News

50 Years Later, Leading with Justice
News  |  March 10, 2020
This week marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Teach-In on the Environment, held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the first and largest of hundreds of Earth Day events held across the United States that year, in what, at the time, constituted the largest mass mobilization of people.
The Fight Against Developers to Stop Suburban Sprawl: Part 1
News  |  February 26, 2020
Since its founding, the Ecology Center has been at the forefront of efforts to stop suburban sprawl. Some early campaigns, like blocking the “Super Sewer” wastewater treatment plant in the 1970s, resulted in victories; other efforts, like organizing against the Briarwood Mall.
Playing the Long Game: How Detroiters Finally Won the 30 Year Fight to Shut Down Enormous Trash Incinerator
News  |  February 16, 2020
Residents fought to keep the plant from opening, and then to shut it down, for thirty years. As a health hazard and noxious neighbor, the incinerator drew protest from citizens, environmental coalitions, and Canadian leaders across the river since planning began in the mid 1970s
Green Machines: Saving Jobs, Saving Lives
News  |  January 24, 2020
The 1978 oil embargo had hit the Midwest hard. In addition to the immediate pain of higher prices at the pump, falling demand for Ford, GM, and Chrysler’s gas-guzzling vehicles also impacted the livelihoods of thousands of automotive workers.
Stabenow Introduces Plan to Combat Cllimate Crisis in Michigan
News  |  November 13, 2019
On October 8th, 2019 local public health officials, infectious disease specialists, university researchers, and environmental organizations, including the Ecology Center, attended a roundtable discussion led by Senator Stabenow (D-MI).
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
News  |  November 13, 2019
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) happens each year toward the end of October. This year, the Ecology Center brought together lawmakers, impacted families, health professionals, and environmental organizations to discuss the best policies and practices.
Leading the Way: Bright City Providence Moves Towards Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
News  |  October 29, 2019
Providence, RI is leading the way in environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), committing to purchasing products and/or services that have a lesser impact on human health and the environment.
The (Artificial) Grass Is Not Greener
News  |  October 29, 2019
Do we really know what our children are playing on? New testing done by the Ecology Center and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) shows hazardous chemicals present in artificial turf.
Stopping Cancer Before It Starts: Physician & PFAS Champion
News  |  September 27, 2019
Retired cancer doctor, Ecology Center Health Leadership Fellow alumna, and environmental health champion Elaine Chottiner discusses PFAS public education and legislative advocacy.
DTE’s Long-Term Plan Fails Michigan’s Environment and Economy
News  |  September 27, 2019
DTE’s current proposal prioritizes short-term corporate profits over the long-term personal, environmental, and financial health of Michigan families. It tethers us to costly fossil fuels too heavily, for too long. 
Honk if you support climate and kids’ health! First electric school buses hitting Michigan roads
News  |  September 27, 2019
A $13 million investment will provide 17 electric school buses to 7 districts, cutting carbon emissions, reducing student absences associated with diesel exhaust pollution, and saving costs for school districts.
Déjà Vu: PFAS are Latest in Long Line of Failed Chemical Policies
News  |  August 29, 2019
The discovery of toxic per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in many Michigan locations, the fear and concern these chemicals have stirred, and the difficulty posed to government officials and the public on how to respond feel familiar to those residents 50 and over.
Playgrounds Should Be Fun and Toxic-Free
News  |  August 29, 2019
On July 29, the Ecology Center participated in a community scientific forum in Washington, D.C. to discuss a range of concerns about the ongoing use of crumb rubbers. At the forum, the Ecology Center presented lead testing results from four playgrounds in D.C.  
New Healthy Stuff Report-- Taking off the Toxic Gloves
News  |  July 25, 2019
Our past testing has exposed phthalates in our food supply. This led us to ask: how are phthalates contaminating our food? Which prompted us to undertake the largest study of its kind on vinyl food-handling gloves: Taking off the Toxic Gloves: An Investigation of Phthalates...
Detroit Summit Drives Midwestern Momentum to Electrify Transportation
News  |  July 25, 2019
Narratives of 21st-century technological development and climate leadership in the U.S. often focus on cutting-edge coastal disruptors, overlooking the middle of the country or portraying the region as a lagging follower.

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