Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/tag/echo/page/83/)
It spotlights the efforts of two urban farmers fighting to develop a food community in Flint. The Michigan State University production includes video recorded by the farmers themselves as they navigate the hurdles that come with pioneering work.
The city of Holland in Michigan is looking to diversify energy sources after a failed attempt to expand a coal plant. City officials are pushing for a new natural gas plant. Critics say gas is not an environmentally-friendly choice.
Illinois has the most coal plants in the nation that disproportionately threaten the health of poor people and minority communities, according to a recent report by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The state had nine plants that received a failing grade from the organization. Indiana and Michigan had the second most plants, with five each, that failed the organization’s test. “Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio – are home to 32 percent of the failing coal-fired power plants in the U.S.,” said the report. “In addition, eight of the 12 worst offending coal plants are located in communities in these states.”
People living near coal plants are more likely to be minorities and poor, so they are more often exposed to pollutants that damage their health, said the Daily Climate, a news service run by the non-profit Environmental Health Sciences.
Beachcombers report large and unusual salamanders called mudpuppies washed ashore on many Lake Huron beaches during super storm Sandy.
A Sarnia man had to use a snow shovel to remove them.
The closure of coal-fired power plants in Great Lakes states has utilities looking at options for workers.
New rules require new pollution control equipment, switching to cleaner energy sources or shutting down coal plants.
The chair of Michigan’s Waterways Commission has a plan to generate new revenue for inland and Great Lakes harbors — require state registrations for non-motorized watercraft.
Meet comedian Marty Milfoil, one of the stars of a campaign to teach waterfowl hunters how they can help limit the spread of invasive species.
The Wildlife Forever campaign includes billboards and public service announcements.
Six of the top 10 trends of 2012 listed by the National Restaurant Association focus on locally sourcing food and sustainability. Michigan restaurants are following suit, using tasty dishes to remind residents of the state’s agricultural assets. Echo’s Emanuele Berry takes us farm to table.
Can we collaborate our way to a better environmental quality of life?
Someone needs to watch the watchers.
When collaboration and negotiation fail, legal action is the recourse
