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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.

 

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  
Opinion: From today’s tragedy, let’s shape a bold, new trajectory for people and our planet nbsp; Voices Opinion: From today’s tragedy, let’s shape a bold, new trajectory for people and our planet  
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  
Opinion: If we want to increase trust in science, we need to direct more research dollars to rural America nbsp; Voices Opinion: If we want to increase trust in science, we need to direct more research dollars to rural America  
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  
Climate change comes to Duluth — one of America’s “climate refuge cities” nbsp; Article Climate change comes to Duluth — one of America’s “climate refuge cities”  
Opinion: We need to keep our water systems — and workers — safe as the novel coronavirus ravages the world nbsp; Voices Opinion: We need to keep our water systems — and workers — safe as the novel coronavirus ravages the world  
Opinion: It’s time for a Project Drawdown for Conservation nbsp; Voices Opinion: It’s time for a Project Drawdown for Conservation  
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  
Three workable strategies for putting a big dent in methane, the “other” greenhouse gas   Three workable strategies for putting a big dent in methane, the “other” greenhouse gas Notable
Opinion: To reduce the risk of future pandemics, we need to move from domination to partnership with nature nbsp; Voices Opinion: To reduce the risk of future pandemics, we need to move from domination to partnership with nature  
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?  
Opinion: To reduce the likelihood of future pandemics, we need to rethink our relationship with wild animals and wild places nbsp; Voices Opinion: To reduce the likelihood of future pandemics, we need to rethink our relationship with wild animals and wild places  
How can we best protect our global life-support system in times like these?   How can we best protect our global life-support system in times like these? Notable
Opinion: In a pandemic, we need green spaces more than ever nbsp; Voices Opinion: In a pandemic, we need green spaces more than ever  
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?  
Opinion: Put clean energy at the heart of stimulus plans to counter the coronavirus crisis nbsp; Voices Opinion: Put clean energy at the heart of stimulus plans to counter the coronavirus crisis  
Most Americans are willing to incorporate more plant-based foods into their meals. What’s preventing them?   Most Americans are willing to incorporate more plant-based foods into their meals. What’s preventing them? Notable
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  
Opinion: Scientists must learn how to interact with Indigenous people nbsp; Voices Opinion: Scientists must learn how to interact with Indigenous people  
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?  
Opinion: If we work together, 2020 can be a true “super year” for biodiversity nbsp; Voices Opinion: If we work together, 2020 can be a true “super year” for biodiversity  
How to save insects? Give them space.   How to save insects? Give them space. Notable
Opinion: If we want smart cities, we need to double down on rail transit nbsp; Voices Opinion: If we want smart cities, we need to double down on rail transit  
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  
Opinion: Climate change is the new disease of despair. Psychologists need to step up to help. nbsp; Voices Opinion: Climate change is the new disease of despair. Psychologists need to step up to help.  
Opinion: Seven strategies that offer hope for rainforests nbsp; Voices Opinion: Seven strategies that offer hope for rainforests  
This surprising fact about research funding could explain why it’s so hard to get traction against climate change   This surprising fact about research funding could explain why it’s so hard to get traction against climate change Notable
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?  
Can we protect nature by giving it legal rights? nbsp; Article Can we protect nature by giving it legal rights?  
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  
What will it cost to save Earth’s oceans?   What will it cost to save Earth’s oceans? Notable
Opinion: Two decades ago climate communication missed a huge opportunity. We can’t afford to let that happen again. nbsp; Voices Opinion: Two decades ago climate communication missed a huge opportunity. We can’t afford to let that happen again.  
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.  
How can we adapt to climate change? This online hub has answers   How can we adapt to climate change? This online hub has answers Notable
Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature.   Water experts’ #1 recommendation for protecting future water supplies? Take care of nature. Notable
From nuclear power to school food waste, Ensia’s most-read stories of 2019 nbsp; Article From nuclear power to school food waste, Ensia’s most-read stories of 2019  
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  
Opinion: Flying less should be a high-priority climate action nbsp; Voices Opinion: Flying less should be a high-priority climate action  
5 things we can do now to reduce the threat of drugs in our environment   5 things we can do now to reduce the threat of drugs in our environment Notable
Opinion: In the absence of strong U.S. government regulation, communities need to take a holistic approach to pesticide use nbsp; Voices Opinion: In the absence of strong U.S. government regulation, communities need to take a holistic approach to pesticide use  
What will it take to rid our store shelves of BPA? nbsp; Feature What will it take to rid our store shelves of BPA?  
Opinion: Yes, it’s still up to you to do something about climate change nbsp; Voices Opinion: Yes, it’s still up to you to do something about climate change  
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