Topic
Our Impact
Microclimates Could Help Pollinators Survive
In the FERN exclusive, "A chilling effect: How farms can help pollinators survive the stress of climate change," Lela Nargi explains that refugia are viewed as “relatively buffered” from climate change and a haven for vulnerable species. A refugium might …
The Case of the Shrinking Salmon
In "Trouble at sea," a story published in partnership with bioGraphic, Miranda Weiss explores the reasons why Pacific salmon are shrinking in size. Hatchery salmon, from the booming aquaculture industry, routinely escape into the ocean, where they compete with wild …
FERN Digs Deep into GMO Corn Controversy
As Lourdes Medrano explains in "The deep roots of Mexico’s trade dispute with U.S. over GMO corn," the history of the current dispute between Mexico and the U.S. over genetically modified corn has roots much deeper than the presidential decree …
Overfishing Threatens an Alaskan Ecosystem and Culture
In "Alaska’s herring row," published with The Nation, Brent Simpson details how herring is a tiny fish central to Tlingit culture and to sustainable ecosystems. But overfishing is threatening both. Read More
Controlled Burns Creating Critical Solutions
In “The return of ‘good fire’ to eastern U.S. forests and grasslands,” published with Yale Environment 360, Gabriel Popkin describes how advocates support controlled burns as part of a critical solution to a range of problems, from biodiversity loss to …
FERN Digs into the Climate-Friendly Status of the Wood-Pellet Industry
In “The controversial biofuel threatening British Columbia’s forests,” published with The Walrus, Brian Barth explores the province's booming wood-pellet industry, which is causing worry that old-growth ecosystems will be pushed to the brink. Read More
Spiking Soybean Prices Lead to Less Carbon Storage
In “Farming boom threatens Biden’s climate and conservation ambitions,” published with National Geographic, Gabriel Popkin explains that high prices for corn and soybeans are driving farmers in the Great Plains to plow up vital grasslands at the expense of carbon …
FERN Finds That Fashion Could Help Save the Amazon
In “Can fashion help small farmers preserve the Amazon?,” published with The New Republic, Brian Barth and Flávia Milhorance help readers understand that though many downplay capitalist solutions to conservation, they have the potential to spark the wealth transfer needed …
Projects