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.

Was devastating tornado outbreak related to climate change?
Scientists say their understanding of how climate change affects the frequency of tornadoes is still evolving. But they say the conditions that give rise to such outbreaks — including rising temperatures, moisture, and wind shear — are intensifying as the planet warms.
As winters warm, Minnesota lakes are losing ice
Data show that ice cover on Minnesota lakes has declined an average of 10-14 days over the past 50 years.
The world watches, roots for a young loon trapped in an icy Minnesota lake
For the past couple weeks, a young loon nicknamed “Gilligan" has been trapped in the ice in a lake near Nevis, Minn. The loon's plight has captured the attention of people around the world. It has also raised questions about just how much humans should intervene to save a single water bird.
Report: NHL is promoting hockey rink refrigerant with 'super-greenhouse gas'
A report from the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency says the National Hockey League and chemical company Chemours are teaming up to expand the use of Opteon, a refrigerant that is “1,700 to 3,100 times more potent than carbon dioxide.”
Stargazing tips from a Dark Sky Festival organizer on the North Shore
Minnesota’s North Shore is home to one of only 15 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world — and this weekend, it will host a festival celebrating the magic and importance of stargazing and dark skies. Caroline Torkildson, a dark sky advocate with Starry Skies North, the Duluth chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association, joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
From grime to crumbling masonry, U.S. parks get a makeover
The Great American Outdoor Act was passed by Congress last year and dedicated up to $1.6 billion a year for the next five years to extensive maintenance and repairs that have been put off year after year.
Video captures enormous bear in northern Minnesota
Researchers in northern Minnesota captured a video of an enormous black bear this fall, weighing an estimated 700 pounds. Ironically, bears in the state tend to grow bigger in years with poor supplies of natural food.
Carbon trading gets a green light from the U.N., and Brazil hopes to earn billions
Carbon offsets got a big boost from November's U.N. climate summit. New rules could make it easier for companies to pay for carbon-cutting projects in other countries, rather than doing it themselves.