Best Air Pollution Control Podcasts (2025)

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'Water vapor is a greenhouse gas': The little-known but growing climate concern 4:47

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13d ago4:47

4:47

An increase in water vapor in the atmosphere is driving more extreme weather around the world. How is that playing out here in Minnesota? John Abraham, thermal sciences professor and mechanical engineering program director at University of St. Thomas, shared more about the little-known but growing climate concern. To hear the full conversation, cli…

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Expert dispels myth that cities are immune from tornados 4:35

19d ago4:35

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This week brought another significant tornado outbreak to parts of Minnesota. Downtowns for the Twin Cities, Rochester and Duluth were spared from any storm damage, but are cities safer from tornadoes than rural parts of Minnesota? Does the urban heat island effect spare urban residents from a tornado tearing through their cities? “The urban heat i…

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Dexmedetomidine and Propofol Sedation in Critically Ill Patients and Dose Associated 90-day Mortality: A Secondary Cohort Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (SPICE-III) 33:19

20d ago33:19

33:19

This episode originally aired on March 23rd, 2023. Dr. Michael Lanspa chats with Dr. Yahya Shehabi about his article, "Dexmedetomidine and Propofol Sedation in Critically Ill Patients and Dose Associated 90-day Mortality: A Secondary Cohort Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (SPICE-III)."By American Thoracic Society

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Despite EV boom, Minnesotans slower to embrace electric vehicles than many other states 5:04

27d ago5:04

5:04

Electric vehicle use in Minnesota boomed over the past decade due to the popular fleet of Tesla vehicles driving into the market. However, the Q1 auto sales report from earlier this year, showed a drop in sales for Tesla’s EVs. The indication that there might be a slowing popularity for the brand had some experts blame the company’s CEO Elon Musk a…

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Earth reaches level of warming climate scientists hoped to avoid 4:45

1M ago4:45

4:45

For the past eleven years, the planet has been consecutively warmer each year. It’s a trend that has climate scientists and policy makers worried. In 2024, global temperatures reached 1.5 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial record, according to the World Meteorological Organization and the Copernicus Climate Change Service. It’s the level of wa…

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Brewing breakthrough: Craft beer makers eliminate wastewater in experiment 4:39

1M ago4:39

4:39

Craft beer grew in popularity over the past decade across Minnesota, but the brewing process has also created a ton of wastewater. Now, there’s an experiment to make the process carbon neutral. University of Minnesota professor Paige Novak and Fulton Brewing are working on a new, sustainable way to treat wastewater from the brewing process. She spo…

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Early vs. Delayed Switching from Controlled to Assisted Ventilation: A Target Trial Emulation 24:15

1M ago24:15

24:15

Dr. Michael Lanspa chats with Dr. Carmen Reep and Dr. Leo Heunks about their article, "Early vs. Delayed Switching from Controlled to Assisted Ventilation: A Target Trial Emulation."By American Thoracic Society

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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency adds ‘blowing dust’ to air quality alerts 4:54

1M ago4:54

4:54

Minnesota has experienced four significant blowing dust episodes over the past few years, and the uptick in frequency has raised air-quality concerns across the state. Now, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will start issuing air quality alerts for blowing dust this summer. Matt Taraldsen, MPCA meteorologist, says the fine particle pollution f…

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Political headwinds could spell trouble for solar power in Minnesota 4:31

2M ago4:31

4:31

Minnesota has been a part of the solar energy boom that has swept across the nation over the past decade. Research has shown solar energy is now the cheapest form of electricity in the history of electric power generation, but politics on the state and federal level could trigger challenges for the renewable resource. MPR News Chief Meteorologist P…

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How one Minnesota recycling facility is becoming more efficient 4:45

2M ago4:45

4:45

Recycled plastics reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 to 80 percent compared to creating new plastics. But the process isn’t always waste-free. Eureka Recycling, a 20-year-old mission-driven zero-waste recycler, has upgraded its facility to ensure recycled materials are effectively repurposed. “It’s incredible how much less energy it takes,” said…

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A New Global Definition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome 33:05

2M ago33:05

33:05

This episode originally aired on January 17th, 2024. Dr. Michael Lanspa chats with Dr. Michael Matthay about his article, "A New Global Definition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome."By American Thoracic Society

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Tech giants vie to build data centers in Minnesota to support their growing AI networks 4:17

2M ago4:17

4:17

Tech companies are looking to the land of 10,000 lakes as a suitable environment to expand their data footprint. About 10 tech giants, such as Microsoft and Meta, are vying to build data centers in Minnesota to support their growing AI networks. “The Midwest is kind of a big emerging market right now,” said Nick Halter, a Twin Cities reporter for A…

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Mississippi named 'most endangered' river in the U.S. 4:41

2M ago4:41

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The mighty Mississippi, which flows from its headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, has topped an endangered rivers list. A report from nonprofit conservation organization American Rivers states that a combination of extreme flood, drought cycles, toxic runoff, and poor river management threatens the Mississippi. The 2,300-mile-lon…

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Writer turned citizen scientist offers tips on living lightly to reduce your carbon footprint 4:17

3M ago4:17

4:17

Writer Tamara Dean knew she wanted to live lightly on the planet. Her search to live a productive life while lowering her carbon footprint led her to the Driftless Area of Wisconsin — also known as Bluff Country and the Paleozoic Plateau — with dreams of become a homesteader. Dean shares her experience in her new memoir “Shelter and Storm: At Home …

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Impact of Environmental Exposures on the Development and Progression of Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease 45:40

3M ago45:40

45:40

Dr. Mohleen Kang chats with Dr. Kerri Johannson and Dr. Tamera Corte about their article, "Impact of Environmental Exposures on the Development and Progression of Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease."By American Thoracic Society

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It’s not your imagination, Minnesota is experiencing a longer allergy season 4:10

3M ago4:10

4:10

There’s a warming trend in cities across American, and that’s extending allergy season for millions of Americans. A new study by Climate Central found five cities in Minnesota have increased their pollen season — in some cases by nearly a month. The Twin Cities allergy season has expanded by 27 days, Duluth is seeing an average of 24 extra days of …

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Updates on the Treatment of Drug-Susceptible and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: An Official ATS/CDC/ERS/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline 16:04

3M ago16:04

16:04

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Sonal Munsiff and Dr. Raquel Duarte about their article, "Updates on the Treatment of Drug-Susceptible and Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: An Official ATS/CDC/ERS/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline."By American Thoracic Society

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Minnesota's volatile winter could be the new normal 4:34

3M ago4:34

4:34

Minnesota experienced a seasonably cold but relatively snowless winter. Now, the spring months are making up for lost time by dumping sloppy snowstorms. State climatologist Pete Boulay said what Minnesota is seeing is over time is a different start and end times for the seasons. “Winter is shifting around a bit,” said Boulay. “We’re not seeing as b…

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New book traces 75-year history of U.S. military climate research 4:32

3M ago4:32

4:32

By creating the Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment (SIPRE) in 1949, the U.S. military became one of the earliest climate research groups on the planet. The group’s mission was to study the science and engineering of the warming Arctic and the national security implications that could follow. University of Vermont professor and geoscien…

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Using Isoniazid More Safely and More Effectively in Tuberculosis Treatment 34:40

4M ago34:40

34:40

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Paolo Denti, Dr. Elisa Ignatius, Dr. Jason Andrews, and Dr. Neil Schluger about two papers and an editorial published in AJRCCM discussing the use of isoniazid in treating patients with tuberculosis.By American Thoracic Society

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Minnesota ‘red-tape experiment’ streamlines permitting process to achieve carbon-free grid 4:15

4M ago4:15

4:15

Wind and solar are among the cheapest energy sources available today, but even when clean-energy projects are ready to go, a cumbersome permit process is slowing down their implementation. Allison Prang wrote a New York Times article about a Minnesota experiment to cut the red tape that is impeding the state’s ability to achieve its clean-energy go…

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A Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring Safety and Tolerability of Sulthiame in Sleep Apnea 23:59

4M ago23:59

23:59

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Hedner and Dr. Schmickl about their articles “A Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring Safety and Tolerability of Sulthiame in Sleep Apnea" and “Drug Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Are We There Yet?”By American Thoracic Society

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Forget migration. Ducks are choosing to chill in Minnesota all winter long 4:31

4M ago4:31

4:31

Nick Halter, a Twin Cities reporter at Axios, noticed a peculiar pattern on his morning walks — hundreds of ducks braving subzero temperatures. Many ducks still fly south for the winter months. But climate data shows Minnesota winters have warmed more than five degrees on average since 1970, creating a more tolerable environment for ducks and other…

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Increasing greenhouse gas emissions may put Minnesota climate goals out of reach 5:05

4M ago5:05

5:05

It’s a post-pandemic world, and Minnesota’s greenhouse emissions are following the nationwide trend of going up. Based on recent state data from 2020 to 2022, emissions rose 6.4 percent with transportation and agriculture being the biggest contributors. Now, the state is off-track to meet its climate goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. “I …

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Slowing climate change by ‘putting carbon back where it came from’ 4:31

5M ago4:31

4:31

A technology that can slow or stop climate change already exists — and has a history of bipartisan support in Washington. But it has a few hoops to jump through before it can make a bigger impact. The method is called carbon capture, which removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it deep underground. “You can think of this whole process as ess…

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Progressive Early Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Persons At-Risk for Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Prospective Cohort Study and Big Things Have Small Beginnings: Clinical Implications of Early Interstitial ... 26:37

5M ago26:37

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Dr. Mohleen Kang chats with Dr. Margaret Salisbury and Dr. Anna Podolanczuk about their articles, "Progressive Early Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Persons at Risk for Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Prospective Cohort Study" and "Big Things Have Small Beginnings: Clinical Implications of Early Interstitial Lung Disease."…

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Meteorologist travels to Antarctica to witness ice loss 4:31

5M ago4:31

4:31

The Antarctic is warming. This means, the ice sheet in the Antarctic Peninsula is shrinking, and ice is breaking off the continent. “The largest icebergs on the planet are going around the Antarctic Peninsula … because these are breaking off the ice sheets as there’s warming,” said MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard, who recently traveled to Ant…

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Assessment of Home-based Monitoring in Adults with Chronic Lung Disease: An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement 23:36

5M ago23:36

23:36

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Yet Kor about her article, "Assessment of Home-based Monitoring in Adults with Chronic Lung Disease: An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement."By American Thoracic Society

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Minnesota’s warming climate is making winter fun more dangerous 4:38

5M ago4:38

4:38

Winter is the fastest-warming season in the Midwest — more than five degrees on average since 1970, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. All that warming is having an impact on ice formation. “Climate change is injecting more energy into our weather systems, and that’s resulting in in just more extreme extreme…

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Could the future of renewable energy be beneath our feet? 3:48

5M ago3:48

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The Trump administration has pivoted to fossil fuels. But one form of renewable energy has still gained support in Washington: Geothermal energy, which uses the warmth of the earth to heat and cool buildings. Minnesota has already tapped into geothermal power in Rochester where the city’s headquarters will soon be provided a future with carbon-free…

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Climate leader urges action after Trump pulls U.S. from Paris Agreement again 4:57

6M ago4:57

4:57

President Donald Trump has officially begun his second term. One of his first moves was to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement — again. What will that mean for greenhouse gas emissions and climate solutions? Jonathan Foley is executive director of Project Drawdown. He said, “This is not game over. It’s game on. It means the rest of us have t…

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Disasters in warm-weather states spur climate migration to Minnesota 4:11

6M ago4:11

4:11

For some living in the warmer parts of the U.S., extreme weather tied to climate change is enough for them to consider cooler, safer climates. No, Minnesota is not immune from the effects of climate change. But one Minnesota realtor says the state’s northern location is appealing appealing to her clientele from southern U.S. “When you’re talking to…

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As Earth sets temperature record, expert says solutions to ‘dangerous climate change’ exist 4:15

6M ago4:15

4:15

The planet has warmed past the 1.5 degrees Celsius pre-industrial normal temperature. Final confirmation on 2024 being the hottest year on record is expected from NOAA and the European Union, but the effects of climate change on a warming planet is being felt from wild fires in California to the snowless winters in Minnesota. “We’re certainly seein…

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Extreme weather events push up insurance rates for Minnesotans 4:03

6M ago4:03

4:03

Homeowner and auto insurance rates are rising fast in Minnesota. One policy comparison site, Insurify, shows Minnesota’s auto insurance rates had the highest year-over-year increase in the nation. Climbing insurance rates have plagued Minnesotans in recent years, and one of the leading factors to the rise in premiums is extreme weather events. “Mor…

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Trump’s plan to repeal EV tax credit could hurt U.S. auto market 4:27

6M ago4:27

4:27

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to at least partially repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and some analysts say it could end up helping China more than the United States. “If you take away the incentives for people to buy the stuff that American manufacturers are making, that weakens the case for investing in American manufacturin…

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The reason for warmer Minnesota winters: Less snow 4:24

7M ago4:24

4:24

Hotter summers and scorching temperatures might be a go-to thought when you think of climate change, but most of Minnesota’s warming is a winter phenomenon. Pete Boulay of the Minnesota State Climatology Office said our warming winters can be credited to a lack of snowfall. “We’re missing the snow pack,” said Boulay. “We’ve seen over the years, dee…

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As companies build new data centers across Minnesota, some worry about their energy use 4:47

7M ago4:47

4:47

New data centers are popping up across the country — and companies are eyeing Minnesota as a potential building site due to its cooler climate. But advocates within the state worry the extra demand from these large buildings could push the state to extend its use of fossil fuels at a time when Minnesota is trying to go carbon-free. MPR News corresp…

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Hypnotics on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Endotypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and The Arousal Threshold: The ‘Weakest Link’ in OSA Pathogenesis? 37:26

7M ago37:26

37:26

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Ludovico Messineo and Dr. Simon Joosten about their articles "Hypnotics on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity and Endotypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" and "The Arousal Threshold: The ‘Weakest Link’ in OSA Pathogenesis."By American Thoracic Society

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Trump’s cabinet picks could reshape U.S. climate policy 4:28

7M ago4:28

4:28

President-elect Donald Trump is making cabinet choices that will likely impact U.S. climate policy. Observers of the picks point out ties to the fossil fuel industry. Kiley Price with Inside Climate News spoke to MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner about the picks and what it could mean for the future of climate policy. To hear the full conve…

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Evaluation of Etomidate Use and Association with Mortality Compared with Ketamine among Critically Ill Patients 33:14

7M ago33:14

33:14

Dr. Michael Lanspa chats with Dr. Hannah Wunsch about her paper, "Evaluation of Etomidate Use and Association with Mortality Compared with Ketamine among Critically Ill Patients."By American Thoracic Society

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Xcel Energy asks for a 13 percent rate increase to fund infrastructure investments 4:39

8M ago4:39

4:39

From data centers to growth — electricity demand in Minnesota is rising. That’s led Xcel Energy to request a 13 percent rate increase over the next two years and increase capital spending by $11 billion. Walker Orenstein, reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune, said the utility has plans to make major infrastructure investments.…

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Warmer winters can mean more salt on Minnesota roads 4:45

8M ago4:45

4:45

While it’s unclear just how snowy this winter will be, NOAA data shows that Minnesota winters have warmed more than five degrees on average since 1970. Warmer winters may cause more freeze-thaw cycles and increased road salt use. State maintenance engineer Jed Falgren spoke to MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner about what MnDOT is doing to m…

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Climate Cast: Weak La Niña may mean snowy winter is on deck 3:47

8M ago3:47

3:47

Last winter was the warmest on record in Minnesota — a perfect non-storm of conditions that included a strong El Niño combined with warming climate trends. But this year will be different thanks to a weak La Niña developing in the Pacific, said Kenny Blumenfeld, who tracks Minnesota's climate trends with the Minnesota State Climatologist office in …

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Grants help Minnesota farmers deal with extreme weather 4:21

9M ago4:21

4:21

Minnesota is experiencing its fourth straight year of flash drought — and farmers are feeling the effects in their fields. “Farmers and ranchers face unique challenges in a changing climate and experience climate related stress,” said Noah Fish, an agricultural reporter for Agweek. “It’s not only their operations that are undergoing this change, bu…

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From ICU Syndromes to ICU Subphenotypes: Consensus Report and Recommendations for Developing Precision Medicine in the ICU 27:16

9M ago27:16

27:16

Dr. Michael Lanspa chats with Dr. Anthony Gordon about his article, "From ICU Syndromes to ICU Subphenotypes: Consensus Report and Recommendations for Developing Precision Medicine in the ICU."By American Thoracic Society

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Climate scientist and mom addresses work-life balance in new book 4:47

9M ago4:47

4:47

Finding balance in life can be a challenge for everyone. It can be especially hard to balance a life in climate work, politics and raising a family. That’s been Anna Farro Henderson’s experience, one she details in her new book “Core Samples: A Climate Scientist’s Experiments in Politics and Motherhood.” Farro Henderson joins MPR News Meteorologist…

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‘Fingerprints of a warming world’ evident in Minnesota climate trends 4:37

10M ago4:37

4:37

Minnesota’s climate continues to shift. The trend toward warmer winters and more erratic precipitation patterns continues. “What we see globally and what we see right in our own backyards are the fingerprints of a warming world,” Heidi Roop, the Director of Minnesota’s Climate Adaptation Partnership, said. She added that we should expect these extr…

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Climate advocates support Walz, but Harris-Walz climate platform still unclear 4:23

10M ago4:23

4:23

Climate advocates are showing strong support for Gov. Tim Walz’s vice presidential campaign. They point to his record. “Walz was responsible, or at least, signed into law several climate action bills that are progressive no matter which state you live in,” said Kristoffer Tigue, who wrote about Walz’s climate record for Inside Climate News. “That i…

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Epidemiology and Prognostic Significance of Cough in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease 21:02

10M ago21:02

21:02

Dr. John Fleetham chats with Dr. Chris Ryerson and Dr. Yet Khor about their article, "Epidemiology and Prognostic Significance of Cough in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease."By American Thoracic Society

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Methane is rising as a potent greenhouse gas 4:47

10M ago4:47

4:47

A new report from the Global Carbon Project finds several sources of methane gas are on the rise. Sahrah Kaplan, climate and science reporter for the Washington Post says the powerful greenhouse gas is “the fastest way to heat the planet and we’re doing that at an ever accelerating rate.” Kaplan wrote about the Global Carbon Project report and join…