PODCAST

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment

David Fair

news & politics

All Episodes

10:47

Issues of the Environment: An Earth Day conversation...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/04/22

Today is Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2026 is "Our Power, Our Planet." To mark the occasion, we take a look at the power of natural river flow and the benefits and consequences of man-made dams. There are some legislative reforms under consideration in Lansing, and, in the meantime, there are a number of dams in Washtenaw County in different states of functionality. Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman joined WEMU's David Fair for a look at where the power of

11:07

Issues of the Environment: Willow Run Airport...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/04/15

The Willow Run Airport is among those dealing with PFAS contamination. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has placed the airport within the state’s environmental mitigation efforts tied to aviation contamination. Willow Run will get a $250,000 grant to test and monitor for current pollution and to control or reduce additional contamination and to evaluate clean-up strategies. WEMU's David Fair spoke with EGLE Senior Geologist Eric Larson about the problem and potential

10:54

Issues of the Environment: The Pear Street...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/04/08

Most of us will agree; when you combine environmental education with urban forestry and seasonal ecology, and part of the reward is a sweet, sticky, natural treat, you have a winning combination! Making syrup at the neighborhood level: that's the subject of this week's "Issues of the Environment" conversation between Jennie Williams and WEMU's David Fair. Williams is from the Pear Street Collective in Ann Arbor and part of the neighborhood maple sugaring project.

11:04

Issues of the Environment: Preserving the Sibley...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/04/01

Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie. It’s called the Sibley Prairie, and you’ll find it in Brownstown Township. It is the largest and highest quality lake plain prairie in Michigan. As such, work is underway to try and permanently preserve this rare ecosystem. Jeff Vornhagen is Director-at-Large of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. He spoke about the preservation project with WEMU's David Fair.

11:20

Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor Mayor Taylor...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/03/30

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences 1,4 Dioxane plume has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. After years of effort toward that end, it seemed as though the designation came suddenly and without notice. With a little time behind us now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next in the slow process of cleanup and accountability in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.

11:24

Issues of the Environment: Dealing with electronic...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/03/11

While we work on big, community environmental initiatives and goals, we have to remember that sometimes it’s the small, everyday choices we make at home that add up to a big difference. Washtenaw County has robust reuse and recycle programs. With the growing amount of electronics in our lives, we are often left with decisions to make about how best to get rid of those items. WEMU's David Fair talked with Washtenaw County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont about our options and the kind of

11:26

Issues of the Environment: U-M at center of...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/03/04

The picture of our present-day energy use comes from a sort of all-of-the-above menu. We use oil, gas, natural gas, nuclear, wind and solar. Research is underway to determine if the use of hydrogen can be used to significant scale as part of the energy diet. Ann Arbor has become central to the research and discussion on that matter. On this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair was joined by the Associate Dean for Research at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, Todd

11:25

Issues of the Environment: University of Michigan...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/02/25

The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: State Senator from Ann...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/02/18

As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number of issues to address, from energy generation and storage to how our electric grids are developed, secured and controlled. State Senator Jeff Irwin is a proponent of virtual power plants as a part of the comprehensive solution. It would divert control of the grids away from the major, centralized utilities. The 15th District Democrat believes virtual power plants can give power to communities in determining their energy

11:05

Issues of the Environment: The ecological benefits of...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/02/11

This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most of the past decade. It has created inconveniences and hardships. But there may be some benefits to all of the snow and cold. Snowier winters play an important ecological role beyond what we experience at the surface. WEMU's David Fair was joined by U-M Biological Station researcher, Dr. Olivia Vought to explore this winter’s environmental benefits and how it all works.

15:19

Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/02/04

Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern. Right here in Washtenaw County, there are at least four data center projects proposed or in development. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi opposed tax incentives while he was a state legislator and even more have passed since his departure. WEMU’s David Fair caught up with Rabhi to discuss his positions on AI and the need for data centers.

9:58

Issues of the Environment: Controlling invasive...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/01/28

Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.

15:14

Issues of the Environment: Shaping 2026 environmental...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/01/21

There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: The state of the electric...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/01/14

The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric vehicles are already embedded in local climate policy as a required component of meeting adopted emissions targets. Affordability has become a significant issue, and these cost pressures affect communities differently within Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair looked at the impact of EV’s in our community with Charles Griffith from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center.

11:23

Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor's environmental...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2026/01/07

Ann Arbor is expecting progress towards its sustainability goals in 2026. Advancement on the voter-approved Sustainable Energy Utility will continue, and with the 2030 deadline rapidly approaching, more work is to be done to move ahead with the goals and aspirations of the city’s A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality plan. On the first "Issues of the Environment" of 2026, WEMU's David Fair explores the environmental year ahead with Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults.

11:00

Issues of the Environment: The struggle over data...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/12/31

2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is the proliferation and impacts of data centers. In 2026, we're likely to see some of these centers move toward becoming operational. Weighing economic benefit against potential environmental harm will continue, and there will be more vocal support and outrage for each proposed center. WEMU's David Fair got together with Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons to try and compute the impact of data centers

11:19

Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County 2025...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/12/24

When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and one with significant and growing challenges. Environmental aspirations are being worked into place in almost direct opposition to changing federal priorities and policies. WEMU's David Fair reflected on 2025 in a conversation with Beth Gibbons, the Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: Lowering your carbon...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/12/17

A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.

11:11

Issues of the Environment: Expanding Ann Arbor Public...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/12/10

The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet entirely electric. The goal is full electrification by 2035. There are challenges in getting to where the district wants to be in terms of funding, infrastructure and reliability. WEMU's David Fair talked with the district’s manager of construction projects, Moe Nagpal, to find out what the process and procedure looks like.

11:12

Issues of the Environment: Zerowaste.org's tips for a...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/12/03

We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will be more spending this year than last, despite all of the economic uncertainty around the country and here at home. There are ways to cut down on spending and to help the environment at the same time. WEMU's David Fair talked with Samuel McMullen from Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.org about sustainable gift giving on a pre-holiday edition of "Issues of the Environment".

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89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment

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