Climate storytelling, nuclear production, & more

Nuclear sign. Photo by Kilian Karger on Unsplash

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Chinatown Stitch design moves forward. The Chinatown Stitch – a project to build a cap over the Vine Street Expressway in order to reconnect Chinatown – is moving forward due to a $10 million grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). The project suffered a major blow last year when the Trump administration rescinded a $159 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant. With the funds from DVRPC, design work will continue over the next two years as city officials lobby for the return of federal funding. Billy Penn

Climate storytelling collective opens applications for writing program. The Buried Creek Collective is accepting applications for their first annual Climate Education for Writers program taking place in the fall. For one month, participants will visit local climate change-impacted sites and immerse themselves in place-based curricula. Buried Creek Collective aims to inspire “participants to discover reasons to hope, and to feel empowered to put their optimism into action” during the program, says Stephanie Feldman, one of the members of the collective.

Nuclear science company is the latest to join the former oil refinery site. TerraPower Isotopes is the latest resident to take up space at the Bellwether District in South Philadelphia, the former site of an oil refinery. TerraPower will manufacture an isotope that is being tested as a cancer treatment. Company spokespeople say that, although radioactive material will be handled on site, there will be no health risks to nearby residents. WHYY

City and partners clean legacy dumping site at Pennypack Park. The City announced on Tuesday that it is beginning a large-scale cleanup to remove legacy dumping in Pennypack Park. The remediation effort will include removing large waste such as furniture, appliances, and cars, as well as installing preventative measures such as fencing and signage. Pennypack Park is a critical watershed park that ultimately drains into the Delaware River.

Cover photo: Photo by Kilian Karger on Unsplash

Angie Bacha

Angie Bacha (she/her) is a Philadelphia-based solutions journalist and recent Erasmus Mundus Master's in Journalism, Media and Globalisation student in Aarhus, Denmark. Previously, she worked as a student journalist at Community College of Philadelphia and Editorial Intern at Resolve Philly. Some other hats she has worn: Human Rights and Theatre Studies graduate; teaching artist; carpenter; AmeriCorps volunteer; and rock climbing gym shift supervisor.