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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.

 

From venomous snails to sunsetting solar panels, a look at our top stories of 2018 nbsp; Article From venomous snails to sunsetting solar panels, a look at our top stories of 2018  
Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened. nbsp; Feature Taiwan has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. Here’s how that happened.  
From Tibetan weather engineering to Earth insurance, these 15 trends have big implications for biodiversity in 2019   From Tibetan weather engineering to Earth insurance, these 15 trends have big implications for biodiversity in 2019 Notable
Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment? nbsp; Feature Hyperloop promises ultrafast transportation. But what does it mean for the environment?  
OPINION: Environmental impact assessments aren’t protecting the environment nbsp; Voices OPINION: Environmental impact assessments aren’t protecting the environment  
Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries nbsp; Feature Learning from the past: Japan’s tree-planting efforts provide lessons for other countries  
Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most? nbsp; Feature Is clean energy funding from the UN’s Green Climate Fund and other sources going where it’s needed most?  
Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides nbsp; Article Looking to fungi, spiders and other natural insect killers for less toxic alternatives to synthetic pesticides  
A soil microbe saved my life nbsp; Feature A soil microbe saved my life  
OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem nbsp; Voices OPINION: Farmers need flexibility to fight Lake Erie’s algae problem  
OPINION: If we want our food to be truly sustainable, we need to be able to tell where it comes from nbsp; Voices OPINION: If we want our food to be truly sustainable, we need to be able to tell where it comes from  
From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture nbsp; Feature From German trains to South Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture  
Can we meet a growing need for food without destroying our environment? nbsp; Feature Can we meet a growing need for food without destroying our environment?  
Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be? nbsp; Feature Insect populations are declining around the world. How worried should we be?  
Can we make batteries better for the environment?   Can we make batteries better for the environment? Notable
Watch: Finding common ground on the environment in a partisan political climate nbsp; Video Watch: Finding common ground on the environment in a partisan political climate  
OPINION: Environmental impact bonds can help cities invest in green infrastructure nbsp; Voices OPINION: Environmental impact bonds can help cities invest in green infrastructure  
Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil? nbsp; Feature Why aren’t we mining landfills for valuable materials like metals and soil?  
As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world nbsp; Feature As Australia’s mining boom wanes, rehabilitation of abandoned mines offers lessons for the world  
Why do we demolish buildings instead of deconstructing them for re-use? nbsp; Article Why do we demolish buildings instead of deconstructing them for re-use?  
How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade? nbsp; Feature How well does CITES really prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade?  
Retired farmland can become valuable habitat — if we give it a hand   Retired farmland can become valuable habitat — if we give it a hand Notable
Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food nbsp; Article Innovators look to “accidental crops” as a nutritious, environmentally friendly and free source of food  
Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution? nbsp; Video Watch: Who holds the solution to microfiber pollution?  
OPINION: Let’s use carbon price dollars for sustainable development nbsp; Voices OPINION: Let’s use carbon price dollars for sustainable development  
Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing nbsp; Feature Here’s what you need to know about carbon pricing  
OPINION: For people working to protect nature, cities can no longer be an afterthought nbsp; Voices OPINION: For people working to protect nature, cities can no longer be an afterthought  
Blockchain is revolutionizing your ability to make environmentally friendly purchases nbsp; Feature Blockchain is revolutionizing your ability to make environmentally friendly purchases  
Take a look at some of the billions of organisms that keep our soil healthy nbsp; Photo Take a look at some of the billions of organisms that keep our soil healthy  
Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time? nbsp; Feature Perennial versions of conventional crops offer benefits to the environment — but are they ready for prime time?  
OPINION: Can China really lead the way to an “Ecological Civilization”? nbsp; Voices OPINION: Can China really lead the way to an “Ecological Civilization”?  
We know the wrong way to deal with e-waste. But what should we do instead? nbsp; Feature We know the wrong way to deal with e-waste. But what should we do instead?  
The energy transition will have winners and losers. Which will you be?   The energy transition will have winners and losers. Which will you be? Notable
Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world? nbsp; Feature Can the Great Lakes continue to fend off an increasingly thirsty world?  
What are coastal nuclear power plants doing to address climate threats? nbsp; Feature What are coastal nuclear power plants doing to address climate threats?  
OPINION: Let’s follow New Zealand’s lead and make people and nature as important as GDP nbsp; Voices OPINION: Let’s follow New Zealand’s lead and make people and nature as important as GDP  
Has the Netherlands figured out how to mainstream seaweed? nbsp; Article Has the Netherlands figured out how to mainstream seaweed?  
The way we power our lives is undergoing a huge transition. How can we minimize the pain and maximize the gain?   The way we power our lives is undergoing a huge transition. How can we minimize the pain and maximize the gain? Notable
OPINION: Now more than ever, scientists need to communicate better. Here’s how. nbsp; Voices OPINION: Now more than ever, scientists need to communicate better. Here’s how.  
As synthetic microfibers infiltrate food, water and air, how can we prevent future release? nbsp; Feature As synthetic microfibers infiltrate food, water and air, how can we prevent future release?  
This idea helped rescue a city of 3.8 million from a water crisis nbsp; Article This idea helped rescue a city of 3.8 million from a water crisis  
OPINION: Science denialism is dangerous. But so is science imperialism. nbsp; Voices OPINION: Science denialism is dangerous. But so is science imperialism.  
Humans, fish and other animals are consuming microfibers in our food and water nbsp; Feature Humans, fish and other animals are consuming microfibers in our food and water  
OPINION: If we want to solve complex social and environmental problems, we need to think in terms of systems nbsp; Voices OPINION: If we want to solve complex social and environmental problems, we need to think in terms of systems  
What if U.S. fuel economy standards went away? nbsp; Feature What if U.S. fuel economy standards went away?  
Our clothes are contaminating our planet with tiny plastic threads nbsp; Feature Our clothes are contaminating our planet with tiny plastic threads  
OPINION: What a giant snake can teach us about designing cities for the future nbsp; Voices OPINION: What a giant snake can teach us about designing cities for the future  
How a novel wireless technology is helping conserve wildlife, fight pollution, save farmers money and more nbsp; Feature How a novel wireless technology is helping conserve wildlife, fight pollution, save farmers money and more  
How land under solar panels can contribute to food security nbsp; Feature How land under solar panels can contribute to food security  
Protecting crops with predators instead of poisons nbsp; Feature Protecting crops with predators instead of poisons  
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