Let’s talk some trash! The 3rd annual Trash Talk Tour is right around the corner, and we’re going to find out how much fun there is in learning about how we deal with waste in Ann Arbor. The Trash Talk Tour is the brainchild of Dan Ezekiel. He is a retired science teacher, a local environmentalist and former chair of the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club. He joined WEMU's David Fair to fill us on how the family-friendly event educates us about the circular economy and how to live a zero-waste lifestyle.

Ann Arbor Township residents are concerned a mining operation is drying up their water wells. There is evidence to support those concerns, and some are frustrated with the gravel mining company that has already been found in violation of some state regulations and local ordinances. WEMU's David Fair gets the latest in a conversation with grassroots organizer and township resident, Amy Olszewski.

Environmental stewardship is certainly important now. With a changing climate, growing population and greater need for adaptation, it will only become more important. That’s why educating today’s K-12 students is vitally important. The Ann Arbor Public School District has its Environmental Education program, and it’s not only teaching in-class, it provides hands-on experience in nature. The program has been growing and will touch even more students this year. Find out more in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Environmental Education teacher Coert Ambrosino.

Residential rain gardens may seem like a small component of environmental sustainability. We’re learning just how big of an impact they make in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. A brand new, interactive mapping tool shows where many of the residential rain gardens are and the amount of stormwater they collectively capture. Learn more in this conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Susan Bryan, the Rain Garden Coordinator for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office.

Some areas of Washtenaw County received nearly five inches of rain in a short, three-hour period on Wednesday, August 23rd. The aftermath is still being assessed and addressed. In some areas, it could take months. Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner Evan Pratt joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss storm response and what was learned.

When Ann Arbor City Council next meets, it is expected to pass an ordinance that will require home sellers to acquire an energy score report from a qualified assessor before listing the property for sale. Tom Renkert is Chief Executive Officer of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, and while the organization fully supports the city's A2Zero carbon neutrality goals, it doesn't believe this ordinance should be a part of the plan. He joined WEMU’s David Fair to explain why.

The number of cases of Lyme disease cases locally is on the rise. Washtenaw County epidemiologist Laura Bauman joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest information and advice on how to best protect yourself.

To achieve environmental and sustainability goals, it's going to take contributions from everyone. The city of Ann Arbor has contracted with zerowaste.org to educate and engage the public in a variety of ways, including a 'neighborhood swap' program. Zerowaste.org executive director, Samuel McMullen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the effort and its intended impacts.

To achieve environmental and sustainability goals, it's going to take contributions from everyone. The city of Ann Arbor has contracted with zerowaste.org to educate and engage the public in a variety of ways, including a 'neighborhood swap' program. Zerowaste.org executive director, Samuel McMullen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the effort and its intended impacts.

The number of people camping has exploded since the onset of the pandemic. And, there are numerous benefits to getting out in nature. However, sleeping in your tent isn’t one of them. Tents are covered with cancer-causing, fire-retardant chemicals. Ann Arbor Democrat Jeff Irwin has successfully pushed a measure through the Michigan Senate to make it legal to sell tents without that toxic coating. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss that issue and the ongoing fight to get a better legislative handle on more of the chemicals that pollute the environment and impact public health.

The number of people camping has exploded since the onset of the pandemic. And, there are numerous benefits to getting out in nature. However, sleeping in your tent isn’t one of them. Tents are covered with cancer-causing, fire-retardant chemicals. Ann Arbor Democrat Jeff Irwin has successfully pushed a measure through the Michigan Senate to make it legal to sell tents without that toxic coating. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss that issue and the ongoing fight to get a better legislative handle on more of the chemicals that pollute the environment and impact public health.

Ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, continue to grow in popularity. That is particularly true in college towns and urban centers like Ann Arbor. Imagine a ridesharing fleet that was entirely electric, and we can imagine tremendous environmental benefit. According to a new study by the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University, there are environmental benefits. There is also likely to be an increase in some existing pollution and public health issues. WEMU's David Fair talked with U-M Assistant Professor Parth Vaishnav about the real world application and implications of the new data.