The Community Voices Series is a virtual convening drawing diverse participants from the network to amplify local climate work, connect members and groups, and support each other's actions. MiCAN rotates the content and geographical area of focus to allow the audience to learn from and mimic other Michigan communities' successful contributions to the collective climate movement.
Upcoming Event
Stay tuned – to be announced soon!
Past Events
April 2024 | Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
Climate and Energy Justice Lead Andrew Kaplowitz (they/he) of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ) shed light on environmental and public health issues faced by Detroit residents, and how DWEJ's dedicated activists, advocates, organizers, artists and storytellers seek to address them through community and policy action that values all people.
Sign up to keep up with DWEJ here, support the group's efforts here, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
February 2024 | Ann Arbor for Public Power (A2P2)
A2P2 Board President Greg Woodring and Board Member Michelle Deatrick led an important conversation about the growing movement for public power in Ann Arbor and across the country. A2P2 is fighting for a 100% renewable, public-owned electric utility which will enable affordable, reliable energy for all, an urgent transition to safe renewable energy, and a just transition with no worker or community left behind. Among the questions discussed: What are the barriers? How will we pay for it? How can public power play a vital role in achieving larger regional climate goals?
November 2023 | White Lake Area Climate Action Council
MiCAN was joined by the White Lake Area Climate Action Council (WLACAC) for our November edition of the Community Voices Series. Lori Coleman and Mickkayla Erbach of WLACAC discussed their efforts to create a new story for their lakeshore community which preserves the beauty and health of the natural environment, and to declare a climate emergency for their two cities in partnership with government leaders (while remaining stubbornly optimistic!).
October 2023 | Grand Rapids Climate Coalition
In our October edition of the Community Voices Series, we heard from Janet Zahn and Nathan Rauh-Bieri of the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition about their efforts to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030, prioritizing equity and climate justice. The GRCC is an inaugural member of the MiCAN Steering Committee which promotes collaboration, connection, and shared investments of time, energy, and resources in the movement for a more just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable Great Lakes State.
June 2023 | Oakland County Climate Action
As part of the 2023 Michigan Climate Summit, this 'local action' panel showcased groups' efforts in the greater metro Detroit area. Representing Oakland County as a model, panelists spoke on how elected officials and grassroots leaders can effectively work together to achieve climate goals.
May 2023 | Universities Leading on Climate
During this interactive, conversational-style event, MiCAN intern Brendan Mortensen-Seguin explored the actions and strategies of university sustainability professionals to address the climate crisis. Drawing from the findings in MiCAN’s forthcoming report on Michigan’s 15 public universities' climate efforts, we heard from three sustainability and climate professionals.
April 2023 | From Practitioner to Climate Advocate
Cohosted with Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action, our second installment of the Community Voices Series brought together two outstanding practitioners at the intersection of climate and health.
Drs. Sue Holcombe and Cheryl Ruble discussed their journeys in discovering how to engage in effective climate advocacy related to food, agriculture, and health.
March 2023 | Climate Emergency Month in Kalamazoo & West Michigan
MiCAN's first-of-its-kind Community Voices featured groups advancing equitable climate solutions in Kalamazoo and West Michigan, keying in on current efforts and upcoming initiatives toward bold climate action during Kalamazoo's declared Climate Emergency Month. The series kicked off with a hybrid event out of the Kalamazoo Nature Center, where participants rounded out the afternoon with a climate-centric nature hike, and featured speakers from the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition, Western Michigan Environmental Action Council, and WMU Climate Change Working Group.