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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.

 

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?  
Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think. nbsp; Feature Heads up, America: Animal-borne diseases are closer than you think.  
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?  
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?  
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  
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  
Less than 10% of all plastic trash ever produced has been recycled. Is this the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for? nbsp; Feature Less than 10% of all plastic trash ever produced has been recycled. Is this the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?  
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  
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?  
“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  
Everyday products are full of harmful chemicals. Can green chemistry lead the way to safer alternatives? nbsp; Feature Everyday products are full of harmful chemicals. Can green chemistry lead the way to safer alternatives?  
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