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.

Smokey at 75: America's iconic fire-preventing bear evolves his message
The animated bear with the iconic slogan is the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history. But his message now is more nuanced, as scientists and land managers’ perspectives of the role of wildfire have evolved.
The promise — and perceived peril — of bringing green amenities to low-income communities
The Minneapolis Foundation has awarded its first round of grants to involve low-income, diverse communities in climate change initiatives. One would bring electric cars and charging stations to low-income communities. But what will it take to get buy-in from residents?
To slow global warming, U.N. warns agriculture must change
The way we produce food and manage land must change radically if humans hope to avoid catastrophic global temperature rise, according to a new report by the United Nations panel on climate change.
Court puts key PolyMet copper-nickel mine permit on hold
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has placed a stay on a key water quality permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine.
Native plants become a weapon in battle to save algae-choked Little Rock Lake
Volunteers this summer are rooting bulrushes and other plants into the mud flats of the drawn down, central Minnesota lake. It’s an experiment they hope will filter out pollution and help restore the lake's health.
New evidence shows popular pesticides could cause unintended harm to insects
Studies are revealing new, unintended threats that neonicotinoid pesticides pose to insects. The chemicals, widely used by farmers, are difficult to control because they persist in the environment.
Ask a farmer: What are you curious to know about farming or life on the farm?
Many Minnesota farmers have had a rough year with flooded fields and being caught in a trade war between the U.S. and China. This week farmers are gathering for their annual summit near Redwood Falls. If you’re like most Americans you aren’t a farmer and won’t be there, but we will be and want your questions for farmers.
The 'climate candidate' for president: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington has made climate change the central issue of his 2020 presidential campaign. He shared his ideas as part of the “Climate One” series.
Give up your gas stove to save the planet? Banning gas is the next climate push
As more cities and states try to cut carbon emissions, natural gas is becoming a target. The city of Berkeley, Calif., just became the first to ban it in new homes, but it may not be the last.