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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 the U.S. power grid is evolving to handle solar and wind nbsp; Feature How the U.S. power grid is evolving to handle solar and wind  
Build a better battery for wind and solar storage, and the energy sector will beat a path to your door nbsp; Feature Build a better battery for wind and solar storage, and the energy sector will beat a path to your door  
Can the gene editing technology known as CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide? nbsp; Feature Can the gene editing technology known as CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide?  
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  
Ancient Amazonian societies managed the forest intensively but sustainably — here’s what we can learn from them nbsp; Feature Ancient Amazonian societies managed the forest intensively but sustainably — here’s what we can learn from them  
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?  
Why are harmful flame-retardant chemicals still showing up in children’s toys? nbsp; Feature Why are harmful flame-retardant chemicals still showing up in children’s toys?  
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?  
Can saving jaguars sustain local economies? nbsp; Feature Can saving jaguars sustain local economies?  
Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem? nbsp; Feature Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem?  
How should climate change be taught in schools across America? nbsp; Feature How should climate change be taught in schools across America?  
With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground nbsp; Feature With floods and droughts increasing, communities take a new look at storing water underground  
The number with the power to halt the climate crisis nbsp; Feature The number with the power to halt the climate crisis  
In store or online — what’s the environmentally friendliest way to shop? nbsp; Feature In store or online — what’s the environmentally friendliest way to shop?  
What three generations of California families can tell us about the links between our health and our environment nbsp; Feature What three generations of California families can tell us about the links between our health and our environment  
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  
Can we prepare for climate impacts without creating financial chaos? nbsp; Feature Can we prepare for climate impacts without creating financial chaos?  
People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they’re gone — bringing both benefit and harm nbsp; Feature People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they’re gone — bringing both benefit and harm  
Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers nbsp; Feature Across the U.S., flood survivors are growing in number — and they aren’t just seeking restitution, but answers  
As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure nbsp; Feature As floods increase, cities like Detroit are looking to green stormwater infrastructure  
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?  
Tech accelerators help nonprofits fast-track technology aimed at solving environmental challenges nbsp; Feature Tech accelerators help nonprofits fast-track technology aimed at solving environmental challenges  
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  
Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them? nbsp; Feature Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them?  
From the Himalayas to the Arctic, traditional herders are sharing knowledge to cope with a changing climate nbsp; Feature From the Himalayas to the Arctic, traditional herders are sharing knowledge to cope with a changing climate  
Climate change is fueling wildfires around the world. Can indigenous knowledge help us manage them? nbsp; Feature Climate change is fueling wildfires around the world. Can indigenous knowledge help us manage them?  
As Bolsonaro takes the helm in Brazil, environmental organizations ramp up efforts to protect the Amazon nbsp; Feature As Bolsonaro takes the helm in Brazil, environmental organizations ramp up efforts to protect the Amazon  
Across Appalachia, historic coal towns are looking to the outdoor economy for their next act nbsp; Feature Across Appalachia, historic coal towns are looking to the outdoor economy for their next act  
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  
If you want to know about the health of ecosystems, a good place to start is with ants nbsp; Feature If you want to know about the health of ecosystems, a good place to start is with ants  
What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff nbsp; Feature What a project in Wisconsin can teach others about working with farmers to reduce phosphorus runoff  
Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses nbsp; Feature Reshaping Africa’s rural food systems and cutting food losses  
Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities nbsp; Feature Three promising new technologies could help send stormwater to taps in thirsty cities  
Health departments are on climate change’s front lines nbsp; Feature Health departments are on climate change’s front lines  
Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened. nbsp; Feature Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened.  
Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment? nbsp; Feature Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment?  
Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries nbsp; Feature Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries  
Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most? nbsp; Feature Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most?  
A soil microbe saved my life nbsp; Feature A soil microbe saved my life  
From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture nbsp; Feature From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture  
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?  
Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be? nbsp; Feature Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be?  
Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil? nbsp; Feature Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil?  
As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world nbsp; Feature As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world  
How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade? nbsp; Feature How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade?  
Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing nbsp; Feature Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing  
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