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Alternative toilet facilities in schools attract more children in Kibera

Henry Owino

October 02, 2018 |

Talk Africa |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Kibera, Nairobi

In a slum in Kiberia, Kenya, a new invention called Peepoople Kenya (or Peepoo for short) is addressing a mounting sanitation issue from open defecation and lack of clean facilities. The solution is a single-use, biodegradable toilet (via a bag that spreads across a small pot) in new and maintained facilities. Teachers and pupils testify to the cleanliness and usability of the toilets and have even found unexpected benefits as well, like the facilities in a safer location and less time lost from lessons by waiting in line for a latrine.

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This startup lets villagers create mini power grids for their neighbors

Adele Peters

September 28, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Shikarpur

Solshare, a fast-growing startup in Bangladesh, created a system in which “neighbors can sell extra electricity to each other.” The number of home solar panels has been increasing since a 2014 government program put solar power as a priority on its agenda. Even though more and more people have power, up to 30% is estimated to be wasted. Solshare created a microgrid in which cabling connects people who want to buy and sell power.

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Wastewater and public health in the rural South

Melissa Brown

September 24, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hayneville, Alabama

A wastewater infrastructure crisis in the southern United States is much like those found in far less-developed countries. Now researchers and nonprofits are looking to successes in Africa, in an effort to eradicate obscure diseases and improve quality of life.

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In Sweden, Trash Heats Homes, Powers Buses and Fuels Taxi Fleets

Amy Yee

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Linköping

In Sweden, waste is not just waste, or so the country explains with a total of 34 waste-to-energy power plants that turn garbage into electricity. With an already staggering low percentage of waste ending up in landfills, 50 percent of the portion that does is transformed into energy through an incineration process that plays a large part in heating many homes throughout the winter.

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In London, Electric Trucks Are Helping UPS Make ‘Eco-Friendly' Deliveries

Stanley Reed

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

UPS has converted about one-third of its diesel vehicles to electric power, a move backed by the British government to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution in London. While making the switch to electric reveled challenges with the city’s power grid, officials said they have been encouraged by the results of the pilot program, which could also be applicable to other modes of transportation like buses and ambulances in other cities around the world.

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On Hurricane Maria Anniversary, Puerto Rico Is Still in Ruins

Frances Robles Jugal K. Patel

September 20, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico

FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Irma has been the “longest sustained domestic airborne food and water mission in the nation’s history. The agency has never distributed more food or installed more generators.” However, due to bureaucracy and delayed decision making, there are still thousands of Puerto Ricans who have not received aid, or were underserved.

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Berlin's mayor tries to wean Germans off the water bottle

Luisa Beck

September 14, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

Although commonplace in many parts of the world, Berlin has recently adopted the practice of using water fountains to cut back on plastic bottle usage. Not everyone supports this environmental push, but the mayor is hopeful they will at least catch on with tourists who are accustomed to the invention already as well as act as a resource for refilling plastic bottles rather than throwing them away.

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The First Quieter Megacity, Thanks to Electric Vehicles

Blake Schmidt

August 30, 2018 |

Bloomberg |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China, Shenzhen

Massive investment in electric vehicles has reduced noise and air pollution in China. The megacity of Shenzhen, for example, is surprisingly quiet with its fleet of electric buses and ban on gas-powered motorcycles. However, the country’s reliance on coal means that EVs still plug into a dirty grid.

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A major US city will start drinking its own sewage. Others need to follow.

Zoë Schlanger

August 23, 2018 |

Quartz |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, El Paso, Texas

As water shortages continue to be on the rise, so are water expenses. El Paso, Texas is more familiar with this than many other cities due to it's serious lack of rainfall and historically rapid consumption of water. The city's newest approach, however, utilizes a closed-loop water system that cleans and recycles sewage water, making it ready for public consumption.

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Water scheme improves access to safe water

Bill Oketch

August 22, 2018 |

Daily Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Nebbi District

With little access to clean water, the community in the Nebbi District in Uganda were facing health issues. A new government initiative, however, has changed this reality by implementing a water scheme that utilizes technology to trap water and transport it closer to the community.

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