This collection takes a look at various efforts being implemented by people throughout the world to reclaim the land that they value. Despite facing opposition, these five stories represent the resilient nature of both the physical land and the people that put stock in maintaining it. In a time where we are often told, “it is too late” to reverse negative impacts on the earth, these people are responding with, “but we can still try.” Instead of promoting Band-Aids on injuries, each of these stories exemplify how you can take what may be broken, and not just try to fix it, but make it even stronger going forward through sustainable solutions.
http://www.upworthy.com/belize-is-working-hard-to-save-coral-reefs-these-kids-may-be-their-secret-weapon
James Gaines
Upworthy
12 August 2016
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Could kids be part of the solution in the fight to save coral reefs? These researchers in Belize think so. The Community Researcher Training Program, managed by James Foley and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), is an environmental institute in Belize that invites students from local communities to conduct research that may have a direct impact on saving these reefs.
https://www.fastcodesign.com/3060998/experimental-city-how-rotterdam-became-the-world-leader-in-sustainable-urb
Adele Peters
FastCompany
5 December 2016
Text / Over 3000 Words
Rotterdam, a port city once at the center of trade and commerce, is now threatened by climate change. The city has responded to this threat by totally transforming itself into a hub for sustainable design. It embraces crazy, environmentally friendly solutions. From a floating dairy farm to a home enclosed in a greenhouse to basketball courts that soak up rainwater, Rotterdam has established itself as a leader in sustainable urban design. By 2025, the city plans to be completely climate-proof.
http://e360.yale.edu/features/reclaiming-appalachia-a-push-to-bring-back-native-forests-to-coal-country
Elizabeth McGowan
Yale E360
14 December 2017
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Tearing down trees to save a forest? While that may not sound like a solution, it could in fact be the key to restoring the former forest that inhabited the Appalachian region in the Eastern United States. “Ripping so deep might seem extreme, but it’s the only way to give these native trees a chance,” says Chris Barton, co-founder of non-profit Green Forests Works and a professor specializing in forest hydrology and watershed management, by means of explaining the ongoing effort he and other researchers, scientists and non-profits are making to reclaim native forests in this region.
https://thefern.org/2017/02/reclaiming-native-ground-can-louisianas-tribes-restore-traditional-diets-waters-rise
Barry Yeoman
Food and Environment Reporting Network
9 February 2017
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
Tribal areas in Louisiana are suffering from massive land loss due to flooding, which has taken away a lot of food sources and livelihood. In response, the First People's Conservation Council has been created, which includes tribe members, government representatives and nonprofit representatives in order to develop solutions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/world/2017/03/31/while-trump-promotes-coal-other-countries-are-turning-to-cheap-sun-power
Nick Miroff
Washington Post
21 March 2017
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
The Atacama Desert in Chili is known to be so arid, that very little can survive the harsh climate. Despite its inhospitable climate, however, it is the world’s best place to produce solar energy. In fact, it's so ideal for producing solar energy, the Chilean Energy Minister Andrés Rebolledo claims that “we’re talking about an infinite fuel source.”
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