May 2013 Ecolink
The Ecology Center and LocalMotionGreen, an environmental
organization based in Grosse Pointe, have joined together to form one of
the region’s leading environmental health organizations.
For the second year in a row, testing by researchers at the Ecology Center revealed high levels of hazardous chemicals, many of which have been banned in
children’s products, in garden hoses. Phthalates and the
toxic chemical BPA were all found in the water of a new hose after
sitting outside in the sun for just a few days.
Veteran environmental activist David Stead was elected to serve a three-year term on the Ecology Center board of directors at the organization's annual meeting last week (May 23).
At the same meeting, University of Michigan Prof. Stuart Batterman was re-elected to a second three-year term on the board.
The Ecology Center has received a two-year, $300,000 grant
from the W.K.
Fletcher Allen, a 562-bed hospital
located in Burlington, Vermont is nationally known for its innovative food
program and strong commitment to sustainable food.
Even people who don’t ride a bicycle will find a lot to like
about the Ecology Center’s annual EcoRide to be held on Sunday, June 23.
April 2013 Ecolink
Most of our readers know that the Ecology Center dates its
founding to the first Earth Day celebration back in 1970, so we are really
geeked to see the different ways the holiday is observed all over the world
these days.
"Road Warriors, casual
riders, kids, families, foodies, arts lovers and everyone in our
community who supports sustainable living will enjoy EcoRide 2013," according to Ecology Center events coordinator Ken Kozora.
In a major step forward for the Great Lakes and children's
health, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2013 was introduced by New Jersey Senator Frank
Lautenberg, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and 27 other senators earlier this month.
“The Latest Climate News—And What We Can Do About It” will
be on the agenda for the Ecology Center’s annual meeting on May 23.
“Retailers have the power to make substantial improvements
in public health and safety, and with that power comes a moral obligation, a
corporate social responsibility,” according to Jeff Gearhart, research director
of the Ecology Center’s HealthyStuff.org
program.
March 2013 Ecolink
Coloring hard-boiled eggs this time of year is a beloved tradition in many households, but maybe it’s time to update the tradition by going back to some older ways for making dyes.
In a
great example of a good start, Ann
Arbor’s city council passed a resolution earlier this month identifying additional ways to prepare the
city’s infrastructure to support plug-in electric vehicles.
“Although
the case for improved transit is overwhelming, both environmentally and economically,
the issue is not a slam dunk,” according to Monica Patel, policy specialist at the Ecology Center.
“In his
speech on energy policy last fall, Governor Rick Snyder said he supported
energy efficiency and renewable energy, but we know we’re going to have to work
hard to hold him to those commitments,” according to Alexis Blizman, the
Ecology Center’s legislative and policy director.
February 2013 Ecolink
Devin Gill, who has served as an intern and staff member at the Ecology Center over several years, will be taking her commitment to environmental stewardship to another continent early next month when she leaves for a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Malawi.
When nearly 50,000 activists convened on Washington Feb. 17 to demand action on climate change, the crowd included dozens of Ecology Center supporters who rode together to the rally on buses organized by Ann Arbor 350, a
program of the Ecology Center working on practical and local solutions
to climate change.
Following
the triumphant return of EcoRide in 2012, folks
are getting geared up for this year's event set for June 23, beginning at Ann
Arbor's Riverside Park.
The Ecology Center GEE WOW: Adventures in Water
curriculum, first developed in 1990, is now in its fourth edition
and for the first time ever, available for free downloading in a digital format.
Susan Froelich brings life-long connections in the Ann Arbor community and years of fundraising experience to her new role as senior development officer at the Ecology Center.
At this time of year, a lot of supermarkets are offering special prices on fish, hoping to appeal to customers who observe Lenten traditions.
January 2013 Ecolink
December
brought good news on sales of electric vehicles, both in monthly
numbers and the year-end reports, and overall 2012 sales make it the
“greenest new automobile fleet ever.”
Ann Arbor 350, a program of the Ecology Center working on practical and local solutions to climate change, is coordinating buses for the Feb.
February 22 -- Foodies across southeastern Michigan are gearing up for Washtenaw County’s fifth annual HomeGrown Local Food Summit, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 22.
One of the main focuses of the Ecology Center’s Healthy Food in Health Care program is to support local food production, according to director Hillary Bisnett.
The Ecology Center's October report on hazardous chemicals in smart phones was ranked as one of the top 12 stories of 2012 by GreenBiz.com, a newsletter that re
December 2012
Many Michigan-based environmental groups, including the Ecology Center, found reason to object to Governor Rick Snyder's long-awaited message on energy and environmental
policy, delivered at the end of November.
Despite decades of scientific evidence, encouragement by legislators, advocacy by environmental and health groups and bans in California and
other countries, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced at the end of November that it will allow the continued use of a neurotoxic
pesticide in shampoos and lotions used predominantly on children.
Michigan mother Lisa Turner often cuddles with her kids on the couch in her home.
So you can be sure the Berkley woman was recently surprised to find out that the couch contains toxic flame retardants.
