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Minnesota Now with Nina Moini
Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

St. Louis Park City Council member on climate emergency declarations across MN

A large stump remains after a tree snapped during a severe storm
A large stump remains after a tree snapped during a severe storm in Hartland, Minn., last month. A tornado — the first December tornado on record for the state — is believed to have touched down on Dec. 15 following an extreme rise in temperatures.
Tim Evans for MPR News 2021 file

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The outbreak of tornadoes in December, the major drought in the summer — Minnesota has never seen a weather year like 2021. The state is in the bull’s-eye for such events thanks to climate change.

Because of the urgency of the situation, more than a dozen cities across Minnesota are set to declare climate emergencies. The hope is to get the attention of lawmakers and other decisionmakers.

Larry Kraft is spearheading the effort in St. Louis Park, where he’s a City Council member. He told host Cathy Wurzer about the initiative, the environmental policies St. Louis Park has implemented and the support the cities are hoping to see from the state as the Legislature convenes for 2022.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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