is working with local churches to offer severe weather shelters for vulnerable populations.

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How Mongolia's nomads are adapting to climate change

Jacopo Pasotti

July 24, 2017 |

Deutsche Welle (DW) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mongolia

Mongolia’s nomadic, pastoral families are banding together to strengthen their resilience in the face of climate change. With their economic livelihoods dependent on livestock production, they feel the effects of warming temperatures more than many. By combining their resources and communally managing their pastures, they’ve been able to be less vulnerable to severe weather.

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How the Fastest-Warming City in the Country Is Cooling Off

Erica Peterson

December 09, 2014 |

Politico |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

Although residents turn up their air conditioners, Louisville heat is increasing the city’s death rate by 39 people every year. The city mayor launched a tree commission for planting more trees and since 2011 has planted over 12,000 trees. The canopies from the tree offer cooling shade and bring down the temperature of the city as a whole. The response also includes the installation of green roofs and in-depth research on urban heat islands.

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Coral cultivation offers hope to devastated western Indian Ocean reefs

Wanjohi Kabukuru

March 29, 2014 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Seychelles, Roche Caiman, Victoria

Warming water has led to the collapse of coral reef systems in the western Indian Ocean, essential to fisheries, protecting shorelines, and reducing beach erosion and sea-level rise. Marine scientists from Nature Seychelles, as part of an international project to protect and restore the reefs, are promoting varieties of coral that they have found to be resistant to the rise in temperature.

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