EGLE Hosts MI Healthy Climate Conference to Address Climate Impacts in Michigan
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) in Michigan is taking proactive steps to address the visible impacts of climate change in the state. With heavy rainfall, extreme winter storms, and the spread of smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting residents, the department recently hosted the second annual MI Healthy Climate Conference in Lansing.
The conference aimed to rally Michiganders around the goals outlined in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, released in April 2022. The event brought together approximately 900 individuals to discuss the urgent need for action as climate impacts accelerate.
EGLE Director Phil Roos emphasized the importance of readiness in the face of climate change. He highlighted significant achievements in the past year, including clean energy legislation, investments in clean energy and advanced mobility, and the launch of the MI Healthy Climate Corps to support communities combating climate change.
Panelists at the conference discussed the various climate impacts experienced in Michigan and the challenges of transitioning to clean energy while ensuring a just transition for all communities. Despite some viewing Michigan as a “climate haven,” research from the University of Michigan suggests that the state is not immune to the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures and severe weather events posing significant risks to infrastructure.
Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, addressed the health implications of climate change in the state. Rising temperatures, heat-related illnesses, air quality concerns from wildfire smoke, and the spread of diseases like Lyme disease are all pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Lara Skinner, executive director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University, highlighted the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-safe economy. She emphasized the need to create high-quality, sustainable jobs in clean energy industries while supporting workers impacted by the transition.
Community organizers and environmental justice advocates also had a platform at the conference to discuss the disproportionate impacts of climate change on communities of color and low-income communities. They stressed the interconnectedness of environmental justice and climate change, calling for collective action to address these issues.
Overall, the MI Healthy Climate Conference served as a platform for meaningful discussions on climate action, public health, economic transitions, and environmental justice in Michigan. It underscored the importance of collaboration and proactive measures to protect the environment and public health for future generations.