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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.

 

A five-star recipe for cutting food waste?   A five-star recipe for cutting food waste? Notable
Opinion: What’s the best climate action you can take? You tell me. nbsp; Voices Opinion: What’s the best climate action you can take? You tell me.  
If you care about conservation, read this nbsp; Article If you care about conservation, read this  
In northern Minnesota, wild rice is being threatened by climate change and increased rainfall nbsp; Feature In northern Minnesota, wild rice is being threatened by climate change and increased rainfall  
Opinion: Climate-friendly food systems start with different values, not technologies nbsp; Voices Opinion: Climate-friendly food systems start with different values, not technologies  
Use of antimicrobial drugs in food animals is accelerating. Here are suggestions for correcting that trend.   Use of antimicrobial drugs in food animals is accelerating. Here are suggestions for correcting that trend. Notable
Global pesticide use is on the rise   Global pesticide use is on the rise Notable
A solar solution to the West’s changing climate? nbsp; Feature A solar solution to the West’s changing climate?  
The surprising role of land use in alleviating the climate crisis   The surprising role of land use in alleviating the climate crisis Notable
Climate-friendlier cattle ranching in Brazil   Climate-friendlier cattle ranching in Brazil Notable
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  
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
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 will 2021 bring in the world of conservation?   What will 2021 bring in the world of conservation? Notable
Creative programs help dairy farmers transition to plant-based milks nbsp; Feature Creative programs help dairy farmers transition to plant-based milks  
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  
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  
Most Americans are willing to incorporate more plant-based foods into their meals. What’s preventing them?   Most Americans are willing to incorporate more plant-based foods into their meals. What’s preventing them? Notable
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  
As the planet warms, unusual crops could become climate saviors — if we’re willing to eat them nbsp; Feature As the planet warms, unusual crops could become climate saviors — if we’re willing to eat them  
This Turkish chef is fighting climate change with the help of Syrian refugees nbsp; Feature This Turkish chef is fighting climate change with the help of Syrian refugees  
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  
Entrepreneurs and government are teaming up to boost food security in the United Arab Emirates — and beyond nbsp; Article Entrepreneurs and government are teaming up to boost food security in the United Arab Emirates — and beyond  
This crop is helping us understand humanity’s nomadic past — and prepare for a hotter, drier future nbsp; Article This crop is helping us understand humanity’s nomadic past — and prepare for a hotter, drier future  
High-tech weather forecasting aims to bring new hope to Indian farmers facing the devastation of climate change nbsp; Feature High-tech weather forecasting aims to bring new hope to Indian farmers facing the devastation of climate change  
Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests nbsp; Feature Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests  
Looking for climate-friendly foods? Try protein powder, peanuts, tuna, salmon — and grasshoppers   Looking for climate-friendly foods? Try protein powder, peanuts, tuna, salmon — and grasshoppers Notable
Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it?   Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it? Notable
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  
How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly   How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly Notable
Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem? nbsp; Feature Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem?  
New study identifies the world’s best places for recycling phosphorus   New study identifies the world’s best places for recycling phosphorus 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  
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?  
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  
Can better photosynthesis help feed the world? nbsp; Article Can better photosynthesis help feed the world?  
This study argues genetic modification could help quinoa, millet and other naturally stress-resistant plants become more productive   This study argues genetic modification could help quinoa, millet and other naturally stress-resistant plants become more productive Notable
How a team of researchers and high school students in California are working together to reduce pesticide exposure in children nbsp; Feature How a team of researchers and high school students in California are working together to reduce pesticide exposure in children  
Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses nbsp; Feature Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses  
Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides nbsp; Article Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides  
OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem nbsp; Voices OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem  
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?  
Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food nbsp; Article Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food  
Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution? nbsp; Video Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution?  
Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time? nbsp; Feature Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time?  
Has the Netherlands figured out how to mainstream seaweed? nbsp; Article Has the Netherlands figured out how to mainstream seaweed?  
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