Archive

Centering BIPOC experiences and our connection to nature

Tamara Few, recipient of the 2022 Environmental Initiative critical collaborator award, works to make safe spaces in the outdoors for BIPOC folks to heal, connect, and find joy.

Improving recycling through community-led initiatives

Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy developed a resident-led program to adopt recycling best practices in apartments within neighborhoods identified as vulnerable to climate change.

Finding new ways to support manufactured home park residents

Joel Haskard, co-director of the Clean Energy Resources Team (CERTs) spoke with us about the group's work to reduce energy use and increase safety in manufactured home parks.

How the SCOTUS ruling on EPA’s authority could impact Clean Air Minnesota’s work

The EPA has lost a tool to regulate carbon emissions after a recent Supreme Court ruling. Now other levels of government and organizations, like Clean Air Minnesota, may need to help fill in the gaps.

Steps must be taken to reduce disparities in air pollution exposure

Air quality experts share insights on the unequal burdens of pollution on people of color and offer solutions to positively impact communities carrying the heaviest burdens.

The collaborative journey of boatbuilding

Northside Safety NET interns recently learned the magical hands-on process of boatbuilding. Throughout the spring they worked with Urban Boat Builders to create a durable exploration canoe that they were able to launch at Wirth Lake in Minneapolis.

Meet the Clean Air Minnesota co-chairs

Meet the co-chairs of Clean Air Minnesota, Jon Hunter and Tony Kwilas. The two have worked on air quality throughout their careers. As chairs, they advise the work pursued by Clean Air Minnesota to reduce air pollutants.

Our role in helping reduce air emissions

An overview of some of the air work convened by Environmental Initiative. These programs help reduce pollutants through numerous avenues, including helping small businesses secure funding to replace sources of emissions with cleaner alternatives and educating groups on air quality standards and sources of pollution.

Moving towards a circular economy

As more waste continues to be generated using limited natural resources, companies are working to break this linear waste stream and keep materials in use after a product’s lifespan by advancing a circular economy.

Minnesota’s electrification efforts expand

Minnesota is in the process of transitioning to technology that relies on electricity instead of fossil fuels, or electrification. While progress has been made, the transition is still in the early stages and challenges remain around how to do this in a way that will not put too much pressure on communities and the electric grid.