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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.

 

Resource-rich countries find it pays to pay landholders to protect their land nbsp; Feature Resource-rich countries find it pays to pay landholders to protect their land  
The surprising role of land use in alleviating the climate crisis   The surprising role of land use in alleviating the climate crisis Notable
How do carbon dioxide removal strategies compare?   How do carbon dioxide removal strategies compare? Notable
Top conservation issues to watch out for in 2023 nbsp; Article Top conservation issues to watch out for in 2023  
Lakes are more sensitive to salt than we thought nbsp; Article Lakes are more sensitive to salt than we thought  
What does forest restoration in the U.S. Southwest look like in the age of climate change? nbsp; Feature What does forest restoration in the U.S. Southwest look like in the age of climate change?  
Are China’s pledges to green its Belt and Road Initiative the real deal? nbsp; Feature Are China’s pledges to green its Belt and Road Initiative the real deal?  
Language barriers in conservation research could be hurting biodiversity efforts. What can be done about it? nbsp; Feature Language barriers in conservation research could be hurting biodiversity efforts. What can be done about it?  
15 big issues poised to impact oceans and coasts nbsp; Article 15 big issues poised to impact oceans and coasts  
Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames? nbsp; Feature Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames?  
To minimize harm from floods and droughts, we need to understand what water wants nbsp; Voices To minimize harm from floods and droughts, we need to understand what water wants  
This pillar of the rainforest needs support nbsp; Voices This pillar of the rainforest needs support  
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  
Look what’s on the conservation horizon nbsp; Article Look what’s on the conservation horizon  
What happens if pollinators and plants drift apart?   What happens if pollinators and plants drift apart? Notable
“A generational historic struggle to regain our water” nbsp; Feature “A generational historic struggle to regain our water”  
Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake nbsp; Feature Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake  
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  
What does “wild and pristine” really mean? nbsp; Voices What does “wild and pristine” really mean?  
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
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?  
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?  
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?  
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?  
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?  
Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think. nbsp; Feature Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think.  
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.  
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?  
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  
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  
“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  
Opinion: If we want to increase trust in science, we need to direct more research dollars to rural America nbsp; Voices Opinion: If we want to increase trust in science, we need to direct more research dollars to rural America  
Opinion: It’s time for a Project Drawdown for Conservation nbsp; Voices Opinion: It’s time for a Project Drawdown for Conservation  
Opinion: To reduce the risk of future pandemics, we need to move from domination to partnership with nature nbsp; Voices Opinion: To reduce the risk of future pandemics, we need to move from domination to partnership with nature  
Now more than ever it seems we can’t live without plastic. Can we learn to live with it? nbsp; Feature Now more than ever it seems we can’t live without plastic. Can we learn to live with it?  
Opinion: To reduce the likelihood of future pandemics, we need to rethink our relationship with wild animals and wild places nbsp; Voices Opinion: To reduce the likelihood of future pandemics, we need to rethink our relationship with wild animals and wild places  
Destruction of habitat and loss of biodiversity are creating the perfect conditions for diseases like COVID-19 to emerge nbsp; Feature Destruction of habitat and loss of biodiversity are creating the perfect conditions for diseases like COVID-19 to emerge  
Opinion: If we work together, 2020 can be a true “super year” for biodiversity nbsp; Voices Opinion: If we work together, 2020 can be a true “super year” for biodiversity  
How to save insects? Give them space.   How to save insects? Give them space. Notable
Opinion: Seven strategies that offer hope for rainforests nbsp; Voices Opinion: Seven strategies that offer hope for rainforests  
In semi-arid Africa, farmers are transforming the “underground forest” into life-giving trees nbsp; Feature In semi-arid Africa, farmers are transforming the “underground forest” into life-giving trees  
Mexico City is proposing to build one of the world’s largest urban parks. Will it serve as a climate adaptation example for other cities? nbsp; Feature Mexico City is proposing to build one of the world’s largest urban parks. Will it serve as a climate adaptation example for other cities?  
Can we protect nature by giving it legal rights? nbsp; Article Can we protect nature by giving it legal rights?  
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