News

The past two weeks have had many positive steps forward for the climate movement.

We live in times where devastating headlines about our climate and the state of the world greet us each time we open our email or look at Twitter. It can be hard, and it is important to also focus on the good news and the progress we're making.

In the past couple of weeks, we have found many reasons for hope and optimism. These victories on a local and national level keep us going and remind us of the power of people to enact real change. 

Join us in celebrating these wins, large and small:

• A federal judge in Alaska blocked construction permits for an expansive oil drilling project, rejecting a Trump-era permit because it failed to consider the effects it would have on climate change!
• Last week, the U.S. House passed the $3.5T budget resolution - a big step toward passing the reconciliation bill that would mean historic investments for climate and justice. Our partner groups have been working hard in DC and across the country, and more than 570 people have already contacted Michigan Members of Congress through our action site, demanding we seize this opportunity for bold climate action! Movements are won from everyday citizens like you. If you haven't already, please add your voice!
• The U.S. House also voted to move forward the voting rights bill. We cannot pass the significant climate and justice policies we need if we don't have a strong and fair democracy - and ours has been under attack.
• MiCAN brought together a meeting of 26 people who are leading climate action in their cities and towns, and it is inspiring to hear all the work happening at the local level. If you are interested in being involved with this as we move forward, please reach out to [email protected].
• Last weekend, Jamie Simmons and Marnese Jackson led a popular education training hosted by MAJIC for 25 7th-9th graders. This 2-hour training covered climate change and climate justice, the causes, and impacts the kids are seeing and people-centered solutions. It was inspiring to see the knowledge these young people already have, and how ready they are for action. This is just the beginning of our youth-focused work.
• Our team is hiring! We are hiring a digital media intern to help run a youth social media ambassadors program among other social media tasks. Know someone who's social media savvy and has a passion for climate action? Check out the job posting here to apply!
• Yale Climate Connections did an analysis of editorial cartoons about the IPCC's report that might make you chuckle (or not). Either way, it is an interesting read.

It's not all good news though; Hurricane Ida brought devastation to the Gulf Coast, underlining the urgent need for climate infrastructure. Storms last week again knocked out power to tens of thousands of Michiganders. The heat index reached 100 degrees in metro Detroit and people were without electricity to help keep them cool -  a dangerous situation. 

In response, Governor Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel, and the Michigan Public Service Commission are taking action to hold DTE and Consumers accountable and compensate people for the numerous outages from this summer's storms. Thanks to many groups and hundreds of affected people who have been working on this.

Coming up...There are some big events in the next few weeks: 

• Wednesday, September 1 - The Shut Down Line 5 Detroit event at the Detroit Riverfront. 
• Saturday, September 4 - The Water is Life Festival at Conkling Park in Mackinaw City.
• By September 1, each of the Workgroups for the Council on Climate Solutions will be releasing their recommendations to the Governor on how our state can achieve carbon neutrality. The Council on Climate Solutions is using these recommendations to develop the MI Healthy Climate Plan by February. You can attend the next virtual Council on Climate Solutions meeting on September 28, watch recordings of past meetings, and send in public comment here. 
• On September 14, expert witnesses will submit evidence about climate impacts of a Line 5 tunnel to the Michigan Public Service Commission. We will send you updates via email to share that testimony and the key points. 
• September 23 - NMEAC is hosting the virtual Environmentalist of the Year Celebration, and MiCAN's Kate Madigan will be the keynote speaker.

Want to get more involved? Fill out our survey to tell us how you would like to volunteer. Other events coming up that we should promote? Please send them to [email protected]. 

We share these positive updates to remind you that the power rests with the people, and progress is being made all around us. Thank you for being a part of the work!

- The MiCAN Team