CSS3Pie trigger
Menu  University of Minnesota

Ensia

a solutions-focused nonprofit media outlet

reporting on our changing planet

 

As the climate heats up, efforts to build more resilient communities go beyond infrastructure nbsp; Feature As the climate heats up, efforts to build more resilient communities go beyond infrastructure  
Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it?   Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it? What happens to water after washing your hands or flushing the toilet? Worldwide, over 80% of… Notable
Are bioplastics better for the environment than conventional plastics? nbsp; Feature Are bioplastics better for the environment than conventional plastics?  
Opinion: Why traditional knowledge — not external tech — is the key to truly sustainable agriculture nbsp; Voices Opinion: Why traditional knowledge — not external tech — is the key to truly sustainable agriculture  
Tiny creatures play a big role in climate change   Tiny creatures play a big role in climate change You can’t see them, but it’s time to start trying. Notable
Can saving jaguars sustain local economies? nbsp; Feature Can saving jaguars sustain local economies?  
How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly   How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly Freshly cut grass is a quintessential smell of summer. While the smell might conjure memories of… Notable
Opinion: To succeed, the Green New Deal must tap the power of collective action nbsp; Voices Opinion: To succeed, the Green New Deal must tap the power of collective action  
Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem? nbsp; Feature Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem?  
Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People.   Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People. Some 80% of wastewater worldwide goes back into ecosystems without getting treated for… Notable
How should climate change be taught in schools across America? nbsp; Feature How should climate change be taught in schools across America?  
Researchers recommend chemistry educators focus more on environmental impacts   Researchers recommend chemistry educators focus more on environmental impacts Think chemistry classes should be all about balancing chemical equations and memorizing the… Notable
Shareable scooters may seem sustainable, but are they really? nbsp; Article Shareable scooters may seem sustainable, but are they really?  
Opinion: A new generation of leaders understands that individual actions won’t fix our environmental problems nbsp; Voices Opinion: A new generation of leaders understands that individual actions won’t fix our environmental problems  
With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground nbsp; Feature With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground  
New study identifies the world’s best places for recycling phosphorus   New study identifies the world’s best places for recycling phosphorus In 2007–08, the cost of fertilizer soared — driven in part by a 400% spike in the price of… Notable
Opinion: The “yellow vests” show that in France, as elsewhere, a green economy must be a fair economy first nbsp; Voices Opinion: The “yellow vests” show that in France, as elsewhere, a green economy must be a fair economy first  
The number with the power to halt the climate crisis nbsp; Feature The number with the power to halt the climate crisis  
Conflict over fish and wildlife management is on the rise. Here’s why.   Conflict over fish and wildlife management is on the rise. Here’s why. A crowd gathered in Hudson, Wisconsin, earlier this month for a public forum on whether the federal… Notable
In store or online — what’s the environmentally friendliest way to shop? nbsp; Feature In store or online — what’s the environmentally friendliest way to shop?  
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.  
Loading

You care about environmental issues. So do we!

Sign up now to get the latest stories about your environment delivered to your inbox once a week.

You’re in! Watch your email for weekly links to environmental stories that expand your mind — and change your world.