Climate Cast

A new study published in the journal Science estimates that massive reforestation efforts could cut atmospheric carbon by about 25 percent. But are those numbers accurate? And are more trees the climate change silver bullet, or just more silver buckshot?

Historic rains this spring flooded millions of acres of farmland, delivering another blow to farmers already coping with a trade war. But the flooding also signaled a potentially unprecedented season of algae blooms. Runoff from fields, carrying fertilizer and manure, ran into creeks and local watersheds, front-loading lakes and other bodies of water with nutrients that can fuel massive blooms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico—a massive overgrowth of algae—could become the size of Massachusetts this summer, coming close to a record set in 2017, and that an algae bloom in Lake Erie could also reach a record size.

What about Minnesota? Two limnologists joined MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner for a special edition of Climate Cast to talk about what Minnesotans can expect through July, August and September. They also talked about how a changing planet is fueling an increase in algae blooms.

Guests:

John Downing, director of the Minnesota Sea Grant and a leading limnologist – someone who studies inland bodies of water and their ecosystems

Adam Heathcote, ecosystem ecologist who studies the interactions between lake biogeochemistry and plankton ecology at the Science Museum of Minnesota

The Asian longhorned tick was first discovered in 2017, and since then, it’s been found in 11 states, mostly in the Northeast. It’s particularly worrisome to entomologist, because this tick is able to clone itself, which makes colonizing new locations that much easier. Self-replicating can also be deadly for hosts. In at least one case, a bull in Virginia died after thousands of Asian longhorned ticks on it sucked out all its blood.

It’s not in Minnesota – yet. But scientists say there is little they can do to stop its march northward. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner was joined by two entomologists who specialize in ticks and vector-borne diseases, to talk about the risks and ramifications.

Guests:

Thomas Mather is one of the leading entomologists in the country. Known as “The Tick Guy.” He studies ticks and public health at the University of Rhode Island.

Jon Oliver is an expert in vector-borne disease from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

The storms that hit Minnesota this week came from a system that wasn’t easy to predict. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner spoke with an expert from the National Weather Service about this week’s unsettled weather, and the process they go through when deciding if a storm watch or warning should be issued.

Guest:

Dan Luna, meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service Twin Cities.

Summer storms have ripped through the region, there's a new tick to talk about and algae blooms have taken over some Minnesota lakes. Chief meteorologist Paul Huttner was in the host seat and he covered a lot of ground on this special edition of Climate Cast.

Several media outlets are changing their stylebooks to replace the words climate change with climate crisis. Is this a good move that more accurately reflects the reality of the situation? Or does it hurt more than it helps? Also, we have our segment "Ask a Meteorologist"

British newspaper The Guardian made waves earlier this year when it announced it would replace the term "climate change" with "climate crisis" or "climate emergency" — saying those terms more accurately describe the environmental planetary changes.

"The phrase 'climate change' sounds rather passive and gentle when what scientists are talking about is a catastrophe for humanity," editor-in-chief Katharine Viner wrote, explaining the stylebook shift.

The language shift quickly attracted praise from environmentalists and accusations of scaremongering from others. It also kickstarted vibrant discussions in other newsrooms about the best use of terms.

How should the media talk about the changing climate? Is the phrase "climate crisis" justified? Paul Huttner, MPR's chief meteorologist, spoke with two national climate experts about whether the change in language is helpful — or harmful.

Guests:

Genevieve Guenther, founder and director of EndClimateSilence.org

Bobby Magill, president of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the energy and public lands reporter for Bloomberg Environment

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

Correction (July 16, 2019): An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the name of Genevieve Guenther’s foundation. It has been corrected.

It's been a wet year in the United States. By the end of June, the contiguous states had recorded a record-breaking 12 months of rain. Here in Minnesota, it's our ninth wettest year so far, with about 6 more inches of rain than normal. Adding to our summer weirdness: smoky skies from Canadian wildfires and multiple early summer frosts in northern Minnesota. And this weekend, a possible hurricane in New Orleans could threaten the levee system.

MPR's chief meteorologist Paul Huttner, along with KARE-11's Sven Sundgaard and Minnesota climatologist Kenny Blumenfeld, had a conversation about what's happening with the weather right now.

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Broadcast TV news coverage of climate change plunged 45 percent between 2017 to 2018, a study by Media Matters found.

And it happened at the same time climate change-enhanced extreme weather disasters spiked in the U.S.

As climate events become more extreme, what's the most accurate way for news organizations describe, climate change?

Susan Joy Hassol, a climate change communicator, analyst, and author, joins Climate Cast to discuss.

Hear the interview and a Climate Story with Aletta Brady and Kia Johnson of Our Climate Voices on the audio player above.

Climate change is already affecting food production around the world, and it's unfolding in interesting ways.

Researchers have been studying how climate changes will impact global food production.

A new study from the University of Minnesota finds there will be regional winners and losers as climate shifts.

Deepak Ray, a senior scientist with the Univeristy of MInnesota's Institute on the Environment's global landscapes initiative, joins Climate Cast to explain.

Hear the interview on the audio player above.