Best Air Pollution Control Podcasts (2025)

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Toxic blue-green algae thrive as Minnesota lakes grow warmer 4:39

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3h ago4:39

4:39

Minnesota’s clear, cool lakes are heating up over the summer, and those warmer waters can produce a toxic agal bloom. “Blue-green algae is bacteria,” said Kim Laing, a surface monitoring manager with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. “It often looks like pea soup [or] green paint; sometimes it might have a smell to it. It thrives in warm, sha…

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Clean Air Revolution: Revealing Indoor Pollution Secrets and Ways to Improve It 29:58

3d ago29:58

29:58

Breathing clean air shouldn't be a luxury, yet most of us unknowingly fill our lungs with harmful particles, pathogens, and chemicals every day inside our own homes. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Church welcomes Robia Turner, an indoor air quality expert from Vollara, to uncover the invisible dangers lurking in our living spaces. While …

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With eliminated tax credits, solar power heads into uncertain times 4:55

7d ago4:55

4:55

President Donald Trump’s massive budget bill eliminates tax credits and incentives for small and large scale solar and wind projects in Minnesota. It’s also projected to increase electricity bills across the state. The clean energy industry in Minnesota is now trying to figure out a new path forward in the wake of the massive federal budget bill wh…

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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Air Sealing Subfloor: Week 6 5:46

10d ago5:46

5:46

Your crawl space might be the most overlooked yet critically important area of your home. In this sixth installment of the Crawl Space Repair Challenge, Michael Church tackles the crucial topic of air sealing—a process that dramatically improves energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and structural integrity. The Department of Energy confirms what …

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Business affected by climate change consider a move to the Midwest 4:44

14d ago4:44

4:44

Will Minnesota become a climate refuge for business? A survey conducted by MIT Technology Review Insights, in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, asked 300 senior level executives in 14 industries how climate change is impacting their company’s bottom line. The overwhelming answer was that many companies have been harmed…

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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Sump Pumps and Basins Week 5 8:26

18d ago8:26

8:26

Water infiltration in your crawl space isn't just annoying – it's a serious threat to your home's foundation, air quality, and structural integrity. In this comprehensive guide to crawl space sump pumps and basins, Michael Church of Crawl Space Ninja delivers game-changing insights for homeowners battling moisture issues. Most homeowners make criti…

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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Flood Water Management Week 4 10:57

25d ago10:57

10:57

Crawl space water issues often seem like an unsolvable mystery, but the solution starts with understanding a crucial distinction: water management versus waterproofing. These approaches tackle the same problem from fundamentally different angles, each with their own strengths and limitations that every homeowner should understand. Throughout this e…

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

28d 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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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Mastering Moisture Control Week 3 14:27

1M ago14:27

14:27

Ready to tackle the critical but often overlooked step in crawl space renovation? In week three of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge, we're diving deep into the proper installation of dehumidifiers and condensate pumps—essential components for creating a dry, healthy environment beneath your home. Moisture control is the cornerstone of crawl space r…

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

1M ago4:35

4:35

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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Hydraway transforms sports fields and homes with superior drainage technology. 29:45

1M ago29:45

29:45

The hidden force behind professional sports fields' impeccable playability isn't just meticulous grounds keeping—it's revolutionary drainage technology. This fascinating conversation with Hydraway specialists reveals how flat-panel drainage systems are transforming everything from Major League Baseball diamonds to golf courses and residential yards…

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

1M 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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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Removing Wet Insulation Week 2 9:53

2M ago9:53

9:53

Moisture problems lurking beneath your home can lead to serious structural damage and health issues if left untreated. Discover the critical second phase of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge where we tackle two foundational steps that make all the difference in creating a dry, healthy crawl space environment. Removing damaged insulation and sealing …

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

2M 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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DIY Crawl Space Guide: Inspecting Before Repairing Week 1 10:59

2M ago10:59

10:59

Crawl spaces are often neglected until serious problems develop, but proper inspection is the crucial first step toward creating a healthy home environment. In this opening episode of our Crawl Space Repair Challenge, Michael Church walks you through the complete process of conducting a professional-grade crawl space inspection—whether you're plann…

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

2M 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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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency adds ‘blowing dust’ to air quality alerts 4:54

2M 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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Why Soda Blasting Is Worth Every Penny For Your Crawl Space 58:56

2M ago58:56

58:56

Curious about what soda blasting really is and why it's revolutionizing crawl space mold remediation? You'll want to hear this revealing conversation with the experts from Crawl Space Ninja of Charlotte (https://crawlspaceninja.com/locations/charlotte-nc/). Videos mentioned: $25,000 Inspection - https://youtu.be/6mOWfJEm6MA?feature=shared Redo Craw…

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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

3M 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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Tech giants vie to build data centers in Minnesota to support their growing AI networks 4:17

3M 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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The Forgotten Space: How Neglected Crawl Spaces Impact Your Home's Health 19:18

3M ago19:18

19:18

Have you ever wondered what's really happening in that dark, mysterious space beneath your floorboards? In this eye-opening episode, we pull back the curtain on a real-life crawl space inspection in North Georgia with our Lafayette branch manager, James Derry. When homeowner "Tom" called us about water intrusion and mold concerns, we discovered a c…

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

3M ago4:41

4:41

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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From Ground to Wall: A Complete Guide to Calculating Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Needs 12:38

3M ago12:38

12:38

NOTE: This may be more helpful if the video is watched: https://youtu.be/sp7-O9YFTpo. Wondering exactly how much vapor barrier you need for your crawl space project? Stop guessing and start calculating with precision. Michael Church of CrawlSpaceNinja.com dives into the often-overlooked science of vapor barrier measurement that can make or break yo…

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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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Transforming Your Crawl Space: From Moldy Nightmare to Watertight Oasis 8:17

3M ago8:17

8:17

Your home's foundation holds a hidden secret that could be silently affecting your family's health and your property's structural integrity. Beneath your floorboards lies a crucial space that 60% of homeowners unknowingly neglect – the crawl space. Think of your crawl space as the roots of a tree. When roots rot, the entire tree suffers. Similarly,…

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

4M 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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From Damp Misery to Comfortable Living: One Homeowner's Crawl Space Journey 25:20

4M ago25:20

25:20

What happens when your brand new air conditioning system struggles to maintain comfort in your home? For Chad in Michigan, the culprit was hiding beneath his floors—a crawl space with humidity levels reaching 78%, creating that persistent "clammy cool feeling" throughout his living space. This episode takes you through Chad's remarkable DIY crawl s…

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

4M 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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The Pipe That Led Nowhere: A Homeowner's Waterproofing Adventure 36:21

4M ago36:21

36:21

Discover the remarkable transformation of a North Carolina homeowner who took matters into his own hands to solve serious foundation moisture issues after discovering a shocking truth: the previous "waterproofing" system was actually directing water INTO his crawl space! When Ian purchased his Durham home, he knew there were issues with the partial…

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

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

5M 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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Mold in the Desert: Understanding Reno's Hidden Moisture Issues 15:43

5M ago15:43

15:43

Reno, Nevada, is known for its dry climate, yet this episode reveals a hidden truth: homes in arid regions can still face significant mold and moisture challenges. Join Michael Church, founder of Crawl Space Ninja, as he uncovers the complexities of managing indoor air quality in unexpected conditions. Check out Michael's book, "Crawl Space Repair …

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

5M 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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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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Minnesota’s warming climate is making winter fun more dangerous 4:38

6M 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

6M ago3:48

3:48

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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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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Trump’s cabinet picks could reshape U.S. climate policy 4:28

8M 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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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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Maximize Crawl Space Defense with DIY Pump Strategies Episode 2 of 2 22:45

9M ago22:45

22:45

Transform your crawl space into a healthier and more efficient part of your home with guidance from Michael Kushler, a passionate DIY enthusiast who took on this challenge and emerged victorious. Discover the key to controlling humidity with expert advice on choosing and using the right dehumidifier—Michael swears by the Allure Air—and learn the im…

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Maximize Crawl Space Defense with DIY Pump Strategies Episode 1 of 2 10:56

9M ago10:56

10:56

Unlock the secrets to transforming your home with insights from Michael Kushler, a DIY enthusiast who tackled the challenges of his crawl space in Northern Virginia head-on. We promise you'll walk away with practical tips on improving crawl space functionality and avoiding costly professional interventions. Michael's story is one of grit and resour…