climate change

Earth Day 2023 will be observed on April 22nd, around the world and right here in our community. WEMU's David Fair took some time to gather reflections on where we've come and where we're headed in his conversation with Washtenaw County water resources commissioner, Evan Pratt.

Earth Day comes back around this year on April 22nd. The theme of the 2023 observance is “Invest in our Planet.” When we think of investment, we almost always think of money, but we’re focusing on investment in education and awareness. WEMU's David Fair catches up with Susan Westhoff. She is president and executive director of the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center. In her conversation with David Fair, you'll find out how those investments are paying off in our community.

Recent power outages in Washtenaw County have a good portion of Southeast Michigan outraged. Nearly a million lost power in the last two winter storms. Ann Arbor City Council member Jen Eyer joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss what the city will ask of the state legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission and the increased interest in establishing a municipal electric utility in Ann Arbor.

Energy grid reliability is again at the fore following an ice storm that crippled much of Michigan. Additionally, environmental concerns about transporting toxic chemicals and how and where they are stored is, once again, a priority following a train derailment in Ohio. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters with new and updated information on the path forward.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says widespread power outages due to last week’s ice storm should spur action on re-building and improving infrastructure. We have more from Rick Pluta.

You may have noticed that winters in Michigan are changing. That will continue. WEMU's David Fair spoke with University of Michigan professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, Dr. Richard Rood, about our climate future and the need for greater emphasis on adaptation.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in Ann Arbor Thursday talking about the climate crisis with U of M students at Rackham Auditorium. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.

Preparations are being made for the visit of Vice President Kamala Harris in Ann Arbor later today. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.

The state Legislature has already called it a year, and when it reconvenes in January, Democrats will be in full control for the first time in 40 years. Donna Lasinski spent the last two years serving as minority leader in the state House, but term limits means she will not return to Lansing. The Washtenaw County Democrat joined WEMU's David Fair with a look back at progress made over the just-completed session and what she believes may transpire when Lansing is in Democratic control.

In the second of a two-part series on artists' residencies, Leslie Sobel take us to the site of her most recent residency: The Arctic Circle! She joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich, and they talk about Leslie’s remarkable journey, what she saw, and how what she learned about climate change will inform what we see in her work in the coming months.