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.

December 14, 2017 4:58 PM

The year of the superstorm, a 'net zero' home and how to pick a green car

This week on Climate Cast, MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner discusses 2017's extreme weather events, and we'll hear about what it's like to create a "net zero" home and how to choose a climate-friendly car.

by Paul Huttner

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 13, 2017 4:17 PM

PolyMet offers state $544M if it couldn't pay for mine cleanup

The "financial assurances" package is a kind of damage deposit made to protect taxpayers from having to cover the costs of shutting down and cleaning up the proposed northern Minnesota mine.

by Dan Kraker

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 13, 2017 4:00 AM

Birders aflutter over snowy owl 'irruption'

Every few years there are so called "irruptions" of snowy owls to Minnesota and other northern states, when the majestic raptors flock south from the Arctic tundra. This winter's could be an especially big one.

by Dan Kraker

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 12, 2017 4:12 PM

Paris hosts major climate summit -- and it's all about Trump

Trump became the unwitting villain as world leaders, investors and other Americans assailed him Tuesday for rejecting the Paris climate accord.

by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 12, 2017 2:52 PM

Minnesota puts new restrictions on controversial herbicide

The state is trying to prevent damage from dicamba, which can drift to neighboring fields and damage soybean crops.

by Mark Steil

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 12, 2017 9:15 AM

Arctic report card: Permafrost thawing faster than before

A new report finds permafrost in the Arctic is thawing faster than ever before. The annual report card also finds water is warming and sea ice is melting at the fastest pace in 1,500 years at the top of the world.

by Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 10, 2017 9:30 AM

Recycling chaos in U.S. as China bans 'foreign waste'

The U.S. exports about one-third of its recycling, and nearly half goes to China. But starting Jan. 1, China will no longer accept two dozen forms of waste.

by Jes Burns and Cassandra Profita

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

December 8, 2017 12:38 PM

PUC says Line 3 environmental review is inadequate, asks for changes

State regulators on Thursday rejected a major environmental study prepared for the proposed Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota as they seek revisions on three relatively narrow items.

by Dan Kraker