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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Great Lakes’ at least $7 billion fishing industry may get a reprieve from the great carp invasion after all
Government agencies, advocacy groups and others have long debated how to prevent the fish from reaching the Great Lakes, where scientists say they could out-compete native species for food and habitat in waterways.
U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot
The New World screwworm is endemic in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean — and its northward spread into Mexico has alarmed U.S. officials. It can kill a full-grown cow in one to two weeks. 
In Duluth, a controversial condo proposal brings out both NIMBYs and YIMBYs 
The Duluth City Council votes Monday on a controversial housing development project. It pits NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against so-called YIMBYs or “Yes In My Backyard,” who advocate for new housing. 
In Crosslake, governor’s fishing opener spotlights lethal impact of lead tackle to Minnesota’s loons
One of the biggest threats loons face is poisoning from swallowing lead sinkers, lures and jigs. Yet efforts to ban lead tackle in Minnesota have repeatedly failed and convincing anglers to voluntarily switch out their lead tackle for non-toxic alternatives has been a slow process.
Tapped out? Dispute with DNR over year-round maple tree taps leaves Grand Marais couple feeling stuck
A small maple syrup operation that has tapped trees on state land outside Grand Marais for 25 years says it may have to close over a lease dispute with the Minnesota DNR. The agency wants the business to remove its tapping equipment from 600 trees at the end of every syrup season.
Captive-bred axolotls thrive in Mexican wetlands, researchers find
The cartoonish-looking salamanders have faced an uncertain future in the wild. But researchers hope that breeding axolotls in captivity and releasing them in the wild can help their numbers.
Baby sloth born while on exhibit at Como Park Zoo dies
The zoo said the baby sloth was found unresponsive in its habitat earlier this week. Zoo officials believe it died overnight on Sunday night or Monday morning.
What our 'good boys' can teach us about living a good life
In his new book, “The Word of Dog,” philosopher Mark Rowlands extols the the morality of dogs, which he says leads to a happy and fulfilling life.