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.

 

Why degraded reefs could be the future of ocean conservation nbsp; Feature Why degraded reefs could be the future of ocean conservation  
These fires are huge, hidden and harmful. What can we do? nbsp; Feature These fires are huge, hidden and harmful. What can we do?  
The developing world is awash in pesticides. Does it have to be? nbsp; Feature The developing world is awash in pesticides. Does it have to be?  
​Will outrage over recent murders help Honduran environmental activists achieve their goal? nbsp; Feature ​Will outrage over recent murders help Honduran environmental activists achieve their goal?  
Animals to humans: Be quiet, already nbsp; Feature Animals to humans: Be quiet, already  
Researchers around the world are learning from indigenous communities. Here’s why that’s a good thing. nbsp; Feature Researchers around the world are learning from indigenous communities. Here’s why that’s a good thing.  
The number one thing we can do to protect Earth’s oceans nbsp; Feature The number one thing we can do to protect Earth’s oceans  
How better weather forecasting can help stretch water supplies nbsp; Feature How better weather forecasting can help stretch water supplies  
What’s a national park to do about climate change? nbsp; Feature What’s a national park to do about climate change?  
What’s in those new plastic pipes delivering drinking water? nbsp; Feature What’s in those new plastic pipes delivering drinking water?  
What the Green Climate Fund really means for international development nbsp; Feature What the Green Climate Fund really means for international development  
Three ways artificial intelligence is helping to save the world nbsp; Feature Three ways artificial intelligence is helping to save the world  
Can superfoods boost the planet’s health, too? nbsp; Feature Can superfoods boost the planet’s health, too?  
Our drinking water systems are a disaster. What can we do? nbsp; Feature Our drinking water systems are a disaster. What can we do?  
Can we bury the carbon dioxide problem? nbsp; Feature Can we bury the carbon dioxide problem?  
This new data set is poised to revolutionize climate adaptation nbsp; Feature This new data set is poised to revolutionize climate adaptation  
Does it really matter whether companies track their carbon footprints? nbsp; Feature Does it really matter whether companies track their carbon footprints?  
We’ve changed a life-giving nutrient into a deadly pollutant. How can we change it back? nbsp; Feature We’ve changed a life-giving nutrient into a deadly pollutant. How can we change it back?  
Can low-income housing be energy efficient and affordable? nbsp; Feature Can low-income housing be energy efficient and affordable?  
This Mexican farm is growing trees, cows — and climate solutions nbsp; Feature This Mexican farm is growing trees, cows — and climate solutions  
From air conditioning to urban planning, defaults and standards create dysfunction by design nbsp; Feature From air conditioning to urban planning, defaults and standards create dysfunction by design  
Is nuclear power our energy future — or a dinosaur in a death spiral? nbsp; Feature Is nuclear power our energy future — or a dinosaur in a death spiral?  
We can save individual species — but can we save entire ecosystems? nbsp; Feature We can save individual species — but can we save entire ecosystems?  
The newest strategy for saving bees is really, really old nbsp; Feature The newest strategy for saving bees is really, really old  
A small island in the Indian Ocean offers big lessons on clean power nbsp; Feature A small island in the Indian Ocean offers big lessons on clean power  
Is it time to rethink recycling? nbsp; Feature Is it time to rethink recycling?  
What will it take to get plastics out of the ocean? nbsp; Feature What will it take to get plastics out of the ocean?  
Global deforestation is decreasing. Or is it? nbsp; Feature Global deforestation is decreasing. Or is it?  
These companies are figuring out how to reduce the toxics in electronics nbsp; Feature These companies are figuring out how to reduce the toxics in electronics  
What Kenya’s biggest slum can teach us about saving cities from floods nbsp; Feature What Kenya’s biggest slum can teach us about saving cities from floods  
Can genetic engineering help quench crops’ thirst? nbsp; Feature Can genetic engineering help quench crops’ thirst?  
Are energy-saving settings bad for the environment? nbsp; Feature Are energy-saving settings bad for the environment?  
The environmental cost of moving all our stuff is huge. How can we shrink it? nbsp; Feature The environmental cost of moving all our stuff is huge. How can we shrink it?  
Tiny materials in countless products raise big questions for environment and health nbsp; Feature Tiny materials in countless products raise big questions for environment and health  
What does technology do to our relationship with the environment? nbsp; Feature What does technology do to our relationship with the environment?  
If everybody hates wasting food, why do we do it (and how can we stop)? nbsp; Feature If everybody hates wasting food, why do we do it (and how can we stop)?  
Can nations reach a strong agreement at COP 21? nbsp; Feature Can nations reach a strong agreement at COP 21?  
Can bats reduce nut farmers’ pesticide use? nbsp; Feature Can bats reduce nut farmers’ pesticide use?  
One by one, states are giving consumers the right to know about chemicals in products nbsp; Feature One by one, states are giving consumers the right to know about chemicals in products  
Cities are finally treating water as a resource, not a nuisance nbsp; Feature Cities are finally treating water as a resource, not a nuisance  
In the race to save species, genetic engineering is coming to nature nbsp; Feature In the race to save species, genetic engineering is coming to nature  
Are self-driving vehicles good for the environment? nbsp; Feature Are self-driving vehicles good for the environment?  
What to do about the antidepressants, antibiotics and other drugs in our water nbsp; Feature What to do about the antidepressants, antibiotics and other drugs in our water  
How to grow more food with less water nbsp; Feature How to grow more food with less water  
The search for sustainable plastics nbsp; Feature The search for sustainable plastics  
As we prepare for the UN climate talks, a look at what’s changed since Copenhagen nbsp; Feature As we prepare for the UN climate talks, a look at what’s changed since Copenhagen  
Are countries legally required to protect their citizens from climate change? nbsp; Feature Are countries legally required to protect their citizens from climate change?  
Does one of the world’s most abundant animals need protection from our appetite? nbsp; Feature Does one of the world’s most abundant animals need protection from our appetite?  
Can Latin America do palm oil right? nbsp; Feature Can Latin America do palm oil right?  
How do you bring electricity to 620 million people? nbsp; Feature How do you bring electricity to 620 million people?  
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.