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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.

 

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  
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  
This new resource aims to help clear up recycling confusion   This new resource aims to help clear up recycling confusion Notable
How did Chile become a global climate leader? nbsp; Article How did Chile become a global climate leader?  
Opinion: Instead of flight shaming, let’s be thoughtful and selective about all travel nbsp; Voices Opinion: Instead of flight shaming, let’s be thoughtful and selective about all travel  
From auto manufacturers to tech giants, companies across the U.S. are opposing rollbacks on climate change regulations nbsp; Article From auto manufacturers to tech giants, companies across the U.S. are opposing rollbacks on climate change regulations  
When it comes to addressing climate change, gender matters   When it comes to addressing climate change, gender matters Notable
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?  
This interactive map shows how diverse life on Earth is — and how we can keep it that way   This interactive map shows how diverse life on Earth is — and how we can keep it that way Notable
This crop is helping us understand humanity’s nomadic past — and prepare for a hotter, drier future nbsp; Article This crop is helping us understand humanity’s nomadic past — and prepare for a hotter, drier future  
Opinion: The Sustainable Development Goals could use a boost — and these five strategies might be just what’s needed nbsp; Voices Opinion: The Sustainable Development Goals could use a boost — and these five strategies might be just what’s needed  
Clean energy technology is taking cues from sunflower spirals, schooling fish and other natural phenomena nbsp; Article Clean energy technology is taking cues from sunflower spirals, schooling fish and other natural phenomena  
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  
Fake climate science videos have millions of views on YouTube. Here’s what scientists can do about it.   Fake climate science videos have millions of views on YouTube. Here’s what scientists can do about it. Notable
Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests nbsp; Feature Look out, food deserts: Here come the food forests  
As the climate crisis intensifies, lawsuits aimed at slowing greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise   As the climate crisis intensifies, lawsuits aimed at slowing greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise Notable
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  
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electrical system offer lessons for boosting energy security nbsp; Article In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electrical system offer lessons for boosting energy security  
What can we do to lessen the toll of climate change on the world’s poorest people?   What can we do to lessen the toll of climate change on the world’s poorest people? Notable
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?  
Looking for climate-friendly foods? Try protein powder, peanuts, tuna, salmon — and grasshoppers   Looking for climate-friendly foods? Try protein powder, peanuts, tuna, salmon — and grasshoppers Notable
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?  
Looking to finance money-saving energy efficiency projects? Here’s a tool for that.   Looking to finance money-saving energy efficiency projects? Here’s a tool for that. Notable
Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you nbsp; Voices Opinion: Calling all hackers — endangered wildlife needs you  
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  
Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it?   Reusing wastewater in agriculture could reduce water scarcity. Can you stomach it? Notable
Are bioplastics better for the environment than conventional plastics? nbsp; Feature Are bioplastics better for the environment than conventional plastics?  
Opinion: Why traditional knowledge — not external tech — is the key to truly sustainable agriculture nbsp; Voices Opinion: Why traditional knowledge — not external tech — is the key to truly sustainable agriculture  
Tiny creatures play a big role in climate change   Tiny creatures play a big role in climate change Notable
Can saving jaguars sustain local economies? nbsp; Feature Can saving jaguars sustain local economies?  
How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly   How the secret language of plants can make agriculture more environmentally friendly Notable
Opinion: To succeed, the Green New Deal must tap the power of collective action nbsp; Voices Opinion: To succeed, the Green New Deal must tap the power of collective action  
Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem? nbsp; Feature Can smartphone apps help solve the world’s food waste problem?  
Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People.   Most illustrations of the water cycle are missing an important ingredient: People. Notable
How should climate change be taught in schools across America? nbsp; Feature How should climate change be taught in schools across America?  
Researchers recommend chemistry educators focus more on environmental impacts   Researchers recommend chemistry educators focus more on environmental impacts Notable
Shareable scooters may seem sustainable, but are they really? nbsp; Article Shareable scooters may seem sustainable, but are they really?  
Opinion: A new generation of leaders understands that individual actions won’t fix our environmental problems nbsp; Voices Opinion: A new generation of leaders understands that individual actions won’t fix our environmental problems  
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  
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