Today's Question Category Archive: Environment/Energy

Are you comfortable increasing Minnesota's reliance on nuclear power?

Posted at 6:00 AM on November 20, 2009 by Eric Ringham (31 Comments)
Filed under: Environment/Energy

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission gave approval last week for an Xcel Energy plan to produce more power at its Prairie Island nuclear plant. Xcel also will store more nuclear waste at the site. Are you comfortable increasing Minnesota's reliance on nuclear power?

Comment on this post

What does the opening of deer season mean to your family?

Posted at 6:00 AM on November 6, 2009 by Eric Ringham (22 Comments)
Filed under: Culture, Environment/Energy

Saturday is opening day of Minnesota's firearm season on white-tailed deer. According to the Department of Natural Resources, about half a million hunters participate in the hunt each year. What does the opening of deer season mean to your family?

Comment texted to MPR:

What hunting means to my family? Dad is gone for two days to be alone and think about life. I don't care for deer as food. If I shoot one, it'll be donated. Hope I don't though! I have a hard time de-boning a chicken! -Don, St. Paul, MN

Comment on this post

Are you doing anything in your daily life to fight global warming?

Posted at 6:00 AM on November 3, 2009 by Eric Ringham (35 Comments)
Filed under: Environment/Energy

Author Tim Flannery, a guest today on "Midmorning," argues that the fate of the planet depends on our developing a sense of responsibility about climate change. Are you doing anything in your daily life to fight global warming?

Comments texted to MPR:

I fight global warming by eating vegetarian dinners three times per week, walking or biking for short errands, and we're installing solar panels on our house this spring. -Alex, Red Wing, MN

I do my part to reduce emissions by taking the bus. I say, come on people, its so easy and reduces my stress level because I don't have to worry about rush hour. -Bryan, Minneapolis, MN

I do all the recycling for my three jobs. I switched to a better gas mileage car, we turn our heat off during the day, and i try to make sure we all turn the lights off and shorten our showers! Every little bit helps! -Julie, Howard Lake, MN

You forgot the word "relevant". People's actions are meaningless unless they are owners of airplane fleets. -Mookie, St. Paul, MN

My husband and I recycle, purchase mostly organic, locally-grown food items and try to lower our energy consumption by using LEDs throughout our home. We also unplug electronics before we leave for work in the morning. -Russ and Tina, White Bear Lake, MN

I'm lobbying members of Congress and riding the bus to work more often. -Mike, St. Paul, MN

I'm staying poor...buying necessities, used clothing, used furniture, entertainment. I'm walking, biking. -anonymous

Share your reply in the comments: Are you doing anything in your daily life to fight global warming?

Comment on this post

What part of your life has the greatest impact on your health?

Posted at 6:00 AM on October 7, 2009 by Eric Ringham (14 Comments)
Filed under: Environment/Energy, Health, Science/Technology

A series concluding today on All Things Considered examines the "social determinants" that affect health - factors like income, neighborhood and education. What part of your life has the greatest impact on your health?

My jobs in personal training, massage therapy, and yoga instruction. If i didn't do these daily for work, i wouldn't do them on my own, likely. So my work, and the knowledge that comes with them, keeps me going! -Julie, Howard Lake, MN

Comment on this post

What is the moonshot for our times?

Posted at 6:00 AM on July 16, 2009 by Eric Ringham (11 Comments)
Filed under: Environment/Energy, Politics/Government, Science/Technology

Forty years ago today, three U.S. astronauts were launched into space on the Apollo 11 mission, which put a human being on the moon for the first time. It was a moment when the nation seemed united behind a common, innovative goal. Members of the Obama administration have suggested that we need that kind of approach to energy policy. What's your suggestion? What is the moonshot for our times?

The moonshot didn't just unite our country, it united the world. The most recent such experience, I fear, was 9/11. On that occasion I e-mailed to a friend that this event would herald a new era of civility in America. And I was right. For about two weeks. -Fred Marx, Minneapolis, MN

First, find a better name. The sixties moonshot gave the nation a common purpose but most of us were only spectators. Today we need a common goal which requires participation of everyone. I think the "Giant Leap for Mankind" in our day should be to create an internet database where inventors and thinkers could publish their technological ideas, to be shared as quickly as possible, so that we could have ever more minds working to push technology forward. Prize money and recognition should be awarded to those who contribute the best ideas. The database would keep track of who was first with particular ideas. -Thomas Johnson, Virginia, MN

We really don't have one, we instead need to fix our infrastructure which is falling apart; create a single payer health care system and come to grips with global warming. This is much more significant than ANYTHING we do in space. -Robert Keegan, Coon Rapids, MN

So far, we don't have one. It should be to fund the research to develop technology and renewable, sustainable sources of energy to replace fossil fuel. We should be leading the way for the rest of the world. -Sharon Grimes, Minnetonka, MN

Better health care than Taiwan for as little money per capita. How ever will we, and our workers, compete with the top 20 economies of the world saddled by health care costs two or three times higher than the competition. The parasites who have gotten rich off the suffering of the American people must be cast off and we must embrace the lessons learned and applied around the world. We need only the common sense and the humility to move forward. -Harv Doucette, Brainerd, MN

Share your reply in the comments: What is the moonshot for our times?

Comment on this post