The development and widespread adoption of so-called “antibiotics,” drugs that kill bacteria and thereby reduce infection, has helped billions of people live longer, healthier lives. But all this tinkering with nature hasn’t come without a cost. The more we rely on antibiotics, the more bacteria develop resistance to them, which makes treating infections that much […]
Go Green
A space for articles pertaining to the benefits of nature, environmental justice, and sustainable energy initiatives, with an emphasis on conservation and money-saving tips.
Posted inGo Green
Environmental injustice in the Twin Cities
The modern environmental movement has its roots in social and political ideologies that stretch all the way back to the early 19th century, including the Romantic Movement, the conservation movement, and the early environmental protection societies. Though similar ideas, strategies and conservationist programs continued into the early part of the 20th century, particularly in Europe, […]
Posted inGo Green
Turn the green movement brown
Robert Raben, founder of an influential public relations and government affairs firm, The Raben Group, recalled the moment about a year ago that kicked his personal commitment to expand diversity within the environmental movement into high gear. Speaking to a standing-room-only briefing at the National Press Club recently, he told how he was a guest of a prominent environmental organization at its annual dinner.
Posted inGo Green
Nonprofit releases Dirty Dozen Guide, a list of food additives to avoid
By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss Contributing Writers The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit dedicated to protecting human health and the environment through research, education and advocacy, launched its “Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives” in November 2014 to educate consumers about which food additives are associated with health concerns, which are restricted in other […]
Posted inGo Green
Add a Minnesota-grown Christmas tree to your shopping list
Minnesota Christmas tree growers look forward to another great season of local, fragrant Christmas trees thanks to overall good growing conditions this year. Many tree farms are stacked with a variety of trees and were ready to open the day after Thanksgiving. Happy Land Tree Farms Owner, Ken Olson shared “Thanks to all the rain […]
Posted inGo Green
Yes, you can save money, energy even during Old Man Winter
CenterPoint Energy’s rebate team members share their best checklist for the holidays CenterPoint Energy’s rebate team members, (l-r) Chekelea, Ruth, Kelly and Fianna, shares a clip-and-save low-cost/no-cost checklist to help readers save energy and money on home heating bills this holiday season. It seems as if Old Man Winter is back and hit us earlier […]
Posted inGo Green
Act now to solve ice dams, prevent costly home repairs
Homeowners can act now to help prevent ice dams and costly water damage to ceilings and walls. Ice dams can happen when there is warm air in the attic, snow on the roof, and the right weather conditions. When heat leaks into the attic, it melts the underside of the snow on the roof. The […]
Posted inGo Green
’Tis the season to go green
Tips for reducing waste, saving money during the holiday season The holidays are coming up and we all know they can put a dent in your wallet, but have you ever thought that celebrating the holidays can take a toll on the environment? It’s true. From disposable kitchenware to unrecyclable wrapping paper to overheating […]
Posted inGo Green
Plan a fall farm adventure with your family
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is encouraging families to take advantage of opportunities to visit one of Minnesota’s many farms. The popular Minnesota Grown Directory is a great resource to help families plan a farm visit. It highlights many family-friendly activities to keep children, and parents, entertained. “Visiting a farm in the fall is a […]
Posted inGo Green
Health food selections in school cafeterias on the rise
Law incentivizes schools for offering more fresh fruits and veggies Americans have done a great job making sure that our kids have something to eat at school regardless of socioeconomic status, with the National School Lunch Program providing low-cost or free lunches to upwards of 31 million students at 92 percent of U.S. public and […]
Posted inGo Green
MDA launches campaign to “Protect Minnesota Pollinators”
Campaign includes guidelines for reducing negative impacts on pollinator populations The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently launched a new public awareness campaign to protect pollinating insects in yards and gardens, along roadsides and on farms. Protect Minnesota Pollinators is designed to help the public understand the importance of insect pollinators, not only to […]
Posted inGo Green
CenterPoint Energy leadership freshens fleet
Company increases investment in NGV’s for a cleaner future According to NGVAmerica, a national organization dedicated to the development of a growing, profitable, and sustainable market for vehicles powered by natural gas, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) offset the use of approximately 400 million gallons of gasoline in the U.S. in 2013, as well as, […]
Posted inGo Green
MDA offers free pesticide collections in east central and metro counties
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a series of waste pesticide collections in seven east central and metro Minnesota counties from Tuesday, August 19, through Wednesday, September 10, 2014. Through these free collection events, Minnesota homeowners and farmers can safely dispose of unwanted and unusable pesticides. MDA has collected over 5.25 million pounds […]
Posted inGo Green
Bike ride offers tour of Minnesota’s African American history
By Anthony Taylor Contributing Writer Saturday, August 23, presents a great opportunity to have an historical experience relative to the African American communities’ presence in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Major Taylor Bicycling Club is offering its Second Annual Dark 2 Dawn: A Ride Through African American History. The ride will begin at 9 pm on […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Go Green
Keith gets grilled by Hurricane Mari
Keith was in the backyard with Leslie getting acquainted with her father when they heard, “God damn it!” come from the kitchen. “Son of a —!” Lesli went in to see what was wrong. Hank said to Keith, conspiratorially, “Vocabulary like that, you’d never know she’s an English professor, would y’?” “No comment.” “Smart man.” “What do […]
Posted inGo Green
Backyard composting — an easy way to turn food waste into a natural resource
We hear about composting a lot but often it seems like a complex task only for experienced gardeners. What really is composting and how can it be more accessible? Michael Chaney, founder of Project Sweetie Pie, can often be found on the organization’s urban farms throughout North Minneapolis among the youth engaging in community agriculture. […]
Posted inGo Green
Reducing volatile organic compounds: good for business and the environment
Two Minneapolis businesses are already benefitting from the change By Isaac Peterson Contributing Writer Conclusion of a three-part story Last week MSR readers learned of a new grant program that Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is offering to help businesses with the cost of complying with new regulations to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). […]
Posted inGo Green
Removing toxic chemicals from the environment requires new emission limits
The costs for small businesses to comply could be ‘enormous’ By Isaac Peterson Contributing Writer Many people are talking lately about the numerous disparities in Minnesota between the White population and communities of color. People of color lose in every category. One little-noted area of disparity is environmental; people of color are exposed to […]
Posted inGo Green
Ten basic no-cost or low-cost ways to stay cool, save energy, reduce emissions
As we enter the hot days of summer with temperatures over 90 degrees, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources reminds consumers of some simple no-cost or low-cost energy-saving tips to help keep cool, conserve energy, and reduce utility bills. “There are some basic steps we can all take to reduce our energy […]
Posted inGo Green
Sisters energized to help their neighbors, keep communities safe
By Courtney Mehus Contributing Writer Combined, Nicko Spehn and her sister Alicia Ellis have more than 57 years experience as employees of CenterPoint Energy, who respectively hold the positions of dispatching manager and supervisor of appliance services. These two sisters, working together, have helped shape multiple initiatives for CenterPoint Energy both in the office and […]