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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.

Submit a question or story for Getting to Green here.

Climate Cast

Listen to Climate Cast, the MPR News podcast all about our changing climate and its impact in Minnesota and worldwide.

Trees that survived California drought may hold clue to climate resilience

Trees that survived California drought may hold clue to climate resilience

When it comes to surviving the warming climate, scientists are finding that some plants and animals have an edge. The hope is that these "super adapters" can help preserve their species.
by Lauren Sommer

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Court sends Daley decision back to MPCA over greenhouse gas issue

Court sends Daley decision back to MPCA over greenhouse gas issue

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday gave the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency a bit of homework when it delivered its decision in a case involving Daley Farms of Lewiston, Minn.

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Pumping oxygen in a lake to try to save fish facing climate change

Pumping oxygen in a lake to try to save fish facing climate change

As the climate warms, many U.S. lakes are seeing more algal blooms, low oxygen levels and stressed out fish species. One team in Oregon hopes that pumping oxygen into the water can help.
by Jes Burns

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EPA proposes new regulations for lead in drinking water

EPA proposes new regulations for lead in drinking water

The new proposal is being criticized for not proactively replacing lead service lines across the nation. It also keeps the same threshold for lead in drinking water that the U.S. currently has.
by Paolo Zialcita

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Climate curious: What is THE most important thing a person can do to fight climate change?

Climate curious: What is THE most important thing a person can do to fight climate change?

With limited time and resources, individuals, companies and governments are searching for the actions that will make the biggest dent in the emissions contributing to climate change. But there is no silver bullet.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Harsh winter, wet spring cast a shadow over pheasant population, hunting season

Harsh winter, wet spring cast a shadow over pheasant population, hunting season

Minnesota’s pheasant hunting season kicks off this weekend, but the outlook isn’t so bright for hunters this year. Record-amount snow and rain delayed pheasant nesting by 10 days later than average, and the longterm trend of pheasant population decrease continues this year, the DNR says.
by Jiwon Choi

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Why U.S. cities like Minneapolis are banning new fast-food drive-thrus

Why U.S. cities like Minneapolis are banning new fast-food drive-thrus

Most of the bans aim to curb emissions and protect pedestrians. The bans are also sometimes touted as a way to help fight obesity, but past studies suggest they don't have that effect.
by Jodi Helmer

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In Minnesota, a new push to fight climate change — and make money — from forests

In Minnesota, a new push to fight climate change — and make money — from forests

Programs that pay landowners to keep carbon sequestered in forests are beginning to spread, now that California has a cap and trade system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some say Minnesota should be a bigger player in the carbon offset market.
by Dan Kraker

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Stuffed with sockeye salmon, 'Holly' wins 'Fat Bear Week' heavyweight title

Stuffed with sockeye salmon, 'Holly' wins 'Fat Bear Week' heavyweight title

The annual competition is put on by Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve to choose the fattest bear. This year, Holly beat out Lefty in the championship round, winning 80 percent of the votes.
by Tom Goldman

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