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The opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the authors and not necessarily of the Institute on the Environment/University of Minnesota.
From daily meetings and conference calls to chats around the coffeemaker, the Institute on the Environment is always buzzing with big ideas. Eye on Earth gives our scientists and staff a chance to jot down their ideas and share them with the world. Both prominent and promising leaders in land use, renewable energy, environmental communications and other topics sound off on the issues that matter most to them. The blog also serves as a journal for the ever-growing IonE community, providing candid accounts of our research findings, field hearings and more.
Population projections and anticipated climate trends will require cities to engage with their rivers in ways that see the river as a social and economic asset, while enhancing ecological functions. The Mississippi is our home river, and the Twin Cities our "field school laboratory," but our consideration reaches across the globe. River Talk brings together a river-centric community of researchers, agency staff, civic leaders, students and more. Together, we offer perspectives on the work people are doing to create sustainable urban riverfronts in the 21st century.
Can society provide a decent quality of life for a growing population in the face of increasing stresses on our planet? The question is moot. We must. Fossil fuels must be replaced by energy that meets the ethical, economic and environmental requirements implicit in sustainability. Can biofuels be part of our sustainable energy future? The Institute on the Environment's John Sheehan explores this question in his blog, Common Sense: Biofuels and Sustainability. Only by tackling both the ethical and the technical together can we hope to bring common sense back to the discussion.
The Institute on the Environment hosts a range of exciting events throughout the year, including E3: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference; the Frontiers in the Environment lecture series; and a forthcoming Momentum event series, to launch in spring 2010. Our IonEvents blog features posts from IonE researchers, staff and guest writers. These contributors provide exclusive coverage of presentations, panel discussions and workshops before, during and after IonE events.