CONTACT: Stephanie Cepak, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, scepak@byrumfisk.com
Groups: New plan prioritizes communities impacted most by climate change, outlines actions to improve public health
Groups respond to final MI Healthy Climate plan and what it means for Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Healthy Climate plan that outlines policies to significantly reduce dangerous pollution in our air and water, prioritize communities that have shouldered the burden of pollution for far too long, and improve public health as it guides Michigan to achieve our state and international climate goals.
The following are statements from organizations upon release of the MI Healthy Climate Plan:
“We appreciate the leadership of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to set Michigan on a strong path toward addressing the impacts of climate change and protecting future generations of Michiganders,” said Conan Smith, President & CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council. “The MI Healthy Climate plan packs a punch. Whether it’s expanding our state’s use of wind and solar, repairing and improving Michigan’s building stock to make homes more energy efficient or aligning our state with the federal government’s Justice40 funding guidelines, the hours of work that have gone into creating this plan are worth it because Michigan is truly poised to make huge strides in tackling the climate crisis.”
“We know the status quo in Michigan has led to higher rates of asthma and respiratory disease than other parts of the nation, and our frontline low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities have shouldered the burden of dirty air and water for far too long,” said Kathleen Slonager, RN, AE-C, CCH, Director Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America - Michigan Chapter. “This MI Healthy Climate plan is a plan for action. Action to finally clean up our act and put Michigan on a clean energy and clean vehicle pathway. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sounded the call and now we must work together with the Legislature and Michigan Public Service Commission to cut 28% of state emissions by 2025 and achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.”
“The MI Healthy Climate Plan creates a roadmap for our state to move off fossil fuels with the urgency that science and justice demands,” said Kate Madigan, director of the Michigan Climate Action Network. “For communities across Michigan that have been going it alone on their sustainability goals and responding to increasing flooding and other climate impacts for years, they finally have a partner in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She is willing to do what it takes to reduce dangerous pollution coming from tailpipes and power plants to protect our Great Lakes, create safer communities and improve the health of all Michiganders.”
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