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

reporting on our changing planet.

 

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  
15 surprising biodiversity conservation trends to watch for in 2020   15 surprising biodiversity conservation trends to watch for in 2020 Notable
Opinion: By dwelling on the downsides of bioplastics, we’re hobbling efforts to make them part of the solution nbsp; Voices Opinion: By dwelling on the downsides of bioplastics, we’re hobbling efforts to make them part of the solution  
What to expect from the UN’s COP 25 climate change conference   What to expect from the UN’s COP 25 climate change conference Notable
Six inexpensive (or even money-saving) things cities can do to become more sustainable now nbsp; Article Six inexpensive (or even money-saving) things cities can do to become more sustainable now  
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  
Opinion: How do we convince climate change deniers? That’s the wrong question. nbsp; Voices Opinion: How do we convince climate change deniers? That’s the wrong question.  
Opinion: In the face of a looming climate crisis, the late Elinor Ostrom gives me hope nbsp; Voices Opinion: In the face of a looming climate crisis, the late Elinor Ostrom gives me hope  
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  
Survey suggests Americans want to phase out gas guzzlers sooner rather than later   Survey suggests Americans want to phase out gas guzzlers sooner rather than later Notable
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  
Opinion: Current proposals to plant trees to fight climate change are badly misguided nbsp; Voices Opinion: Current proposals to plant trees to fight climate change are badly misguided  
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  
How do biodiversity conservation initiatives expand their reach?   How do biodiversity conservation initiatives expand their reach? Notable
Entrepreneurs and government are teaming up to boost food security in the United Arab Emirates — and beyond nbsp; Article Entrepreneurs and government are teaming up to boost food security in the United Arab Emirates — and beyond  
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  
New report: Efficiency can cut U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050   New report: Efficiency can cut U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050 Notable
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  
These three circular economy principles can help combat the climate crisis   These three circular economy principles can help combat the climate crisis Notable
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?  
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  
As tick-borne illness spreads across the U.S., so does grassroots education to prevent it nbsp; Article As tick-borne illness spreads across the U.S., so does grassroots education to prevent it  
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