CSS3Pie trigger
Menu  University of Minnesota

Ensia

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

reporting on our changing planet.

 

Should companies with animal mascots pay for species conservation? nbsp; Feature Should companies with animal mascots pay for species conservation?  
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?  
How could positive “tipping points” accelerate climate action? nbsp; Feature How could positive “tipping points” accelerate climate action?  
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?  
Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames? nbsp; Feature Can traditional knowledge keep California from going up in flames?  
Across the globe, those harmed by climate change are turning to courts nbsp; Feature Across the globe, those harmed by climate change are turning to courts  
Can the EPA Get Environmental Justice Right? nbsp; Feature Can the EPA Get Environmental Justice Right?  
When it comes to sustainable packaging, there’s no “one size fits all” option nbsp; Feature When it comes to sustainable packaging, there’s no “one size fits all” option  
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  
Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S. nbsp; Feature Radioactive contamination is creeping into drinking water around the U.S.  
The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical nbsp; Feature The future of water in the U.S. West is uncertain, so planning and preparedness are critical  
Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future? nbsp; Feature Desalination has guided water exchanges for Israel and Jordan. Could it play a role in the Colorado River Basin’s future?  
Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe nbsp; Feature Some U.S. drinking water still carries levels of arsenic experts consider unsafe  
In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor” nbsp; Feature In an arid U.S. West, water agencies look to delive​r​ purified wastewater directly to customers’ faucets​, despite “yuck factor”  
Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement? nbsp; Feature Does this city’s progress on removing lead water lines show the potential for U.S.-wide replacement?  
“A generational historic struggle to regain our water” nbsp; Feature “A generational historic struggle to regain our water”  
Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest nbsp; Feature Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest  
Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake nbsp; Feature Toxic cyanobacteria choke water systems around California’s Clear Lake  
Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water nbsp; Feature Some rural California residents doubt they’ll ever get clean water  
Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water nbsp; Feature Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water  
What can organic solar cells bring to the table? nbsp; Feature What can organic solar cells bring to the table?  
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  
Can global innovation competitions help unearth the next sustainability solution? nbsp; Feature Can global innovation competitions help unearth the next sustainability solution?  
Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side” nbsp; Feature Life-saving drinking water disinfectants have a “dark side”  
PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out? nbsp; Feature PFAS chemicals are turning up in tap water across the country. How do we get them out?  
From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state nbsp; Feature From Alaska to Florida, harmful PFAS compounds pollute water at multiple sites in every state  
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?  
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  
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?  
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?  
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  
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?  
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  
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?  
Loading

You care about environmental issues. So do we!

Sign up now for our bi-weekly newsletter and you'll get the latest stories from Ensia delivered straight to your inbox.

You're in! Watch your email soon for stories that build awareness and understanding of urgent environmental problems — and promising solutions to those problems.