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.

Bolivia is fighting major forest fires nearly as large as those in Brazil
Firefighters, troops and volunteers have been working for the past two months to put out some of the worst wildfires in the country's recent history.
3 wolves moved to Isle Royale, helping rebuild population
Officials say four gray wolves from Michigan's Upper Peninsula were transported for resettlement in Isle Royale National Park to help restore the predator species on the Lake Superior island chain, though one of them died shortly after arriving.
Photos: Students strike for climate change action
Thousands of young protesters left school Friday to join the global climate strike in more than a dozen Minnesota cities — from Bemidji to Rochester. The protesters are demanding immediate action on climate change and major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Young people are demanding quick, bold action on climate change
Across Minnesota, hundreds of protesters are gathering in coordination with the global strike to protest government and business inaction on climate change. Protesters from Bemidji, Morris, Winona and Virginia joined the program to explain why this is important to them.
 Color coated: Leaf season bursts in northern Minnesota
It’s happening. Minnesota’s fall leaf season is suddenly swelling with color across swaths of northern Minnesota and the Arrowhead. Here are three great places to trek this weekend.
Mass 'climate strike' protests held around the world ahead of U.N. summit
Rallies calling for net zero carbon emissions saw hundreds of thousands turn out in Australia, with similar demonstrations planned for the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and dozens of other countries.
Minnesota students striking for climate change share hopes, fears for future
Walkouts and protests are taking place in cities across the state as part of a global youth movement to urge climate action. We asked students from throughout the region why they’re participating.
New power generation: Rural co-op makes bet on wind, solar hybrid
A Minnesota company wants to build small renewable electric generating plants across the state, expanding local power generation. The first such hybrid wind-and-solar site is on line in western Minnesota. It’s saving the local power distribution cooperative money, but there are barriers to expanding the concept across the state.
Five tips for talking to kids about climate change
Teaching and talking about climate change can be scary, overwhelming and politically controversial. But it doesn’t have to be.