Climate Cast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How can your home be a weapon in the fight to reduce climate change?

One of the biggest opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is weatherizing and super insulating existing homes and buildings.

And lawmakers this year set aside a big chunk of money to help people do just that.

Tina Clarke has super insulated her own homes and helped others do the same. She shared her tips on how to get started.

As climate science and impacts evolve, how much should students in Minnesota and across the U.S. learn about climate change causes and solutions?

Kristen Poppleton is the senior director of programs climate generation in the Twin Cities, an organization that works with educators and students on climate change education in schools.

A “constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment”.

That’s why 16 young people between ages 5 and 22 are suing the state of Montana seeking a transition to a less carbon-intensive energy policy.

The trial has been called historic in Montana and could have implications nationwide on climate litigation.

Amanda Eggert has been following the case for the Montana Free Press and she shared her reporting with Climate Cast.

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?