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

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Photos: Spring wildflowers in southern Minnesota state parks
April’s cool, wet weather delayed the show — but spring wildflowers are now in full bloom across southern Minnesota. Two great places to view them are Nerstrand Big Woods and Carley state parks.
California just ran on 100% renewable energy, but fossil fuels aren't fading away yet
California broke its record for renewable energy when solar and wind provided enough to meet all consumer demand. At the time, natural gas power plants were still on, a necessity for the grid.
Part fishing, part carnival, the annual spring smelt run always brings hordes of anglers to the shore of Lake Superior, hoping to fill buckets and coolers full of the small, silvery fish. But state officials recommend eating only one meal of smelt a month because of concerns over PFOS pollution. 
Beyond the compost bin: How companies are reducing food waste
An estimated 35 percent — or $408 billion worth — of food in the United States goes to waste, emitting methane and creating inefficiencies in carbon-heavy supply chains.
Tribes’ spring fish harvest provides food, preserves culture
With the ice finally gone on most Minnesota lakes, the annual tradition of spearing or netting fish is underway. The spring harvest is an exercise of tribal treaty rights, and the result of a long-fought legal battle.
The work-from-home climate challenge
Companies might have thought a silver lining from the pandemic was that remote work was slashing emissions. They're thinking again.
Forest loss in 2021 emitted as much carbon as India does
Forests are supposed to help us remove carbon from the atmosphere. But forest loss to development and fires last year meant some forests added carbon to the atmosphere.