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Ensia

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

reporting on our changing planet.

 

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?  
Marine heat waves are becoming more common and intense. What can we do to minimize harm? nbsp; Feature Marine heat waves are becoming more common and intense. What can we do to minimize harm?  
Opinion: Pandemic, floods, fires, hurricanes, extinctions — nature is telling us it’s time to build our economy around inclusive wealth nbsp; Voices Opinion: Pandemic, floods, fires, hurricanes, extinctions — nature is telling us it’s time to build our economy around inclusive wealth  
Opinion: Governments must support a just transition for oil workers and their communities nbsp; Voices Opinion: Governments must support a just transition for oil workers and their communities  
A study of nearly 700 studies makes it clear: Environmental injustice is rampant around the world   A study of nearly 700 studies makes it clear: Environmental injustice is rampant around the world Notable
A look at why environmentalism is so homogeneous — and how organizations might cultivate genuine diversity nbsp; Feature A look at why environmentalism is so homogeneous — and how organizations might cultivate genuine diversity  
Opinion: Let’s not forget the important lessons the coronavirus taught us about supply chains nbsp; Voices Opinion: Let’s not forget the important lessons the coronavirus taught us about supply chains  
Should plants and animals that relocate because of climate change be considered invasive? nbsp; Feature Should plants and animals that relocate because of climate change be considered invasive?  
Tackling a notorious waste problem in Africa’s largest informal community nbsp; Feature Tackling a notorious waste problem in Africa’s largest informal community  
From climate change and Covid-19 to racial injustice, we are in a period of rapid transformation. How do we make sense of what’s happening? nbsp; Feature From climate change and Covid-19 to racial injustice, we are in a period of rapid transformation. How do we make sense of what’s happening?  
Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think. nbsp; Feature Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think.  
Our old cellphones, computers and appliances are a bigger problem than ever. Here’s what we need to do.   Our old cellphones, computers and appliances are a bigger problem than ever. Here’s what we need to do. Notable
We’re flying less. And wild places that count on tourism dollars are starting to take notice. nbsp; Article We’re flying less. And wild places that count on tourism dollars are starting to take notice.  
Can the forests of the world’s oceans contribute to alleviating the climate crisis? nbsp; Feature Can the forests of the world’s oceans contribute to alleviating the climate crisis?  
Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems nbsp; Voices Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems  
As climate change makes growing seasons less predictable, scientists dig into a novel approach to boosting crop resilience nbsp; Article As climate change makes growing seasons less predictable, scientists dig into a novel approach to boosting crop resilience  
Could Akira Miyawaki’s 50-year-old innovation help promote biodiversity and reduce the risk of climate change? nbsp; Feature Could Akira Miyawaki’s 50-year-old innovation help promote biodiversity and reduce the risk of climate change?  
Can cabbage boost the environmental friendliness of lithium-ion batteries? nbsp; Article Can cabbage boost the environmental friendliness of lithium-ion batteries?  
Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water nbsp; Voices Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water  
Around the world, Indigenous seed banks are helping to preserve culture, boost nutrition and protect the environment nbsp; Feature Around the world, Indigenous seed banks are helping to preserve culture, boost nutrition and protect the environment  
From beetles to butterflies, scientists and landowners are working together to bring endangered insects back from the brink nbsp; Feature From beetles to butterflies, scientists and landowners are working together to bring endangered insects back from the brink  
Opinion: From today’s tragedy, let’s shape a bold, new trajectory for people and our planet nbsp; Voices Opinion: From today’s tragedy, let’s shape a bold, new trajectory for people and our planet  
Less than 10% of all plastic trash ever produced has been recycled. Is this the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for? nbsp; Feature Less than 10% of all plastic trash ever produced has been recycled. Is this the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?  
In the forests of New Zealand, indigenous Maori and Western scientists work through past injustices to save a threatened species together nbsp; Feature In the forests of New Zealand, indigenous Maori and Western scientists work through past injustices to save a threatened species together  
Cobalt is critical to the renewable energy transition. How can we minimize its social and environmental cost? nbsp; Feature Cobalt is critical to the renewable energy transition. How can we minimize its social and environmental cost?  
“We don’t know what else is out there.” Five ways new diseases emerge — and what we can do about them nbsp; Feature “We don’t know what else is out there.” Five ways new diseases emerge — and what we can do about them  
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