Detroit transit officials say they are confident new electric buses will be a boon to the city A new fleet of electric buses will pave the way for the city’s carbon-free future by eliminating diesel emissions and lowering maintenance costs while also giving Detroiters a smoother riding experience, according to city transit officials. Detroit Department […]
Posted inAccountability
Restoring the Great Lakes: After 50 years of US-Canada joint efforts, some success and lots of unfinished business
By: Daniel Macfarlane The Great Lakes cover nearly 95,000 square miles (250,000 square kilometers) and hold over 20% of Earth’s surface fresh water. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada rely on them for drinking water. The lakes support a multibillion-dollar maritime economy, and the lands around them provided many of the raw materials – timber, […]
Posted inCommunity
A day in the life of environmental justice advocates—and a victory for clean air in Northwest Detroit
For months, a coalition of northwest Detroit residents has been fighting against a proposed asphalt mixing plant. When another hearing would decide the fate of the surrounding neighborhoods, they showed up. The early morning sun welcomed a small army of neighbors gathering outside the North Rosedale Park Community House, nestled inside a haven of maple […]
Posted inUncategorized
From the Headlines- May 16 – 20
No asphalt plant: The Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously upheld a previous decision by Detroit’s Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) to deny a permit to a Pontiac-based asphalt company to establish an asphalt manufacturing and processing facility in Detroit’s northwest side on the Southfield service drive Tuesday. More than a dozen residents attended the meeting to […]
Posted inDemocracy
Why defending democracy could be Michigan’s biggest environmental challenge
In 2020, the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter made an unconventional choice for their “environmentalist of the year”: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The group commended her “extraordinary work in safeguarding democracy during this year’s historic elections”, which in Michigan included dealing with Republicans who believed votes were being improperly counted and mobbed Detroit’s TCF Center […]
Posted inAccountability
As agencies seek more environmental justice data, longtime residents are skeptical
Environmental regulators hope new data-driven tools will help identify hotspots and drive environmental justice. Some activists, who’ve been fighting polluters for decades, have doubts that more information will make a difference. Co-published with Midwest Energy News. It was the violent smells, his pounding headaches, and burning eyes. Longtime resident and activist Robert Shobe’s home on […]
Posted inVoices
Youth Voices: Climate change has been a part of my reality for as long as I can remember
Planet Detroit partnered with the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition and teachers across Michigan to recruit these youth voices on how climate change affects kids’ lives. Here are their stories. By Stella Ruby Hughes, Age 14, Hamtramck High School Climate change has been a part of my reality for as long as I can remember, and for […]
Posted inVoices
Youth Voices: 5 things you can do about climate change
Planet Detroit partnered with the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition and teachers across Michigan to recruit these youth voices on how climate change affects kids’ lives. Here are their stories. By Livielle Peters, tree, water, and earth lover, Wylie Elementary School, Dexter, Michigan You, me, trees, water, and our natural world, need each other. Trees absorb carbon […]
Posted inVoices
Youth Voices: Do I think about climate change? If so, what are my thoughts?
Planet Detroit partnered with the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition and teachers across Michigan to recruit these youth voices on how climate change affects kids’ lives. Here are their stories. By Alice Meek, Wylie Elementary School, Dexter, Michigan What are some of the things I have heard about climate change? What has inspired me to take action? […]
Posted inVoices
Youth Voices: How climate change affects my life
Planet Detroit partnered with the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition and teachers across Michigan to recruit the youth voices on how climate change affects kids’ lives. By Juliette Dubuque, Wylie Elementary School, Dexter, Michigan My name is Juliette, and I’m in fourth grade. And right now, climate change is affecting my life. It’s real hot, I’ll […]