BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — As our wildly warm winter rages on, it’s safe to say climate change is at the top of our minds. That’s the case year-round for many communities and agencies across Minnesota working to grow more resilient.
“I don’t think there’s a single corner of this region that will be untouched or hasn’t already experienced some sort of impact from climate change, just in the last 10 years alone,” said Lisa Barajas, Executive Director of Community Development with the Metropolitan Council.
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According to the Met Council, insurance premiums in the Twin Cities have increased by 366% since 1998. Intense rainfall and drought are crushing the agriculture community, severe storms and flooding are stressing our roads and homes, and extreme temperatures are causing trouble for our parks and trails.
“We have to start taking steps today in order to get to where we want to be in 2050. And that’s the type of work that we’re doing today is and have been doing over the last 20, 30 years,” Barajas said.