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Ensia

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

reporting on our changing planet.

 

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?  
The surprising link between our consumer habits and deadly diseases ranging from malaria to the novel coronavirus nbsp; Feature The surprising link between our consumer habits and deadly diseases ranging from malaria to the novel coronavirus  
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  
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?  
This little-known principle has harmed millions of people. What are we doing to change it? nbsp; Feature This little-known principle has harmed millions of people. What are we doing to change it?  
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  
Does this tiny island off the coast of Maine hold the answer to the future of electricity? nbsp; Feature Does this tiny island off the coast of Maine hold the answer to the future of electricity?  
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  
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?  
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.  
More and more homeowners are renovating existing homes to make them “net zero” energy consumers. Here’s how. nbsp; Feature More and more homeowners are renovating existing homes to make them “net zero” energy consumers. Here’s how.  
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  
What will it take to rid our store shelves of BPA? nbsp; Feature What will it take to rid our store shelves of BPA?  
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  
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  
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  
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  
Do “environmentally responsible” products help the planet? Or do they just get us to buy more stuff? nbsp; Feature Do “environmentally responsible” products help the planet? Or do they just get us to buy more stuff?  
As the world’s garbage piles up, controversy over waste-to-energy incineration continues nbsp; Feature As the world’s garbage piles up, controversy over waste-to-energy incineration continues  
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?  
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