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Published at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment, Ensia is a solutions-focused media outlet

reporting on our changing planet.

 

As floodwaters rise, who can afford to pay the cost?   As floodwaters rise, who can afford to pay the cost? Notable
The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical nbsp; Feature The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical  
More than a year after the emergence of COVID-19, what should be done about wet markets?   More than a year after the emergence of COVID-19, what should be done about wet markets? Notable
Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future? nbsp; Feature Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future?  
Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe nbsp; Feature Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe  
In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor” nbsp; Feature In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor”  
Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement? nbsp; Feature Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement?  
What happens if pollinators and plants drift apart?   What happens if pollinators and plants drift apart? Notable
Tapped Out: Power, justice and water in the West   Tapped Out: Power, justice and water in the West Update
“A generational historic struggle to regain our water” nbsp; Feature “A generational historic struggle to regain our water”  
Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest nbsp; Feature Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest  
Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake nbsp; Feature Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake  
Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water nbsp; Feature Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water  
Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water nbsp; Feature Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water  
Green space in cities can bring considerable health benefits for communities, but access is unequal nbsp; Article Green space in cities can bring considerable health benefits for communities, but access is unequal  
What can organic solar cells bring to the table? nbsp; Feature What can organic solar cells bring to the table?  
Opinion: It’s not only about Paris: Will America confront all the environmental treaties it put in limbo? nbsp; Voices Opinion: It’s not only about Paris: Will America confront all the environmental treaties it put in limbo?  
Large food companies are looking to lock carbon in soil as a way to meet ambitious emissions goals nbsp; Feature Large food companies are looking to lock carbon in soil as a way to meet ambitious emissions goals  
Can global innovation competitions help unearth the next sustainability solution? nbsp; Feature Can global innovation competitions help unearth the next sustainability solution?  
Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side” nbsp; Feature Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side”  
What does “wild and pristine” really mean? nbsp; Voices What does “wild and pristine” really mean?  
Fragile cities are being inundated with people fleeing the impacts of climate change. How can they cope? nbsp; Article Fragile cities are being inundated with people fleeing the impacts of climate change. How can they cope?  
PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out? nbsp; Feature PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out?  
From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state nbsp; Feature From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state  
There are worse viruses than Covid-19 out there. How do we avoid the next big one? nbsp; Feature There are worse viruses than Covid-19 out there. How do we avoid the next big one?  
What will 2021 bring in the world of conservation?   What will 2021 bring in the world of conservation? Notable
In the northern Great Plains, a search for ways to protect drinking water from fossil fuel industry pollution nbsp; Feature In the northern Great Plains, a search for ways to protect drinking water from fossil fuel industry pollution  
How air pollution could be harming your brain nbsp; Feature How air pollution could be harming your brain  
Youth environmental activists in Russia face down obstacles to spread their climate message nbsp; Feature Youth environmental activists in Russia face down obstacles to spread their climate message  
The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking water nbsp; Feature The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking water  
How effective are China’s attempts to reduce the risk of wildlife spreading disease to humans? nbsp; Feature How effective are China’s attempts to reduce the risk of wildlife spreading disease to humans?  
Are life-cycle assessments worth the (recycled) paper they’re printed on? nbsp; Feature Are life-cycle assessments worth the (recycled) paper they’re printed on?  
Why aren’t solar water heaters more popular in the U.S., even in solar-friendly states like California? nbsp; Feature Why aren’t solar water heaters more popular in the U.S., even in solar-friendly states like California?  
Will climate change increase the presence of pathogens in drinking water? nbsp; Feature Will climate change increase the presence of pathogens in drinking water?  
Legionella and other dangerous pathogens still lurk in U.S. drinking water nbsp; Feature Legionella and other dangerous pathogens still lurk in U.S. drinking water  
In the face of a global pandemic, how can conservation efforts reduce the chance that poaching will spread disease? nbsp; Feature In the face of a global pandemic, how can conservation efforts reduce the chance that poaching will spread disease?  
Of hemp’s many uses, one of the most promising could be in construction nbsp; Feature Of hemp’s many uses, one of the most promising could be in construction  
Explainer: Who regulates U.S. drinking water, and how? nbsp; Article Explainer: Who regulates U.S. drinking water, and how?  
Opinion: This long-standing tenet of American capitalism must change — now nbsp; Voices Opinion: This long-standing tenet of American capitalism must change — now  
These Americans don’t trust their tap water. Would you? nbsp; Feature These Americans don’t trust their tap water. Would you?  
Across the US, millions of people are drinking unsafe water. How can we fix that? nbsp; Feature Across the US, millions of people are drinking unsafe water. How can we fix that?  
Opinion: We need massive societal change if we’re going to survive and thrive on Earth nbsp; Voices Opinion: We need massive societal change if we’re going to survive and thrive on Earth  
These Indigenous educators are bringing Western and Native science together in the classroom  nbsp; Article These Indigenous educators are bringing Western and Native science together in the classroom   
How do climate change, migration and a deadly disease in sheep alter our understanding of pandemics? nbsp; Feature How do climate change, migration and a deadly disease in sheep alter our understanding of pandemics?  
Should we bank on innovation to hold back global heating? History says it’s a risky bet   Should we bank on innovation to hold back global heating? History says it’s a risky bet Notable
Creative programs help dairy farmers transition to plant-based milks nbsp; Feature Creative programs help dairy farmers transition to plant-based milks  
6 ways environmental advocates can change climate concern into action nbsp; Feature 6 ways environmental advocates can change climate concern into action  
Explainer: What is a tipping point, and why should I care? nbsp; Article Explainer: What is a tipping point, and why should I care?  
When people turn to nature to solve human problems, sometimes nature benefits, too nbsp; Article When people turn to nature to solve human problems, sometimes nature benefits, too  
The global coronavirus pandemic has revealed cracks in the foundation of conventional conservation funding. What should we do instead? nbsp; Feature The global coronavirus pandemic has revealed cracks in the foundation of conventional conservation funding. What should we do instead?  
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