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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Northern lights solar storm interrupted tractor GPS system, halting planting for Minnesota farmers
The northern lights may have been beautiful to look at, but for some Minnesota farmers it meant they couldn’t plant during a critical time.
Audio postcard: Orchid season in the woods
Rainfall and sunshine have been creating a perfect mix for wildflowers across the state to crop up. Wildflower Chasers Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root set out to find their first wildflowers of the season. They start in southeast Minnesota and send us this audio postcard.
Prepare for another summer of air quality alerts, but less than 2023
Minnesotans can expect more air quality alerts than usual this summer, but probably won’t have to hide out from the wildfire haze as much as last year, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
A U of M scientist is using leaf glow to better track climate change
Professor Rui Cheng is behind the research. She says leaf glow offers a more direct and accurate way to understand the effects of climate change on ecosystems in the Arctic and boreal regions, which are experiencing some of the fastest rates of temperature warming in the world.
Why wonky building codes could be key in reducing state’s climate impact
Building codes set minimum safety requirements for how new homes should be designed and constructed. But they can also be an important behind-the-scenes tool to fight climate change.