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.

Weekend of fear looms for Californians in face of wildfires
Fueled by strong winds and bone-dry vegetation, the Dixie Fire grew to become the largest single wildfire on record in California — and it threatened to reduce thousands of more homes to ashes.
Summertime and vacationing isn't easy. Blame it on climate change
Climate change already is making wildfires, hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts more frequent and intense; the devastating effects are in the headlines regularly. A warming climate also changes lives in subtler ways — such as summer vacation plans.
Colorado mudslides wreak havoc on major transportation route
Interstate 70 in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon remains closed because of damage from mudslides — the latest in a string of closures over the past two years on the key transportation corridor through the Rocky Mountains.
Farmers say drought aid urgently needed
Minnesota farmers are urging Gov. Tim Walz to move quickly on drought aid, as conditions worsen for farmers across the state.
Line 3: White Earth argues DNR water permit violates wild rice rights
A lawsuit faults state officials for letting Enbridge Inc. pump up to 5 billion gallons of water for its Line 3 oil pipeline construction. It's believed to be the first case brought in a U.S. tribal court on behalf of the rights of nature, a movement gaining momentum around the globe.
'You pray for rain': Low rivers stressing irrigators, recreationists — and potentially, critters
Rivers across the state are very low because of the severe drought encompassing much of the state. That's affecting a lot of people who rely on rivers and streams for their livelihood.
New month, worsening drought conditions in Minnesota
After one of the driest Julys on record in parts of Minnesota, the drought conditions affecting the region show no signs of letting up to start the month of August.