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.

Chemical fingerprints point to fracking as culprit behind new methane emissions
Scientists have been debating what’s behind a recent spike in methane emissions. A new study ties the spike to shale gas emitted through fracking, and sounds the alarm for reducing natural gas use.
Weevils a tiny weapon in Christmas Lake's invasives fight
An experiment to control invasive watermilfoil with the help of a native beetle is underway in the Twin Cities’ western suburbs — and it’s being conducted by a group of high school students.
UN: Don't worry about drinking microplastics in water
The World Health Organization says the levels of microplastics in drinking water don't appear to be risky, but that research has been spotty and more is needed into their effects on the environment and health.
More U.S. towns are feeling the pinch as recycling becomes costlier
The U.S. recycling industry is facing a quandary: Too much of the plastic we use can't be recycled, and taxpayers increasingly are on the hook for paying for all that trash to hit the landfills.
A 2015 pipeline spill of liquid natural gas in western North Dakota initially reported as just 10 gallons is at least hundreds of thousands of gallons larger and may take another decade to clean up, state health officials said.
MPCA sued for information on emissions from Water Gremlin
An attorney announced Tuesday that he's suing the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to get information on toxic emissions from Water Gremlin, a White Bear Township-based manufacturer of fishing sinkers and battery terminals.
U.S. recycling industry struggles to figure out a future without China
China is no longer taking the world's waste. The U.S. recycling industry is overwhelmed — it can't keep up with the plastic being churned out. This doesn't bode well for our plastic waste problem.
Outdoor Afro fosters community through outdoor recreation
Outdoor Afro works to build community for African-American outdoor enthusiasts and increase diversity in outdoor recreation.