
Issues of the Environment
Wednesdays during Morning Edition
Find Issues of the Environment each week on 89.1 WEMU.
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When you, or a loved one, has to have surgery, environmental protections are probably the last thing on your mind. But it is an issue that needs to be addressed. As much as 8-10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country emanate from medical facilities. Michigan Medicine is looking to significantly cut down its impacts while continuing to providing crucial care services. Dr. George Mashour is chair of Michigan Medicine's anesthesiology department, and he joined WEMU's David Fair to explain the process of identifying and implementing solutions.
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On this post-election Wednesday, we talk public transportation. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority asked voters to approve a five-year, 2.38 mill tax levy to expand services and help meet climate and economic equity goals in the community. AAATA CEO Matt Carpenter discussed the plans with WEMU's David Fair.
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Washtenaw County recycles at a rate higher than most others in Michigan. Still, there is a long way to go. It turns out a lot of the materials we put in our recycle bins aren't recyclable at all. Washtenaw County's Public Works Director, Theo Eggermont, joined WEMU's David Fair to highlight new efforts to increase recycle rates and the quality of what we're putting in our bins.
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Another 90 acres of land on the west side of Washtenaw County has been permanently preserved from development. The properties involved will help sustain and improve the environment in the Manchester area of the River Raisin Watershed. More preservation efforts are underway and expected to be completed by the end of the year. WEMU's David Fair discusses the efforts further with Diana Kern, the executive director of the Legacy Land Conservancy.
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Most residential homes and commercial buildings rely heavily on gas power. It leaves a significant carbon footprint at a time when the community is rushing to become carbon neutral. The movement is gaining steam, and, this week, residents can learn more at an electrification expo. WEMU's David Fair got into the details of it all with Julie Roth from the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations.
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New, and more sensitive, testing shows there has been further spread of the1-4 dioxane plume emanating from the old Gelman Sciences facility on Wagner Road in Scio Township. It has now gone about a mile beyond what was thought to be the edge of the plume. That is much closer to the Huron River and Barton Pond, which supplies Ann Arbor's drinking water. WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest developments with Kathleen Knoll, Scio Township trustee and Township representative on the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane.
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Butterflies are an important pollinator and are of great help in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. A variety of factors are contributing to a decline in some their numbers. Marcy Breslow is co-author of a new book focused on 17 years of research and observation at Greenview Nature Area in Ann Arbor. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the findings in the book, “The Butterflies of Our Local Park."
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While there has been progress in the effort to remove the historic Peninsular Paper Dam from the Huron River in Ypsilanti, there are a group of folks continuing to argue against such action. The Friends of Peninsular Park contend the cost of removal is exorbitant, and, for less money, the dam could be returned to function and produce hydroelectric power. They also argue sediment contamination could spread downriver into Ford Lake that would adversely impact wildlife habitat. Tricia Mora is a board member of the group, and she provides the group's perspective in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.
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Laura Earle is a multimedia artist and uses her skill set to highlight social injustice in ways that create thoughtful paths to change. She is one of four artists featured in an exhibit at the 22 North Gallery in Ypsilanti through June 24th. It's called "Human/Nature." Laura joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss her artistic process in relation to her activism and what the exhibit aspirations are for inspiring individual and systemic changes within the sustainability movement.
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We are a society becoming increasingly dependent on disposable consumer products and it has a devastating impact on our environment. On "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair discusses the upcoming Zero Waste Challenge in Ann Arbor, with Live Zero Waste executive director Samuel McMullen. Find out what we can learn and how to make a difference.