By ANASTASIA PIRRAMI Capital News Service An aerospace engineering team at the University of Michigan is researching hybrid-electric aircraft to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The U-M aviation program will follow a design similar to the way hybrid-electric cars use batteries. The U-M Graham Sustainability Institute recently awarded Gökçin Çinar, an aerospace associate professor, a $50,000 grant […]
Posted inAccountability
Air pollution harms the brain and mental health, too – a large-scale analysis documents effects on brain regions associated with emotions
Clara G. Zundel, Wayne State University The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea People who breathe polluted air experience changes within the brain regions that control emotions, and as a result, they may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression than those who breathe cleaner air. These […]
Posted inAccountability
Regulators reject 90% of DTE’s rate increase request after intense public pushback
The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a 0.78% rate increase, directed new action on community solar, solar tariffs, and low-income assistance enrollment State regulators approved a $30.5 million rate increase for DTE Energy’s electric customers on Friday, rejecting 90% of what DTE had asked for originally. The new rates, which take effect Friday, will mean […]
Posted inSolutions
Fish consumption app for Anishinaabe works, study finds
By ABIGAIL COMARCapital News Service LANSING – A new study has demonstrated how an advisory program designed for the Anishinaabe is a useful tool for tracking fish consumption in Great Lakes tribes. The research collaboration among the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority in Sault Ste. Marie as well as the […]
Posted inUncategorized
From the Headlines- November 14 – 18
Nasty problems: Jefferson Chalmers residents met recently to discuss the flooding and sewer backups plaguing their neighborhood. Among the solutions under discussion were green infrastructure, large underground reservoirs to temporarily hold water, an expensive separation of stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, and emergency sewers to pipe sewage directly into the Detroit River during heavy rains. Some green infrastructure […]
Posted inCommunity
Advocates ‘feel really damn good’ on transit vote, say region still has far to travel
Three regional millage proposals set the stage for stronger regional transit. But the region has a lot of catching up to do. During last Tuesday’s election, Rochester Hills resident Thomas Yazbeck’s ears were perked up for all the news he could get about three regional millage proposals on the ballot in Southeast Michigan. As it […]
Posted inAccountability
Will Michigan seize historic chance to act on climate?
Now that Democrats have won control of state government, activists want to see action on environmental justice and climate issues. Following the 2022 midterms, Jeffrey Bulls was waiting for community-level turnout numbers to gauge how well his canvassing efforts had gone in Saginaw. But overall, he was happy with the election results. “Man, I don’t […]
Posted inSolutions
New heat regulations could save hundreds of workers’ lives. Do employers care?
Industry groups are trying to weaken proposed federal heat regulations. by Audrey Carleton Published in: Fast Company Extreme heat — a phenomenon that is increasing in severity and frequency as the planet warms — is the deadliest weather related disaster, killing more than 5,600 people each year, according to some estimates. It attacks the elderly, […]
Posted inUncategorized
From the Headlines- November 7 – 11
Michigan ‘trifecta’: A strong performance by Democrats in the 2022 midterm election and the passage of important ballot measures and millages may have changed the trajectory of environmental action in Michigan. Here are some key election outcomes: What policy actions do you hope move forward next year? Hit reply to let us know; we’re compiling a […]
Posted inCommunity
Links between air pollution, preterm birth focus of new WSU center
A new research program in Detroit will assess the impacts of air pollution and preterm birth. In February 2019, at 33 weeks pregnant with twins, Detroiter Ali Lapetina’s water broke. Promptly, the babies were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit and put on breathing support for their underdeveloped lungs. “You wait for this moment […]