While playing small ball is necessary, we should reach higher. If the Great Lakes region was a country, it would have the fourth largest economy in the world.
It deserves world-class solutions to its problems.

Why does every gain in Great Lakes protection seem to be offset by a loss?

This zero-sum game is a losing proposition.

We’ve got a GLEC and now a GLAB.

What’s the next regional group to emerge?

How about a commission charged with whittling the list of Great Lakes agencies, boards, committees, initiatives, councils and collaboratives?

Let’s invest a significant amount of Great Lakes restoration funding in Detroit and the Detroit River. The whole region suffers if Detroit languishes.
It’s an investment that makes more sense than pouring yet more funds into the region’s most economically advantaged cities.

The ever growing corporate interest in the Great Lakes has been influential in public policy, and may prove dangerous for the Basin’s natural resources.

Examples include companies that bottle and export water, and legislation in Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan that benefit industries over the environment.

Three of Canada’s most walkable cities are in the Great Lakes region. Proximity to amenities such as grocery shopping, schools, cafes, pharmacies are evaluated. Map shows most walkable U.S. and Canadian cities in the Great Lakes region.

Recently the EPA announced a settlement with H. Kramer, a copper smelting foundry in a Chicago neighborhood accused of violating the Clean Air Act. Days later soil close to H. Kramer’s property line showed high levels of lead.

Great Lakes advocates should focus less on federal funding and more on state issues, such as mining threats, groundwater conservation and risky oil shipments.

We play a lot of defense on environmental problems. Maybe it’s time to get out ahead of one. Groundwater threats are underground in more ways than one. It’s time to really shine a spotight on them.

Lake Superior faces environmental threats as diverse as crude oil tankers and mining.

Cities on other Great Lakes should care.

We aren’t immune from each others’ problems.