Read the latest edition of our bi-weekly roundup of headlines that have caught our eye. 
Happy Halloween to all of our readers and stay warm!
What to do about our unquenchable thirst for water Recently, author Robert Glennon spoke at Michigan State University about his book on our national water crisis. This article provides a summary of his talk and an audio clip of an interview. Glennon advocates for water conservation as growing demands tax available supplies. The author also speaks to the connection between water and energy. Immense amounts of water are used in energy production so, when you turn off that light when you leave the room you are not only saving energy, you are saving water.
Dingell Celebrates 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act Congressman John D. Dingell, Laura Rubin and Elizabeth Riggs of HRWC fame, along with others, met on the bank of the Huron River recently to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. This landmark legislation has facilitated the clean up and protection of rivers, lakes and wetlands. Sadly, there are constant threats to the integrity of the legislation. To learn of the latest attack read Kris Olsson’s recent post.
Photo Slideshow: Vintage Collection, Before Clean Water Act Take a trip back to the early 1970’s and catch a glimpse of our nation’s waterways documented in photographs. As the Clean Water Act turns 40 it is good to reflect on our successes and consider how much work we have yet to do.
Commentary: The renewable energy amendment On the ballot next week you will be asked to vote on a renewable energy proposal (Proposal 3). Here is an op/ed piece on Michigan Radio that provides a look at the issue. The Michigan Radio website has a lot of good information on all of this year’s ballot proposals. We believe there are significant environmental benefits to diversifying our state’s sources of energy.
Scientists look at climate change, the superstorm. Can climate change be to blame for Sandy which had impacts that reached us even here in the Midwest the past couple of days? Yes and no. Individual storm events cannot be linked directly to our changing climate but there are a few changes we are experiencing such as higher sea levels and warmer ocean waters that do influence the severity of the storm and its impacts.