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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.

As infrastructure crumbles, trillions of gallons of water lost

As infrastructure crumbles, trillions of gallons of water lost

Fixing the nation's water systems isn't cheap. Across the country, many communities are raising water rates -- some in the double and triple digits-- to begin addressing the problem of leaky pipes.
by David Schaper

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USDA boosts bee habitat money for Minnesota

USDA boosts bee habitat money for Minnesota

Farmers can use the funds to plant bee-friendly wild flowers. Officials hope the investment will aid efforts to curb colony collapse.
by Dan Gunderson

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Who should pay to fix the world's salt-damaged soils?

Who should pay to fix the world's salt-damaged soils?

As climate patterns shift and more farmers irrigate without sufficient drainage, evaporated salt is crusting on top dirt clumps and degrading land.
by Alison Bruzek

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As Great Barrier Reef ails, Australia scrambles to save it

As Great Barrier Reef ails, Australia scrambles to save it

The reef is in such bad shape that the United Nations has warned it could list the World Heritage site as "in danger" next year.
by Steve Dorsey

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Brainerd votes to stop chlorinating city water

The local utility flushed the system with chlorine following a damaging September storm but residents historically have been skeptical about the benefits of adding chemicals to their water.
by John Enger

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Ancient viruses lurk in frozen caribou poo

Ancient viruses lurk in frozen caribou poo

Caribous doing their business in mountain ice have left a viral record hundreds of years old.
by Geoff Brumfiel

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In Hawaii: Lava creeps toward houses in Pahoa village

In Hawaii: Lava creeps toward houses in Pahoa village

Dozens of residents ready to watch their homes engulfed by a slow-moving finger of lava that has traced a scorched path for months from its origin at Kilauea volcano.

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New bug species raising stink in Minnesota

The brown marmorated stink bug was first detected in Minnesota in 2010. It's been found throughout the Twin Cities area, Duluth and La Crescent.
by The Associated Press

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Shifting rain could be lowering groundwater

Shifting rain could be lowering groundwater

New satellite data shows a decline in Minnesota's groundwater supplies and one scientist suggests a reason in addition to irrigation pumping might be that rain is falling at different times.
by Dave Peters

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Climate One: government's role, population impact & green Latinos

Climate One: government's role, population impact & green Latinos

From the Commonwealth Club's "Climate One" series: "Power and Population." Part 1: Texas Governor Rick Perry on government's role in the energy economy. Part 2: How population growth affects climate change. Part 3: Leaders of the green Latino movement.

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