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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.

 

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?  
As tensions rise along the U.S.–Mexico border, cross-border ecosystems suffer nbsp; Feature As tensions rise along the U.S.–Mexico border, cross-border ecosystems suffer  
What will it cost to save Earth’s oceans?   What will it cost to save Earth’s oceans? Notable
Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature.   Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature. Notable
Opinion: In the absence of strong U.S. government regulation, communities need to take a holistic approach to pesticide use nbsp; Voices Opinion: In the absence of strong U.S. government regulation, communities need to take a holistic approach to pesticide use  
15 surprising biodiversity conservation trends to watch for in 2020   15 surprising biodiversity conservation trends to watch for in 2020 Notable
Why indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge are vital to protecting future global biodiversity nbsp; Feature Why indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge are vital to protecting future global biodiversity  
From coffee to cosmetics, companies are looking for ways to protect the plants their products are made from nbsp; Feature From coffee to cosmetics, companies are looking for ways to protect the plants their products are made from  
Opinion: Current proposals to plant trees to fight climate change are badly misguided nbsp; Voices Opinion: Current proposals to plant trees to fight climate change are badly misguided  
As cities’ interest in green infrastructure grows, so does the need to develop strategies and resources to maintain it nbsp; Feature As cities’ interest in green infrastructure grows, so does the need to develop strategies and resources to maintain it  
How do biodiversity conservation initiatives expand their reach?   How do biodiversity conservation initiatives expand their reach? Notable
To feed or not to feed? The dilemma of interacting with birds and other wildlife nbsp; Feature To feed or not to feed? The dilemma of interacting with birds and other wildlife  
Can the gene editing technology known as CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide? nbsp; Feature Can the gene editing technology known as CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide?  
This interactive map shows how diverse life on Earth is — and how we can keep it that way   This interactive map shows how diverse life on Earth is — and how we can keep it that way Notable
Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests nbsp; Feature Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests  
Ancient Amazonian societies managed the forest intensively but sustainably — here’s what we can learn from them nbsp; Feature Ancient Amazonian societies managed the forest intensively but sustainably — here’s what we can learn from them  
Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you nbsp; Voices Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you  
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  
Can saving jaguars sustain local economies? nbsp; Feature Can saving jaguars sustain local economies?  
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. Notable
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 Notable
Probiotics help humans stay healthy. Can they benefit other animals, too? nbsp; Article Probiotics help humans stay healthy. Can they benefit other animals, too?  
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 Notable
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?  
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  
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  
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  
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)  
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 Notable
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  
A soil microbe saved my life nbsp; Feature A soil microbe saved my life  
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  
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?  
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?  
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