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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Don Wyse remembered as early champion of sustainable agriculture research in Minnesota
University of Minnesota professor Don Wyse, a proponent of sustainable agricultural practices, died Tuesday. Wyse co-founded the Forever Green Initiative, a project to research new, more sustainable crops for Minnesota farmers.
20-year-old loops Lake Superior solo in 42 days, buoyed by climate change awareness
A triple science major at the College of St. Scholastica may be both the fastest and youngest to circumnavigate Lake Superior in a kayak — and he’s hoping the 1,000-mile trip will draw more attention to climate change’s effects in Minnesota.
GM will pay $146M in federal penalties because 5.9 million old vehicles emit excess carbon dioxide
General Motors will pay nearly $146 million in penalties to the federal government because 5.9 million of its older vehicles don’t comply with emissions and fuel economy standards.
Go with the flow: Minnesota towns see success replacing aging dams with rock rapids
In about 75 Minnesota locations, old dams have been removed and replaced with staircase-like rapids designed to allow the river to flow more freely and to avoid costly dam repairs — or worse, a collapse.
Sanctuary rescues cat thrown from 12th floor of Minneapolis apartment
A cat thrown from a 12th-story apartment balcony in Minneapolis last month is recovering after a Twin Cities animal sanctuary arranged intensive veterinary care. The year-old tabby named Rue suffered a broken leg, foot and jaw, but no internal injuries.
Coping with more rain and storms in a warming climate
With climate warming, when it rains it really pours. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Minnesota commerce commissioner and the state climate director about why we’re seeing an increase in intense rain and violent storms and how we can prepare for and prevent damage from floods, wind and hail.
Biden administration proposes rule for workplaces to address excessive heat
The Biden administration is proposing a rule aimed at addressing excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to blistering temperatures.
Supreme Court Chevron ruling has implications for Minnesota’s environment
Leigh Currie, director of strategic litigation for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to share her expertise on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Chevon ruling.