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LANSING – A broad coalition of Michigan organizations is expressing support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recently announced $3 billion transportation plan because it makes important investments in both public transportation and roads, while not taking away from schools and cities.
Within Gov. Whitmer’s MI Road Ahead Plan, $250 million will be allocated for local bus services and new transit projects, following Michigan’s long-established transportation investment formula. The Governor also commits that funding shifted away from schools and cities would be fully replaced by other revenue. The groups look forward to additional details, such as where the $500 million of unidentified budget cuts would come from, and assurance that any shifts in the gas tax will not further penalize EVs.
The following organizations support funding Michigan’s full transportation system:
Transportation Riders United
Michigan Environmental Council
Ecology Center
Evergreen Action
Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action
“We applaud the Governor for recognizing the importance of investing in all of Michigan’s infrastructure,” said Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United. “Strong leaders recognize that growing Michigan depends on resilient infrastructure, great schools, and thriving cities.”
By Yuki Nakayama, Ecology Center Environmental Storyteller Rackham Fellow
I love movies! My passion led to me pursuing a Ph.D. in it. As a film fan, my “More Life, Less Stuff” activities frequently center on going to local film screenings and events on my own and with friends. There is a special kind of experience that you can only get from watching a movie on a big screen in a dark theater room away from smartphones and outside realities. The films create a temporary escape and provide a rich topic to have interesting conversations with friends. The events also help me connect with new people interested in films.
The More Life, Less Stuff campaign is not simply about encouraging more sustainable lifestyle choices and buying less stuff. It is about encouraging people to look around to find local experiences that can enrich our lives as an individual and as a community. What counts as an enriching, fun experience will differ for each person. We want to help inspire readers to think about what kind of activities they might enjoy by sharing some of our favorites.
In this article, I want to inform you about the cool film series currently taking place on the University of Michigan Campus by different research centers and departments. Many of which are free!
Photo of Yuki with Hikonyan, the mascot for Hikone City (Ann Arbor’s sister city), during an event at the Ann Arbor District Library.
The Nam Center for Korean Studies was established in 2007. The Korean Cinema Now film series is one of my favorite film series on campus. The series takes place in the Winter term (January to April) on Saturdays at 1pm and is free (first come first serve basis). One of the main attractions of this series is that it focuses on recently released films (blockbusters and independent) that do not normally circulate in the US. Despite the fact that we now have streaming platforms, many films around the world are still hard to see, especially new releases. The series includes a wide range of genres.
The upcoming film is Exhuma (Jang Jae-Hyun, 2024), a horror thriller about an investigation into a supernatural illness plaguing a wealthy family and the dark mystery that is unearthed from the grave. Screened at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, this film was the highest grossing South Korean film of 2024 and the sixth highest grossing South Korean Film of all time. Come see Exhuma on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1 PM at the State Theater (Tickets not needed. First come, first serve)
You can view the entire line up and get more information on the Marquee Arts website.
The Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS) ,established in 1999, started their film series in 2023 to join the unique landscape of Asian cinema series and events at the University of Michigan. The series takes place over the academic school year featuring a mixture of recent releases, old classics, blockbuster films, and independent films from all over South Asia (not just Bollywood films)! Many South Asian Films, especially independent films, do not circulate widely in the US and free screenings need special approval from the distributor. The founding curator, Veerandra Prasad, uses the personal connections he has built over the years to bring these films to Ann Arbor audiences. He is a screenwriter, director, and lecturer in the department of Film, Television, and Media. Each film will have a short intro by the curator.
This year the film series focuses on women directors. The next film is an Indian comedy film, titledLaapataa Ladies (Kiran Rao, 2024), about two young brides accidentally swapped on the train that end up on a journey with hilarious and unexpected consequences. This film was selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Category for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards over ALL We Imagine as Light which created some controversy. The screening is on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 7pm at the Michigan Theater (must reserve a ticket through the Michigan Theater website). The films are announced on the CSAS website and the Marquee Arts website.
The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) was founded in 1947 and has organized many events related to Japan. Their film series is the longest running Japanese film series in the world. They have shown over 650 films and invited many filmmakers to Ann Arbor. The film series takes place during the winter term (January to April) every Thursday at 7pm at the State Theater. All of the screenings have a short introduction by the curator or an expert.
This year’s series focuses on the works by director Masato Harada, curated by Markus Nornes (Professor of Asian Cinema in the department of Film, Television, & Media and Asian Languages & Cultures). The next film of the series is The Emperor in August(2015), which is a remake of the 1967 film Japan’s Longest Day by Kihachi Okamoto. This film chronicles the chain of events in the last 4 months of World War II in Japan leading to the famous surrender broadcast by Emperor Hirohito on August 15, 1945. The Emperor in August is currently not available for streaming in the US so don’t miss your chance to see it on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7 PM at the State Theater (Ticket Purchase required).
Photo of Yuki translating for Toshio Iizuka during his visit to AA for a past CJS film series on Ogawa Pro, a the legendary documentary film collective he was a member of.
These are just a few of the film series available through the University of Michigan. There are many other film-related events running at various points in the year:
All free events that are open to the public organized by the University of Michigan can be found on the Happenings @ Michigan page.
Don’t miss out on the cool (free!) opportunities here in Ann Arbor to connect with films that are otherwise difficult to access. Be part of the Ann Arbor film community and history by attending the events. More articles about inspiring More Life, Less Stuff activities will be coming soon. If there are any groups or organizations you think should be featured as part of this series, please let us know! We’re always excited to learn about local groups.
The new year brings a shared resolve to make positive changes in our lives. In 2025, we’re committed to continuing to push for a safer, toxic-free material economy. Toxic chemicals have no place in our everyday environments, and shopping for safe products shouldn’t be difficult.
Released in late 2024, Toxic-Free Future’s Retailer Report Card evaluates and grades major US and Canadian retailers' efforts to eliminate hazardous chemicals and plastics from their supply chains and promote safer alternatives.
Toxic chemicals in everyday products have been found to be linked to serious health risks, including cancer, developmental delays, and hormone disruption. These chemicals often find their way into plastics, household goods, and even food packaging, creating a pervasive and dangerous cycle.
As federal regulatory protections face threats of rollback, the need for market-based solutions is more urgent than ever. Remember that we have the power to buy or not buy. Through informed intentional purchasing, we can avoid shopping at retailers who are failing to protect shoppers from toxic chemicals. The Retailer Report Card is based on grading Four Essential Elements of a Safer Marketplace: Corporate Commitment, Transparency, Ban the Bad, and Safer Solutions. It’s important to note that these grades do not factor fair labor practices, wages, or community benefit.The grades are also based on publicly available data released by individual retailers.
What did the Retailer Report Card Find?
Overall, most retailers are failing to protect consumers from toxic chemicals and harmful plastics, with the average grade across 50 companies being a troubling D+. 56% (28 of 50) retailers have a corporate safer chemicals policy and 16% participate in the Chemical Footprint Project (CFP), but many still scored low. Most retailers do not know or ask their suppliers about the chemical content of products, making it difficult for retailers or consumers to assess and avoid harmful hazards.
Which retailers scored low?
17 retailers earned failing F grades, placing them in the report’s Toxic Hall of Shame. Those failing include well-known brands such as 7-Eleven, Five Below, LL Flooring, McDonald’s, Sally Beauty, among others. Retailers with failing grades had one or more categories with a 0% score with a low average across all categories. In particular, 7-Eleven, Couche-Tard, Publix, Sherwin-Williams, and Trader Joe’s scored 0% on all four evaluation categories. The retailer report card also shows that restaurant chains and dollar stores that tend to be in low-income communities and communities of color ranked low. This disproportionately impacts communities who may not have access to safer alternatives. Read the Report for the complete list.
Which retailers scored high?
Apple, Sephora, Target, and Walmart achieved the highest scores for their commitment to restrict toxic chemicals. Ulta Beauty improved the most by nearly doubling its score since they were first evaluated. More than one in three retailers improved their scores compared to past reports. It is Important to look at individual scores for each category to better understand their scores. For example, a retailer can score high for Corporate Commitment, but score much lower for other categories and vice versa.
We are urging all retailers and suppliers to publicly commit to protecting shoppers through stronger chemical policies and to take sufficient action to remove toxic chemicals from their shelves. Policy and action must be done together to ensure safer products for all consumers.
What Can We Do to Push for a Safer Marketplace?
Being an informed consumer can push the market towards scientific innovation. The Retailer Report Card is not just a critique, it’s a guide for retailers to clean up their act, and for communities to demand better. Many of the stores mentioned in the Retailer Report Card have locations in Michigan, and these grades can guide where we choose to shop or not. Our purchasing power can be an advocacy tool to push retailers towards pulling toxic chemicals from their shelves and instead, offering safer solutions. Using our power as customers can also push companies and governments to invest time and resources to identify safer alternatives for hazardous chemicals.
Retailers in the Toxic Hall of Shame need to hear from you.
Join us in urging retailers to commit to safer products and improved transparency.
Here’s how to take action:
Read the Report: Learn more about the 2024 Retailer Report Card key findings here.
Be a conscious shopper: Support local businesses with passing grades and transparent practices. Ask local small businesses who aren’t part of this report whether or not they are trying to remove toxic chemicals from their shelves. Find those who are leading the charge toward safer products.
Participate in a no buy challenge: the most sustainable product is the one that isn’t purchased. Check out our More Life, Less Stuff series to get inspiration!
Together, we can drive change, one purchase, one policy, one campaign at a time.
On January 20, President Trump issued executive orders designed to reverse the Justice40 initiative and most other federal environmental justice initiatives. By themselves, however, the orders don't end the program or undo the positive impact it has had in overburdened communities across the country. Its fate will be determined in the coming years. To explain what's at stake, read on.
Devastating fires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels are a staple of the daily news cycle. Although climate-related catastrophes like these seem far from Michigan, the state has declared major disasters due to flooding five times in the past decade. Many Michiganders are taking steps to protect themselves and reduce their carbon footprints by weatherizing their homes and investing in clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels.
Folks who live in disadvantaged zip codes with crumbling infrastructure and few public services are the hardest hit by climate change, yet many say they feel left behind by the clean energy movement. The cost of basic home improvements that would lower energy bills and emissions are expensive for people struggling to make ends meet. The costs of solar power and electric vehicles are completely out of reach. Grassroots organizations working to build climate resilience in disadvantaged communities have also been left out. Without the funding and capacity needed to win and manage large government grants, they are at a disadvantage compared to larger, richer competitors.
To address these inequities, President Biden issued the Justice40 initiative, requiring 40% of the benefit of federal climate and infrastructure investments go towards community-based organizations in overburdened neighborhoods. These investments fall under the wide umbrella of Environmental Justice and can include everything from flood mitigation, renewable energy, and workforce development to transportation, housing, and pollution reduction. The Biden Administration tapped Tony Reames, University of Michigan Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice and former Ecology Center board member, to lead the bold initiative.
Energy Justice with Tony Reames:
“It’s a way for the federal government to think about communities experiencing the climate crisis first and worst, making sure they’re at the front of the line,” explains Reames in an interview with the Ecology Center. His passion for environmental justice springs from his experience growing up in a “quintessential environmental justice community” in rural South Carolina, home to the state’s largest landfill, a maximum security prison, and legacy contamination by the textile industry. Justice40 unlocks the power of government to improve access to affordable and reliable clean energy for communities like his.
Environmental justice recognizes the historical and systemic inequities in how environmental harms and benefits are distributed and seeks to remedy those disparities,” explains Reames, while energy justice aims to achieve “equity in both the social and economic participation in the energy system while also remediating the social, economic, and health burdens of those who have historically been harmed by that system.
Between 2021 and 2023, Justice40 allocated roughly $600 billion across more than 500 programs in 19 federal agencies, making it the largest distribution of federal funding to benefit marginalized communities in U.S. history. To make sure the money is going to the right places, applicants must measure how their projects would aid local communities. “We looked at disadvantaged communities through metrics like energy burdens, pollution exposure, and access to clean energy technologies, ensuring resources go to those who need them most,” Reames explains.
The Michigan Justice40 Accelerator program overseen by The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE,) provides funding, training, and technical support to community-based organizations at the forefront of the environmental justice movement. Each organization in the program receives a $15,000 grant to provide project development and technical assistance, such as grant writers to build proposals that could attract funding for transformative projects. Ecology Center partner, the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides the Michigan Justice40 Accelerator with operations and community engagement support.
Elijah Williams, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Community Organizer
MEJC addresses the root causes of climate change, including racism and capitalism, which affect people of color and low-income communities the most. MEJC’s approach is as diverse as the communities it represents, including organizing, policy advocacy, and direct action to build collective power and achieve statewide environmental justice from the ground up. MEJC’s signature Energy Democracy campaign focuses on protecting consumers’ rights and dismantling DTE’s lock on the energy market in Southeast Michigan. Elijah Williams, MEJC Community Organizer, chairs the Arts and Community subcommittee of the Energy Democracy campaign. He moved to Detroit from Jackson, Mississippi in late 2023 and was shocked by the high cost of living, especially utilities. “Michiganders pay way too much for energy in general, and the price keeps going up. There’s been like two or three rate increases since I’ve lived here.” Williams believes that artistic expression can harness the power of collective action by helping people “to make the connection between culture, energy justice, and democracy.” He sees the arts as a vital tool for cultivating community identity and resilience.
Looking back on his childhood, Williams recalls being taught to conserve water and energy to save money. “But now I see it as saving resources for the good of the community,” he says. This shift in perspective inspires his vision: “I want to be able to reintroduce energy democracy from a standpoint of autonomy and not out of fear.” Together with his fellow activists at MEJC, Williams finds joy and fellowship in creative projects that not only express the pain of energy injustice but also light a path forward through collective action.
Justice40 is an ambitious stride toward addressing the deep disparities that have long left underrepresented communities bearing the brunt of environmental harm. It shows what is possible when government policy aligns with grassroots advocacy and a vision of equality. While the initiative marks significant progress, our energy justice work is only just beginning. Regardless of political shifts, the pursuit of fairness and resilience must go on. Now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to ensure a just transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future for all.
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued its final order in DTE Electric Company’s rate case, approving a rate increase of $217 million, less than half of its requested $456 million, while maintaining DTE’s return on equity of 9.9%.
The Clean Energy Organizations (CEOs), who intervened in the case, appreciate the Commission’s attention to affordability and reliability, but urge continued work to advance grid equity and clean energy adoption.
The CEOs support the Commission’s decision to approve DTE’s electric vehicle investments, which will expand charging infrastructure as more drivers opt for EVs. This includes $12.5 million in capital expenses for DTE Electric’s Charging Forward program in 2024 and $5.1 million in 2025, as well as additional expenses in support of the company’s residential, business and eFleet charger rebate programs. These investments will boost EV adoption, improve air quality, and support economic growth in the region.
As part of its ruling, the Commission adopted a default time-of-use rate for the residential class, supported by the analysis of CEO Witness William Kenworthy. Importantly, the Commission directly adopted Mr. Kenworthy’s recommendations regarding ways to address the negative impacts of time-of-use rates on vulnerable customers.
However, the Commission’s decisions fell short in addressing certain critical needs for scaling up local, distributed clean energy resources and non-conventional solutions like virtual power plants (VPPs) and demand response programs that collectively improve grid flexibility and reliability. The failure to transition pilot programs, such as microgrids, into full-scale initiatives that deliver meaningful grid value misses an opportunity to drive broader clean energy adoption and promote greater equity.
While CEOs appreciate the Commission's recognition of equity in investment decisions, the order misses the opportunity to expand equity metrics like energy burden and disconnection rates. It also falls short of requiring a comprehensive framework for evaluating how investments impact disadvantaged communities – critical steps to ensuring Michigan’s clean energy transition benefits everyone, particularly those most burdened by the current energy system.
Charles Griffith, Director, Climate & Energy Program, Ecology Center said:
“We appreciate the Commission’s Order upholding the company’s Charging Forward EV programs, which will boost EV adoption by ensuring greater access to EV charging where people live, work and play. These programs will not only help to improve air quality and curb climate change, but will also spur new economic development in the region and put downward pressure on utility rates.”
Daniel Abrams, Senior Associate Attorney, ELPC said:
“The Commission’s order authorizes important spending on DTE’s distribution grid aimed at improving reliability, particularly in EJ communities. We applaud the Commission for its continued, specific attention to the needs of these communities. However, DTE and the Commission need to go further to incorporate distributed energy and new technologies into the DTE’s portfolio to best prepare for the grid needs of the future.”
Lee Shaver, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists said:
“We appreciate the Commission's efforts to advance affordability and reliability in DTE’s operations. But DTE and the Commission must continue working to more deeply integrate energy justice principles into the company’s grid investments, while also embracing innovative solutions such as batteries and microgrids that can cost-effectively enhance reliability and advance the clean energy transition.”
Will Kenworthy, Senior Regulatory Director, Vote Solar said:
“The adoption of default residential time-of-use rates is the right thing for the energy system. Like the Commission has ordered them to do, DTE has the ability to identify the small number of vulnerable customers for whom this is not the best option. The CEO believes this is the right approach and we’re pleased to see the Company implement it.”
The CEOs include The Ecology Center, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Vote Solar.
Clean energy groups say proposal would roll back economic, environmental, health benefits
LANSING – A diverse coalition of clean energy advocacy organizations is slamming a proposal from state Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton, to maintain the status quo for natural gas-fueled generators. The bill would prevent the Upper Peninsula from experiencing the full economic, environmental and health benefits of a transition to clean energy as required in the state’s 2023 Clean Energy & Jobs Act.
HB 4007 would keep 13 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators operating without eliminating or significantly reducing emissions as required in the state’s clean energy laws.
“Rep. Karl Bohnak doesn’t care that the U.P. is sounding the alarm as its winter tourist industry suffers from the effects of climate change with less snow and ice,” said Dr. Denise Keele, executive director at Michigan Climate Action Network. “He’s out to protect dirty fossil fuel companies instead of working to protect the U.P.’s beautiful natural resources. We have a basic responsibility to leave a better world for future generations and protect their livelihoods, and that’s possible by increasing our use of clean energy through solar and wind.”
It’s premature to assume the U.P. cannot meet our state’s clean energy goals by the targets laid out in the law more than a decade away, according to the coalition. Advances in technology and renewable energy are rapidly reducing costs and creating new opportunities for good-paying jobs.
“Michiganders face the highest electricity rates and the poorest utility services in the Midwest — with many in the U.P. experiencing the highest rates in the state,” said Nick Occhipinti, state government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Transitioning to 60% clean energy by 2035 is essential for reducing utility bills, local pollution and mitigating climate disruption on this beautiful peninsula.”
“The U.P. deserves equal opportunities to benefit from the shift to clean energy,” said Charles Griffith, climate and energy director at the Ecology Center. “Generating clean energy will create new, good-paying jobs and reduce pollution — protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. We cannot afford to delay implementing the clean energy standard rate in the U.P., and Rep. Bohnak’s legislation would obstruct our progress.”
Other organizations that oppose Bohnak’s legislation include:
The Ecology Center Healthy Stuff Lab is helping get toxic chemicals out of our everyday environments because everyone deserves healthy stuff and a healthy environment.
The Ecology Center's Healthy Stuff Lab's stance is simple: Toxic chemicals have no place in our everyday products or our natural environment. To that aim, our science-based advocacy is having rippling effects on non-toxic policies across the country and in the marketplace.
Thanks to our Healthy Stuff Lab team, more brands are ditching PFAS in favor of non-toxic alternatives in pots, pans, and baking dishes. The Ecology Center's 2020 report "What's Cooking?" revealed undisclosed PFAS coatings in cookware. Nearly 80% of cookware and 20% of bakeware we tested had a PTFE coating, which is a type of PFAS. Moreover, our Ecology Center researchers found it was common to see PTFE-coated pans labeled PFOA-free. This labeling can be misleading because shoppers may assume 'PFOA-free' means 'PFAS-free.'
California legislators, after being made aware of the study findings, created a requirement for manufacturers to disclose the presence of PFAS in cookware. The resulting law helps prohibit misleading claims. Since the passage of California's Safer Food Packaging and Cookware Act of 2021, several other states have enacted laws to restrict the use of PFAS in cookware and other consumer products.
This set in motion a response by American manufacturers and retailers to curtail PFAS use in cooking and baking items. Minnesota-based Nordic Ware, the company that gave us the bundt cake pan in 1950, introduced a line of non-coated cookware in 2022. Target has set a goal to "remove intentionally added per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) from owned brand products" by 2025, including cookware.
If it's not safe enough for the birds, it's not safe enough for you.
When used properly, a quality stainless steel pan has better non-stick performance than any disposable coated pan. I'm not an expert on whether or not coated cookware is safe for you, but I know there is zero reason to take the risk when there is a proven and safer alternative to do the same task without the risk. Don't believe me? Ask any bird owner why they don't use coated cookware in their home. Funny story: a few years ago, we discovered that one of our best-used search terms was from bird owners seeking "bird-safe cookware!" - Bryan Hurley, Founder CEO Americraft and 360 Cookware
These victories and our mission to phase out nonessential uses of PFAS are part of a more significant movement away from PFAS worldwide. For example, Swedish giant IKEA announced the launch of new cookware with a non-PTFE, silica-based non-stick coating. The introduction of these products is part of the company's larger goal to phase out PFAS chemicals by 2026 from all cook and bakeware.
The influence of the Ecology Center's PFAS in pans report shows how a little lab in the Midwest can inspire policy and industry change across the country– helping to keep hazardous chemicals out of the kitchen and off your plate.
However, there is still much to do to work towards healthy people and a healthy planet. Michigan has an opportunity to protect communities from harmful PFAS exposure by passing HB5657: The Hazardous Products Act. The Hazardous Products Act would go a long way toward turning off the tap on PFAS.
By Crystal Zanders, More Life, Less Stuff Freelance Writer
I remember the first time my mom took me and my brother “black Friday” shopping. I was about 8. We were the only folks in line at the Sears tire department. I guess my mom was giving us the gift of safe driving. Child-me was not impressed. Adult-me thinks that would be a wonderful gift (just in case anyone in my family is reading!)
Crystal Zanders writes for the More Life, Less Stuff Campaign. She is a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan.
I love the holidays. I love the fact that it is one of the few times in the year we actively encourage one another to be kind. That kindness is expressed in our seasons’ greetings, gifts and gatherings with friends and family.
Over the last few decades, gifting has changed. Sometimes it feels less about community and more about commerce. How do we move beyond buying stuff for stuff’s sake? Beyond making sure we have enough packages to fit the tree? Beyond buying things because “they are on sale”?
One option could be focusing on needs rather than wants. When I was a kid, our Christmas gifts every year contained all of the winter clothes my mother would have bought anyway. She still buys us socks! Kids grow so quickly, they need clothes each year. As an adult, my needs are different. This year, my dad has been paying for my dog’s arthritis shots.
Sidebar: If you are looking for some clothing for holiday gifts, check out the House By the Side of the Road that we interviewed for the Less clothes story. Kids need clothes that fit; they don’t have to be new.
So, as you are preparing presents for the folks on your list, it might be best to start with needs. Are there needs that they have that you could meet or help meet? The best way to find out what somebody needs is to ask them.
Another way to have a Less Stuff Holiday is to focus on experiences rather than items. A few years ago, for my birthday, I gave myself season tickets to the theater, so that I could see Hamilton and all the Broadway shows. Researchsuggests that people often get more happiness from experiences than from items.
You could take a loved one on a weekend trip. A few years ago, one of my friends took her kids skiing for the first time as their big Christmas gift. They loved it.
Another option would be to focus on service rather than stuff. Service can be directly for the loved one. Many folks would prefer to receive simple things like a house cleaning or a car detailing or a free night of babysitting to another unnecessary item.
You could also gift community service. Wouldn’t it be cool to volunteer or donate goods or cash to their favorite charities and/or community organizations?
We sat down with Robert Kellar, Ann Arbor City Communications Specialist and talked about a Less Stuff Holiday.
Robert Kellar, City of Ann Arbor Communications Specialist, shared his perspective as a foster parent on what matters most over the holiday season.
What does the holiday season mean for you, and how has its significance changed over time?
For many people, when you're younger, the holiday season means objects. It means things.
As I got older and started to understand the holidays, I never remembered the things I played with or got. Instead, I remembered what the holidays felt like and the experiences of having people visit, of Christmas lights, and of family gathering around food.
My family always had big Thanksgiving gatherings. So it was always just a lot of noise. And as nieces and nephews came along later, it was also about having kids run around. And so even now, to this day, the discussion we have in my house around Thanksgiving and then Christmas is, "Okay, how many people can we fit?" Last year, we had 14 people in our little itty bitty house that was not designed for that many people, but it was great. And now I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
I remember the most impactful Christmas, the year my step dad bought us ski equipment, and we learned how to ski. Granted, there's definitely stuff involved in that, but the experience is what I remember. So now, the holiday season for me means helping my kids make positive memories. I try to understand and approach the holidays from a child's perspective. Though my son's the same as other kids - focused on stuff - they're going to remember the people and the experiences, not the gifts.
How has being a foster parent altered the way you approach the holiday season?
My partner and I have had four foster kiddos, and we're adopting our son now and it feels like a double-edged sword. What you realize is that many foster kids don't grow up with a lot at all, but more importantly, they often grow up without having good experiences and without that constant love and feeling of family. Often, people automatically think of the holidays as a joyful time. Well, in some households, it's not. In fact, my house actually gets pretty dark between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We lost my mother-in-law the first week of December, a few years ago, to ovarian cancer, and Christmas time is tough for our son, who went through a lot of trauma during his first 10 years of life. And so it's different. It's not always what you think it is. Again, it's about, you know, providing that experience of safety, love and care. Most kids aren't going to care that they got a brand-new pair of shoes. However, in some cases, this is important because some may not have shoes at all. It's important to remember while we fly to our friends and family with gifts they may or may not need or even want, there are a lot of kids out there who have nothing and are looking for that feeling like "I'm not going anywhere, I'm safe, I'm loved."
What does a less-stuff holiday look like to you, and why might it be worth embracing?
I embrace a 'less-stuff' holiday because my partner and I are very fortunate to be in a position that our child doesn't need for things. So the idea of getting him stuff that he's already got and will somehow be superfluous strikes us as wrong. Instead, every year, we adopt a family or multiple families. And embracing a 'less-stuff' holiday is not about guilt or anything. It's not about necessarily not getting anything. Instead of buying stuff for the people who already have so much, we can use that to give the people with little.
Doing so gives us experiences and something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives, like" Oh, remember that holiday where we helped give that family what they needed?" The feeling in our house has been over the years is that the stuff, and I can't speak to everyone, but it never fills the hole and is just a reminder that it never will. Buying things and having them lying around might create dopamine for about five minutes. And then, especially kids from traumatic backgrounds, foster kids are just left with this feeling like "it's not enough" because it never will be.
That's why building experiences and memories is meaningful; they will hold on to them. You know, memories can't break. They can't run out of batteries. They're always there, and they can always give you strength or something you can draw.
Do you want to share any service opportunities that you know of?
There are foster families who need time, which could mean volunteering to babysit. For foster families that are under a lot of stress, two hours of relief from caregiving is so important. To give this gift is more complicated than it sounds. You must go through a process to get cleared to be an alternate caregiver. However, it's a huge help to foster families. Fortunately, most of us have friends who can become an alternative caregiver.
You should find those people in your life who may be struggling and give them some of the time they need for themselves. We've heard it said so many times from foster families that time to themselves is an immense gift - for a mom to say, "I had an hour to myself and so I took a bath and relaxed," or for foster dads to be able to say, "I was able to go fishing by myself and get my mind off of things for a bit."
There are tons of opportunities for you to open your wallet and give in that way. That's fine, and that can be very, very helpful. But there are many opportunities to explore giving of your time, especially for younger people who may not have families yet. Like, think about it. Think about your free time and what it would mean to treat that as a gift to somebody else. You couldn't even put a price on it. When my partner and I were at the worst times, if someone could have come in and said, "Hey, I'll be here for two hours to help," we would've been so relieved. That time would've been worth more than a pound of gold.
Gift-Giving Ideas for a Less Stuff Holiday:
Volunteer your time at a food pantry or go through the process to become an alternative caregiver for foster parents like Robert.
Cookies! Trust me, I have done this before. Bring cookies for the folks you work with and you become a (temporary) hero.
Pay a bill, any bill. I would much rather someone pay my electricity bill than buy me yet another sweater.
Tickets (or season tickets) to a sporting event, perhaps at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
Memberships at a zoo or museum or aquarium. I love these because they allow you to gift to the person but also to support the zoo, museum, or aquarium.
Tickets to a play or comedy show or speaker event.
Subscriptions. A few years ago, I received a subscription to OnStar, to help keep me safe while driving. Perhaps a music service for the audiophiles in your life, maybe a streaming service for the movie buffs.
Gift cards to grocery stores. We all eat, and eating is not free.
For kids, tickets to a park: a water park, a trampoline park, a theme park, an adventure park. A few years ago, my mom got an autistic toddler in our family a membership to a sensory friendly, inclusive play space.
At the end of the day, the holidays are about showing the folks in our lives that we appreciate them. About kindness and love. About families– bio and chosen, traditions, and memories. About celebrating ourselves and each other. That is what matters, not the stack of stuff.
We wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Modernizing Michigan’s mobility would make lasting impact for years to come in transit, rail, other mobility projects
LANSING – A diverse group of environmental advocacy and community organizations is urging the Michigan Legislature to modernize Michigan’s mobility and fund the state’s full transportation system, including strengthening bus systems, enhancing mobility options and expanding train services to better connect more Michigan communities.
The group is also calling on the Legislature to pass a package of bills aimed at reforming the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund to ensure it funds transformational transit options for Michiganders.
The current SOAR Fund does not have any revenue sources beyond 2025. The proposed package of legislation would provide an annual $600 million appropriation for the fund through the 2034-35 fiscal years, including $200 million annually to fund public transit and public development projects through the Michigan Mobility Trust Fund.
This push for prioritizing full public transit funding comes days after Michigan Republicans proposed a $2.7 billion road funding plan and Michigan Democrats introduced House Bill 6213, which would designate revenue generated by the Corporate Income Tax to the Michigan Transportation Fund.
However, the coalition emphasizes that any legislation passed to support road infrastructure must continue the longstanding practice of including funding for full public transportation.
“Public transit is essential to Michigan residents including working families, seniors, students and others who depend on public transportation to get where they need to go,” said Ross Gavin, policy director of urban land use, water infrastructure, and transportation for the Michigan Environmental Council. “In the waning days of the legislative session, our lawmakers must ensure that public transit is funded to help Michiganders get to where they need to go now and long into the future.”
“Driving shouldn’t determine destiny, even here in the Motor City,” said Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United (TRU). “As we give thanks for the opportunities and independence Michigan’s public transit provides, we implore our legislators to invest in the transit so many of us depend on.”
“After decades of disinvestment in public transit, this legislation is Michigan’s best and biggest opportunity to turn things around and transform our communities,” said Alexis Blizman, legislative and policy director for the Ecology Center. “This bill package would create jobs, increase access to the places that make Michigan great and help Michiganders reach the services they need in their everyday lives. We urge the Michigan Legislature to pass this important piece of legislation.”
“Investing in public transportation would spur Michigan’s economic growth and retain our state’s talented workers,” said Dr. Denise Keele, executive director of the Michigan Climate Action Network. “It would also cut down on tailpipe emissions, keeping our air cleaner to breathe and helping us meet our climate goals. It is essential that the Michigan Legislature makes public transit a priority. The time is now.”
“Investing in modern trains and bus service is not just about moving people; it’s about moving Michigan forward. Transit attracts businesses, retains talent and revitalizes communities, making our state a destination for opportunity and innovation,” said Carolyn Ulstad, transportation program manager at Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.
The following groups also expressed support for modernizing Michigan’s mobility:
Environmental groups push for enforceable protections for ratepayers, climate progress and freshwater resources
LANSING – A diverse group of environmental advocacy organizations is urging the Michigan Senate to add enforceable protections to House Bill 4906, the legislation that would provide tax breaks for data centers. The Michigan House passed the bill on Nov. 13, and it is now under review by the Senate.
Advocates are concerned power-hungry data centers will undermine Michigan’s climate plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040, aiming to protect Michigan’s air, land and water for future generations.
In addition, without specific protections for ratepayers included in the legislation, rates could possibly spike due to an increased demand for electricity or water.
“Without guardrails, data centers are a threat to climate progress. With guardrails, data centers can drive climate progress,” said Tim Minotas, deputy legislative and political director at Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Data centers can have significant impacts on our environment and public health – including water use, energy use, land use and noise – especially if back-up diesel generators are employed. We must prioritize protecting our water, air, and ratepayers while encouraging economic development in our state.”
“We cannot allow out-of-state corporations to write their own tax break legislation full of loopholes that allow them to exploit our resources and push their costs off onto the public in the form of higher water and electric rates,” said Dr. Denise Keele,executive director of the Michigan Climate Action Network. “These companies want Michiganders to pay for their enormous water and energy use and infrastructure, and the Legislature must require these rich corporations to pay their own costs, rather than pass them off onto everyday Michiganders.”
“We must not take corporate promises on faith. The Michigan Senate must require that these big companies deliver value to people in our state,” said Abby Clark,Midwest campaign managerat NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Failure to set enforceable, high standards now will inevitably lead to long-term data center issues in Michigan. Now is our opportunity to lead once again on strong clean energy, freshwater and climate policy while investing in Michigan’s future, and we must use it.”
“While providing tax incentives to build out data centers in Michigan may provide good paying jobs, data centers also use tremendously large amounts of energy and water," said Dr. Lisa DelBuono, MD, board chair and founder of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “If we wish to protect the health of Michigan residents, it is essential to link any incentives to build out data centers with appropriate guardrails that ensures healthy, breathable air, affordable clean energy and clean water, and a livable planet.”
“Michigan’s future demands that we balance economic development with environmental responsibility," said Ashley Rudzinski, climate and environment program director for the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. "Data centers have the potential to contribute to local economies, but only if we proactively implement strong standards to protect our water, air and energy resources. Without these safeguards, we risk burdening communities with higher costs and environmental degradation while these megacorporations reap the rewards.”
“We know that data centers use enormous amounts of water and electricity, which can create new challenges for our utilities as well as impacts on air, water and land. Michiganders need the forward-thinking of our legislators to ensure that the big tech corporations who profit the most from these centers are held accountable," said Charles Griffith, climate & energy director for the Ecology Center. “Any new incentives must include, at a minimum, a requirement to power the data centers with 100% clean energy, consistent with Michigan’s new Clean Energy legislation, along with provisions to prevent these data companies from passing the costs of this new energy on to ratepayers."
The following group also expressed support for updating the legislation:
