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.

The biggest problem facing the U.S. electric grid isn't demand. It's climate change
The infrastructure package sets aside billions for the power grid. That may not be enough to reshape a system not designed for the extreme weather brought about by a warming planet.
Study: Warmer summers worsen tick infestations for U.S. moose
Scientists with Michigan Technological University say higher summer temperatures are quickening the development of tick eggs and boosting the number that hatch. Moose can lose much of their bristly fur rubbing against trees to get rid of ticks. Infestation also makes them anemic and less able to reproduce.
U.S. emergency oil reserve is in the spotlight as gas prices climb
The emergency oil reserve isn't intended to be tapped as a way to manage prices — it's supposed to manage major supply disruptions, which the market is not currently experiencing. But it is one of the few tools a president has to push oil prices down.
Recent wildfires have killed up to a fifth of all giant sequoia trees
Lightning-sparked wildfires killed thousands of giant sequoias this year, leading to a staggering two-year death toll that accounts for up to nearly a fifth of Earth's largest trees, officials said Friday.
Giving up gas-powered cars was a fringe idea. It's now on its way to reality
In just a few years, phasing out gas-powered cars has gone from fringe idea to mainstream policy proposal. It's still a long way from being reality, but the sense of urgency is accelerating.
The Biden administration sold oil and gas leases days after the climate summit
The Biden administration oversaw one of the largest oil and gas lease sales in American history just days after pledging to take action on climate change at the international climate summit.
The Minnesota Humanities Center “We Are Water Minnesota” traveling exhibit will show up cities like St. Paul, Winona, Fergus Falls and Lake City in 2022 as an interactive display that gives folks the chance to explore what water means in Minnesota — and how we can all do a better job protecting it.