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IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING NOW

Critical conversations are happening at every level about how to address the environmental challenges before us – from our climate and biodiversity crisis to environmental injustice to growing threats to our water. The outcomes of these conversations will influence our path forward. From the kitchen table to the State Capitol, big changes start from the bottom up. 

MCEA is at the center of these conversations. We're unpacking complicated problems and using our expertise and resources to ensure the latest science and facts are carefully considered. Explore our Critical Conversations pages to access resources including blog posts, webinars, and fact sheets and engage directly with our staff by submitting your questions.

image of person filling water glass at a sink

Answering questions now

It's in the water: MN's nitrate pollution problem

As we’ve seen industrial-scale agriculture balloon over the past 30 years - most evident in the growth of animal feedlots and monoculture row crop production - we’ve watched nitrate levels rise to crisis proportions in certain regions of our state. When applied at reasonable rates, nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth. But too much of it is dangerous for public health, as well as the health of fish and other aquatic life. We need targeted regulations of the industrial farming practices that threaten our water backed up by consistent enforcement.

 

 

Clean Water

Answering questions now

Mining the Climate Crisis

As decarbonization goes mainstream, mining companies are hopping on the bandwagon and increasingly branding their products as critical for the green economy. While demand for these so-called “critical minerals” is projected to increase, serious questions about the need for new raw materials and mining’s role in the clean energy transition remain. Despite the unknowns, it’s clear that we cannot simply mine our way out of the complex and multi-faceted problem of climate change.

 

 

 

Miner in a mine
Sulfide Mining