climate change

Washtenaw County is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to address greenhouse gas emissions. It's called "Resilient Washtenaw." Strategic partnerships and a year's worth of public input will soon be drafted into an action plan with equity and justice at its heart. The county's strategic director, Andrew DeLeeuw, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest as the public input portion of the study winds down.

It has been 41 years since the US Congress held its first hearings about “global warming” and 25 years since the Kyoto Protocol was approved It committed the nations of the world to address the climate crisis. For decades, the fossil fuel industry’s stranglehold on US politics kept action at bay. In mid-August, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law committing $369 billion toward climate emission reduction efforts. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Mike Garfield from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center to get early analysis of the benefits and shortcomings of the measure and what it may provide to Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan.

In the coming decades, experts say the impacts of climate change could lead to more people moving to the Great Lakes region to escape extreme weather. WEMU's Josh Hakala has more.

Significant investments are being made to enhance the Ypsilanti area's ability to capture stormwater and add acreage to nature areas that house pollinator prairie gardens. There are seven different projects that are funded over the next two years with grant money. Harry Sheehan is the Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner in Washtenaw County and in charge of seeing these projects completed. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the positive impacts these enhancements will make for the environment, and the area’s quality of life.

Three Democrats and one Republican are vying to win the state Senate seat in the new-look 14th district. WEMU’s Josh Hakala takes a closer look at the Democratic primary candidates in the 14th district state Senate race.

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."

The federal government has renewed an investment in the University of Michigan’s Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, or CIGLR. The funding renewal is for five years. WEMU’s Josh Hakala has more.

“Tree Town” is moving to take next steps to better protect the source of its nickname. Ann Arbor is working on an update to its Urban and Community Forest Management Plan to address climate change challenges and other issues. Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Planning Coordinator Tiffany Giacobazzi joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss what’s on the table and how the public can help make present and future determinations on Ann Arbor’s urban forest.

Soaring fuel and fertilizer prices, the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and climate-related issues are making farming a greater challenge. There are more than 1,000 farms in Washtenaw County and, for many, the future is uncertain. WEMU's David Fair discussed agricultural challenges and solutions with MSU assistant professor and extension economist Mathew Gammans.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, this week, signed a nearly $5 billion dollar spending plan into law that will increase investment in infrastructure, water systems, quality and safety, and a number of other environmental measures. Will the plan create future sustainability? Will it only address short term-needs? Governor Whitmer provides the answers in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.