Conservation Minnesota

Programs: Renewable energy: thousands of minnesotans have told us that one of the great challenges we face is transitioning from the pollution and health risks of our current energy system to a clean energy future. Conservation minnesota is working hard to ensure that each person in our state has dependable clean energy that adds to our quality of life while protecting our environment. Conservation minnesota recently surveyed nearly 100,000 minnesota residents asking if they support actions related to energy use and conservation. The survey earned response rates as high as 7 times that of a typical direct mail survey, showing residents have a high level of interest in the topic. Respondents used the survey to signal strong support for past actions and future steps towards healthy, renewable energy.

healthy kids and families: conservation minnesota works with our members to educate state citizens and policymakers on the need for strict laws regulating the use of chemicals that could cause harm to our health and environment. Conservation minnesota is now co-leading healthy legacy, a statewide public health coalition working to eliminate toxic chemicals from our consumer products. We were able to take important steps forward with the passage of the ban on toxic flame-retardants that threaten the health of children and firefighters.

mining: minnesota has long been an industrial leader with iron mining and forest product industries holding an integral part of our state's history. That's why conservation minnesota supports clean, responsible practices that create jobs and protect our great outdoors. As a member of the mining truth coalition, we worked with partners and members throughout the state to educate minnesotans on the difference between traditional iron mining and unproven and high-risk sulfide mining. Thousands of minnesotans have told us they are concerned about the impact this new industry could have on lake superior and the boundary waters. Polymet, the first sulfide mine being proposed, would be in operation for 20 years, but require treatment of polluted water for 500 years.

conservation minnesota works to solve the environmental problems that the public helps us identify. Over the last year, this has included protecting our lakes and rivers, increasing recycling, increasing renewable energy, removing toxic chemicals from children's products, and making it simple for minnesotans to find out what their elected leaders are doing about conservation issues that affect them and their families on checkmylegislator. Org.