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.

An influential energy group sees reason for climate optimism
For the first time, the International Energy Agency projects that demand for fossil fuels will soon peak. It's nowhere close to the speed the world needs to stop climate change — but it's a big step.
Renewable jobs boom continues but how long can it last?
There are now 12.7 million jobs worldwide in renewable energy including 700,000 new jobs in the past year alone. The growth of renewable jobs has been impressive — but how long can this boom last?
Why experts say you shouldn't bag your leaves this fall
It's best to chop up and leave a thin layer of leaves in the grass. Rake excess amounts into a landscape bed or garden.
Recycling plastic is practically impossible – and the problem is getting worse
A new report from Greenpeace found that people may be putting plastic into recycling bins — but almost none of it is actually being recycled. Meanwhile, plastic production is ramping up.
Car caked with mud this morning? Thank Great Plains dust and a light rain
The combination of high-level winds carrying dust from the Great Plains, and a trace of rain to bring it to the ground, left a dirty patina on cars and trucks across the region Monday morning.
Western wildfires are making far away storms more dangerous
Scientists are finding that Western wildfires can have far-reaching impacts. If they're burning while Central U.S. thunderstorms are forming, the rain and hail can be dramatically more destructive.
At Minnesota Capitol, goat caucus meets for lunch, fights invaders
Herd on the street: Goats and sheep are the go-to species helping Minnesota root out invasive plants. Their joint appearance Thursday outside the Capitol shows good things happen when different groups come together and keep their heads down to achieve a common goal.