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Climate Cast MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner with the latest research on our changing climate.
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Climate Cast

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MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner with the latest research on our changing climate.

Most Recent Episodes

United Nations calls for urgent action to protect children's rights

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is expanding its electric school bus program using three million dollars from the state's settlement with Volkswagen over exaggerated fuel efficiency claims. This round of funding will cover the costs for eight more school buses and there will be future rounds in the near future. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency will run separate pools of funding for electric school buses. Brian Timerson, who oversees the program for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, shared more about the opportunities available to switch to electric school buses.

Farmers drained jaw-dropping amounts of water from Minnesota aquifers in 2021

Drought and the nation's hunger for mouth-watering french fries led large farms to pump significantly more groundwater than they're allowed.

Farmers drained jaw-dropping amounts of water from Minnesota aquifers in 2021

Listen · 4:48

Some yellow school buses are turning green this school year

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is expanding its electric school bus program using three million dollars from the state's settlement with Volkswagen over exaggerated fuel efficiency claims. This round of funding will cover the costs for eight more school buses and there will be future rounds in the near future. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency will run separate pools of funding for electric school buses. Brian Timerson, who oversees the program for Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, shared more about the opportunities available to switch to electric school buses.

Cargo ship sets sail with 'WindWings' created by Minnesota's Cargill

Minnesota-based Cargill has developed modern sails they're calling 'WindWings' that allow giant cargo ships to harness wind energy. Last week, the first ever vessel outfitted with the giant 123-foot sails embarked on a test journey from China to Brazil. It's said the sails could help the ship dramatically slash its fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Andrew Freedman from Axios shared more about the innovation and what it'll take to decarbonize the marine shipping industry.

Federal commission takes steps to speed up grid interconnection process

For the U.S. to meet its climate goals, we need more clean energy projects — projects that require space on the electrical grid. The trouble is: there's a massive backlog. Some wind and solar projects have been waiting for years to be connected to electric grids. Now the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission (FERC) is taking action to speed up the connection process. Jeff St. John wrote about the changes for Canary Media, a newsletter focused on solutions to the climate crisis.

Federal commission takes steps to speed up grid interconnection process

Listen · 4:39

Montana youths win case against the state for climate change harms

A legal victory this week for 16 young people who sued the state of Montana over their right to a "clean and healthful environment," as laid out in the state constitution. The plaintiffs argued that the way Montana greenlights fossil fuel projects violates that right — and the judge agreed. It was a first-of-its-kind trial and a first-of-its-kind win. So, what's next? Amanda Eggert is a reporter with the Montana Free Press and she broke down the ruling for this week's Climate Cast.

Rulemaking process underway for new environmental justice areas

A rulemaking process is underway by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for a law passed this year aimed at addressing health inequities in disenfranchised communities. The legislation carves out specific environmental justice areas and it could mean more Minnesota businesses will have to undergo a pollution analysis before getting permits within these regions. Maps sketching out these newly designated areas were released last month. The regions cover all of the Twin Cities as well as large swaths of Rochester and Duluth. The MPCA has opened a public comments period between July 24 and Oct. 6 as it works to figure out the criteria for determining which businesses will need to carry out a 'Cumulative Impacts Analysis'. MinnPost reporter Walker Orenstein spoke with MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner about the latest developments.

Reducing the carbon footprint of the cannabis industry

Recreational marijuana is now officially legal in Minnesota but this may not be great news for the climate. A 2021 study found that growing an ounce of marijuana indoors can result in greenhouse gas emissions equal to burning a tank of gas. So as the cannabis industry continues to expand, how can it reduce its massive carbon footprint? Ari Seaman is CEO and founder of OG AG TECH as well as COO of C4. He shared a new technology he's developed to help farms become more sustainable.

How much is climate change fueling intense heat across the world?

The heat is on for Minnesota this week and heat waves are making news across the world. Hospitals in Phoenix are treating burn patients from sizzling pavement. Tourists in Greece are evacuating fire zones. How can scientists gauge when heat events are normal and when they're fueled by climate change? Climate Central chief meteorologist Bernadette Woods Placky talks about a tool she uses called the Climate Shift Index.

Planting 'climate-smart' trees from the south to save forests up north

Climate change is putting stress on the traditional spruce and pines in Minnesota's northern forests — and there's real concern about their future. So, researchers are planting trees from the southern parts of our state in hopes of saving our northern forests. It's called assisted migration and University of Minnesota professor Julie Etterson is studying if it can be an effective strategy for reforesting and fighting climate change.

Planting 'climate-smart' trees from the south to save forests up north

Listen · 4:53
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