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.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

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

Eat, fillet, love: Advocates seek more respect for Minnesota's underappreciated fish
Advocates for native species currently designated as rough fish — from redhorse suckers to bigmouth buffalo — say they provide many ecological benefits. Some also face threats and may need additional regulations.
An activist group is spreading misinformation to stop solar projects in rural America
An NPR/Floodlight investigation found that a longtime Republican insider is stoking solar opposition by spreading bad information about health and environmental risks. Her influence is growing.
Study: Harmful algae blooms like it hot, but can occur in cold water
A new study finds that harmful algae blooms — typically associated with warm water temperatures — can also occur in cooler conditions, even under ice.
Rebroadcast: 10 years of Climate Cast
Climate Cast with Paul Huttner debuted 10 years ago on MPR News. Hear how the climate has changed in the last decade and how that’s affecting climate news, solutions and science. A rebroadcast of the 10th anniversary Climate Cast special takes a glance back and a look forward with an expert panel of climate scientists and communicators.
Investigators pinpoint, halt likely source of volatile substance found Minneapolis sewers
In the wake of a sewer explosion and evacuations on the U of M campus last summer, authorities believe they found the source of the volatile substance. And they've recently taken more steps to prevent a recurrence.
These Minnesotans farm ice — and it’s drawing climbers from across the U.S.
Ice farming is the art and science of making climbing ice on cliffs. Minnesota has three city-owned parks with volunteer-run ice farming systems for climbing, more than any other state in the country.
MPCA says polluted runoff contributed to fish kill in Minnesota trout stream
State regulators say polluted runoff likely contributed to a fish kill in a southeast Minnesota trout stream last summer. About 2,500 dead fish were discovered in late July in Rush Creek, near Lewiston.
Hundreds rally at Capitol for clean energy plans centered on Indigenous rights
The rally was organized by more than 20 Indigenous, faith and environmental advocacy groups in response to the state’s new clean-energy law mandating Minnesota’s electricity utilities become 100 percent carbon-free by 2040.