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Wednesday is Earth Day, which started in 1970 as a protest against pollution and habitat loss. Climate change was not a household term at the time, but it's now a number-one priority for people concerned about the wellbeing of the planet. 

The state of Minnesota is chasing a set of goals to tackle the causes of climate change and cushion its impact on communities. The state is trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It is not on track to meet those goals, according to a recent 

 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave to state lawmakers. 

To learn more about the state’s climate plans and what it will take to get on track, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the MPCA and chair of the Minnesota Climate Change Subcabinet.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Use the audio player above to listen to the full interview. 

How's the state doing in terms of meeting its emissions targets?

We have seen a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Minnesota's electricity sector. We have reduced that sector’s emissions by 50 percent since 2005 and that has been a result of strong legislative action and strong leadership from utilities such as Xcel Energy. 

That type of collaboration between state and private entities, as well as local partners, is what we need to do more of to accelerate towards our goals, because we are currently falling short of meeting those goals. We know that if we continue to implement current state and federal policies, we will cut Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent by 2030 and 39 percent by 2050. That is falling short of the 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that we have set by 2030 and complete carbon neutrality by 2050.

What would it take to get back on track? 

We need to continue towards our carbon-free electricity by 2040, get all of our energy coming from renewable sources. But we also need to make progress in the way that we sequester carbon in our soils, the way we grow food, transport food, transportation choices, including whether we're walking, biking, using trains, planes or cars, as well as think about the way we heat buildings and the way we are working across sectors to store carbon whenever possible.

A lot of people are concerned about energy use by data centers that power artificial intelligence. How does AI fit into climate policy?

In segments of Minnesota's economy and certainly in individual households, AI has been embraced, and I see that with my own high schoolers. But we also know the power that is required to run these hyperscale data centers is significant. We need to invest in grid resilience and address affordability, because we can't have data centers moving into communities and then having customers of that local, municipal electrical supply subsidize the cost of that hyperscale data center. I think it's not only finding ways to continue to be on track towards our carbon neutrality goals, but also think about how data centers can potentially be good neighbors and offset concerns about grid resilience and affordability in communities.

At the federal level, there have been rollbacks to incentives for electric vehicles. What needs to happen to help reduce emissions from transportation?

Rollbacks of federal climate commitments will drive up energy costs and threaten gains that we've made in Minnesota. All the more reason that we need to recommit in Minnesota to do what's right for our goals that are in law. We have strong leadership at our Department of Transportation, at the Met Council and with local governments across the state, recognizing that not only are people asking for choices, but they're asking for affordability. Certainly, fuel prices right now reinforce the fact that we should have more affordable choices, and that includes transit: different ways that we can fuel our cars, looking at ways that we can move commodities, as well as people, in a different way across the state and across the country.

What are some of the small ways that you would encourage Minnesotans to help?

One thing people can do within their own homes and in their neighborhoods is think about the food choices that they're making, and particularly food waste. Methane, which comes from degrading organic material, is a four-times-more-powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, much of the food that people buy and bring into their homes or have in restaurants or larger institutions is wasted and could be used to feed people, feed animals, or at the very least, be processed at an organics facility. That is one area that we're trying to lift up as something that is possible and actually helps with affordability for all Minnesotans.

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Getting to Green: Minnesota's energy future

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The state is trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It is not on track to meet those goals, if current trends continue.

An Earth Day check-in on Minnesota's climate goals

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