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.

Pandemic interrupts longtime Isle Royale wolf, moose study
Since 1959, a research team has spent most of each winter observing the interplay between wolves and moose at Lake Superior's Isle Royale National Park. But this year's mission has been scrapped to protect the scientists and support personnel from possible exposure to the coronavirus.
Groups ask court to restore protections for U.S. gray wolves
Wildlife advocates are asking a federal court to overturn a U.S. government decision that stripped Endangered Species Act protections for wolves across most of the nation.
Minnesota may miss greenhouse gas emission goals
Minnesota is not on track to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported Thursday.
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water crisis
At least a dozen people died and more than 80 people fell ill after untreated water from the Flint River caused lead to leach from old pipes, poisoning the water system city residents relied on.
Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned.
Minnesota Power plans to retire Cohasset coal plant, go carbon-free by 2050
The Duluth-based company is the second major utility in Minnesota to announce a goal of producing all its electricity from carbon-free sources by midcentury, following Xcel Energy, which was the first utility in the country to make the pledge in late 2018.
Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world's insects
Scientists worry that the world is losing about 1 or 2 percent of its insects each year. They say climate change, insecticides, herbicide, land use changes, invasive species and light pollution are killing the world's bugs.
Report: Minnesota air quality good — but not for everyone
A new report says Minnesota's air quality is good overall, but isn't the same in all parts of the state. It finds people in some areas experience pollution levels high enough to affect the health of children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.