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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.

Fargo scientists search for next generation of plant-based plastics

Fargo scientists search for next generation of plant-based plastics

A national collaboration of scientists from four universities is breaking new ground in the search for plant-based plastic to replace petroleum-based materials.
by Dan Gunderson

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Loving the planet to death

Loving the planet to death

In the age of climate change, travel has become an ethical conundrum. How do we see the world – or even get to work – without ruining the planet?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Searching for solid ice as scientists freeze in to study a warming arctic

Searching for solid ice as scientists freeze in to study a warming arctic

A ship of researchers is crossing the Arctic for a year attached to an ice floe. But finding the right chunk of sea ice was a challenge, in part because warmer temperatures are making it thinner.
by Ravenna Koenig

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Haulers' beef complicates deer disposal effort

Haulers' beef complicates deer disposal effort

Wildlife managers are scrambling to find a way to move thousands of deer carcasses after the state trash hauler suddenly refused to handle them just days before the opening of rifle season. Officials are getting little sympathy from local trash haulers, who say it’s the state’s own fault.
by John Enger

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Shipping Minnesota water to sate a thirsty world: Could it happen?

Shipping Minnesota water to sate a thirsty world: Could it happen?

Last week came the surprising news that a Dakota County company wants to pump water from below the ground and transport it by rail to the western United States. Environmental groups quickly opposed the idea. The Minnesota DNR said the plan won't likely meet state law. But could a plan like this ever become reality?
by Kirsti Marohn

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U.S. formally begins to leave the Paris climate agreement

U.S. formally begins to leave the Paris climate agreement

Under the agreement hammered out in 2015, the first day that countries can reverse the promises they made is Nov. 4, 2019. It will be another year before the American withdrawal is official.
by Rebecca Hersher

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DNR: Anglers can keep one walleye on Mille Lacs this winter

DNR: Anglers can keep one walleye on Mille Lacs this winter

The Department of Natural Resources on Monday announced that it will have walleye fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake similar to what was enforced last winter.
by Mike Moen

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Investigation: Lead in some Canadian water worse than Flint

Investigation: Lead in some Canadian water worse than Flint

A yearlong investigation by more than 120 journalists tested lead exposure in 11 cities across Canada and found one-third exceeded the national safety guideline, with contamination in several cities consistently higher than they ever were in Flint, Michigan.
by The Associated Press

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Residents of an eroded Alaskan village are pioneering a new one, in phases

Residents of an eroded Alaskan village are pioneering a new one, in phases

As climate change eroded the village of Newtok, its residents started making plans to move it. Many years and millions of dollars later, they are beginning the process of relocating across the river.
by Greg Kim

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