KMSU Every Day Is Earth Day

August 15, 2024 Emissions from diesel vehicles are harmful for all of us. Dr. Sara Adar, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at University of Michigan talks about why young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel exhaust and what can be done about it.

Sept. 4, 2024 Dr. Johnna Leddy, a researcher at U of Iowa holds 32 U.S. patents and studies how electrochemistry will change the energy distribution of the planet. Leddy is the keynote speaker for the 34th Leonard Ford Lectureship at MNSU and explains how her research looks at solutions to lower environmental loads and energy costs through chemistry.

Aug. 29, 2024 Zero Waste Day in the Park is Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024 at Sibley Park Pavilion, Mankato, noon - 3 p.m. The event is free and includes a clothing swap and repair, electronics recycling and repair, info about recycling, composting, reusing, etc. plus free food, live music and face painting. Jane Dow and Betty Winkworth of Mankato Zero Waste talk about the event and provide info on how you...

August 22, 2024 The Eco-Experience is back for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. MPCA Communications Specialist Steve Mikkelson discusses the new displays ranging from a giant plastic bag-nado, new electric vehicle options, to solutions for Climate Change.

Aug. 8, 2024 Brian Belefant has written a fictional novella called, The Sultan of Garbage" which has parallel lessons to what is happening with consumerism in our world today. Belefant, a former ad agency writer and creator discusses how his attitudes have changed with protecting our world vs. promoting what he describes as "crap".

Aug. 1, 2024 Peter Prengaman, Global Climate and Environment News Director of the Associate Press (AP) talks with KMSU's Karen Wright about how climate policy is being covered (and ignored) by influential leaders and what we can do to be heard.

July 25, 2024 - During the week of July 22-28, visit one of the participating restaurants to enjoy delicious food and celebrate the partnerships between Region Nine’s farmers and restaurants.  Sabri Fair, Reg. 9 Dev. Commission Environmental and Sustainability Planner talks about this event dedicated to highlighting the variety of products available from local farmers.

July 18, 2024 Climate-smart Commodities: How can we grow food that is more climate smart? Dr. Beth Fisher, professor of soil science and geology at Minnesota State Mankato talks about her research that is exploring regenerative agriculture and how it can make a difference in climate health.

July 11, 2024 Dr. Tracey Holloway, professor of energy analysis and policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison tells us how to make a Corsi–Rosenthal Box for our homes to improve air quality in our homes. She discusses the unhealthy effects of air pollution.

July 11, 2024 Dr. Tracey Holloway, professor of energy analysis and policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison tells us how to make a Corsi–Rosenthal Box for our homes to improve air quality in our homes. She discusses the unhealthy effects of air pollution.

June 27, 2024  Because of climate change, heat waves have more than tripled since the 1960s, resulting in an 857% increase in heat-related deaths from 1986, according to the 2024 Heat Wave Report from ValuePenguin.com. Mankato Clinic Family Physician John Benson talks about staying safe in the extreme heat.

June 13, 2024 The Living Earth Center is managing the Blue Earth County Community Farm and fulfilling a need to feed underserved residents. Laura Peterson and SkyAnne Walker talk about the work the organization is doing and how you can become involved.

June 20, 2024 PlantSwitch turns agricultural byproducts into into plastic alternatives that are compostable, high-performance, and affordable. Dillon Baxter, co-founder of PlantSwitch says his mission is to replace all petroleum-based single-use plastic with plants. The company's proprietary technology upcycles agricultural residues into a plant-based resin that can be used to make nearly all type...

June 6, 2024 Last week, MN Governor Tim Walz signed a law which  makes Minnesota the first state in the Midwest to phase out the sale of Fluorescent lighting. Fresh Energy's Eric Fowler talks about this law and others that will impact how much $$ Minnesotan's save on utility bills and lower emissions.

May 30, 2024 Dr. Severin Borenstein, Director of the Energy Institute at Haas - University of California Berkely, discusses the economics of rooftop solar power and what we can learn from California.

May 23, 2024 Twenty years ago, Minnesota took a step toward a cleaner environment when the MPCA fist removed a lake from its list of polluted bodies of water in the state. Since then, more than 60 other lakes have also returned to health. Scott McClean, Southwestern Minnesota Watershed Supervisor, discusses the "de-listing" process and the work that needs to be done.

May 15, 2024 Weather is one of the most talked about topics in our day-to-day life.  But what about Climate Forecasts? What are they? How can we use them? And how soon will they be on your local TV newscast. Meteorologist Lauren Casey at Climate Central talks about the Climate Shift Inde

May 9, 2024 Electronic Waste (E-waste) is the fastest growing waste stream in the world and it's full of valuable metals that can be reclaimed, Maria Jensen, co-founder of RECA (Recycling Electronics for Climate Action), based in Minnesota talks about her organization's work toward a 100% e-waste collection bill.

May 2, 2024 Love Earth Now: The Power of Doing One Thing Every Day is a book by Cheryl Leutjen. KMSU's Karen Wright talks with the author about finding one's own path to living more earth-conscientiously.

April 25, 2024 Sonia Parr-Baker talks about an event called LESS IS BEST event on Sat. April 27, 2024. Details:  Less is Best - Ways to Reduce Waste Event Less is Best - Ways to Reduce Waste Event Hosted by Mankato Area Zero Waste Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m-1 p.m. Sibley Park Pavilion, Mankato Breakout Sessions: 10:00-10:20: Beyond Plastics 10:30-10:50: Composting 101 11-11:20: Home Energy Efficie...

April 18, 2024 The Blue Earth Project,advocating for ecological resilience in Southern Minnesota. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Blue Earth Project founder Paul Ebbenga about the program's kick-off to create a better environment for all.  Check out The Blue Earth Project's new website as it kicks off Earth Day 2024:  https://blueearthproject.org/

April 11, 2024 Students in Gustavus Adolphus College professor Jeff Jeremiason's Environmental class senior project was to take an inventory of greenhouse gases in the city of St. Peter. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Gabe Mauer, Lucy Peterson, Ari DeVries and Scott Knowlton about what they learned.

April 4, 2024 You Can Score Your Shore and improve water quality and our natural environment according to Holly Bushman, Environmental Resource Specialist from LeSueur County. She will be one of the speakers at the  upcoming The Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes 2024 Conference on April 13, and will discuss this program.     https://www.isginc.com/ 

March 28, 2024 "Can We Regenerate Soil Health and Enhance Corn Productivity in the U.S. Corn Belt through Perennial Cover Crops and Poultry Integration”.  It's a long title for a very important research -- saving and improving the soil in southern Minnesota and beyond. Dr. Mriganka De, a soil scientist at Minnesota State Mankato talks about his research which will be presented at the prestigious D...

March 21, 2024 What is the State of the Minnesota River? Carly Griffith, the Water Program Director with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy gives us a preview for an upcoming Town Hall to be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Kato Ballroom 10 - 11:30 a.m., Mankato. Anyone who cares about our waters is welcome to attend.