Climate Cast ®

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Climate Cast
MPR News

MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner discusses the latest research on our changing climate and the consequences we’re seeing here in Minnesota and worldwide. Hear Climate Cast each Thursday on MPR’s All Things Considered.

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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.
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?
A U of M initiative looks to create climate-informed health care professionals
A cadre of new nurses will be graduating in just some days from the University of Minnesota. And they’ll be trained to not only care for our human health but also the planet’s health.
Clean energy will require more power lines, but who should get to build them?
With more and more clean energy being produced, the need is growing for transmission lines to deliver all that energy to people. And the debate about who will get to build these lines is heating up with billions of dollars on the line.
The city of Minneapolis seeks input on new climate equity plan
With global calls for immediate climate action rising, what role can cities play in fighting climate change? The city of Minneapolis has been leading the way in answering this question as it looks to create a new climate action plan.
Minnesota's solar garden program ranks second in the nation, but some say it could do more
Minnesota’s community solar garden program generated 62 percent of the state’s solar power in 2021. And it’s the second largest such program in the nation. But below the surface, consumer advocates say there’s a gap that needs to be addressed.
Latest UN climate report calls for urgent action. Where does Minnesota fit in?
The latest United Nations climate report urges that the window of opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate change still exists — but is closing fast. What role do states, including Minnesota, play in keeping that window open?