Climate

Chemical fingerprints point to fracking as culprit behind new methane emissions
Scientists have been debating what’s behind a recent spike in methane emissions. A new study ties the spike to shale gas emitted through fracking, and sounds the alarm for reducing natural gas use.
Aspen Ideas Festival: What will the Green New Deal cost, and what could it save?
The architect of the proposed "Green New Deal" and the president of a conservative think tank share their ideas about the best way to confront climate change during a session at the Aspen Ideas Festival called "What Will the Green New Deal Cost, and What Could it Save?"
How are cities preparing to combat climate change?
Heavier rains are driving historically high water levels and more frequent flooding in cities across the United States. How are cities bracing themselves for more climate-driven inundation? MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner filled in for host Kerri Miller.
Study finds invasive insects are a big contributor to climate change
Invasive insects like the gypsy moth and emerald ash borer — which are steadily marching across Minnesota and the rest of the country, feasting on trees and ultimately killing them — are also contributing to climate change, according to a newly released study.
Funeral for lost ice: Iceland bids farewell to glacier
With poetry, moments of silence and political speeches about the urgent need to fight climate change, Icelandic officials, activists and others bade farewell to what once was a glacier.
Alaska records its warmest month ever; future records likely
Alaska has been America's canary in the coal mine for climate warming, and the yellow bird is swooning. July was Alaska's warmest month ever, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Wet, wild and high: Lakes and rivers wreak havoc across Midwest, South
Parts of the Mississippi have been above flood stage for months. All of the Great Lakes are at or near record-high levels. It's halting barge traffic, damaging infrastructure and eroding shorelines.
The promise — and perceived peril — of bringing green amenities to low-income communities
The Minneapolis Foundation has awarded its first round of grants to involve low-income, diverse communities in climate change initiatives. One would bring electric cars and charging stations to low-income communities. But what will it take to get buy-in from residents?