By Molly Cassidy and Andrew Atwal
Great Lakes Echo runs video clips of random people answering questions that experts believe environmentally literate citizens should understand. In the last clip an expert explains the correct answers.
This week’s question is “What is the greatest threat to the Great Lakes?”
This week’s expert is Joan B. Rose, the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, co-director of the Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment and the director of the Center for Water Sciences — all at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.
The problem with our Great lakes is politicians, way left scientist and orgs. we clearly want someone to blame for everything, why not blame Senators and Congress for NOT making ocean going freighters empty ballast tanks in the ocean before entering the Great Lakes system, the answer from elected is it cost the shipping money to much money, neglecting that the damage to our ecosystem is everlasting. For those duped by the ‘saviors left leaning orgs, is truth is left out. Mercury is embedded in our Lakes and rivers from our history as lumber towns in which mercury was used for many years to float the logs down to Lakes or bigger rivers we believe the great lie about Sarnia, Ca.In which we believe the great polluters are on the other side of the St.Clair River, yet we forget about the lumberman here , renamed American Tape, E.B. Eddy paper and those that coal plants, just wondering has anyone visited these sight ( which are visited daily by EPA to continue , they have wildlife sanctuaries, butterfly and humming bird gardens, and many are home to the Peregrine Falcon. How refreshing if everyone would do their homework and realize that at one time these rivers and lakes were wondrous, like the rapids that once stood under the Blue Water Bridge. the breakdown in our ecosystem is from those that perceive everyone else is at fault, and take no action!
Coal….nuclear power plants….invasive species…..runoff (pesticides). All this will be a test of the ability of native species to adapt and ../ evolve
Invasive species have no choice in the matter, The DNR does. Zebra/Quagga mussels have no chance of avoiding predators (which we have) yet the DNR says they are winning? Management is always responsible, that rule doesn’t change.
The expert did not mention airborne mercury and other coal burning contaminants, and pesticide, herbicide and other chemical contamination from both local, regional and beyond sources.
The prevalent “jobs at all cost” mentality.
people
Climate change
In my unbiased opinion, that would be the fishery division of the Michigan DNR. They have taken the lead to keep the alewives (an invasive species)the the dominant fish in Lake Michigan. Which requires our native fish (predator) population to stay in a depleted state. Thus protecting the alewives and every other invasive species we have now, and to come. Lack of predators make any habitat suitable/safe for any invasive species. The proof is in the lake, and the “save the alewives” plan.