Climate Cast
280 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 79 ratingsMPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner with the latest research on our changing climate.
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Episodes
EVs to make up 60 percent of new car sales by 2035
July 02, 2022 00:05 - 3 minutes - 3.54 MBCarmakers produced more electric vehicles in 2021, while the share of new gasoline and diesel cars dipped 9 percent.
Wind energy is helping fuel rural economies
June 24, 2022 22:09 - 4 minutes - 4.01 MBA recent study found local incomes rise by around 5 percent and home values by 2.6 percent in areas near large wind projects.
Shareholders push companies to address climate change
June 17, 2022 21:55 - 4 minutes - 4 MBAccording to the resolution, the company is not doing enough to address climate change, while also paying out settlements associated with it.
Recorded atmospheric CO2 hits new record
June 09, 2022 21:35 - 4 minutes - 4.48 MBAtmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing 2 to 4 parts per million every year. That’s compared to a total increase of 80 ppm over 6,000 years when Earth was coming out of the Ice Age.
Solar is now the 'cheapest energy in history'
June 03, 2022 22:47 - 4 minutes - 4.05 MBSolar projects are now roughly half the price of coal and natural gas projects.
The 'zero landfill' promise often means burning waste — which is better?
May 27, 2022 22:37 - 4 minutes - 4.46 MBSome major companies are now burning waste in incinerators that it gets out of landfills, where it can release methane into the atmosphere. But burning it can release carbon and other toxins into the air. So, what’s the most climate-friendly way for companies to handle bulk waste they can’t recycle? Katie Schoolov covers Amazon for CNBC and recently looked into this. She joined Climate Cast to share her findings. To hear the episode, click play on the audio player above or subscr...
University of Minnesota Morris launches battery program
May 19, 2022 19:28 - 4 minutes - 3.69 MBThe University of Minnesota Morris and West Central Research and Outreach Center have launched a new center for battery technology.
How companies are reducing food waste
May 12, 2022 18:43 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBAn estimated 35 percent — or $408 billion worth — of food in the United States goes to waste, emitting methane and creating inefficiencies in carbon-heavy supply chains.
Forest loss in 2021 emitted as much carbon as India does
May 06, 2022 18:31 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MBForests are supposed to help us remove carbon from the atmosphere. But forest loss to development and fires last year meant some forests added carbon to the atmosphere.
A new tool lets metro residents track region's tree canopy
April 29, 2022 22:23 - 4 minutes - 3.93 MBGrowing Shade helps city leaders, nonprofits, and residents target efforts to plant trees to the areas that need them most.
Climate change drives longer, more intense pollen seasons
April 22, 2022 21:00 - 4 minutes - 3.83 MBGrowing seasons are getting longer and plants are emitting more pollen as temperatures and carbon dioxide increase.
Frequently flooded farmland costs taxpayers billions
April 14, 2022 19:59 - 4 minutes - 4.36 MBThe taxpayer funded crop insurance program is propping up farmers who continue to plant in frequently flooded fields.
2021 was a boom year for batteries
April 07, 2022 21:12 - 4 minutes - 4.15 MBBattery storage capacity in the United States more than doubled last year. But supply chain issues and access to raw materials could slow that growth this year.
Methane reduction could help save Arctic sea ice
March 31, 2022 17:47 - 3 minutes - 3.35 MBBy the 2030s, research suggests the Arctic could see its first summer with no sea ice at all. But quick action on methane could help.
High temperatures in Antarctica stun climate scientists
March 24, 2022 21:32 - 4 minutes - 3.83 MBClimate scientists were stunned last week when temperatures in Antarctica spiked 50 to 90 degrees higher than average for March.
MN could see 55 fewer days with snow underfoot by 2100
March 17, 2022 22:16 - 4 minutes - 3.72 MBA new study says Minnesota winters and summers will be significantly warmer by the turn of the century.
War in Ukraine complicates war on climate change
March 10, 2022 21:16 - 4 minutes - 4.18 MBGlobal leaders are calling for increased oil production outside of Russia at a time when scientists say the time to act on climate change is now.
Climate change is already driving global migration
March 03, 2022 23:00 - 4 minutes - 3.91 MBA lead author of the latest United Nations’ climate report says climate migration is already happening in many places.
Climate change and your cup of joe
February 24, 2022 19:30 - 4 minutes - 4.12 MBCoffee is a very finicky crop, needing just the right “Goldilocks” climate and altitude to produce rich, quality brews. So naturally, climate change is taking a toll.
Minnesota is seeing fewer days with extreme cold
February 17, 2022 22:36 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBThe shift in cold weather trends has affected everything from when you can begin ice fishing each year, to what you can plant in your yard, to the management of invasive pests.
Climate change brings danger to butterfly sanctuaries
February 10, 2022 23:30 - 4 minutes - 4.02 MBMore frequent severe storms and subtle temperature shifts are threatening Monarchs in Mexico’s butterfly sanctuaries.
Climate action and taking 'the Bible seriously'
February 04, 2022 00:00 - 4 minutes - 4.12 MBNature Conservancy Chief Scientist Katharine Hayhoe visited Minnesota this week to help recognize the state’s climate action leaders.
Lessons from a 1970s farmers uprising
January 27, 2022 22:35 - 4 minutes - 4.4 MBA tense, years-long standoff between farmers and crews trying to build a power transmission line through west-central Minnesota offers lessons for energy companies today, as the United States prepares to spend billions on clean energy infrastructure.
Extreme weather cost $280 billion globally in 2021
January 20, 2022 21:52 - 4 minutes - 4.31 MBLarge insurers are calling for urgent action on climate change after another year of costly catastrophic losses because of extreme weather.
How a weather forecast can cut airline emissions
January 14, 2022 00:00 - 4 minutes - 3.9 MBAviation and shipping companies are among the fastest growing emitters in the transportation sector. Even small tweaks to their routes can cut emissions and save money.
Biden is all in on EVs — what about public transit?
January 06, 2022 22:00 - 4 minutes - 3.7 MBLast year’s infrastructure bill includes a significant investment in electric vehicle charging stations — along with new roads and highway expansions. Public transit gets a much smaller piece of the pie.
MN forests, peatlands on list of 'irrecoverable carbon'
December 30, 2021 20:17 - 4 minutes - 4.09 MBA Conservation International study has mapped forests and other natural areas that store so much carbon, it could be impossible to offset their emissions if lost to development or natural disasters.
University of Minnesota meets its emissions reduction goal a year early
December 23, 2021 22:00 - 4 minutes - 4.31 MBA new report says the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus has surpassed its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2021. It reached 51 percent a year early, in 2020.
Is climate change behind this month's winter tornadoes?
December 16, 2021 22:30 - 4 minutes - 4.15 MBMinnesota saw it’s first December tornado Wednesday, after a swarm of deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest days earlier.
Report: NHL promoting refrigerant with 'super-GHG'
December 09, 2021 23:20 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MBA report from the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency says the National Hockey League and chemical company Chemours are teaming up to expand the use of Opteon, a refrigerant that is “1,700 to 3,100 times more potent than carbon dioxide.”
Utility delays stymy hundreds of solar projects, jobs
December 02, 2021 20:29 - 4 minutes - 3.8 MBSolar projects are booming in Minnesota, and so are delays in getting those projects connected to the power grid.
Minnesota to see $68M for EV charging stations
November 18, 2021 22:06 - 4 minutes - 4.26 MBThe infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed Monday will fund a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations.
Indigenous COP26 delegates skeptical of carbon markets
November 11, 2021 23:03 - 4 minutes - 4.3 MBIndigenous people from around the world are sharing their knowledge and advocating for their communities at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
Minnesotans represent the Midwest at COP26
November 04, 2021 22:45 - 4 minutes - 4.14 MBThe climate world is focused on Glasgow this week for COP26, and Minnesota is playing a role in pushing the climate conversation forward.
Protecting U.S. financial systems from climate risk
October 28, 2021 21:14 - 4 minutes - 4.05 MBThe cost of climate-change-enhanced weather disasters is hitting taxpayers and companies directly. Now the White House is taking steps to protect the country’s financial systems from such risks.
Minnesota, Finland agree to team up on climate change
October 21, 2021 21:30 - 4 minutes - 4.08 MBMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed a letter of understanding with Finland, pledging to encourage the state's agencies, universities and businesses to collaborate with Finland on sustainable technology.
New carbon capture facility offers hope, sticker shock
October 14, 2021 21:00 - 4 minutes - 4.1 MBThe world’s largest carbon capture facility takes a year to sequester 3-seconds worth of carbon emissions.
Minnesota researchers tap AI to improve climate models
October 07, 2021 22:04 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MBThe effort is part of a federal investment in climate modeling to help communities better prepare for the effects of climate change.
University of Minnesota leads first Weddell seal count
September 30, 2021 20:26 - 3 minutes - 3.62 MBThe health of the seal population can tell scientists how climate change is affecting ice and fish in Antarctica.
The evolution of 'greenwashing'
September 23, 2021 19:16 - 4 minutes - 4.18 MBIt’s Climate Week in New York City. The good news? Dozens of companies are announcing new climate goals. But do their good intentions actually translate into lower carbon emissions?
Extreme weather swings challenging watershed managers
September 16, 2021 20:00 - 4 minutes - 4.19 MBChanging rainfall patterns and more extreme weather swings have made water managers’ jobs difficult. They moderate lake and creek levels to prevent flooding and pollution.
What's stopping weed growers from going greener?
September 09, 2021 21:10 - 4 minutes - 3.67 MBThe legal cannabis industry is booming. So are greenhouse gas emissions from growers.
How climate change is strengthening fires, hurricanes and 'weather on steroids'
September 02, 2021 23:35 - 4 minutes - 2.18 MBThis week, the Caldor Fire has threatened South Lake Tahoe. Hurricane Ida wrecked the power grid around New Orleans, then flooded New York and the Northeast. And 2021 just broke the record for the hottest meteorological summer ever in the Twin Cities, Duluth and Brainerd. How is climate change linked to these three separate extreme weather events? John Abraham, a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas, sat down with MPR chief meteorologist and Climate Cast ho...
How climate change is creating 'weather on steroids'
September 02, 2021 21:18 - 4 minutes - 2.18 MBThis week, we’ve seen fire in California, storms in New Orleans and the Northeast and drought in Minnesota. How is climate change linked to these three separate extreme weather events?
Drought drives good grape year in Minnesota
August 26, 2021 21:00 - 4 minutes - 4.23 MBThe drought has challenged many in Minnesota. But for grape growers, it’s the silver lining to a difficult 18 months.
A summer tradition changes with the climate
August 19, 2021 21:00 - 4 minutes - 3.99 MBClimate change is affecting everything from campers’ schedules, to infrastructure needs, to the kinds of trees on the property at Camp Mishawaka in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. And it isn’t alone; a major insurer of summer camps has pulled out of the business as camps on the coasts lose property to wildfires and hurricanes.
Infrastructure bill offers ‘once in a generation investment in climate resilience'
August 12, 2021 22:16 - 4 minutes - 1.98 MBThe Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill is headed to the House, where progressive Democrats say it doesn't do enough to reduce emissions, especially on the heels of this week’s dire United Nations climate report. But it does invest billions to help communities prepare for the effects of climate change. Forbes Tompkins manages federal policy efforts for the flood-prepared communities initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts. He said that the bill “marks, potentially, a once-in-a-...
Infrastructure bill offers ‘once in generation' investment in climate resilience
August 12, 2021 22:16 - 4 minutes - 1.98 MBThe Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill is headed to the House, where progressive Democrats say it doesn't do enough to reduce emissions. But it does invest billions to help communities prepare for the effects of climate change.
Climate change, bad luck behind MN's smoky summer
August 05, 2021 21:51 - 4 minutes - 4.05 MBMinnesota typically sees a few air quality alerts a year. This year, it’s seen eight.
Minnesota is first in Midwest to adopt clean car rules
July 29, 2021 22:02 - 4 minutes - 4.17 MBAfter much debate and opposition from Republicans, Minnesota’s clean car rules were made official this week.