"Issues of the Environment" Radio Show
Every Wednesday morning from 8:20-8:30am the Washtenaw County Department
of Planning and Environment introduces a special guest speaker on the
"Issues of the Environment" Radio Show, hosted by David Fair on WEMU (89.1 FM) .
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For access to the most recent shows, click here to access the WEMU website.
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To listen to shows from our archive, click on the interview in the list below.
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We regret that we no longer have recordings for some of our older episodes. If you have a copy of an episode that we don't, please email us.
Recent and Upcoming shows:
May 27, 2008
Geothermal heating--one of the more affordable alternative energy
sources available today.
Guest: Doug Selby, Meadowlark Builders.
May 20, 2008
An update on ballast water regulations to prevent ships from
bringing invasive species into the Great Lakes.
Guest: Andy Buchsbaum, National Wildlife Federation
May 13, 2008
A conversation with the illustrator of a new children's publication from
the Sleeping Bear Press of Chelsea.
Guest: John Megahan, Univ. of Michigan
May
7, 2008
"Place-based" environmental education helps kids to
problem-solve community issues and encourages them to be stewards of
their local resources.
Guest: Rebecca Martusewicz, Eastern Michigan University Dept. of
Teacher Education.
April
29, 2008
The Michigan Climate Council will be issuing its report at the end
of April with recommendations for a regional cap-and-trade
program.
Guest: Michael Garfield, the Ecology Center and member of the Climate
Council.
April
23, 2008
Contaminated "brownfields" contribute to urban blight--what is
happening locally to encourage their redevelopment?
Guest: Jeremy McCallion, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and
Environment.
April 16, 2008
The environmental pros and cons of various types of space heating such
as electric, wood, gas and pellet.
Guest: Jason Bing, Recycle Ann Arbor's Environmental House.
April 9, 2008
No show--Fundraiser week
April 2, 2008
A conversation with the author of "Exposed: The Toxic
Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American
Power."
Guest: Mark Schapiro, Center for Investigative Reporting, San
Francisco.
March 26, 2008
Financial assistance is available for low-income homeowners to make
energy-efficiency ugrades in their homes.
Guest: Alvin Nunn, The Office of Community Development, the City of
Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
March
19, 2008
Animal waste from pets and urban wildlife--its effect on water
quality and what we can do about it.
Guest: Janis Bobrin, Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner.
March
12, 2008
Proposed legislation to phase out toxic flame retardants, and the
"feed-in tariff" proposal which would allow individual generators of
renewable energy to sell surpluses back to the utilities.
Guest: Rep. Kathleen Law, Michigan House of Representatives.
March 5,
2008
An update on the Greenbelt Program and other local efforts to preserve
open space and agricultural land.
Guest: Laura Rubin, the Huron River Watershed Council and the Ann
Arbor Greenbelt Advisory Commission.
Feb.
27, 2008
The Kellog Foundation is helping people of all abilities to enjoy
Michigan's natural resources by increasing universal access.
Guest: Cindy Burkhour, Access to Recreation.
Feb.
20, 2008
What is the Granholm administration doing for the environment?
Guest: Lisa Wozniack, Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Feb.
13, 2008
Ann Arbor was awarded Solar City USA status by the US Dept. of
Energy! An update on Ann Arbor's progress towards meeting its
renewable energy goals.
Guest: Mayor Hieftje, City of Ann Arbor.
Feb.
6, 2008
Building "green," energy-efficient homes: How is it a good
choice for both our environment and our pocketbook?
Guest: Bob Burnside, Fireside Home Construction.
Jan.
30, 2008
Greenway update: The Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy has
received non-profit status and can now raise money for the
liinear park which would run through downtown Ann Arbor.
Guest: Joe O'Neal, the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy
Jan.
23, 2008
DTE's "Green Currents" renewable energy program.
Guest: Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy
Jan.
16, 2008
A comparison of renewable energy programs offered by utility
companies.
Guest: David Wright, the City of Ann Arbor Energy Commission
Jan.
9, 2008
"Dead zones" in our Great Lakes are areas without oxygen and that
support no plant or animal life. Can the ethanol boom be contributing,
through an increase in fertilizer run-off?
Guest: Dr. Don Scavia, University of Michigan
Jan.
2, 2008
Issues re: home insulating--different types of energy audits and insulation
materials, what you can do to maintain proper ventilation after insulating,
Dingell's proposal to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction for homes
over 3,000 sq. feet, etc.
Guest: Jack Griffith, Infrared Energy Analysis
Dec.
19, 2007
The low lake levels in our Great Lakes and inland lakes--possible causes and
solutions.
Guest: Tim Eder, the Great Lakes Commission
Dec.
12, 2007
Sustainability in higher education: What are local universities doing
to lessen their impact on the planet?
Guest: Dr. Chris Mayda, Eastern Michigan University
Dec.
5, 2007
LED lighting is far more efficient than even fluorescent lighting, and is
being widely offered in products ranging from strings of holiday lights to
track lighting. Ann Arbor is changing over all street lighting to
LEDs.
Guest: Todd Howland, LED Lighting Studio
Nov.
28, 2007
The Haehnle Bird Sanctuary is the site of one our our area's most remarkable
wildlife spectacles: the yearly Sandhill crane migration. This
year record numbers passed through.
Guest: Gary Seigrest, the Michigan Audubon Society
Nov.
21, 2007
Food waste has environmental as well as societal impacts that can be
reduced through collection and redistribution programs.
Guest: Eileen Spring, Food Gatherers
Nov.
14, 2007
Local inventor/engineer has been using principles of nanotechnology for
over 50 years to develop alternatives to fossil fuels.
Guest: Stanford Ovshinsky, EDC Ovonics
Nov.
7, 2007
The new "Growing Cooler" report concludes that efforts to curb
global warming by increasing auto fuel efficiency are being undermined
by sprawl. What is happening locally to reduce the miles we drive?
Guest: Conan Smith, Washtenaw County Commissioner.
Oct.
31, 2007
Walking to school has many benefits to both the environment and personal
health, and efforts to encourage "Safe Routes to School" are under
way locally.
Guest: Lily Guzman, Washtenaw County Department of Public Health.
Oct.
24, 2007
What we can do to protect our wildlife habitat and recreational
resources from invasive phragmites, which is rapidly degrading our coastal
and wetland ecosystems.
Guest: Gary Crawford, Superior Environmental and Aquatic Services.
Oct. 17, 2007 Fundraiser week
Oct.
10, 2007
Stewardship of the earth is part of many faiths. What are local
religious groups doing about climate change?
Guest: Reverend Charles Morris, Michigan Interfaith Power and
Light.
Oct.
3, 2007
Children’s play and time spent in nature—how can we get kids outside?
Guest: Liz Goodenough, Residential College,
University of
Michigan.
Sept.
26, 2007
The engines of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, boats, etc. are far
more polluting than cars. The EPA's new small engines emissions
rule will help--what can we do in the meantime?
Guest: Glenn Passavant, US Environmental Protection Agency, Ann
Arbor.
Sept.
19, 2007
The impact of severe weather and high oil prices on area farmers.
Guest: Ned Birkey, MSU Extension Service.
Sept.
12, 2007
Windmills and bats—can they coexist?
Guest: Allen Kurta, Department of Biology,
Eastern Michigan University.
Sept.
5, 2007
"Food miles" and how we can reduce them by buying local farm
products.
Guest: Jennifer Fike, Food System Economic Partnership.
Aug.
29, 2007
Ann Arbor's new stormwater rates are based on amount of impermeable
surfaces.
Guest: Tom McMurtrie, City of Ann Arbor Public Services.
August
22, 2007
Bill to ban use pharmaceutical use of Lindane, a neurotoxin
used to treat head lice and scabies.
Guest: Representative Ted Hammon.
August
15, 2007
Local air quality and mobile tailpipe emissions testing
in Washtenaw County.
Guest: Chuck Hersey, South East Michigan
Council of Governments.
August 8, 2007
Challenges inherent in the push for Bio-fuels.
Guest: Mark Beyer, NextEnergy,
Detroit.
August
1, 2007
Environmentally-friendly materials (recycled, recyclable, or
non-toxic) used in making cars.
Guest: Claudette Juska, the Ecology
Center.
July
25, 2007
The environmental impact of Ann
Arbor’s new Skyline High
School.
Guest: Randy Trent, Ann Arbor Public
Schools.
July
18, 2007
Recycling of construction waste, which nationally takes up
a quarter of our landfill space.
Guest: Bob Osterhout, Calvert’s Roll-offs/Recycle
Ann Arbor.
July
11, 2007
Research studying possible solutions to the
overgrowth of algae in local lakes. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PAGE ON THIS TOPIC.
Guest: John Lehman, University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor.
July
4, 2007
Nuclear/alternative energies being pursued by the new Energy
Institute at the University of
Michigan.
Guest: Gary Was, UM Memorial Phoenix
Energy Institute.
June
27, 2007
Update on the Pall-Gelman dioxane plume that is slowly spreading under Ann
Arbor.
Guest: Michael Gebhard, Environmental Analyst, Washtenaw County Dept of
Planning and Environment
June
20, 2007
In 2009, all analog television broadcasts will switch to digital. What
can you do to prepare?
Guest: Linda McFarland, President of Classic Computer Recovery
June
6, 2007
Alternative transportation and what the University of Michigan does to
reduce the need for cars for its employees and students.
Guest: David Miller, Executive Director for Parking and Transportation
Services
May
30, 2007
Mercury spills--thermometers are a common cause. What should you
do to keep your family and our environment safe?
Guest: Dan Moody, Solid Waste Coordinator, Washtenaw County Dept of
Planning and Environment
May 22, 2007
The "Wind Power Washtenaw" project is studying the feasibility of generating
wind power in our area.
Guest: Joshua Long, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and
Environment
May
16, 2007
The new Whitmore Lake High School is a model of green building, and benefits
are showing up in many different ways.
Guest: Superintendent Scott Menzel, Whitmore Lake Public School
District
May
9, 2007
The Michigan legislature is considering adoption of a Renewable Energy
Portfolio Standard, requiring energy companies to derive a certain
percentage of their energy from renewable sources.
Guest: Dr. Barry Rabe, University of Michigan and Brookings
Institution
May
2, 2007
Honeybees and native pollinators are experiencing a rapid decline--what is
"colony collapse disorder" and what can we do about it?
Guest: Roger Sutherland, Southeast
Michigan Beekeepers Association
April
25, 2007
The average American home produces as much greenhouse gases as two
cars--what can people do to reduce their home's energy
use?
Guest: Sean Reed, Ann Arbor
Clean Cities Coalition
April
18, 2007
The proposed $20 billion Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, a
comprehensive plan to modernize sewage treatment, clean-up polluted harbors,
restore wetlands, and prevent unwanted, new species from invading the
lakes.
Guest: U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R), 7th District
April
11, 2007
The proposed north-south rail line and other options for reducing the
number of cars along the U.S. 23 corridor.
Guest: Mike Cicchella, Northfield Township Supervisor.
April
4, 2007
Washtenaw County's
"River Safe Homes" campaign to promote best management practices for
surface water protection.
Guest: Janice Bobrin,
Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner
March
21, 2007
The need for planting a high biodiversity of tree species to help our urban
forests buffer against invasive pests, diseases, and climate
change.
Guest: Kay Sicheneder,
Ann Arbor City Forester.
March
14, 2007
The "Zero Waste"
campaign, a front-end approach to dealing with solid waste problems by
making less trash in the first place.
Guest: Lacey Doucet, the Ecology
Center of Ann Arbor.
March
7, 2007
Solid waste proposals being considered by the Michigan Senate's Natural
Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
Guest: Senator
Patricia Birkholz (R) District 24
February
28, 2007
Solid waste proposals being considered by the Michigan House Committee
for Great Lakes and the Environment.
Guest: Representative Rebekah
Warren (D) District 53
February
21, 2007
"Energizing" Michigan's economy with energy efficiency and renewable
electric power.
Guest: Michael Shriberg,
Environment Michigan Research and Policy Center
February
14, 2007
What is the current and projected use of energy derived from coal in the
Washtenaw County area?
Guest: Skyles Boyd, DTE Energy
February 7, 2007
Asthma is affected by both the indoor and outdoor environment. Asthma
rates in Washtenaw County are high--what can we do about it?
Guest: Karla Grossman,
Pediatric Asthma Disease Management Program, University of Michigan
Hospital
January 31, 2007
An update on the hazardous waste injection wells of Romulus and
Taylor.
Guests: Bob McCann, Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
R. P.
Lilley, RECAP (Romulus
Environmentalists Care About People)
January 24, 2007
Ann Arbor businesses produce 60% of the city's waste but recycle at a
rate of only 15%. The City is exploring the possibility of a recycling
program for businesses.
Guest: David Stead,
Ann Arbor City Council Commercial Recycling Committee
January 17, 2007
Michigan's new Renewable
Fuels Commission, and "green" innovations at the Detroit Auto
Show.
Guest: Charles Griffith, the Ecology Center Auto
Project
January 10, 2007
Environmental issues at our airport, such as recycling of deicing chemicals,
wetlands mitigation, and preventing bird collisions.
Guest: Michael Conway, Detroit
Metropolitan Airport.
December 20, 2006
Michigan's Green Chemistry Executive Directive is the first of its kind in
the country, promoting the design, manufacture and use of safe and
environmentally friendly chemical products and processes.
Guest: Tracey Easthope, the Ecology
Center.
December
13, 2006
In addition to destroying health and lives, methamphatamine labs
pollute the environment with highly toxic materials. Clean-up of meth
labs in our county is supervised by the Solid Waste Department.
Guest: Dan Moody,
Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment
December
6, 2006
Leaks, spills, and vehicle accidents in transport of hazardous materials are
dealt with by our HAZMAT team.
Guest: Victor Chevrette,
Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team
November
29, 2006
Human sludge dumping has been discontinued at Carleton Farms
Landfill.
Guest: Kurt Heise, Wayne
County Department of Environment.
November
22, 2006
"Walkability" is being incorporated into local municipal master
planning, for both personal and environmental health.
Guest: Adreanne Waller, the Washtenaw
County Health Department.
November
15, 2006
Some things we commonly think are OK to put down the drain are
definitely not--this is causing pollution downstream and costing taxpayers
money.
Guest: Earl Kenzie, the
City of Ann Arbor Wastewater Treatment Plant.
November
1, 2006
Ordinary citizens can successfully lobby large companies to make
energy-saving changes in their businesses.
Guest: Frank Zaski, the Sierra
Club.
October
25, 2006
Funding for the Michigan state park system comes from user fees
vs. general funds. How does this affect their ability to maintain
services?
Guest: Ron Olsen, the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources.
October
11, 2006
Streams are delicate resouces that empty into to our sources of
drinking water and wildlife habitat--raising awareness of their
importance is the goal of a new stream crossing signage campaign.
Guest: Brian Shorkey, Washtenaw County Road Commission.
October
4, 2006
Closing the loop on the Emerald Ash Borer--What is being done with all that
lumber?
Guest: Jessica Simons: SE Michigan
Resource Conservation & Development Council
September
27, 2006
Ann Arbor's Phosphorus Ordinance--How banning the use of phosphorus in
lawn fertilizers will improve water quality.
Guest: Matt Naud, City of Ann Arbor
September
20, 2006
Solar powered cars--Will these be the alternative energy vehicles of the
future?
Guest: Tom Carroll, UM Solar Car
Team
September
13, 2006
Find out what the new local non-profit, Clean Energy Coalition, is doing to
address energy issues in Washtenaw County
Guest: Sean Reed, Clean Energy
Coalition
September
6, 2006
Buying local in Washtenaw County--Why supporting your neighborhood
farmer's market is more important than you think
Guest: Amanda Edmonds, Growing
Hope
August
30, 2006
Survey results reflect environmental issues of concern in Washtenaw
County
Guest: Dennis Rice, Washtenaw County
Conservation District
August
23, 2006
Public Health Preparedness--How to protect yourself from West Nile
Virus, Avian Flu, and other public health threats.
Guest: Cindra James, Washtenaw
County Public Health
August
16, 2006
Renewable energy for your home
Guest: John Wakeman, SUR Energy
Systems
August
9, 2006
Washtenaw County landowners curb sprawl by choosing to protect their
land permanently.
Guests: Susan Lackey, Washtenaw
Land Trust and Carol Peacock, Bridgewater Township resident that
donated 40 acres of her land for conservation.
August 2, 2006
Mayoral candidate discusses environmental issues facing the City of
Ann Arbor.
Guest: Mayor John
Hieftje
July
26, 2006
Mayoral candidate discusses environmental issues facing the City of Ann
Arbor.
Guest: Councilwoman Wendy
Woods
July
19, 2006
Sierra Club's vision of the proposed Allen Creek Greenway
Guest: Doug Cowherd, Huron
Valley Group of the Sierra Club
July
12, 2006
Ann Arbor Parks--Funding recommendation to replace two park millages set to
expire in 2007
Guest: Jayne Miller, City
of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation
July 5, 2006
Michigan's Golden Spike--Land use planning along the Ann Arbor to Detroit
transportation corridor.
Guest: Conan Smith, Washtenaw County
Commissioner
June
28, 2006
Aquatic Invasive Species--How are they affecting our lakes?
Guest: Dr. Doug Pullman, Aquest Corporation
June
21, 2006
Commerical bus run on biodiesel serves as a community classroom.
Guest: Amy Grettum, The
Conscientious Cruiser
June
14, 2006
Grant will help create natural borders along the Huron River
Guest: Elizabeth Riggs, Huron River Watershed
Council
June
7, 2006
Environmental Education--A look at the Leslie Science Center's new raptor
center and opportunities to get outdoors for the summer.
Guest: Francie Krawcke, Leslie
Science Center
May
31, 2006
A long-term look at transportation in Washtenaw County
Guest: Terri Blackmore, Washtenaw Area
Transportation Study
May
24, 2006
Proposed expansion of Carleton Farms Landfill and the issue of Canadian and
out-of-state waste.
Guest: State Representative Kathleen
Law
May
17, 2006
New Resource for Washtenaw County Residents--Green Info Guide: A Toolbox for
Environmental Best Practices in Washtenaw County. Including CD
give-away!!
Guest: Jeff Krcmarik, Washtenaw
County Solid Waste Program
May
10, 2006
Ann Arbor's Curb Your Car Month and Commuter Challenge
Guest: Erica Briggs, getDowntown
May
3, 2006
Dexter's sewer capacity issues--how do they impact future
development?
Guest: Rhett Gronevelt, OHM Consultants.
April
26, 2006
Geocaching--the environmental impacts of this new
hobby.
Guest: Mike Landis, Ann Arbor's Geocaching Chapter.
April
19, 2006
Plans to build the new Mott Hospital according to LEED "green"
construction guidelines.
Guest: Aparna Bole, the University of Michigan Medical School.
April
12, 2006
A Journalist's Search for Sustainability, from the Amazon to the
Arctic.
Guest: Andrew
Revkin, The New York Times.
March
29, 2006
Pros and cons of removing Argo Dam.
Guest: Ati Tislerics, the University of Michigan School of Natural
Resources.
March
22, 2006
Ann Arbor's plans to remove ash trees killed by the Emerald ash
borer.
Guest: Kay Sicheneder,
Ann Arbor City Forester
March 15, 2006
City of Ann Arbor's Green Energy initiative.
Guest: Mayor John Hieftje, City of Ann
Arbor
March 8, 2006
Banks of Saline brownfield redevelopment project.
Guest: Tom Foley, Doolin Properties
March 1, 2006
Dioxane contamination in Ann Arbor's groundwater.
Guest: Chris Easthope, Ann Arbor City
Council
February 22, 2006
"Freecycle Ann Arbor"--the local chapter of the international
movement which reduces trash through free exchanges, arranged online.
Guest: Christina Lloyd, a2ecycle.org
February 15, 2006
An update on the proposed Ann Arbor Greenway.
Guest: Mayor John Hieftje, City of
Ann Arbor
February 8, 2006
An update on state and local legislation regarding invasive species
control.
Guest: Dave Borneman,
Natural Areas Preservation, Ann Arbor Parks
February 1, 2006
Runoff caused by development is degrading water quality in southeast
Michigan.
Guest: Michael Shriberg, PIRGIM
January 25, 2006
New research finds toxins in car interiors.
Guest: Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology
Center, Ann Arbor
January 18, 2006
Deep injection wells near Detroit Metro Airport for disposal of
liquid hazardous waste.
Guest: James Clift, Michigan
Environmental Council
January 11, 2006
Legislation banning construction of new landfills in Michigan has
expired.
Guest: State Representative Pam
Byrnes
January 4, 2006
Ann Arbor area flood damage prevention.
Guest: Paul Lippens, City of Ann Arbor’s Flood Mitigation Plan
Interested in past guests of Issues of the Environment? Click here for a list of guests from
2005.
We are always looking for guest speakers to talk about projects and
environmental issues important and relevant to the residents of
Washtenaw County. This is an ongoing opportunity to share the
issues that you find important, to advise residents on new changes in policy
or thought and to inform them of upcoming events and activities.
Contact Barbara Lucas if
you would like to be a guest or have ideas that
you think are important for the community to know about.
