For Friday, Nov. 13, 2023
1 – The state is launching an effort to help conserve declining lake whitefish populations in the Great Lakes.
This November, crews from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will collect whitefish eggs from Lake Michigan between South Haven and Muskegon.
The fertilized eggs will be taken to a hatchery in Van Buren County, with plans to raise fish that could eventually be used for stocking in Lake Michigan and other waters.
Lake whitefish have declined in lakes Michigan and Huron, where invasive quagga mussels and other environmental factors have disrupted the food web.
The project is intended to help native whitefish populations by preserving the genetic diversity of the species. It’s supported by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust and a $350,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2027.
2 – The data centers used to power AI need lots of electricity and water.
But environmental groups also are using AI.
Reuters reports that more than a dozen major environmental, conservation and other organizations are using the technology to help track wildfires, count endangered wildlife and analyze climate data.
The International Energy Agency projects global data-center water consumption could more than double by 2030, increasing by almost 170 billion gallons annually.
Environmental groups told Reuters the challenge is balancing environmental costs against AI’s potential to help protect natural resources.
…
3- Could underwater data centers eventually come to the Great Lakes?
The Guardian reports that the Trump administration is considering four underwater data-center proposals off the coasts of Maine and Alaska. That has prompted at least one environmental group to prepare for the possibility here.
The Ohio-based Lake Erie Foundation says it has concerns about heat, potential leaks and other effects if underwater data centers are ever proposed for Lake Erie. The nonprofit is calling for Great Lakes states to establish safeguards before proposals arrive.
No underwater data center is currently proposed for Lake Erie or elsewhere in the Great Lakes.
Earlier this year, following extensive public opposition and advocacy by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency withdrew a proposed statewide wastewater permit for data centers.
– Mr. Great Lakes was on a recent episode of the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast. Listen at teachgreatlakes.transistor.fm/129.
– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM WUCX in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter or Bluesky #MrGreatLakes
