Climate

Some homes are becoming 'uninsurable' due to climate-related risks
Allstate and State Farm are the latest to stop offering homeowner’s insurance in California. Now, homeowners are facing fewer insurance options and skyrocketing costs. What does this mean for the rest of the country and the future of insurance in a world of climate change?
Earth’s oceans are the hottest on record
Earth’s oceans are the hottest on record. That’s the finding from a recent paper in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. What effects could this have globally and in Minnesota?
Dams are an often overlooked source of greenhouse gas emissions
It turns out dams emit greenhouse gas — a lot of it. Just how much do they emit and why are some rivers better off left to flow naturally? Steven Hawley, author of “Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World,” discusses what a world without dams could bring.
U of M to oversee multi-state effort to help unlock federal funding for climate projects
The University of Minnesota has received a $10 million grant to lead a multi-state effort to help rural, tribal and underserved communities apply for and secure federal resources for climate action. The grant will go towards creating technical assistance centers in six states that are scheduled to open this summer.
Lake Superior: Honoring and protecting Minnesota’s natural wonder
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. MPR News guest host Dan Kraker talks with a scientist, two artists and people who dip into its icy waters about the special relationships Minnesotans have with this natural wonder and how the lake is threatened by climate change.
Xcel Energy breaks ground on Sherco solar project
The 460-megawatt solar project will be the largest in the Upper Midwest, and is expected to produce electricity to power 100,000 homes. It’s part of Xcel’s plan to expand solar resources to replace power plants that run on fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases.
More than half of the world's largest lakes are shrinking. Here's why that matters
Human actions have caused "significant declines" in the amount of water stored in 53 percent of the planet's largest lakes and reservoirs. Climate change and overconsumption are the primary drivers.
It's been a smoky week — what's the forecast ahead for air quality and wildfires?
An early start to wildfire season in Canada is pumping thick smoke plumes over Minnesota this week. So, what’s the outlook for our skies and air quality this summer? And what do we know about climate change and the frequency of wildfire smoke events in Minnesota?