Environmentally concerned candidates prevailed in several key primary contests where Sierra Club made endorsements. Sierra Club image.
Sierra Club Champions Win Big in Primary Elections
Voters turned out to support Sierra Club-endorsed champions in the August 2 primary election. Sierra Club contacted tens of thousands of members multiple times in support of pro-environment winners.
These races included Michigan Senate candidates Erika Geiss (SD 1), Mallory McMorrow (SD 8) and Sue Shink (SD 14) and Michigan House candidates Donavan McKinney (HD 14), Jenn Hill (HD 109) and Jason Hoskins (HD 18).
The outcomes from last Tuesday show that when Sierra Club gets involved, candidates win.
“Clean safe water and investing in clean renewable energy are bipartisan issues that are overwhelmingly popular. This is why a Sierra Club endorsement is so important, and why we prioritize resources in races where we know there is a clear distinction between the candidates on environmental protection,” said Christy McGillivray, political and legislative director for the Michigan Chapter.
“Climate is on the ballot this year. Michigan voters understand how important this election is. We must send an environmental majority to our state legislature, and we will re-elect Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson,” said Tim Minotas, Sierra Club’s political and legislative coordinator. “Candidates who campaign on climate, win in Michigan.”
Paid for by Michigan Sierra PAC, 109 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Lansing, MI48906.
Consumers Energy is ending coal early because of citizen action by Sierra Club members and others. Photo of the J.H. Campbell power plant (r) by Jan O'Connell.
Moving Beyond Coal Despite the U.S. Supreme Court
Last month, the United States Supreme Court dealt a major blow to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to fight climate change. The Court held in West Virginia v. EPA that the agency may not use its most effective tool under the federal Clean Air Act to reduce climate-disrupting carbon pollution from the electric power sector by requiring shifting generation to clean technologies. But as damaging as this decision is, it isn't going to slow Sierra Club’s progress toward decarbonizing Michigan or the country's economy.
Prior to the ruling, the Sierra Club and allies struck a settlement with Consumers Energy to retire the utility's last remaining coal plant in 2025, 15 years earlier than previously planned. This plant is the 23rd coal plant in Michigan to announce retirement in the previous two decades, even in the absence of EPA standards for power plant carbon emissions. This success resulted from long-term grassroots organizing by dedicated activists with Sierra Club and our allies, the failing economics of coal and dramatic advances making renewable energy cheaper and more reliable. The same economic realities and public advocacy are forcing DTE to actively consider shortening the life of its last two remaining coal plants, Belle River and Monroe, regardless of additional action by the EPA.
Learn more about how advocates made this happen and the history of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign here. Senior Beyond Coal Campaign Representative Mike Berkowitz was recently interviewed by Planet Detroit about this and the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Check it out here.
A No Contact Advisory for the Huron River below Wixom has been issued following the discharge of a known carcinogen by Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom. Photo courtesy of John Metzler.
ALERT: NO CONTACT Advisory for Huron River After Tribar Manufacturing Discharges Hexavalent Chromium in Wixom
One of Michigan's most beloved recreational rivers and the source of drinking water for Ann Arbor has been contaminated with a known carcinogen, hexavalent chromium, as a result of an illegal discharge by Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom. State officials are urging "no contact" with the Huron River water below the discharge site because of the well-documented threat to health posed by exposure to this chemical.
Sierra Club leaders in Crossroads and Huron Valley Groups are working to learn more about this disaster and how the company, which has previously discharged per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the river, will be held accountable. Planned outings on the Huron River may be canceled so please check with the outings' leaders for details.
The city of Ann Arbor, which gets it drinking water from the Huron River, is working with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to determine what treatment can be done to remove the chemical from the water system if it reaches their intakes. The contamination may take several weeks to reach the Ann Arbor water system intakes.
The loss of this important recreational site at the height of summer has an impact on businesses that serve the area, including kayak and canoe rentals. The timing during the hottest part of the year also deprives families of an inexpensive way to cool off.
Food crops worldwide, including in Michigan, are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
The Climate Crisis and Food
The climate crisis affects food more than any other issue. The United Nations (U.N.) reported that climate change has resulted in greatly increased food insecurity across the world, but especially in Africa. Populations with extremely low income have few resources to handle this crisis.
Food production is facing increased challenges brought on by unpredictable precipitation, increased droughts and floods and an increase in pests that attack crops. These issues are profoundly affecting Central America, where two hurricanes have hit agriculture hard in the last few years. Climate crisis and economic shocks leave millions food insecure across Central America. Many of the climate refugees head for the U.S./Mexico border seeking relief.
The effect of the climate crisis is being felt here in the U.S. as well. Many California farm fields are not being planted because of the lack of rain and the inability to irrigate due to the prolonged drought there. The climate crisis is affecting the nation as a whole as a quarter of the food grown in this county comes from California.
Michigan's agriculture is facing many of the same problems seen worldwide. In the past, Michigan farmers could use cool weather as an advantage to keep harvested crops like potatoes fresh. Michigan farmers have crop storage problems due to global warming. Fruit farmers are also facing unpredictable weather that can harm cherry, peach and apple trees.
These are just a few examples of how the climate crisis affects the food supply and why there is a need to transition to renewable energy as soon as possible.
Anne Woiwode (l) holding the commemorative bell presented by MEC to the Helen and William Milliken Award winners. Photo provided by Sierra Club. Tom Woiwode addresses the crowd with Anne looking on. Photo courtesy of MEC.
Distinguished Service Award Goes to Anne and Tom Woiwode
On July 21, friends, family and dozens of colleagues gathered at Detroit’s Eastern Market to celebrate the contributions of former Michigan Chapter Director Anne Woiwode and her husband Tom to protecting the environment in Michigan. The attendees were there to watch this environmental power couple receive the Helen and William Milliken Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) for a combined 80+ years of service to the Great Lakes state.
Anne went to her first Sierra Club event in 1980 as a young mother looking for something to balance her new life, as Tom founded The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. Forty-two years later, the Michigan Chapter still provides her the “fulfillment and stimulation of working on a good cause with good people.” After more than three decades as the Michigan Chapter director ending in 2015, she has generously remained engaged in various leadership roles, currently serving as Chapter Secretary on the Executive Committee.
Anne played a critical role in promoting environmental protection and policies with the Sierra Club and has spent years speaking truth to power. On July 21, she was no different. During her award acceptance speech, she called out DTE, which sponsored the MEC event, and Enbridge, which owns the Line 5 pipeline, for the millions they spend trying to convince the public that they aren’t dangerous polluters.
The fight to protect Michigan's air, water and people continues and Anne isn’t backing down from it after decades of tireless work. Please consider honoring her legacy by supporting the Michigan Sierra Club’s work with a donation to the Michigan Chapter here.
Vote Now in the Sierra Club Monthly Photo Contest
Please vote one time for your favorite Sierra Club Monthly Photo Contest submission! Vote by clicking the button below. The winner of each monthly photo contest will be showcased on Sierra Club's social media and will be the Chapter Update header photo for the month. Look for the opportunity to submit photos for next month in the August 21 edition of the Michigan Chapter Update.
Gwen and John Nystuen at the Michigan Chapter's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2017. Photo by Ed Steinman.
In Memoriam: John D. Nystuen
One of the first Michigan Sierra Club members, John Nystuen, 91, died July 2 at the home he shared with his wife Gwen in Ann Arbor. The first Sierra Club meeting in Michigan was held on a cold February evening in 1962 at John and Gwen’s Pittsfield Village apartment. Five years later the Mackinac (now Michigan) Chapter was formed. John, a geography professor at the University of Michigan, was an enthusiastic hiker and camper and good at recruiting members, especially students and faculty.
The Sierra Club in its many forms were a happy and fulfilling part of John and Gwen’s lives. Over the years John continued his work on local and state issues, contributing to the local natural features inventory and supporting Gwen in amphibian surveys in local ponds. John also contributed his photography and sketching skills to many newsletters and slide shows. He will be greatly missed.
Photo by Jan O'Connell.
Commemorative and Memorial Gifts: Honoring the people you care about by preserving the beauty of nature.
Commemorative gifts are a thoughtful way to honor a loved one or friend by celebrating a special occasion or commemorating a milestone, such as a birthday, wedding, Mother’s Day, graduation or anniversary. An attractive note or certificate is sent to that special someone being honored, informing them of the gift to Sierra Club and identifying the donor.
Making a memorial gift for a family member or close friend is a meaningful way to honor and remember that loved one and affirm the environmental values shared with the individual being honored. The donor may choose for a card to be sent in their name to someone close to the individual being remembered, informing them of the gift. Notice of the memorial is often placed in The Mackinac newsletter or on the Michigan Chapter website.
For both commemorative and memorial gifts, a letter is sent to the donor acknowledging the gift and confirming that notice of the gift has been sent. For more information on either of these programs, contact gail.philbin@sierraclub.org or call 616-805-3063.
Become a part of the Michigan Chapter and support effective citizen action on climate, protecting the Great Lakes and wild places. Michigan Chapter file photo.
Sierra Club is Hiring: Development Director
One of the most important roles at the Club is the individual who oversees the planning, organizing and implementation of all aspects of our fundraising program, enabling us to do the important work we do every year.
Sierra Club Michigan seeks a full-time development director to work closely with our Chapter director and volunteer leadership to maintain and expand our strong fundraising program. If you have experience in fundraising and the nonprofit world and would love to devote your skills and passion to our fight for a healthy climate through environmental, racial, economic and gender justice, then please consider applying for this position. Details and information on how to apply are here.
Bumble bee with pollen on its leg visiting a purple cone flower (l). Wild bees feasting on asters (r). Photos by Anne Woiwode.
Explore and Enjoy: Helping Pollinators
Diverse creatures pollinate flowers and provide an essential service for humans, birds and animals. Their work produces an estimated 35% of the fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts grown worldwide. Butterflies, native and domestic bees, wasps and even bats are the essential workers of nature, doing tasks that cannot easily be reproduced in their absence. Unfortunately, many pollinators, including the majestic monarch butterfly, are at risk due to a loss of habitat, indiscriminate use of pesticides and climate disruption.
Michiganders in cities, suburbs and rural areas can all play a role in helping pollinators thrive. Many resources are available as groups and individuals work to convert backyards and public spaces into pollinator havens. Organizations, educational institutions and public agencies provide information, training and in some cases supplies to help interested people help these hardworking creatures thrive. These include:
Michigan State University Pollinator Champions program. This self-paced online program provides a wealth of information about pollinators and participants can qualify to become MSU Certified Pollinator Champions.
Sierra Club volunteers in the Grand Rapids area have worked with local agencies and other organizations to promote pollinator education online and at events. Find resources on the Sierra Club Greater Grand Rapids Facebook page.
Detroit Bird City, a project of Detroit Audubon, is an excellent example of reclaiming and restoring native habitats in urban areas, bringing back pollinators and birds.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidance in How to Build a Pollinator Garden and has many related articles available online. Specific information about efforts to protect the monarch butterfly are found here.
For farmers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development oversees a Managed Pollinator Protection Plan designed to improve and protect the health of pollinators in their vital role of fertilizing fruits and vegetables.
Sierra Magazine has covered the pollinator crisis with articles about the challenges and opportunities for restoring habitat and protections both in suburban lawns and on a grander scale. A collection of articles can be found here.
Helping support pollinators can also mean putting up “bee hotels” for native bees. Information for building these delightful looking homes for solitary bees as well as an explanation of the life cycle of many of these bees is found in the link to a bulletin from Michigan State University above.
Taking a few simple steps to support Michigan pollinators can make a big difference and contribute to restoring and sustaining native ecosystems and the many services these systems provide.
Below: Native bee hotel at Michigan State University (l), and wild petunia with pollinators (r). Photos by Anne Woiwode.
