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.

‘Ozempig’ remains Minnesota baseball team’s mascot despite uproar that name is form of fat-shaming
Almost immediately after the team announced the name this week ahead of Saturday’s opening day game, criticism began pouring in on social media from people distressed by the name, calling it hurtful and insensitive.
Council recommends $12 million to fight invasive carp
A proposal to install a barrier to prevent invasive carp from moving up the Mississippi River got a surprise boost this week. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council makes recommendations on how to spend money from a dedicated sales tax.
How zebra mussels spurred the Red Lake Nation push to return tribal lands
For over a century, the Band has maintained the United States government disregarded a treaty agreement when it took a portion of Upper Red Lake and land around it. Recent events involving the tribe’s relationship with the state DNR sped up the tribe’s decision to reclaim the lands around Upper Red Lake.
Mercy me: Photos show what humans have done to the planet in the Anthropocene age
Anthropocene refers to the age of humans — the things we’ve done to Earth. Geologists just rejected a proposal to declare an official “Anthropocene epoch.” But everyone agrees: Damage has been done.
State ‘green bank’ funds its first climate project in St. Paul
Minnesota’s newly established “green bank” announced its first loan this week: $4.7 million for a geothermal energy system at The Heights, an East Side development. The money from this loan will go toward infrastructure for a geothermal system, which will heat and cool the site’s buildings.
Federal EV charging stations are key to Biden’s climate agenda, yet only 4 states have them
Electric vehicle charging ports are a key part of President Joe Biden’s effort to encourage drivers to move away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks that contribute to global warming, but only Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Hawaii have them.
New study shows climate change is already affecting food prices
Increasing global average temperatures and more intense and frequent heat waves are already driving up the prices of food and other goods. So just how much is climate change affecting inflation?