PODCAST

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment

David Fair

news & politics

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11:19

Issues of the Environment: 2023 was the warmest year...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2024/01/31

Scientists are both astounded and alarmed. 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded, and it’s not even close. Human-spawned greenhouse gas emissions coupled with a strong El Nino spiked global temperatures. What are the implications and repercussions? And what will 2024 bring? WEMU's David Fair talked it over with the dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, Dr. Jonathan Overpeck.

11:27

Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County's...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2024/01/24

We’ve experienced some bitter cold of late. That probably means your furnace is running 24 hours a day, and if you aren’t properly insulated, you are going to have a rather high heating bill. Energy efficiency and proper weatherization can make a huge difference, and Washtenaw County has an assistance program that can make an assessment and do the repairs completely free for qualified residents. WEMU's David Fair talked it over with Washtenaw County Housing Program Supervisor Aaron Kraft.

11:04

Issues of the Environment: Improving home and...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2024/01/17

Among the many resolutions people make to start a new year is to find ways to better protect the planet. Shelie Miller studies these things as a professor in sustainable systems at the U of M’s School for Environment and Sustainability. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss how to improve our efforts at home and community sustainability.

11:07

Issues of the Environment: Proposed "pocket forest"...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2024/01/10

Ann Arbor’s Buhr Park could become home to a new "pocket forest” in 2024. What is a pocket forest? We weren't sure either, so we went right to the source to find out more. Barbara Lucas is a volunteer for the project. She joined WEMU's David Fair to explain what it is, why it is so ecologically valuable and why this is likely just the start of a much bigger local environmental movement.

11:17

Issues of the Environment: New Michigan laws advance...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2024/01/03

Governor Whitmer has signed measures into law to require all children be tested for lead exposure. Additionally, a new law requires installation of lead water filters in all schools and childcare centers. It is progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done. WEMU's David Fair discusses its impacts with lead policy expert Mary Sue Schottenfels.

10:40

Issues of the Environment: Growing the clean energy...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/12/27

We’re about to enter a new year, and Michigan and Washtenaw County are looking to grow environmental sector jobs. In November, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Clean Energy and Jobs Act. Supporters say it puts Michigan on a path for quicker buildout of renewable energy, like wind and solar. And that could mean significant job growth. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi is a proponent of such measures and advocated for such legislation when serving as a state representative. He

11:19

Issues of the Environment: Reducing and managing...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/12/20

‘Tis the season! Family, friends, gift-giving and good food. It also means an inordinate amount of waste is generated. There are ways to enjoy all of our favorite holiday traditions while minimizing our environmental impact. WEMU's David Fair gained some insight on best practices from zerowaste.org co-founder, Lydia McMullen-Laird.

11:17

Issues of the Environment: Gains for people and the...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/12/13

The United Auto Workers strike against the Detroit Three ended with the union claiming significant gains over past contracts. Among those that supported the union through the strike was the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center. In addition to gains for workers, it says the contracts are important for our future environmental health. WEMU's David Fair took a look ahead and practical impacts of the deals with the Ecology Center’s Climate and Energy Program Director, Charles Griffith.

10:47

Issues of the Environment: Managing the deer...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/12/06

Deer populations in Michigan are already overpopulated in some areas. Managing the herds and the damage they can cause is difficult. As some in Ann Arbor will attest, a large deer can have a dramatic impact on the health of the overall ecology of the environment and on the pocketbook. WEMU's David Fair talked with Michigan Department of Natural Resources game management specialist, Chad Stewart about the present and future of deer management.

11:16

Issues of the Environment: Michigan Clean Water Corps...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/11/29

They say, “It takes a village.” Usually, it references the process of raising a child, but it also applies when talking about protecting and stewarding a watershed. Keeping the waters in Washtenaw County clean and safe is quite an undertaking, and it takes a variety of community organizations and volunteers to be effective. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Washtenaw County Water Resources Commission Evan Pratt to discuss the Michigan Clean Water Corps and others that contribute to improving the health

11:23

Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County expands...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/11/22

Without thinking about it too much, we tend to accumulate a good amount of toxic chemicals in homes—cleaning products, batteries, gas and oil...all sorts of things. If improperly thrown away, these are all materials that can dramatically harm the environment, wildlife and human beings. That’s why there is an expanding home toxics disposal program in Washtenaw County. Learn all about it when WEMU's David Fair speaks to Washtenaw County Public Works Manager, Theo Eggermont.

11:23

Issues of the Environment: Safety a key issue in...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/11/15

Bicycling culture in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County is growing. As such, there is an increased chance of car versus bike crashes in the area. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society member Craig Stephann about overcoming safety hurdles as non-motorized transportation is key to sustainability efforts.

11:27

Issues of the Environment: PFAS contamination...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/11/08

The repercussions of PFAS contamination continue to grow. Not only has it impacted fishing and recreation on the Huron River, it's affecting farmers and agriculture. Jason Grostic is owner of Grostic Cattle Company in Livingston County. His operations have been shut down because his cows tested positive for PFAS. As such, he’s gone nearly two years without a source of income and is now suing the source of the contamination, Wixom-based Tribar Manufacturing. He's also pushing state lawmakers to pass

11:24

Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor fighting MDOT...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/11/01

The Michigan Department of Transportation intends to build fencing along the Amtrak railroad tracks passing through Ann Arbor along the Huron River Corridor. MDOT says it will protect pedestrians and wildlife, but city residents are unhappy, contending it will cut off parts of the Border-to-Border Trail and adversely impact deer and other wildlife. Ann Arbor City Council has passed a resolution opposing the MDOT plans. 5th Ward councilperson Erica Briggs joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest news

11:14

Issues of the Environment: Zoning the future of Ann...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/10/25

The City of Ann Arbor is changing, and there are development priorities for the short and longer-term future. Much of it is dependent on zoning. Zoning decisions can change the complexion of the city. Understanding how it works is the focus on today's conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ellie Abrons. Ellie is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan and a planning commissioner for the City of Ann Arbor.

10:13

Issues of the Environment: City of Ann Arbor shares...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2023/10/18

The City of Ann Arbor continues the march toward carbon neutrality, spending millions in the effort to get there. But, since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have decreased only slightly. Now, in an effort to make the public more aware of the issue, the city has launched an emissions dashboard. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Ann Arbor Senior Energy Analyst, Thea Yagerlener to see if the city is on track to hit its targets.

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