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Ensia

a solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet

reporting on our changing planet

 

Life on Earth weighs more than 80 billion school buses — and hardly any of that is animals   Life on Earth weighs more than 80 billion school buses — and hardly any of that is animals Biodiversity, the variety and number of living things, may drive conservation conversations. But… Notable
What price tag would you put on a walk in the woods? nbsp; Article What price tag would you put on a walk in the woods?  
What three generations of California families can tell us about the links between our health and our environment nbsp; Feature What three generations of California families can tell us about the links between our health and our environment  
How 2.4 billion gamers might help save the planet   How 2.4 billion gamers might help save the planet Some 2.4 billion people play video games on computers, consoles and phones. Defying stereotypes… Notable
Scientists around the world are working to turn agricultural waste into food, packaging and more nbsp; Feature Scientists around the world are working to turn agricultural waste into food, packaging and more  
Can we prepare for climate impacts without creating financial chaos? nbsp; Feature Can we prepare for climate impacts without creating financial chaos?  
What does a 1.5-degree lifestyle look like?   What does a 1.5-degree lifestyle look like? The sheer scale of the individual and societal shifts needed to avoid the worst of climate change… Notable
The term “resilience” is everywhere — but what does it really mean? nbsp; Article The term “resilience” is everywhere — but what does it really mean?  
Probiotics help humans stay healthy. Can they benefit other animals, too? nbsp; Article Probiotics help humans stay healthy. Can they benefit other animals, too?  
New UN report outlines steps for ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and sanitation   New UN report outlines steps for ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water and sanitation Three out of every 10 people on Earth lack access to a reliable supply of clean drinking water. Six… Notable
Think native grasslands are just a bunch of “boring grass”? Think again. nbsp; Photo Think native grasslands are just a bunch of “boring grass”? Think again.  
People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they’re gone — bringing both benefit and harm nbsp; Feature People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they’re gone — bringing both benefit and harm  
7 recommendations for incorporating indigenous perspectives into biodiversity conservation   7 recommendations for incorporating indigenous perspectives into biodiversity conservation When it comes to conservation, it’s tempting to think that science is the only guide to good… Notable
Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers nbsp; Feature Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers  
How are we doing with the environment-related Sustainable Development Goals?   How are we doing with the environment-related Sustainable Development Goals? In 2015, the United Nations’ 193 member states established an agenda for the future: 17 Sustainable… Notable
As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure nbsp; Feature As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure  
Irrigation, drought, sea level rise and more are causing salt to build up in soils around the world. What can we do? nbsp; Feature Irrigation, drought, sea level rise and more are causing salt to build up in soils around the world. What can we do?  
Millions of dollars’ worth of food ends up in school trash cans every day. What can we do? nbsp; Feature Millions of dollars’ worth of food ends up in school trash cans every day. What can we do?  
Tech accelerators help nonprofits fast-track technology aimed at solving environmental challenges nbsp; Feature Tech accelerators help nonprofits fast-track technology aimed at solving environmental challenges  
What colored blobs in the brain can tell us about environmental decision making nbsp; Article What colored blobs in the brain can tell us about environmental decision making  
How a small community in the northeastern corner of India became the country’s first green village nbsp; Article How a small community in the northeastern corner of India became the country’s first green village  
As palm oil production ramps up in Africa, communities work to avoid problems plaguing other regions nbsp; Feature As palm oil production ramps up in Africa, communities work to avoid problems plaguing other regions  
Opinion: Why we should save the last tiny scraps of nature nbsp; Voices Opinion: Why we should save the last tiny scraps of nature  
Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them? nbsp; Feature Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them?  
From the Himalayas to the Arctic, traditional herders are sharing knowledge to cope with a changing climate nbsp; Feature From the Himalayas to the Arctic, traditional herders are sharing knowledge to cope with a changing climate  
Opinion: If you are flying, you should be buying carbon offsets nbsp; Voices Opinion: If you are flying, you should be buying carbon offsets  
Climate change is fueling wildfires around the world. Can indigenous knowledge help us manage them? nbsp; Feature Climate change is fueling wildfires around the world. Can indigenous knowledge help us manage them?  
As Bolsonaro takes the helm in Brazil, environmental organizations ramp up efforts to protect the Amazon nbsp; Feature As Bolsonaro takes the helm in Brazil, environmental organizations ramp up efforts to protect the Amazon  
With no upfront costs, this innovative financing tool makes energy efficiency affordable to all nbsp; Article With no upfront costs, this innovative financing tool makes energy efficiency affordable to all  
America uses 322 billion gallons of water each day. Here’s where it goes. nbsp; Article America uses 322 billion gallons of water each day. Here’s where it goes.  
Can better photosynthesis help feed the world? nbsp; Article Can better photosynthesis help feed the world?  
This study argues genetic modification could help quinoa, millet and other naturally stress-resistant plants become more productive   This study argues genetic modification could help quinoa, millet and other naturally stress-resistant plants become more productive Drought, extreme temperatures, salt in the soil: Because of conditions like these — which… Notable
Across Appalachia, historic coal towns are looking to the outdoor economy for their next act nbsp; Feature Across Appalachia, historic coal towns are looking to the outdoor economy for their next act  
How a team of researchers and high school students in California are working together to reduce pesticide exposure in children nbsp; Feature How a team of researchers and high school students in California are working together to reduce pesticide exposure in children  
Celebrating six years of publishing solutions-focused environmental journalism   Celebrating six years of publishing solutions-focused environmental journalism Back in 2012, our team asked, “What if we launched a bold new site where stories focused on… Update
If you want to know about the health of ecosystems, a good place to start is with ants nbsp; Feature If you want to know about the health of ecosystems, a good place to start is with ants  
Opinion: Green tech metals for renewable energy and other smart technologies need to be sourced sustainably and responsibly. Here’s how. nbsp; Voices Opinion: Green tech metals for renewable energy and other smart technologies need to be sourced sustainably and responsibly. Here’s how.  
Opinion: What my mother’s death taught me about saving the planet. We can’t, and here’s why. nbsp; Voices Opinion: What my mother’s death taught me about saving the planet. We can’t, and here’s why.  
What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff nbsp; Feature What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff  
Opinion: Energy development threatens big game herds in Wyoming (and why it matters outside the state, too) nbsp; Voices Opinion: Energy development threatens big game herds in Wyoming (and why it matters outside the state, too)  
Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses nbsp; Feature Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses  
Opinion: Sooner or later, we have to stop economic growth — and we’ll be better for it nbsp; Voices Opinion: Sooner or later, we have to stop economic growth — and we’ll be better for it  
Scientists are using bacteria to remove harmful contaminants from our water. Here’s how. nbsp; Article Scientists are using bacteria to remove harmful contaminants from our water. Here’s how.  
Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities nbsp; Feature Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities  
Health departments are on climate change’s front lines nbsp; Feature Health departments are on climate change’s front lines  
From venomous snails to sunsetting solar panels, a look at our top stories of 2018 nbsp; Article From venomous snails to sunsetting solar panels, a look at our top stories of 2018  
Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened. nbsp; Feature Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened.  
From Tibetan weather engineering to Earth insurance, these 15 trends have big implications for biodiversity in 2019   From Tibetan weather engineering to Earth insurance, these 15 trends have big implications for biodiversity in 2019 More than two dozen futurists, environmental scientists and others from around the world recently… Notable
Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment? nbsp; Feature Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment?  
OPINION: Environmental impact assessments aren’t protecting the environment nbsp; Voices OPINION: Environmental impact assessments aren’t protecting the environment  
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