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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How do you stay safe in remote areas like BWCA during severe weather?
After a multi-year drought, the weather has turned wetter and meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that pattern is more conducive to bouts of severe storms. So how do you stay safe in remote, outdoor, water-filled, even woodsy areas of Minnesota like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area when severe weather strikes?
Drought-free, but for how long? How climate change affects dry and wet trends in Minnesota
Kenneth Blumenfeld with the Minnesota State Climatology Office talks about recent rainfall patterns across the state and how they’re connected to climate change.
DNR: Elko New Market can pump more groundwater to supply bottled water plant
The DNR said its test results show the increase would not negatively affect aquifer levels or nearby lakes, rivers and streams. Elko New Market will be required to investigate and address any potential impacts on nearby private wells.
Where were you 6 years ago when the MPR raccoon scaled a St. Paul skyscraper?
Relive the highs and lows of the day with the coverage we featured of the little critter that could, as well some as anecdotes from MPR staff and audience members like you.
A dog traveled nearly 4 miles to get help after its owner crashed into a ravine
The man was traveling with his four dogs when he ran off a remote road into a ravine in Oregon. One dog returned to where the man was camping with family, alerting them that something was wrong.
Climate change linked to rising home insurance rates in Minnesota
Minnesota was the only state to see losses in the home insurance market in six of the last seven years, the New York Times reported. The losses correlate with increasing home damage from severe weather.
Creating a throw-away culture: How companies ingrained plastics in modern life
Plastic has become embedded in everyday life. That’s because for the last 70 years, the plastics industry convinced consumers to embrace the material for its low cost and disposability.