Echo

Film explores Great Lakes region’s relationship with ice

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The Great Lakes formed thousands of years ago when a glacier moved across the region and melted. The film “Project:Ice” depicts the important role ice continues to plays in the Great Lakes Basin. The documentary’s director and executive producer Bill Kleinert joined, WKAR’s Current State to discuss “Project: Ice.” To read more about the film, you can check out an article we published earlier this year about the documentary. Film explores Great Lakes region’s relationship with ice by EmanueleB

Nearshore

Beach hygiene for a new water cycle

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High bacteria levels plague Great Lakes beaches by EmanueleB

 

Climate and infrastructure both play a role in beach health. Extreme weather events and old sewage systems are enabling bacteria to pollute Great Lakes beaches. According to a 2012 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, bacterial levels measured in 2011 of Great Lakes beaches exceeded national recommended health standards more than beaches in any other region. Dr. Joan Rose is the  Nowlin Endowed Chair of Water Research  at Michigan State University. She joined Current State’s  Mark Bashore to discuss beach health.  

 

Echo

Study indicates Asian carp may already be in Great Lakes

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Study indicates Asian carp may already be in Great Lakes by EmanueleB

A new study released in April finds Asian carp may in fact be reaching the Great Lakes.  The Asian carp is an invasive species with an appetite large enough to potentially decimate the food chain ecosystem of the Great Lakes.  There have been many efforts to contain the spread of the fish in the Chicago Area Waterway System to connects to Lake Michigan.  The study now raises new questions about the effectiveness of that system. Current State’s Mark Bashore talks with study co-author Dr. Andrew Mahon, assistant professor of biology at Central Michigan University, and Dr. Tammy Newcomb, senior water policy advisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  

Land

Building sustainable food systems in Michigan

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Building sustainable food systems in Michigan by EmanueleB

This month, the Vermont-based local food advocacy group “Strolling of the Heifers” released its second annual Locavore Index. The index ranks states based on their commitment to local food. Michigan ranked 22 on the list.  Michigan State University C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Michael Hamm discusses the growth and future of the local food movement in Michigan.  

Echo

Two and a half years later, oil spill clean-up continues on Kalamazoo River

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Two and a half years later, oil spill clean-up continues on Kalamazoo River

It’s been two and a half years since an oil pipeline owned by the Canadian company Enbridge ruptured near Marshall, spewing hundreds of thousands of gallons of heavy crude oil into the Kalamazoo River. The incident has been one of the costliest oil spills in U.S. history and the clean-up is still ongoing. Steve Hamilton, an MSU scientist who has been monitoring the clean-up, updates Great Lakes Echo and Current State on the situation.

Echo

Weighing environmental, economic impacts of dredging

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Dredging by EmanueleB

This year record low water levels have spurred the Michigan government to spend over $20 million on dredging. Many hope dredging will enable recreational and commercial boating to continue, preventing revenue loss. However, the plan could still cost Michiganders. Dredging can stir up contaminated sediments, causing environmental and health issues. Michael Alexander works for the Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Resources Division.

Echo

Detroit’s lead cleanup and environmental future

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Earlier Great Lakes Echo  ran a story from Environmental Health News on the decreasing percentage of children with lead poisoning in Detroit. However, children with exposure to excessive lead levels in Detroit still exceed the national average, and funding for lead cleanup from the Center for Disease Control is dwindling. Brian Bienkowski is a senior editor and staff writer at Environmental Health News. He discusses the decrease of lead poisoning in Detroit and the motor city’s environmental future. Lead poisoning in Detroit by Great Lakes Echo

Land

Rock keyboard legend Chuck Leavell talks sustainability and growth models

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The U.S population is expected to increase by 90 million in the next 30 years. According to the book  “Growing a Better America: Smart, Strong,Sustainable,”  now is the time for the Untied State’s to plan for that growth. The books author,  Chuck Leveall,  is a conservationist, co-founder of the Mother Nature Network,  tree farm owner and rock-n- roll star. He’s toured with Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison and many others. Leavell discusses his thoughts on growth models, conservation and music.  

Rock keyboard legend Chuck Leavell talks sustainability and growth models by Great Lakes Echo