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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.

 

When it comes to sustainable packaging, there’s no “one size fits all” option nbsp; Feature When it comes to sustainable packaging, there’s no “one size fits all” option  
Opinion: The big science problem that nobody talks about nbsp; Voices Opinion: The big science problem that nobody talks about  
Opinion: The next eight years will make all of the difference nbsp; Voices Opinion: The next eight years will make all of the difference  
Nine things we can do now to protect the environment and reduce the risk of another pandemic nbsp; Feature Nine things we can do now to protect the environment and reduce the risk of another pandemic  
Climate-friendlier cattle ranching in Brazil   Climate-friendlier cattle ranching in Brazil Notable
Opinion: We need Nature-POSITIVE Solutions to address the climate crisis nbsp; Voices Opinion: We need Nature-POSITIVE Solutions to address the climate crisis  
5 ways climate change will affect animals and plants nbsp; Article 5 ways climate change will affect animals and plants  
Opinion: When it comes to food production, “Does it scale?” is often the wrong question nbsp; Voices Opinion: When it comes to food production, “Does it scale?” is often the wrong question  
Clawing our way to environmentally friendly packaging   Clawing our way to environmentally friendly packaging Notable
Who’s willing to change for climate change?   Who’s willing to change for climate change? Notable
Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S. nbsp; Feature Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S.  
Can archaeology help us navigate climate change?   Can archaeology help us navigate climate change? Notable
Look what’s on the conservation horizon nbsp; Article Look what’s on the conservation horizon  
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  
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