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.

The climate change superstars few have heard about
There are about 6 million acres of peatlands in Minnesota -- nearly 10% of our state. And it turns out, peat bogs have climate change fighting superpowers.
Future of Mississippi River dams in Twin Cities up for discussion again
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is about to restart a study charting the future of the Mississippi River gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul, after barge traffic on that stretch of the river ended in 2015.
Barges grounded by low water halt Mississippi River traffic
The unusually low water level in the lower Mississippi River is causing barges to get stuck in the mud and sand. That's disrupting river travel for shippers, recreational boaters and even passengers on a cruise line.
Carbon dioxide gets most of the climate change headlines but methane has 82 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timespan. And looking at the way we produce and consume food is critical to stabilizing earth’s climate because agriculture is the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions.
Turtles are on the run, watch out!
The fall season is associated with a lot of things — turning leaves, colder temperatures, a little bit of frost — but probably not baby turtles. Right now is high turtle crossing season! MaryLynn Pulscher from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board talks with guest host Tim Nelson about what’s going on with the turtles and why the park board is paying attention.