For Friday, Aug. 23, 2024

1 – A Great Lakes-focused microplastic action network is on the way. 

A team led by Wayne State University is receiving about $1.2 million from the Great Lakes Protection Fund to create a Library for identifying microplastics in the environment using AI tools. 

The Library is meant to empower communities to identify local pollution sources and clean up microplastic pollution. 

The Library will analyze microplastics to infer the likely source, fate and transport of samples. Actions this could help spur include filtering microplastics from wastewater. 

Pilot communities in Michigan, Ohio and New York will conduct testing. 

Plans are for the effort to grow to more than 200 communities in the Great Lakes basin, keeping more microplastics out of the environment. 

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2 – The Alliance for the Great Lakes is looking for activists. 

The environmental group is known for its Adopt-a-Beach cleanups and other efforts. 

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Alliance, there’s a webinar at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29. 

The alliance’s volunteer engagement coordinator will dive into ways to get involved, including participating in beach cleanups, advocating for policy changes, building awareness in your community and more.

Pre-registration is required. 

More information about the group is online at GreatLakes.org. 

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3 – The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association also is training people on how to drive renewable energy in their communities. 

Along with officials from Michigan’s environmental agency, the association will review its MI Solar Communities Guidebook at an 11 a.m. webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 28. 

The goal of the guidebook is to help local governments, organizations and individuals learn more about renewable energy, with an emphasis on solar, and provide resources to support deployment. 

The guidebook notes that federal and state policies have helped solar become more widespread and affordable in Michigan.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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