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1st Friday Focus on the Environment Profile

1st Friday Focus on the Environment

English, National/National politics/National assembly, 1 season, 42 episodes, 8 hours, 42 minutes
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Rep. Reggie Miller introduces legislation to ban toxic waste from other states

The Army Corps of Engineers wants to ship toxic waste from New York to a facility in western Wayne County. It comes from the World War II-era Manhattan Project and has low levels of radioactivity. While the shipment issue winds through the court system, measures are being taken in Lansing. State Representative Reggie Miller is a Democrat from Van Buren Township. where Wayne Disposal is located and where the shipments are scheduled to arrive. She has introduced a bill that would ban all out-of-state waste shipments and discusses it with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.
10/4/20249 minutes, 41 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: US Supreme Court overturns Chevron Doctrine causing concern for safe drinking water

The Biden Administration has taken steps to address the environmental problems posed by PFAS contamination. The U.S. Supreme Court recently made a ruling overturning the "Chevron Doctrine," and it has environmentalists alarmed. The implications on PFAS regulation and clean-up are already being felt and could have implications right here in Michigan. That's the topic WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak chose for the September edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." Their guest is among those concerned about the ramifications. John Reeder is Vice President of Federal Affairs with the Environmental Working Group.
9/6/202411 minutes, 26 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The growing problem of microplastics and marine debris in the Great Lakes

Most of you have probably seen pictures of the vast amount of garbage and plastics found in the world’s oceans. There are also dangerous pollutants you can’t see, and they are found all through the Great Lakes' ecosystem. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak dive into the problem of microplastics with Haley Dalian, the Great Lakes Regional Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program.
8/2/202411 minutes, 26 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The pros and cons of a proposed tax incentive package to lure large-scale data centers to Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to provide big tax incentives to lure new data centers to the state. These centers can be the size of several football fields and are a huge drain on electricity and water supplies. While it may create some new jobs, many say it won't create enough and will negatively impact the state's climate goals. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, talked it over with Michigan Climate Action Network executive director, Dr. Denise Keele.
7/5/202414 minutes, 21 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Rep. Dingell to give keynote presentation at PFAS Conference in Ann Arbor

The National Conference on PFAS will take place in Ann Arbor from June 10th through June 12th. Experts from all around prepare to converge in Washtenaw County to discuss the best way forward in dealing with chemical contamination. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell is one of the keynote speakers, and the Ann Arbor Democrat previews the event with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.
6/7/202411 minutes, 19 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: CAFOs pose increasing danger to Michigan's environmental health

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, are a significant part of the American food and agricultural systems in Michigan and around the country. We knew CAFOs posed hazards to the environment, but a new report indicates it is worse than previously thought. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, spoke with one of the authors of the report, Katie Garvey. She is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and she discussed the troubling findings in the center’s 2024 report.
5/3/202411 minutes, 25 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The state of the environment as Earth Day 2024 approaches

Every April brings us another Earth Day. The event aimed at increasing environmental education, awareness and activism is now in its 54th year. How far have we come in more than five decades and what has to happen next? Rosina Bierbaum is a professor and Dean Emerita in the U of M’s School of Environment and Sustainability. She gave an insider's assessment with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.
4/5/202415 minutes, 15 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Advancing Michigan's infrastructure

There has been an intensified effort to invest in Michigan’s infrastructure. Certainly, you’ve noticed all of the road and bridge construction. There is much more work on being done on various kinds of infrastructure. Zach Kolodin is the state's chief infrastructure officer and the director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. He discussed the ongoing efforts with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.
3/1/202411 minutes, 21 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Michigan is first state to win new PFAS containment investment from U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense is finally going to take meaningful action to protect Lake Huron from PFAS contamination emanating from the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. This action in Michigan may serve as a template for clean-ups at nearly 400 other bases across the country. The progress can be attributed to the efforts of concerned Michigan residents. Tony Spaniola is an Oscoda resident and co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest information and what comes next.
2/2/202410 minutes, 37 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The role of climate change and the environment in the 2024 election cycle

2024 is a presidential election year, and Michigan's primary is earlier than ever before. What role will the environment play in this year's election cycle? How are climate issues playing among Michigan's voters? Will the state remain blue or turn red? And what role do the green issues play in forecasting outcomes? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the latest polling with Andrew Baumann from Global Strategy Group on the January edition of WEMU's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."
1/5/202411 minutes, 16 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The Clean Energy and Jobs Act

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed historic legislation into law aimed at improving the health and sustainability of Michigan's environment, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into what that is going to look like. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak found Kara Cook to provide insights as WEMU’s 1st Friday guest. Kara provides perspective from her position in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
12/1/202310 minutes, 43 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: The challenges of improving the health of the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fights for funding every budget cycle. A potential government shutdown this year could have adverse impacts on the health of the world's largest fresh water supply. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak discuss progress and challenges with Laura Rubin. She is the director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
10/6/202311 minutes, 26 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Ann Arbor State Senator Jeff Irwin pushing utility accountability and focus on renewable energy

The month of September is going to be an important one for Michigan’s Environmental and energy future. A number of measures are being considered in the state Legislature aimed increasing availability and access to more renewable energy. State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss the proposed legislation and its potential impacts.
9/1/202311 minutes, 11 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Meet EGLE's new director, Phil Roos

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has a new director. Phil Roos was recently appointed to the position by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Roos will be charged with taking on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Michigan's air, land and water. In his first media appearance since taking charge of EGLE, Roos discussed his plans with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.
8/9/202317 minutes, 41 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Stewarding Michigan's agricultural future in the midst of a climate crisis

Canadian wildfires have lowered air quality in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. Climate change is impacting local and statewide agricultural practices and outcomes. Tim Boring is the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak to share insights into how the state is working toward climate adaptation and resiliency in the face of significant challenges.
7/7/202311 minutes, 4 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Decarbonizing new and existing buildings across Michigan

If decarbonization efforts are going to be successful, we'll have to retrofit our existing structures and better design and build our new ones. And it needs to be done through the lens of equity and social justice. Jan Culbertson is the leadership chair for the Ann Arbor 2030 District. She joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss local and statewide efforts to meet those challenges.
6/2/202310 minutes, 8 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Planning more equitable investment in Michigan's new budget proposal

The Michigan Legislature is putting final touches on its budget proposal, and environmental issues are prominent. This is the first time in 40 years both chambers and the governor’s office are led by Democrats at the same time. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conversation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, went straight to the source. State Senator Sarah Anthony chairs the Appropriations Committee. They discussed planned funding for environmental protections and more equitable distribution of funding for environmental and social justice programs.
5/5/202311 minutes, 21 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Creating equity in Michigan’s environmental laws and policies

There is a growing commitment to put equity at the fore in our governance. Democrats are in control in Lansing for the first time in 40 years and plan to further those efforts, including in the areas of environmental justice and sustainability. In the April edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to find out what that will look like. They asked Democratic State Senator, Erika Geiss for her insights.
4/7/202311 minutes, 15 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Rep. Dingell on utility power outages and the need for more regulations on toxic spills

Energy grid reliability is again at the fore following an ice storm that crippled much of Michigan. Additionally, environmental concerns about transporting toxic chemicals and how and where they are stored is, once again, a priority following a train derailment in Ohio. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters with new and updated information on the path forward.
3/3/202317 minutes, 58 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: MI Senator Debbie Stabenow prioritizes her final term

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has announced she will not seek reelection in 2024, bringing an end to a long and storied political career. She joined WEMUI's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, for a conversation on what environmental goals she wants to accomplish in her last two years.
2/3/202318 minutes, 9 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Governor Whitmer lays out her environmental priorities

As the new session in Lansing gets underway, Democrats find themselves in control of both chambers of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. Governor Gretchen Whitmer sees that as a path forward on a number of issues. The governor joins WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to lay out her priorities for the next two years.
1/6/20239 minutes, 50 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Incoming Speaker of the House lays out Michigan's environmental agenda

When the state Legislature reconvenes in January, Democrats will be in control of both chambers for the first time in 40 years. Democrats have a laundry list of priorities in the new legislative session. We’re going to take an initial look at what environmental priorities are on that list in the final edition of 1st Friday for 2022. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, went straight to the top of the incoming leadership ladder. Detroit Democrat, Joe Tate, will discuss environmental priorities as he prepares to become the next Speaker of the House in Lansing.
12/2/202210 minutes, 45 seconds
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1st Friday Focus on the Environment: Examining Governor Whitmer's environmental priorities for 2022

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 4th State of the State Address is in the books, and she is shifting focus to the new state budget and her re-election campaign. What are the environmental priorities moving forward? That’s the subject of this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment" conversation. WEMU’s David Fair and 1st Friday’s co-host, Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, invited former state lawmaker and current communications specialist Dianne Byrum to assess the present and peek to the near future.
2/4/202210 minutes, 31 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Prioritizing Water Access And Affordability In Govt. Budgets

October 1st kicks off a new fiscal year for both the state and federal governments. As with any new budget, there are many concerns. Among them is access affordability of clean and safe water. Mary Grant is the Public Water for All campaign director for Food and Water Watch. She addresses the issues with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.
10/1/202111 minutes, 20 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Protecting Michigan's Power Grid As Storms Intensify

There were a number of heavy thunderstorms in late July and early-to-mid August. Almost a million Michiganders lost electricity in the worst of the storms. For some, getting the lights back on took a week. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak wanted to know what regulators and citizens can do to create a more secure future. For answers, they turned to Bob Nelson, board president of the nonprofit group, Citizens Utility Board of Michigan.
9/3/202110 minutes, 32 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: A Search For Solutions To Solve Michigan's Flooding Issues

Excessive flooding across portions of southeast Michigan continues to create personal and financial hardship. The solutions aren't easy and are quite expensive. State representative Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn represents the 15th District, which includes his hometown of Dearborn, an area devastated by flooding from the storms of late June. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the complicated policy decisions needed to prevent such future occurances.
8/6/202111 minutes, 23 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Seeking Federal Superfund Status For The Gelman Dioxane Plume

The 1,4 dioxane plume in Scio Township, Ann Arbor, and Ann Arbor Township has plagued the area for decades. The state of Michigan has now formally requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the contamination a Superfund clean-up site. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak discuss where we are and what comes next with Roger Rayle from the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) and Scio Citizens for Safe Water.
7/2/202115 minutes, 2 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Ann Arbor's A2Zero Plan Celebrates One Year! Nine More To Go!

In 2020, the City of Ann Arbor adopted its ambitious "A2Zero" plan that would make the city completely carbon neutral by the year 2030. Now, one year later, progress on the plan continues. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak checked in with Ann Arbor sustainability and innovations manager Missy Stults. Listen and get the updates on progress so far and the work still needed to meet the 2030 target.
6/4/202111 minutes, 26 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Continuing Efforts To Remediate The A2-Area 1,4 Dioxane Plume

The Gelman 1,4 dioxane plume continues to spread in groundwater in the Ann Arbor area and could threaten the health of the Huron River and the city's municipal water supply. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest on efforts to remediate the toxic pollution and where we go from here.
5/7/202110 minutes, 50 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: The University Of Michigan's Ambitious Carbon Neutrality Plan

The University of Michigan has initiated a carbon neutrality plan unlike any other. If effective, the school could become completely carbon neutral by the year 2040. In this month's installment of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explored the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality plan with Jennifer Haverkamp, the chair of the recently dispersed commission and director of the Graham Sustainability Institute.
4/2/202115 minutes, 22 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Women's History Month-Honoring Lana Pollack And Lisa Wozniak

WEMU's Women's History Month coverage continues with two giants in the world of environmental advocacy. David Fair caught up with Lana Pollack and Lisa Wozniak to discuss their work and the women who preceded and worked alongside them. Pollack is a former State Senator from Ann Arbor who, among other things, authored Michigan's short-lived 'Polluter Pay' laws. Wozniak presently heads up the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, which continues to positively impact policy and protections.
3/5/202115 minutes, 13 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: MI Senator Gary Peters To Tackle COVID And Environmental Issues

There has already been a far more progressive position on climate change and the environment in the new Biden Administration. Michigan Senator Gary Peters has a new leadership role and will be pushing initiatives that could have specific benefits to the environment in his home state. Senator Peters joined Lisa Wozniak of Michigan League of Conservation Voters and WEMU's David Fair to share his perspective on the environmental agenda and the importance of getting COVID relief into the hands of the people.
2/5/202111 minutes, 27 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Meeting Michigan’s Environmental Challenges In 2021

Changes are coming as we mark the start of the New Year. A new presidential administration, Congress, and state Legislature will be sworn in later this month. Democrat Donna Lasinski is the new minority leader in the state House. The 52nd District Representative from Scio Township is the first guest of the New Year on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." Along with WEMU’s David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Lasinski discussed the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in protecting our air, land, and water in a pandemic economy.
1/1/202110 minutes, 47 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: The Debate On Decommissioning The Line 5 Pipeline

The Enbridge-owned and operated “Line 5” runs through the Straits of Mackinac. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is taking steps to have the nearly 70-year old pipeline decommissioned. But Enbridge is fighting the effort. For this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director discuss this matter with Beth Wallace, who is the Manager of Conservation Partnerships with the Ann Arbor-based Great Lakes Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation.
12/4/202010 minutes, 54 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: New State Climate Goals And Water Safety Investments

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has set a goal of making Michigan a carbon-neutral economy by the year 2050. She has also announced a $500 million water infrastructure plan. Liesl Clark is director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and this month's guest on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." She discussed the initiatives with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.
10/2/202012 minutes, 5 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: The Flint Water Crisis At The Intersection Of COVID-19

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha responsible for discovering the Flint Water Crisis. Her work is recognized throughout the world. Still, more needs to be done. While that work continues, the COVID-19 public health crisis is creating further challenges for the community. Dr. Hanna-Attisha joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss how far we've come and the work that remains on this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."
9/4/202018 minutes, 47 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Protecting The Great Lakes During Peak Algae Bloom Season

Climate change continues to impact the Great Lakes. We’re at record high water levels, and the water temperatures are also on the rise. It is changing shorelines, habitats, and the well-being of wildlife. On WEMU’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the ramifications, impacts, and work being done to address these issues with Joel Brammeier, President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
8/7/202011 minutes, 7 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Line 5, The Great Lakes, And Green Funding During Pandemic

The back and forth over the state’s desire to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac continues in the courts and in the court of public opinion. Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters joins WEMU’s David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to discuss that and other environmental issues on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."
7/3/202013 minutes, 46 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Addressing Systemic Racism On The Surface And At Its Roots

Protests continue across the nation following the death of George Floyd during an encounter with Minneapolis police officers. Once again, police brutality and racism are at the fore of the national conversation. Police brutality is only a part of equation. Among other things, inequities exist in education, health, and the environment. On the June edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak talk with 68th District State Representative Sarah Anthony about what is necessary to make lasting change.
6/5/202014 minutes, 51 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Coronavirus Crisis Highlights Systemic Racism And Inequity

About 14% of Michigan's population is African American. Roughly 40% of COVID-19 fatalties are in the African American community. It is an alarming statistic. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist heads the state's Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss what is being done to address the immediate crisis. He also highlights the longer term issues that will need to be addressed and what the role of the task force will be to that end.
5/1/202015 minutes, 17 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Access To Clean And Safe Water During COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak has yet to reach its peak, and one of the challenges all too many people face is access to clean water. In this month's edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," Elin Betanzo, founder of Safe Water Engineering joins WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak about the ethics and policy of ensuring water access.
4/3/202011 minutes, 22 seconds
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1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Protecting Access To Water In Detroit And Around The Nation

Water shutoffs has been a major issue in Detroit, and the next round is expected to come in April. Low-income residents are being dramatically impacted by the inability to meet the rising cost of water. Is access to water a right? Or, is it a privilege? In this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explore the answers to those questions. Monica Lewis-Patrick is co-founder, president, and CEO of "We the People of Detroit." She'll explain the organization's efforts to win water justice in the city and around the state and country.
3/6/202010 minutes, 49 seconds