Environment on The Green Room
Washtenaw County's The Green Room covers climate issues.
December 29, 2017: The U.S., Canada, And Climate
At the November climate talks in Bonn, Germany, an initiative called “America’s Pledge” put forth a commitment by U.S. states, cities, companies, and colleges to achieve the carbon cuts agreed to by the U.S. in Paris in 2015, despite Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement. But if the U.S. doesn’t pursue federal-level policies to reign in carbon emissions, can global efforts succeed, in light of the world’s highly interdependent economies? In this installment of WEMU’s The Green Room, Barbara Lucas explores this dilemma, with a focus on the US and Canada.
July 28, 2017: Can local climate efforts the solve the global crisis?
The U.S is out of the Paris Climate Accord. Despite lack of support from the current administration, many are heartened by the growing interest in finding solutions emanating from other levels of government. This installment explores a fundamental question: at what level will it be most effective to concentrate our efforts?
March 31, 2017: The Carbon Dividends Plan: A Breakthrough on CO2?
Carbon taxes are a seemingly simple way to deal with the climate crisis. As the price of fossil fuels goes up, consumption goes down. But fears of negative economic impacts have kept the idea from moving forward in the U.S Now, a group of leading Republican elders has a proposal that goes a step further. They call it “Carbon Dividends,” because the taxes collected are returned to the public. What is the local reaction?
February 25, 2013: Housing Choices and Greenhouse Gases
Available housing choices - or the lack thereof - in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor can impact the level of greenhouse gases produced.
Washtenaw County's The Green Room explores recycling.
November 27, 2015: Paper, Plastic or Neither?
While the repeated use of cloth bags makes them a better choice for the environment, the free throwaway bags at checkout are hard to resist. Is this really a problem? This installment explores why the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is looking into a reusable bag ordinance.
May 29, 2015: The 3-R Hierarchy Of E-Waste: Reduce, Reuse And Recycle
The average American household has 24 electronic devices, and most are destined for the dump when we’re done with them. We are upgrading at ever-increasing rates, and challenges to getting our discards recycled safely are mounting.
November 29, 2013: Stadium Waste
Collegiate athletic events are big generators of excitement, of revenue, and of waste. How can we cut down on the trash, while leaving the finances and fun intact?
April 26, 2013: Recycle Ann Arbor: Then and Now
From a half-dozen college students with a beat up truck to a major business, today's Green Room traces the 35 year history of this local non-profit devoted to recycling and reuse.
Washtenaw County's The Green Room tackles water issues.
January 30, 2015: Toxic Algae: An "All of Us" Issue
Why is toxic algae plaguing Lake Erie, and what can we do to stop it? Perspectives abound, especially when it comes to whether or not measures to prevent it should be voluntary or prescribed by law.
August 29, 2014: River Renaissance
After years of industrial contamination and economic stagnation, things may be turning around in Ann Arbor's Lower Town, thanks to a new recreational feature in the Huron River, and the soon-to-be-announced DTE proposal to develop the Mich-Con property across the river. Community responses are mixed, ranging from cautious optimism to elation.
May 30, 2014: When It rains, It Pours - Local Efforts to Contain Floodwaters
Water is life-giving, but too much, too fast is destructive. Climate change is causing more severe rainstorms, creating challenges for both homeowners and municipal governments.
May 31, 2013: Citizen Science and the Health of our Watershed
Clean water sustains life and is dependent on a healthy watershed. Measuring the health of these watersheds is not just the job of scientists - it also takes a virtual army of citizen volunteers.
Washtenaw County's The Green Room discusses Energy & More.
Energy
December 26, 2014: Spurring Local Solar Development
Michigan gets more sun than Germany-the world leader in solar-but we lag far behind in solar installations. What are some of the factors that would help us move forward?
February 28, 2014: Rental Housing and Wasted Energy - Who Pays?
Energy conservation is low-hanging fruit but can be hard to achieve if there is no financial incentive to conserve.
July 26, 2013: Wind Energy
An exploration of where we are, and where we are going, with wind energy - both in Ann Arbor and in northern Michigan.
Pollution
September 29, 2017: Starlight, Streetlight, What Can I See Tonight? Preventing Light Pollution
No matter who we are or where we live, all human being have one thing in common: we all have the night sky above us. But can we actually see it? Studies say nowadays only 20% of the world’s population lives somewhere dark enough to see the heavens untouched by light pollution. Luckily, this is one form of pollution that can be reversed.