700+ leaders are in Lansing to discuss climate resilience

Kate Holloway
·1 min read

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — It’s the capital of the Great Lakes state, and this Thursday and Friday Lansing is the spot for more than 700 people who are gathering to talk about climate action.

At the 2024 MI Healthy Climate Conference, local, state, federal and tribal governments as well as universities, nonprofits, community groups and businesses are converging on this year’s theme, “Accelerating Action.”

Lake Michigan shoreline in Ottawa County, Mich., is shown on Feb. 1, 2022. Despite its closeness to the lake, the county has areas where household and business wells are running short of water. That’s because the aquifer beneath the county has dropped significantly in recent decades and it has no connection to the lake. Experts say Ottawa County is a cautionary tale for the state of Michigan, which is trying to leverage its water abundance to build a “blue economy” as climate change brings more drought and depleted aquifers to much of the U.S. (AP Photo/John Flesher)

Speakers are sharing stories and other information related to the six priority areas:

  • Committing to environmental justice and a just transition

  • Cleaning the grid

  • Electrifying vehicles and increasing public transit

  • Repairing and decarbonizing homes and businesses

  • Driving clean innovation in industry

  • Protecting Michigan’s land and water

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is hosting the conference. It’s continuing on this Friday, May 17, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Lansing Center. Registration fees and information are available on the website.

The Lansing Center is at 333 East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

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