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Ensia

a solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet

reporting on our changing planet

 

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  
Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries nbsp; Feature Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries  
Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most? nbsp; Feature Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most?  
Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides nbsp; Article Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides  
A soil microbe saved my life nbsp; Feature A soil microbe saved my life  
OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem nbsp; Voices OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem  
OPINION: If we want our food to be truly sustainable, we need to be able to tell where it comes from nbsp; Voices OPINION: If we want our food to be truly sustainable, we need to be able to tell where it comes from  
From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture nbsp; Feature From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture  
Can we meet a growing need for food without destroying our environment? nbsp; Feature Can we meet a growing need for food without destroying our environment?  
Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be? nbsp; Feature Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be?  
Can we make batteries better for the environment?   Can we make batteries better for the environment? Batteries are ubiquitous yet often ignored, humming in the background while powering appliances… Notable
Watch: Finding common ground on the environment in a partisan political climate nbsp; Video Watch: Finding common ground on the environment in a partisan political climate  
OPINION: Environmental impact bonds can help cities invest in green infrastructure nbsp; Voices OPINION: Environmental impact bonds can help cities invest in green infrastructure  
Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil? nbsp; Feature Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil?  
As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world nbsp; Feature As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world  
Why do we demolish buildings instead of deconstructing them for re-use? nbsp; Article Why do we demolish buildings instead of deconstructing them for re-use?  
How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade? nbsp; Feature How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade?  
Retired farmland can become valuable habitat — if we give it a hand   Retired farmland can become valuable habitat — if we give it a hand With Earth in the throes of what many scientists consider our planet’s sixth mass extinction — as… Notable
Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food nbsp; Article Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food  
Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution? nbsp; Video Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution?  
OPINION: Let’s use carbon price dollars for sustainable development nbsp; Voices OPINION: Let’s use carbon price dollars for sustainable development  
Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing nbsp; Feature Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing  
OPINION: For people working to protect nature, cities can no longer be an afterthought nbsp; Voices OPINION: For people working to protect nature, cities can no longer be an afterthought  
Blockchain is revolutionizing your ability to make environmentally friendly purchases nbsp; Feature Blockchain is revolutionizing your ability to make environmentally friendly purchases  
Take a look at some of the billions of organisms that keep our soil healthy nbsp; Photo Take a look at some of the billions of organisms that keep our soil healthy  
Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time? nbsp; Feature Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time?  
OPINION: Can China really lead the way to an “Ecological Civilization”? nbsp; Voices OPINION: Can China really lead the way to an “Ecological Civilization”?  
We know the wrong way to deal with e-waste. But what should we do instead? nbsp; Feature We know the wrong way to deal with e-waste. But what should we do instead?  
Minimizing the downsides of the energy transition   Minimizing the downsides of the energy transition Transitions by definition are disruptive. Whether it’s switching jobs, electing new leaders… Notable
Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world? nbsp; Feature Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world?  
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