Stories of Climate Progress and Hope in Minnesota

In 2023, Minnesota made a transformational down payment on an equitable climate future for all Minnesotans, signing into law the state’s largest-ever investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and transit—making our state a national climate leader. Hear from courageous climate and clean energy advocates in their own words about what these advances mean for Minnesotans, and what continues to give them hope and drive them forward.

Keeping Communities of Color Front & Center

Tee McClenty
Executive Director, MN350

Mobilizing, Organizing & Building Power

Carolina Ortiz
Associate Executive Director, COPAL

Transforming Walking, Biking & Transit Systems

Elissa Schufman
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Move Minnesota

Helping the Health Sector Lead on Climate

Brenna Doheny & Toya López
Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate

Clean Energy & Jobs for Community Well-being

Francisco Segovia
Executive Director, COPAL

Investing in Farmers & Vibrant Rural Communities

Ariel Kagan
Director of Climate and Working Lands, Minnesota Farmers Union

Sustainable & Equitable Access to Jobs

Peter Wagenius
Legislative and Political Director, Sierra Club North Star Chapter

Creating a Brighter Future Together for Our Kids

Kathryn Hoffman
CEO, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

Cleaner Air & Better Quality of Life

Ellen Anderson
Climate Program Director, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

Funding Transit & Diversifying the Movement

MJ Carpio
Campaign Manager, Move Minnesota

Working Hard to Build Something Great

Deborah Philbrick
Climate Solutions Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation

Coming Together to Preserve Our Planet

Rodolfo Gutierrez
Executive Director, HACER

The Story of 100% Clean Energy in Minnesota

In 2018, a group of leaders got together with support from McKnight and other partners and decided to pursue 100% clean energy, right in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. This is their story.

They built a multi-racial, cross-geographical coalition to create a future that wasn’t only powered by carbon-free energy, but was more equitable and more just. With the work of dozens of partners and after three years and four months of organizing, advocating, and storytelling, the 100% bill went from a dream to law in Minnesota.

With 100%, Minnesota will be a model for delivering economic mobility and community vitality in the transition to clean energy, improving lives and livelihoods. McKnight Foundation thanks our grantee partners and advocates for their dedication to building a just and equitable climate and clean energy movement, and for bringing Minnesotans from all walks of life and all parts of the state together to advance a future where our people and planet can thrive. Their years of effort brought us to this moment.

Watch the video to see their journey and the path ahead!

Video Credits: Featuring Chris Conry, Campaign Partners & Advocates; Produced by Line Break Media; Directed by Nolan Morice; Script & Creative Direction by Ashley Fairbanks; Art Direction & Props by Sandra Houghton Soto; Script Supervision & Assistant Camera by Nadia Shaarawi; Editing & Motion Graphics by Jill Zimmerman; Artwork by Dio Cramer, Andrés Guzmán, Julie Van Grol, Lucy Comer.

Groups Behind the Progress

Thank you to all of the organizations that worked tirelessly over the last decade to secure nation-leading clean energy and climate progress in Minnesota! We look forward to continued partnership with colleagues in Minnesota and beyond for a rapid transition away from polluting fossil fuels, to protect our planet and improve people’s lives, especially those most impacted by the climate crisis.