Climate Cast ®

MPR News meteorologist Ben Cathey discusses the latest research on our changing climate and the consequences we’re seeing here in Minnesota and worldwide.

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August 27, 2020 4:56 PM

Minnesota's boreal forest is a climate change hot spot

Northern Minnesota is among the fastest warming areas on the planet, and that’s beginning to change the makeup of forests there.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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August 20, 2020 4:17 PM

Can the Midwest expect more derechos as the climate changes?

Climate change is expected to increase the number of hot, humid days in the Midwest. But will the heat and humidity, which are key components of derechos, translate into more of the destructive windstorms?

by Paul Huttner

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August 13, 2020 4:00 PM

A changing of the guard among Minnesota's climate leaders

Scientist Heidi Roop is replacing Mark Seeley at the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate.

by Paul Huttner

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August 6, 2020 5:00 PM

Big Oil's pandemic pivot is toward renewables, but will it last?

The coronavirus outbreak is costing big oil big billions, causing some oil companies to invest in renewable energy.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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July 30, 2020 5:14 PM

A fever in the north: Great Lakes temperatures breaking records

Water temperatures in the Great Lakes have been trending upward for decades, but this summer has brought temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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July 23, 2020 4:00 PM

Warming winters are putting North Shore property owners on edge — literally

Wetter, warmer weather brought about by climate change appears to be hastening lakeshore erosion, and it’s putting some cabins precariously close to the water’s edge.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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July 16, 2020 5:36 PM

Medical waste is a big environmental problem — and getting bigger with COVID-19

A lot of waste produced by hospitals has to be burned. The incinerators used to do that emit more carbon dioxide per megawatt hour than coal power plants.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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July 10, 2020 5:45 PM

Pandemic bike boom gives cities permission to green their streets

A survey of residents in six European countries found 75 percent of respondents supported maintaining changes to streets that have allowed for more biking and socially-distant walking during the pandemic.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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July 2, 2020 1:00 PM

Crop failure rate for wild rice is increasing with climate change

Climate change is taking a significant toll on wild rice in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the plant's significance to Ojibwe communities makes finding a solution all the more delicate — and dire.

by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks