By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This week’s United Nations report on climate change – estimating that the global community has roughly twelve years to cut emissions in half in order to avoid catastrophic warming – was jarring. The twelve-year deadline may seem a short window for the low-carbon revolution. But consider what has changed… Read more »
Loon Commons Blog
An unprecedented raid and a betrayal of voters’ trust
Why MEP and our allies chose to take a stand By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Wednesday, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership and eight partnering organizations served the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget (MMB) with a lawsuit challenging the Legislature’s raid on the constitutionally-dedicated Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund in order to pay… Read more »
Great Lakes Restoration is an economic goldmine
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Tuesday, a study headed by the University of Michigan reported that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) – which works to improve water quality and habitat health around the region – provides a tremendous payoff for Great Lakes communities. The report found that the GLRI, already known to be an… Read more »
World Car Free Day celebrates vision of cleaner transportation
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Yesterday, September 21, the City of Minneapolis partnered with Move Minneapolis to celebrate World Car Free Day, marked by cities around the world as a day to raise awareness of the many sustainable options available to commuters. The event included award contests, free transit pass giveaways, sharing of stories, and outreach… Read more »
Minnesotans demand leaders act now on climate change
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This week saw a tremendous groundswell in climate advocacy in Minnesota at a moment when the impacts of our changing climate are becoming more and more visible. On Saturday, September 8, People’s Climate Movement – Minnesota and allied organizations hosted the Rise for Climate, Jobs, & Justice Summit in… Read more »
Federal reversal on mining near BWCAW threatens Minnesota waters
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Thursday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its cancellation of a Forest Service study and moratorium on mineral exploration in the watershed of the Superior National Forest, raising the possibility that private companies may soon be able to lease minerals in the watershed. The study was set up… Read more »
Minnesotans rally in Bemidji, showing that Line 3 fight is far from over
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Wednesday, August 29, more than 100 people gathered in Bemidji and occupied several streets to share a message: the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline project is wrong for Minnesota. The gathering, organized by MEP partners including MN350, Honor the Earth, and the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, peacefully occupied… Read more »
Newburg Township Board halts massive hog feedlot in SE MN
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Thursday, August 23, the Newburg Township Board in Fillmore County voted in the presence of more than 200 community members to institute a one-year moratorium to block construction on new large livestock feedlots. The moratorium was considered – and vigorously championed by many in southeastern Minnesota – in response to a… Read more »
Fires and floods: Climate action is needed to protect Minnesotans
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership In many ways, Minnesota is defined in the popular imagination by our boundless opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Our thousand lakes and the cool, pure air and water of the North Shore attract visitors from around the world. But Minnesota’s water and air are not immune to the dangers… Read more »
Tuesday’s primary presents pivotal moment for Minnesota’s environment
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Tuesday, August 14, Minnesotans in every county and district will cast ballots in what may one of the most significant primary elections in our state’s recent history. Many have already voted early, in person or by mail, and this year’s turnout is expected to be significant even for… Read more »