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Are bioplastics better for the environment than conventional plastics?

Anja Krieger

July 16, 2019 |

Ensia |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

As people around the world become increasingly aware of the harmful nature of plastic use, bioplastics have risen in popularity. But the term “bioplastic” actually means different things and the type of bioplastics out there may or may not be as environmentally-friendly as they purport. While scientists continue to experiment in the design of a truly biodegradable plastic, many say that simple reduce and reuse is the way forward.

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What Can We Do About Our Water?

Jennifer Reed

July 01, 2019 |

Gulfshore Life |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sanibel, Florida

On Sanibel Island, Florida, residents know all too well the intensive steps necessary to clean up polluted water. Like many other bodies of water in Florida and across the country, the city has suffered from "nutrition pollution" that has threatened their environment, but comprehensive measures enacted over the past decades - including land use plans that severely restrict development and efforts to educate homeowners on pond management - are helping the area turn around and providing a playbook for other cities.

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What are nature-based solutions?

Amelia Axelsen

June 21, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Nature-based solutions to climate change involve strategic use of greenery to staunch the negative impacts of climate change broadly, but these solutions also have been proven to increase jobs and contribute to the overall economy. For instance, in Portland, the Green Streets project used trees rather than concrete to absorb excess runoff, helping the city in multiple ways in the process.

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‘Some river!' The Cuyahoga River, 1969—present

Rosalie Murphy

June 03, 2019 |

The Devil Strip |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

Fifty years ago, Ohio's Cuyahoga River was filthy, so much so that an infamous fire had to help spark the conversation around water pollution and cleanliness. Now, the river is making a comeback after the introduction of federal level legislation and community efforts to make the river cleaner and safer.

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Technology in the tides

Emily Loewinger

May 02, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Sarasota, Florida

A new submersible machine produced by the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida allows scientists to more effectively spot phytoplankton blooms which can cause red tide. This harmful algal bloom event can wreak havoc on ecosystems and the Programmable Hyperspectral Seawater Scanner is an improvement on an older model. While the maintenance cost can be high, scientists hope the instrument will be able to detect harmful algal blooms early in order to prevent outbreaks.

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The London Marathon's method for reducing plastic bottles: Edible seaweed pouches

Peter Holley

April 29, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

The London Marathon debuted a new, environmentally conscious way of keeping runners hydrated: edible seaweed pouches filled with sports drink. The pouches, or “Ooho,” created by Skipping Rocks Labs, can be eaten along with the liquid inside of them, or users can bite the corner and drink the contents, discarding the seaweed wrapping. This was the first mass use of such pouches, with the hope that they can be used to cut down on plastic at large scale events in the future.

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Mini reefs restore SWFL canals

Carolina Lopez

April 17, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Florida

Oceans Habitats, Inc. has built and installed over 1,600 mini-reefs in Florida to bring aquatic life back to the canals and to improve the water quality. Water filters through these artificial reefs made out of propylene pipe and boosts the variety of fish and marine life species. These reefs can help grow over 300 fish a year. The organization is looking to make the reefs out of recycled material to be more environmentally friendly.

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Straws Made of Seaweed Could Replace Their Plastic Nemesis

Madison Dapcevich

March 14, 2019 |

EcoWatch |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

An innovative solution to the massive amount of plastic in our oceans is a new startup called Loliware. It produces 100% biodegradable straws "that look, feel, and act like plastic" but are actually made of seaweed. Not only do the straws decompose in a few weeks and are gluten-free, non-GMO, and sugar-free, but the process of creating them sequesters carbon dioxide, which further increases their positive environmental impact.

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Vanuatu Has One Of The World's Strictest Plastic Bans. It's About To Get Tougher.

Nick Visser

February 23, 2019 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Vanuatu, Port Vila

What started as a Facebook campaign to ban plastic bags has become legislation in the island country of Vanuatu. The country has banned many single-use plastics, including bags, drinking straws, and containers, and hopes to ban more plastics in the future. Citing a cultural respect for the environment, such legislation has been welcomed by residents.

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What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff

Stephanie Hemphill

January 23, 2019 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Green Bay, Wisconsin

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, farmers are experimenting with BMPs, or best management practices, to farm their land in a way that protects the environment and decrease algae in the water. Five years into the pilot program, early results show some progress - and as more farmers adopt BMPs, the bigger the impact on the waterways will be.

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