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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 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
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?  
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?  
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  
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  
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?  
Climate change comes to Duluth — one of America’s “climate refuge cities” nbsp; Article Climate change comes to Duluth — one of America’s “climate refuge cities”  
From rust to resilience: What climate change means for Great Lakes cities nbsp; Feature From rust to resilience: What climate change means for Great Lakes cities  
Three workable strategies for putting a big dent in methane, the “other” greenhouse gas   Three workable strategies for putting a big dent in methane, the “other” greenhouse gas Notable
How can we best protect our global life-support system in times like these?   How can we best protect our global life-support system in times like these? Notable
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
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  
3 ways to tell if corporations are genuine about fighting climate change nbsp; Feature 3 ways to tell if corporations are genuine about fighting climate change  
This surprising fact about research funding could explain why it’s so hard to get traction against climate change   This surprising fact about research funding could explain why it’s so hard to get traction against climate change Notable
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?  
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  
5 billion people around the world lack basic access to justice. These organizations are out to change that. nbsp; Feature 5 billion people around the world lack basic access to justice. These organizations are out to change that.  
How can we adapt to climate change? This online hub has answers   How can we adapt to climate change? This online hub has answers Notable
From nuclear power to school food waste, Ensia’s most-read stories of 2019 nbsp; Article From nuclear power to school food waste, Ensia’s most-read stories of 2019  
Opinion: Flying less should be a high-priority climate action nbsp; Voices Opinion: Flying less should be a high-priority climate action  
Opinion: By dwelling on the downsides of bioplastics, we’re hobbling efforts to make them part of the solution nbsp; Voices Opinion: By dwelling on the downsides of bioplastics, we’re hobbling efforts to make them part of the solution  
What to expect from the UN’s COP 25 climate change conference   What to expect from the UN’s COP 25 climate change conference Notable
Six inexpensive (or even money-saving) things cities can do to become more sustainable now nbsp; Article Six inexpensive (or even money-saving) things cities can do to become more sustainable now  
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  
Opinion: How do we convince climate change deniers? That’s the wrong question. nbsp; Voices Opinion: How do we convince climate change deniers? That’s the wrong question.  
Opinion: In the face of a looming climate crisis, the late Elinor Ostrom gives me hope nbsp; Voices Opinion: In the face of a looming climate crisis, the late Elinor Ostrom gives me hope  
Survey suggests Americans want to phase out gas guzzlers sooner rather than later   Survey suggests Americans want to phase out gas guzzlers sooner rather than later Notable
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  
These three circular economy principles can help combat the climate crisis   These three circular economy principles can help combat the climate crisis Notable
Is climate change responsible for the conflicts we’re seeing around the world today? nbsp; Feature Is climate change responsible for the conflicts we’re seeing around the world today?  
As tick-borne illness spreads across the U.S., so does grassroots education to prevent it nbsp; Article As tick-borne illness spreads across the U.S., so does grassroots education to prevent it  
How did Chile become a global climate leader? nbsp; Article How did Chile become a global climate leader?  
Opinion: Instead of flight shaming, let’s be thoughtful and selective about all travel nbsp; Voices Opinion: Instead of flight shaming, let’s be thoughtful and selective about all travel  
When it comes to addressing climate change, gender matters   When it comes to addressing climate change, gender matters Notable
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  
Opinion: The Sustainable Development Goals could use a boost — and these five strategies might be just what’s needed nbsp; Voices Opinion: The Sustainable Development Goals could use a boost — and these five strategies might be just what’s needed  
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  
As the climate crisis intensifies, lawsuits aimed at slowing greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise   As the climate crisis intensifies, lawsuits aimed at slowing greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise Notable
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electrical system offer lessons for boosting energy security nbsp; Article In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electrical system offer lessons for boosting energy security  
What can we do to lessen the toll of climate change on the world’s poorest people?   What can we do to lessen the toll of climate change on the world’s poorest people? Notable
The multi-billion-dollar “climate services” industry is altering access to climate change data. Critics fear some may lose out. nbsp; Feature The multi-billion-dollar “climate services” industry is altering access to climate change data. Critics fear some may lose out.  
Nuclear power offers an abundant supply of low-carbon energy. But what to do with the deadly radioactive waste? nbsp; Feature Nuclear power offers an abundant supply of low-carbon energy. But what to do with the deadly radioactive waste?  
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
Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you nbsp; Voices Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you  
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  
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  
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