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.

Meet the rusty patched bumblebee, Minnesota's new bee ambassador
The state Legislature anointed the endangered rusty patched bumblebee as Minnesota's state bee — and researchers say regular citizens can help save them.
Minnesota's new CWD measures: Will they work?
Chronic wasting disease was a contentious topic this legislative session. The measures passed during a special session last weekend came with heavy compromise, but experts say it was a good start.
A Gustavus student is suing Trump over climate change
Nathan Baring, a 19-year-old Minnesota college student, is a plaintiff in the landmark Juliana v. United States climate change lawsuit. Oral arguments are set for Tuesday in a federal appeals court.
Scientists genetically modify fungus to kill mosquitoes that spread malaria
The modified fungus produces spider toxin that rapidly kills mosquitoes, raising hopes for a new weapon to fight a disease that sickens millions. But not everyone is convinced.
No such thing as the Poop Fairy: Duluth tries whimsy offensive on scofflaw dog owners
Every spring, the piles of dog waste that were frozen all winter start to melt. It's a messy, potentially hazardous problem. So the parks department is reminding residents to pick up after their pets.
Wolf relocated from Canada to Isle Royale found dead
Officials said Wednesday the black-coated male's body was found in the middle of a large, swampy area at the southwestern end of the Lake Superior wilderness island.
How climate change is affecting Minnesota's apples and wine grapes
Minnesota apples are world famous for quality. And northern wine grapes and wineries are popping up all over. But what climate trends and impacts are growers seeing as climate shifts?
As planting window closes, Minn. farmers face tough choices
Spring planting is about two weeks behind. Farmers will soon need to decide whether they'll try to plant late, and run the risk of losing their crops to an early frost, or if they'll work up to an insurance payment deadline and take a loss on the seeds they're not able to get into the ground.
Minnesota's departure from coal will mean more natural gas, nuclear
Minnesota is in the midst of a historic transition in how it generates electricity. Xcel Energy last week announced plans to close all of its remaining coal-fired power plants in the state by 2030 -- and to increase its solar capacity in the Upper Midwest by 1,400 percent.