The groups, which are springing up across the country, allow people to talk through their emotions around environmental change.
From left, Andre Hirschler, Rosie Mae Turner and Sophia Powless at a climate cafe at Jonathan Kirsch’s apartment in Brooklyn in January.Credit...Roshni Khatri for The New York Times
With generous support from the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, MiCAN mentors sets of three local storytellers through the Climate Influencer Cohort to become messengers creating climate, culture, and decarbonization content.
Young BIPOC Michiganders are undeniably the group most affected by climate change, yet historically have been left out of the conversation. We're passing the mic to diverse (racial, geographic, economic, etc.) youth (aged 18-25) whose voices will resonate with Millennial, Gen Z, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA2S+ followers, to do our part in changing the face of the climate movement to center the most marginalized.
Participants in the 12-week, paid program gain close guidance from MiCAN staff, exposure to other members of Michigan's environmental justice movement, and climate communications experience and credibility, all while helping MiCAN reach new audiences by cultivating dialogue within their own communities, informing their peers in Michigan how they can become more climate resilient.
May - August 2024 Cohort
Mia Breznau
Mia is a dedicated climate activist from the Kalamazoo area with a lifelong passion for Nature. Despite her age, she is a prominent leader in Michigan’s climate advocacy community and has played a pivotal role in advancing climate literacy legislation and passing Michigan’s recent Clean Energy Plan—you may recognize her as MiCAN’s 2023 Youth Climate Leader of the Year!
Outside of the Climate Influencers Program, Mia is a co-founder of National Youth for the Climate Emergency (NYCE) and this past year a Senior Leader of SW Michigan’s most prestigious youth activism group, the Ardea Youth Climate Coalition.
Though her activism work focuses mainly on climate education, clean energy, conservation, and regenerative agriculture, her core mission is to help foster connections between her peers and Nature and empower others to recognize the power of their voices in the fight for a sustainable future. She is excited to share her passions with a new audience and inspire others to action as one of MiCAN’s new Climate Influencers!
Madi Burt
Madi is a vegan, community activist, and local creative. They are the manager of Metro Detroit’s first zero waste store, Walking Lightly, where they’re able to share resources and be present for the community through the collective effort to reduce waste and keep single-use plastics out of the waste stream. Their work doesn’t exclusively focus on personal consumption choices; Madi and the small-but-mighty Walking Lightly crew organize community outreach events like trash cleanups and educational workshops. Madi believes strongly in the power of individual choices and the change that follows those actions.
Outside of the local refill shop, Madi is pursuing their BFA in Acting at Wayne State University. On and off the stage, she hopes to make a positive impact. Madi loves exploring the intersection they’ve found between sustainability and creativity. Upcycling, altering, and making clothes from secondhand fabrics for herself and others. Making candles in repurposed vessels. If it’s creatively fulfilling and good for the environment, you can bet Madi has dabbled. Madi hopes this incredible opportunity with MiCAN will help her expand their skill set to better share, support, and connect with others about climate justice and beyond.
Angel Linear
Angel Linear, a dedicated Environmental Science student hailing from the bustling urban landscape of Detroit, is driven by a profound curiosity about the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the forces shaping our natural world. This passion has led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Physics.
Alongside her academic pursuits, Angel actively engages in informing communities about climate change, natural disaster preparedness, and resilience. Through hands-on fieldwork, impactful research projects, and community initiatives, she advocates for sustainability, conservation, and the mitigation of climate change-related challenges. With a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, Angel aspires to make meaningful contributions toward a healthier planet for generations to come.
January - March 2024 Cohort
Mickkayla Callahan
Mickkayla is a passionate climate activist with an education in digital marketing. She has found that her marketing interests and education can make a significant impact on climate change. Weekly, she uses graphics, literature, and other visual aids to spread awareness of climate change and encourage others to take action, via her climate action council and personal endeavors. Mickkayla is a Steering Committee member of White Lake Area Climate Action Council (WLACAC) and does most of her climate work with the council. With WLACAC since its inception, she has helped it successfully encourage climate declarations, host climate scientist education series, give back to the community, and more. The council's goal is to reach net zero by 2040. Mickkayla believes her work with MICAN will enable her to use and enhance her marketing skills to guide herself and others toward net zero.
Kam Gardner
As a Community Engagement Program Manager specializing in recycling, Kam merges her passion for digital climate communications with a focus on fostering sustainable lifestyles. In her role, she intertwines her enthusiasm for recycling with a love for fashion and art to advocate for a circular economy, transforming the perception of "trash." She has a passion for educating youth through recognizable items, particularly in fashion, which allows her to present sustainability in a fresh perspective! Kam earned a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Michigan State University, and is dedicated to enhancing Detroit's environmental health. She looks for ways to support sustainable initiatives that align with her commitment to the city's well-being. Creatively expressing herself through painting, drawing, and upcycling clothing, Kam believes in preserving nature's beauty for future generations, urging conscious steps to protect our environment.
Lyla Hollis
Lyla is passionate about digital climate communications because she loves using her photography to capture and share nature around her. Not only does photography exemplify the beauty of our planet, but also the importance of maintaining and protecting Earth’s many ecosystems. With social media being so prevalent in today’s society, it is important that there is a message behind each media post. Working with MiCAN allows Lyla to inform her platforms of the various ways they can positively impact their Michigan community, while exhibiting her own creative pieces to provide motivation. Lyla's goal during her time as a climate influencer is to showcase the beauty of Michigan through social media, while encouraging change and perseverance for a better future.
This community space gives you the ability to connect, share, and engage directly with other MiCAN members. Whether it’s posting updates, sharing photos, or creating polls, this community brings everyone together in an interactive space designed to grow our movement.
MiCAN and the University of Michigan are partnering to launch the Community Climate Action Fellowship—a first-of-its-kind program connecting students with grassroots climate action across Michigan. This program provides students with meaningful, hands-on experience while strengthening local organizations on the frontlines of climate justice and resilience. Together, we’re bridging the gap left by programs like the Climate Corps and creating new pathways for the next generation of climate leaders.
MiCAN Steering Committee
MiCAN's grassroots steering committee offers a microcosm of MiCAN membership meant to promote collaboration, connection, and shared investments of time, energy, and resources to build power for the climate movement overall. Steering committee members' expectations for insight, direction, and contributions to MiCAN's operating model and grassroots mobilization objectives are outlined in the position description adopted in August 2023. See our current steering committee member organizations >
Climate Culture Club
MiCAN dedicates a portion of our digital space for climate activists to connect in community, find joy, and process their emotions of living through the converging crises of our time. MiCAN aims to host regular events (like climate cafés and book discussions) as well as offer recommendations and resources to anyone interested in climate change, regardless of their experience or expertise. Contact Digital Community Manager Serena Amdur to get involved.
Climate Education Action Team
Primarily focused on informal educators and K-12, the Climate Education Action Team strives to support Michigan educators in delivering the highest quality interdisciplinary climate change education to develop informed and engaged citizens.
Higher Education for Climate Action in Michigan
Higher Education for Climate Action in Michigan (HECAM) connects higher ed faculty and students toward a shared goal of building the muscle for collaboration across colleges and universities, leveraging institutions' power to contribute to campus actions and statewide climate planning, and preparing students for a 21st century climate-literate workforce through development of a multifaceted climate change curriculum. If you are involved at the university level, contact us to join this community.
MiCAN is a collaborative network of more than 150 groups and 40,000+ individuals committed to taking action on climate in Michigan. MiCAN plays an important role as the statewide climate hub in forging connections between our members and coalition partners, encouraging climate conversation and awareness across local communities, and mobilizing Michigan's movement.
Take our membership survey: Current MiCAN member groups, we invite you to participate in our annual member group survey! This is a unique opportunity for you to share your experiences, insights, and suggestions on how we can best work together to address climate change in Michigan.
Cass Technical High School students called for climate action on Monday, Feb. 19., at a rally at downtown Detroit’s Capital Park organized by the Sunrise Movement, a national organization composed of young people demanding solutions to the climate crisis. Photo by Quinn Banks.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan is set to build dozens of electric vehicle charging stations across the state, several of which will be in West Michigan.
Nearly $23 million from the federal government is supporting the construction of 41 charging stations. They will be built right off major highways so drivers can make long trips without worrying about running out of power.
The documentary titled 'Troubled Water' premieres in February at Grand Valley State University's Downtown Grand Rapids campus.
Written by Erik Howard on January 31, 2024.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Filmmakers and Great Lake enthusiasts William Wright, Davis Huber and Chris Yahanda grew up in Indiana, often traveling to the lakeshore to do just about everything.
Colleen Otte is no grizzled, veteran climate activist, but even in her few years in the movement, she's seen how far Michigan has come.
Otte is the communications manager for the Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN). When MiCAN formed in 2015, she said climate change was something not often talked about. That made solutions like carbon neutrality unattainable.
By 2040, Michigan will have 100% clean energy, major energy efficiency upgrades, and better long-term planning by utility companies, made possible by thousands of workers in new jobs.
All of this happened despite well-funded, well-connected special interest groups who tried to water down a truly ambitious and just clean energy transition.
"We kind of say that our movement is not yet at fighting weight, because we know that this is not a fair fight to begin with, really," said Otte.
What made this historic climate moment happen, then, despite the odds? Michigan had the public support, the research, experts, and activists. It was just a matter of coming together.
Michigan Climate Action Network, together with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, is seeking a legal appeal of the Michigan Public Service Commission's decision to allow the building of a tunnel to house the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.
Enbridge Energy extracted samples from 27 holes drilled on shore, in shallow, and at the deepest segments of the Straits of Mackinac, capping Enbridge's $40 million investment in 2019 in preliminary work for a tunnel to house the Line 5 oil pipeline. Photo by Enbridge EnergyRead more
“The last thing we need to be doing is building new fossil fuel infrastructure like a new pipeline under the Straits and locking in more reliance on oil”
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has granted Canadian oil giant Enbridge a permit to replace the existing Line 5 dual oil pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac with an untested underground pipeline tunnel.
MiCAN is thrilled to showcase this year's Michigan Climate Champion Award winners, thanks to generous support from the Colina Foundation. The awards, based off of community nominations, honor the dedicated professionals, activists, and young people doing the hard work of moving Michigan toward a just and sustainable future. For our 2023 edition we elected the theme "Ending the Era of Fossil Fuels" – the first, most logical step in addressing the climate crisis. We applaud the efforts of these dedicated individuals to address the source of the crisis in our state (and beyond) head-on!
Climate Champion Award
Recognizes a professional working for an organization, a municipality, or business in Michigan
Congratulations, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel!
We are honored to announce our professional championing undeniably exceptional work for communities across the Great Lakes State, Attorney General Dana Nessel. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School, and former criminal prosecutor and civil rights attorney, Nessel was sworn in as Michigan’s 54th Attorney General on January 1, 2019. In the years since, her core initiatives have been fashioned in the image of her promise to Michigan’s residents: to give the Department of Attorney General back to the people that it serves.
Perhaps nowhere has this been more apparent than in her efforts to hold Enbridge Energy Co. accountable, and debunk its claims that better alternatives to the Line 5 pipelines are not already available — specifically, in providing a voice for Michigan's people through her brief in support of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in its lawsuit against the oil giant. Nessel has also protected residents’ interests by saving ratepayers more than $2.4 billion in unfair utility rate increases, bringing relief through litigation to communities impacted by PFAS “forever chemicals,” and reviving the department’s environmental crimes unit to make full use of its criminal prosecuting authority in defense of the State’s natural resources.
Learn more about AG Nessel and the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s ongoing work online at Michigan.gov/AG.
Climate Action Award
Recognizes a person doing exceptional work as a volunteer on behalf of an organization(s)
Congratulations, Stephanie Johnson!
Stephanie, a Detroiter, became aware of energy inequalities in 2016 when she went into collections because of a DTE bill after losing her job. Fast forward to a few years later, and she was a dedicated activist in Soulardarity's "Work for Me DTE" campaign promoting affordability, health, community ownership, and good jobs through local clean energy. Stephanie's commitment to bringing solutions to those affected and advocating for their voices in influential spaces has been unwavering, as she has courageously lent her own personal narrative as official testimony in legal interventions with the Michigan Public Service Commission and more. Her contributions were instrumental in challenging DTE's extractive Prepay Program and Rate Hike proposals, leading to significant victories for ratepayers.
During her tenure as a fellow for the Soulardarity Community Organizing Collaborative (SCOC), Stephanie's efforts in community outreach for the Communities LEAP initiative, a collaboration with the Department of Energy granted to the city, played a pivotal role in securing invaluable technical assistance for Highland Park, which will be crucial in steering the community towards a sustainable, renewable energy future. Last but not least, Stephanie is actively building local energy resiliency by introducing a toolkit of resources for launching a community-owned backup power supply in Southeast Michigan neighborhoods.
Stephanie has a B.A. from the University of Detroit and a Masters in Training and Development from Oakland University. She now serves as the Vice-chair on the Polar Bear Sustainable Energy (PBSE) Co-op board, which she joined during the pandemic with a personal goal of contributing and participating in Energy Democracy. Her professional experience ranges from IT to program management.
Young Climate Leader Award
Recognizes a student or youth doing exceptional work as a volunteer or individual
Congratulations, Mia Breznau!
Mia Breznau is a high school senior from Kalamazoo. For the last two years, she’s been a member of the Ardea Youth Climate Coalition, a high school advocacy group through the Kalamazoo Nature Center. She also co-founded National Youth for the Climate Emergency (NYCE), which serves to amplify youth climate work across the country. She is strongly passionate about climate activism, specifically youth engagement, climate education, clean energy, and regenerative agriculture. This year, she’s organized an anti-fossil-fuel FFF protest, testified before State Congress in support of standardized climate curriculums, lobbied extensively for the recently enacted Clean Energy Future Plan, and much more! After graduation, she plans to pursue a BS degree in environmental or climate science before pursuing a Ph.D., with the end goal of becoming an academic researcher in the field of coral paleoclimatology. Her ultimate goal is to preserve pristine nature, and she hopes to train the next generation of environmental advocates to do the same.
Our grassroots steering committee offers a microcosm of MiCAN membership meant to promote collaboration, connection, and shared investments of time, energy, and resources to build power for the climate movement overall. Steering committee members' expectations for insight, direction, and contributions to MiCAN's operating model and grassroots mobilization objectives are outlined in the position description adopted in August 2023.
If you are already a member of the Steering Committee, you can access the members only Steering Committee page below:
The Michigan Clean Energy Future bills (Senate Bills 271, 273, 502) that passed the Senate yesterday move the State towards renewable energy while also codifying industry bids to maintain the status quo.
We applaud that the bills will strengthen the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) oversight capacity by requiring the MPSC to take into account climate, justice, affordability, and health. Importantly, this legislation will increase the use of rooftop solar and embrace the capability of energy storage to improve our grid’s reliability.
Bentley is the Michigan League of Conservation Voters' Federal Government Affairs Director. In this role, he tracks all relevant activity in Washington, D.C., surrounding Michigan LCV’s issues. He engages with Michigan’s federal delegation to communicate MLCV’s position and ensure the protection of our land, air, and water throughout the decision-making process.
Tom Porter, Treasurer
Tom is President of the Porter Family Foundation and an integral founder of MiCAN. He is a retired venture capitalist and executive-in-residence at the Ross School at the University of Michigan. He supports big ideas that can make a meaningful difference for the environment. He co-founded the Council of Michigan Foundation’s Green & Blue Network and Voices for Carbon Neutrality at the University of Michigan. Tom resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the winter and Empire, Michigan, in the summers.
Conan Smith, Secretary
Conan is an experienced nonprofit leader, policy innovator, and respected public official. He has long advocated for the environment, public health, and equity in Michigan. Starting as a volunteer and working his way up to leadership positions such as program director, executive director, and board member, he knows nonprofits' internal organization and external efforts from the ground up. The Ann Arbor native was appointed the Michigan Environmental Council’s first BIPOC president and CEO in May 2019.
Dr. Brandy Brown
Dr. Brown is the Chief Innovation Officer at Walker-Miller Energy Services, where she blends research and emerging technology to deliver innovative energy solutions to historically marginalized communities. Additionally, she serves on the School for Sustainability and Environmental Studies faculty at the University of Michigan.
Before joining Walker Miller, Dr. Brown served as Climate & Energy Advisor and led the Office of Climate and Energy created by Governor Whitmer in 2019 to coordinate the state’s climate action efforts.
Frank Houston
Frank is the Regional Program Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance. Since joining the Alliance in 2018, Frank has been a leader in its work to address climate change, protect strong fuel economy standards, promote electric vehicles and good manufacturing jobs, and encourage investing in good jobs and fair economic policies as part of a just transition for workers and communities as we move to a cleaner economy. Frank was also recently appointed to Governor Whitmer’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Gabriel Vanloozen
Gabriel VanLoozen is a Climate tech investor and a Principal at Powerhouse Ventures. Though his professional focus is primarily at the national and international levels, he grew up on an organic farm in northern Michigan and wants to contribute more directly to climate action and technology deployment in Michigan through deeper involvement with MiCAN.
Jerry Jondreau
Jerry Jondreau is a Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) tribal member with a generational history of reserving harvesting rights in the Keweenaw Bay waters of Lake Superior. He is also part of the extraordinary pack of people behind Dynamite Hill Farms. Jerry’s background, passion and skill set bring a unique nature-based perspective to the MiCAN Board of Directors.
Marnese Jackson
Marnese is Co-Director at the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, where she heads Community Engagement & Equity. She is an Environmental and Climate Justice activist, advocate, trainer, and educator from Pontiac, Michigan, where she is the mother of two children, London and Dawson.
Marnese serves as a board member of the U.S. Climate Action Network, membership chairperson of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, and Environmental & Climate Justice chairperson of the NAACP Northern Oakland County Branch. She is a 2020 Michigan Clean Energy Leaders Cohort member and a 350.org BIPOC Cohort member. Marnese was appointed in 2021 to Governor Whitmer’s Michigan Council on Climate Solutions and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Building Performance Institute.
Clear the Air (CTA) is a coalition of residents, community groups and organizations that aim to protect Michiganders and build a stronger movement to protect clean air, promote environmental justice, build collaboration on air quality issues, and advance policies for clean air and public health.
Healing Our Waters
Healing Our Waters (HOW) is a coalition of local, state, and regional advocates working together with a mission to secure a sustainable Great Lakes restoration plan and the federal funding to implement it, we convene with our members, partners, and allies to discuss regional clean water priorities, provides tools, resources, and trainings on these issues.
Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education
Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs (MEMJ) is a broad and bipartisan statewide coalition committed to transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035, holding utilities accountable, and saving money through energy efficiency. It aims to develop more good-paying jobs that don't require a college degree, cleaner air for the communities most impacted by pollution, and more affordable electricity for Michigan families.
Michigan Environmental Council
Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), MiCAN’s fiscal sponsor, is a coalition of nearly 100 organizations created in 1980. Its mission is to champion lasting protections for Michigan's air, water, and the places we love.
In MEC’s vision, Michigan is a national environmental policy leader where a powerful network of advocates has built a track record of enacting enduring and equitable policies that protect the health of our communities and offer unparalleled stewardship of our land, air, and water in the face of climate change.
Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition takes a multi-faceted approach to systems change by aligning on intersectional goals with statewide power-building organizations and small grassroots groups for policy change and disruption. The organization operates within an understanding that the root causes of climate change are racism, capitalism, and the hetero-patriarchy with the impact of these oppressive systems falling on BIPOC and low-income communities.
Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (MWBDC) seeks to develop and implement equitable strategies to achieve zero emissions from the Midwestern building sector by 2050.
Oil & Water Don't Mix
Oil & Water Don't Mix is a coalition of organizations and citizens across Michigan working to keep oil out of the Great Lakes and spur a transition to a clean energy economy. Areas of focus include concerns about water quality, Indigenous rights, climate change, pollution, sustainable economies, protecting sporting, commerce, and tourism, and all the jobs that are dependent on our water and the Pure Michigan way of life. Together, we are fighting for the shut down of Line 5, Michigan's most prominent threat to all of those things.
The RE-AMP Network
The RE-AMP Network's mission is to set collective strategy and enable collaboration on climate solutions in the Midwest. Our North Star Goal is to equitably eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the Midwest by 2050.
Water Equals Life
Water Equals Life is a coalition of local, statewide, and national organizations that believe in the vital importance of water for sustaining life and fostering healthy communities. Their alliance stands resolute in advocating to end water shutoffs and championing a pivotal bill that institutes fair and sustainable rate-based water billing, transcending mere water assistance.
US Climate Action Network
The US Climate Action Network is a coalition of more than 1900 civil society organizations that strive to work towards fighting climate change and addressing the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. USCAN creates a powerful collective force for bold and urgent climate action at all levels of the government.
Read more
Welcome to the MiCAN Community!
MiCAN and the University of Michigan are partnering to launch the Community Climate Action Fellowship—a first-of-its-kind program connecting students with grassroots climate action across Michigan. This program provides students with meaningful, hands-on experience while strengthening local organizations on the frontlines of climate justice and resilience. Together, we’re bridging the gap left by programs like the Climate Corps and creating new pathways for the next generation of climate leaders.
MiCAN's grassroots steering committee offers a microcosm of MiCAN membership meant to promote collaboration, connection, and shared investments of time, energy, and resources to build power for the climate movement overall. Steering committee members' expectations for insight, direction, and contributions to MiCAN's operating model and grassroots mobilization objectives are outlined in the position description adopted in August 2023. See our current steering committee member organizations >
Primarily focused on informal educators and K-12, the Climate Education Action Team strives to support Michigan educators in delivering the highest quality interdisciplinary climate change education to develop informed and engaged citizens.
Higher Education for Climate Action in Michigan (HECAM) connects higher ed faculty and students toward a shared goal of building the muscle for collaboration across colleges and universities, leveraging institutions' power to contribute to campus actions and statewide climate planning, and preparing students for a 21st century climate-literate workforce through development of a multifaceted climate change curriculum. If you are involved at the university level, contact us to join this community.
Story by Byron Tollefson of WOOD TV
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Filmmakers and Great Lake enthusiasts William Wright, Davis Huber and Chris Yahanda grew up in Indiana, often traveling to the lakeshore to do just about everything.
A pipeline used to carry crude oil sits at the Superior, Wisconsin, terminal of Enbridge Energy. | Photo by Jim Mone/File
AP Photo/Al Goldis, File
Climate Champion Award
The Michigan Clean Energy Future bills (Senate Bills 271, 273, 502) that passed the Senate yesterday move the State towards renewable energy while also codifying industry bids to maintain the status quo. 
Bentley Johnson, Chair of the Board
Tom Porter, Treasurer
Dr. Brandy Brown
Frank Houston
Gabriel Vanloozen
Jerry Jondreau
Marnese Jackson
Clear the Air (CTA) is a coalition of residents, community groups and organizations that aim to protect Michiganders and build a stronger movement to protect clean air, promote environmental justice, build collaboration on air quality issues, and advance policies for clean air and public health.
Healing Our Waters (HOW) is a coalition of local, state, and regional advocates working together with a mission to secure a sustainable Great Lakes restoration plan and the federal funding to implement it, we convene with our members, partners, and allies to discuss regional clean water priorities, provides tools, resources, and trainings on these issues.
The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) aims to support educators in delivering the highest quality interdisciplinary climate change education to develop informed and engaged citizens.
Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs (MEMJ) is a broad and bipartisan statewide coalition committed to transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035, holding utilities accountable, and saving money through energy efficiency. It aims to develop more good-paying jobs that don't require a college degree, cleaner air for the communities most impacted by pollution, and more affordable electricity for Michigan families. 
Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), MiCAN’s fiscal sponsor, is a coalition of nearly 100 organizations created in 1980. Its mission is to champion lasting protections for Michigan's air, water, and the places we love.
The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition takes a multi-faceted approach to systems change by aligning on intersectional goals with statewide power-building organizations and small grassroots groups for policy change and disruption. The organization operates within an understanding that the root causes of climate change are racism, capitalism, and the hetero-patriarchy with the impact of these oppressive systems falling on BIPOC and low-income communities.
The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (MWBDC) seeks to develop and implement equitable strategies to achieve zero emissions from the Midwestern building sector by 2050.
Oil & Water Don't Mix is a coalition of organizations and citizens across Michigan working to keep oil out of the Great Lakes and spur a transition to a clean energy economy. Areas of focus include concerns about water quality, Indigenous rights, climate change, pollution, sustainable economies, protecting sporting, commerce, and tourism, and all the jobs that are dependent on our water and the Pure Michigan way of life. Together, we are fighting for the shut down of Line 5, Michigan's most prominent threat to all of those things.
The RE-AMP Network's mission is to set collective strategy and enable collaboration on climate solutions in the Midwest. Our North Star Goal is to equitably eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the Midwest by 2050.
Water Equals Life is a coalition of local, statewide, and national organizations that believe in the vital importance of water for sustaining life and fostering healthy communities. Their alliance stands resolute in advocating to end water shutoffs and championing a pivotal bill that institutes fair and sustainable rate-based water billing, transcending mere water assistance.
The US Climate Action Network is a coalition of more than 1900 civil society organizations that strive to work towards fighting climate change and addressing the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. USCAN creates a powerful collective force for bold and urgent climate action at all levels of the government.
