Environmental News

MPR News is your source for environment news from Minnesota and across the country.

Getting to Green: Minnesota’s energy future

Getting to Green is an MPR News series that shares stories about Minnesota’s clean energy transition, including what needs to be done to get there.

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Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

'On the edge': Minnesota farmers, gardeners, cities wait to see if rain will curb worsening drought
Widespread rain expected soon could spare the region from seeing the most serious effects of drought. But a continued dry pattern could quickly make things worse for farmers and gardeners.
Some cities are digging up water mains and leaving lead pipe in the ground
Many American cities have been excavating water mains, revealing lead pipes and leaving them there. The work’s disruption of the pipe can also spike lead levels, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
Duluth's Chester Bowl builds new bridge, aims for new chalet next
The club that manages the Chester Bowl ski hill in Duluth is trying to raise $1.3 million to build a new chalet at the iconic park, where generations of Olympic ski jumpers practiced in the mid-1900s.
A punishing heat wave hits the West and Southwest U.S.
A heat wave that's expected to peak this weekend kicked off with record high temperatures and put one-third of Americans under heat alerts.
5 tips to keep your pet safe — and comfortable — in extreme heat
"If it's hot outside for you, it's most likely even hotter for your pet," one expert tells NPR. Here's how to protect your pet outdoors, keep them engaged inside and respond to signs of heat stroke.
Droughts, wildfire smoke clouds outlook for agriculture - and concern for farmers’ health
The increasing drought and smoke from Canadian wildfires are adding to Minnesota farmers’ challenges this summer. But there’s a debate over whether the smoke may actually help as it shields already drought-stressed crops.
Nature-based preschools encourage kids to connect with the world around them
Dodge Nature Preschool in West St. Paul was one of the first nature-based preschools in the country that helps kids learn and connect to nature year-round. The number of these schools has more than quadrupled since some of the first started in the early 2000s.
How to weatherize and super insulate your home to become more energy efficient
One of the biggest opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is weatherizing and super insulating existing homes and buildings. And lawmakers this year set aside a big chunk of money to help people do just that. So how can you get started?