great lakes

Scientists, almost unanimously, cite climate change as an existential threat. There are differing opinions as to when we will reach a tipping point of no return. With the new federal administration attempting to roll back climate policies and funding for programs and research, what will happen next? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak find out in their conversation with Julia Cole, Chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

The Michigan House of Representatives is meeting again this week after a few weeks off for spring break. Colin Jackson has more on what leadership says to expect.

Among the agencies being hit by federal funding cuts, changes in administration priorities and employee buyouts is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is in Ann Arbor, and some changes have already taken place. Deborah Lee who, up until her recent retirement, served as director of the lab. She discussed the changes with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

A group of environmental groups and tribal nations want the Michigan Supreme Court to reverse permission for construction of a controversial oil and gas pipeline tunnel to go forward. They filed the appeal Thursday. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The Trump Administration has been slashing government in a variety of areas, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Region 5 of the EPA covers the Great Lakes area and includes Washtenaw County. The layoffs have the potential to impact the agency’s ability to steward the environment around the world’s largest body of fresh water. And the impact on public health could be significant. Loreen Targos is Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees-Local 704, which represents about 1,000 EPA workers. She spoke with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak about employee cuts and the implications.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a permit for Enbridge Energy’s plan to bury an oil pipeline beneath the environmentally sensitive Straits of Mackinac. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has put her proposed budget before the state Legislature, and it includes a significant investment in environmental initiatives. The state Legislature is now divided, and it's unclear what the final version of the budget will look like. Additionally, there is uncertainty from the federal level as what kind of money will be allocated to support protections and clean-ups. WEMU's David Fair spoke with 15th District State Senator Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor about how things are playing out in Lansing.

An Ingham County judge is expected to decide soon whether the state can order Enbridge to shut down a portion of an energy pipeline on a sensitive part of the Great Lakes. We have more from Rick Pluta.

As climate change exacerbates wildfires out west, it could mean longer-term change for Michigan. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

Most of you have probably seen pictures of the vast amount of garbage and plastics found in the world’s oceans. There are also dangerous pollutants you can’t see, and they are found all through the Great Lakes' ecosystem. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak dive into the problem of microplastics with Haley Dalian, the Great Lakes Regional Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program.