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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.

 

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?  
Opinion: Pandemic, floods, fires, hurricanes, extinctions — nature is telling us it’s time to build our economy around inclusive wealth nbsp; Voices Opinion: Pandemic, floods, fires, hurricanes, extinctions — nature is telling us it’s time to build our economy around inclusive wealth  
Opinion: Governments must support a just transition for oil workers and their communities nbsp; Voices Opinion: Governments must support a just transition for oil workers and their communities  
A study of nearly 700 studies makes it clear: Environmental injustice is rampant around the world   A study of nearly 700 studies makes it clear: Environmental injustice is rampant around the world Notable
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  
Opinion: Let’s not forget the important lessons the coronavirus taught us about supply chains nbsp; Voices Opinion: Let’s not forget the important lessons the coronavirus taught us about supply chains  
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.  
Our old cellphones, computers and appliances are a bigger problem than ever. Here’s what we need to do.   Our old cellphones, computers and appliances are a bigger problem than ever. Here’s what we need to do. Notable
We’re flying less. And wild places that count on tourism dollars are starting to take notice. nbsp; Article We’re flying less. And wild places that count on tourism dollars are starting to take notice.  
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?  
Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems nbsp; Voices Opinion: Corporations need to do more to solve global water problems  
As climate change makes growing seasons less predictable, scientists dig into a novel approach to boosting crop resilience nbsp; Article As climate change makes growing seasons less predictable, scientists dig into a novel approach to boosting crop resilience  
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?  
Can cabbage boost the environmental friendliness of lithium-ion batteries? nbsp; Article Can cabbage boost the environmental friendliness of lithium-ion batteries?  
Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water nbsp; Voices Opinion: COVID-19 is telling us that it’s time for global systems change — starting with water  
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.  
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