Michigan Chapter Update - 6.7.20 - We cannot protect the planet if racism divide us

Michigan Chapter Update   June 7, 2020 In this edition: We Cannot Protect the Planet if Racism Divides Us "Science Isn't a Political Issue" by Aaron Mair ACT: Urge EGLE and Gov. Whitmer to Revoke Nestle's Permit Enbridge Line 5 Cases Heard in Court: More Gaps in Pipeline Coatings Disclosed Historic DTE Settlement To Shut Three Coal Plants and Fund Environmental Justice Projects Join the Michigan Chapter Leadership: Nominations Open for Executive Committee Members Until June 15 Commemorative and Memorial Gifts Explore and Enjoy: How are You Doing? NOTICE: All Sierra Club offices are closed until further notice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please find staff and volunteer emails and phone contacts here: https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/directory Lake Michigan sunset. Photo by Petra Daher. We Cannot Protect the Planet if Racism Divides Us Sierra Club has been fighting to protect the planet for more than a century, but before there was climate change, PFAS, toxic algae or any other environmental ill, there was racism. This fundamental societal ill underlies everything we do in this country, including environmental activism. Just as communities of color disproportionately experience police violence and the effects of COVID-19, they are impacted more greatly by negative environmental consequences from industrial polluters and lax enforcement of laws and regulations. This is vividly illustrated in a recent New York Times article spotlighting COVID’s impact on Detroit’s 48217, one of the most polluted zip codes in Michigan. Sierra Club is committed to fighting for an end to the entrenched, institutionalized racism in our society that led to the death of George Floyd and many others. It’s the same system that has empowered polluters to create environmental sacrifice zones in communities of color. As Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune and Minnesota Chapter Chair Kamau Wilkins said in a recent joint statement, “We cannot expect to come together to protect the planet if racism continues to tear us apart.” And on June 4 Sierra Club joined with more than 200 environmental organizations in signing a statement in support of the demands of the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). As a community and as individuals, Sierra Club members and supporters must rise for justice and systems change. Below on the left are a number of organizations you can support right now to begin to be part of that change:

Black Visions Collective founded in Minneapolis in 2017 "believes in a future where all Black people have autonomy, safety is community led, and we are in right relationship within our ecosystems.” Reclaim the Block is calling on Minneapolis to invest in violence prevention, housing, resources for youth, emergency mental health response teams and solutions to the opioid crisis—not more police. Black Lives Matter has chapters in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing. Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network with Michigan chapters working to undermine white supremacy and move toward racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability.

Sierra Club Board member Aaron Mair (above left in Grand Rapids in November), is an epidemiologist with the state of New York. He argues in  Science Isn't a Political Issue that white supremacy is also a driving factor for those who are trying to undermine Governor Gretchen Whitmer's commitment to follow the guidance public health professionals and scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACT: Urge EGLE and Gov. Whitmer to Revoke Nestle's Permit   The institutional, violent disregard for black lives in policing has also driven policies of water shut-offs to thousands of Michiganders. It is at the root of environmental injustice that puts corporate profits above the health of black, indigenous and low income communities. Thousands of Michigan families lack access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water right now. Families across our state have had water service shut off because they couldn’t afford to pay water bills. Others have water contamination issues due to lead service lines, PFAS and other harmful chemicals. It is a particular affront to those families that an international corporation like Nestlé can take water that belongs to the people of Michigan, bottle it to sell it back to us and worldwide at a huge profit. There is a connection between institutionalized white supremacy, the lack of running water and the disproportionately fatal impact of COVID-19 in black communities, and Nestle’s campaign to privatize our public waters for corporate profit. The waters of our state are a public resource held in trust by our state government as stewards for current and future generations. As leaders, elected officials must fulfill their solemn duty to protect our water and natural resources under this public trust. Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians are challenging an Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation that Nestle's permit to ratchet up their pumping to 400 gallons per minute in Osceola Township be upheld. The decision is now on the desks of EGLE director Liesl Clarke and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Governor Whitmer’s administration has the power and the legal duty to protect our water resources as she promised to do in 2018. Take a moment to send a strong message to Governor Whitmer, EGLE director Liesl Clark and Attorney General Dana Nessel. Right the wrongs of the Snyder administration and revoke Nestle’s permit. Now recruit 10 other folks to take action. If you’d like to be further involved in our work to hold Nestle accountable, email Christy at christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org.

Despite record high water levels throughout Michigan this year, water levels downstream from Nestle's current pumping operations are lower than in the past. Below, Rhonda Huff shows Sarah Tresseder photos of Chippewa Creek before Nestle began withdrawals. Today the once swift moving creek where Rhonda paddled a canoe as recently as 2012 has dramatically changed, becoming shallow, with mud flats and cattails. Photos by Christy McGillivray.

ACT: Urge EGLE and Gov. Whitmer to Revoke the Nestle Water Withdrawal Permit

Enbridge Line 5 Cases Heard in Court; More Gaps in Pipeline Coatings Disclosed

Protesters gathered in May 2019 at the Mackinac Policy Conference to urge no oil tunnel and the shutdown of Enbridge Line 5. Photo courtesy Oil and Water Don't Mix. Four gaps in critical coating on the Enbridge Line 5 dual pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac were disclosed last month as several court and administrative processes which could affect the future of this oil and natural gas liquids pipeline are underway. Two court cases related to Enbridge Line 5 were heard recently, with decisions expected in coming weeks. On May 22, the Michigan Attorney General’s office and Enbridge presented oral arguments in the Michigan v. Enbridge case before Ingham County Judge James Jamo. Attorney General Dana Nessel has brought suit to shut down the existing dual pipelines across the Straits of Mackinac by revoking the easement granted to the Canadian pipeline company’s predecessor in 1953. In this hearing, Assistant Attorney General Robert Reichel boldly spoke up for the people of Michigan and stood firm in defense of the Great Lakes and the public trust, labeling Line 5 an “environmental time bomb.” Last Wednesday oral arguments were presented in Michigan Court of Appeals on the Enbridge v Michigan case. Enbridge has sued the State of Michigan to overturn AG Nessel’s 2019 opinion invalidating the 2018 lame duck law and subsequent agreements between Gov. Rick Snyder and Enbridge to facilitate the building of an oil tunnel under the Great Lakes. This case is on appeal from a decision in favor of Enbridge in the lower court. The Army Corps of Engineers also announced last week that public comment on Enbridge's permit application has been extended until July 14. Guidance on public comment will be put out soon. This application is a joint one with an application to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which has been returned to Enbridge citing numerous deficiencies. In addition the date has not been set for release of a decision by the Michigan Public Service Commission on Enbridge’s request for a declaratory ruling that would relieve the company from seeking further approval from the utility regulatory commission. Contact Gabbie Buendia at gabbie.buendia@sierraclub.org to find out how you can help.

Historic DTE Settlement To Shut Three Coal Plants and Fund Environmental Justice Projects   After 10 years of court proceedings and negotiations, the Sierra Club secured a historic Clean Air Act settlement agreement with DTE. It requires DTE to fund $7.5 million in environmental justice projects and to retire three of their polluting coal plants. But we need your support to protect this deal. Pictured on the right is a playground at Belanger Park directly in front of the dirty River Rouge coal plant, one of the plants that will retire under the settlement agreement. The River Rouge, St. Clair and Trenton Channel plants combined emit more than seven million tons of climate polluting carbon dioxide, 22,000 tons of harmful sulfur dioxide, and 8,000 tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxides annually. Scientists have confirmed that exposure to air pollution from coal plants decreases the chance of survival for those who contract the coronavirus. This is a slap in the face

Photo courtesy of Beyond Coal Campaign. to residents of environmental injustice hotspots already facing dire threats. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this deal couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for Michigan communities. Please contact Mike Berkowitz at mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org to find out how to voice your support for this historic settlement agreement.

Join the Michigan Chapter Leadership: Nominations Open for Executive Committee Members Until June 15

Michigan Chapter Executive Committee members set priorities, adopt the budget and engage in the policy and advocacy work of Sierra Club. Sierra Club is the largest democratically run environmental organization in the world, with the election of our leaders from among our members. The Michigan Chapter Executive Committee governs our statewide work with nine (9) at-large elected members and representatives of each regional group. The schedule for nomination and election of five (5) at-large members this fall is on this webpage. The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations until June 15. Contact the Nominating Committee members at nominating.committee@michigan.sierraclub.org with questions or to submit your nomination.

Commemorative and Memorial Gifts Honoring the people you care about by preserving the beauty of nature.   Commemorative Gifts offer a unique way to honor a special event such as a wedding, anniversary or birthday in the life of someone important to you. An attractive note is sent to the individual being honored informing them of the gift and the identity of the donor. Memorial gifts, given in memory of a family member or friend, not only affirm your environmental values but also recognize that these values were shared by the individual being honored. If you choose, we will send a card in your name to a friend or loved one close to the individual being honored, informing them of the gift.

Photo by Jan O'Connell To arrange your gift for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter contact Jan O’Connell at 616-956-6646 or  jan.oconnell@sierraclub.org.

Explore and Enjoy: How Are You Doing?   The Kansas Chapter posted this wonderful article on their website with many ways to do self-care while at home. Our thanks to author Robert Sommer and Kansas Chapter Communications Chair Mimi Moffat for permission to reprint this article here. It’s been life-changing for all of us, hasn’t it? We’d like to be together with family members, grandchildren, and friends, from whom we now have to remain distant for their sake and ours. As we bring out this issue of Waypoints, our concern is for you, our Sierra Club members, and your families. In the spirit of the moment, a few of our great Kansas Chapter ExCom leaders have suggested some books, films, activities, and ways in general to keep us whole and enrich ourselves as we navigate this difficult stretch. So here goes, randomly, in no particular order …

Suggested readings:   - The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World, by Andrea Wulf   - A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir, by Donald Worster (KU professor and keynote speaker at the Kansas Chapter’s 2016 conference)    - John Burroughs’ America: Selections From The Writings Of The Hudson River Naturalist, essays and excerpts from works by John Burroughs    - Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness, by Edward Abbey (if you’ve been meaning to get around to it, today’s the day)    - The Overstory, by Richard Powers (you won’t put this down once you get your head around it)    - Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science, by Carey Gillam (because you would have read this book cover-to-cover after hearing Carey at the Kansas Chapter conference, which we sadly had to cancel)    - Drawdown, by Paul Hawken (suggested by Gary Anderson, who adds, “It has great info for all kinds of renewable energy around the world.”)    - The Backyard Birdsong Guide Eastern and Central North America: A Guide to Listening (2nd edition), by Donald Kroodsma (suggested by Elaine Giessel)    - And for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day: A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold (also suggested by Elaine, who writes: “No one has ever said it better: we need a ‘land ethic.’”) Suggested poetry: Ask yourself, “Have I read a poem yet today?”   - The Collected Poems of W.S. Merwin (2 volumes) (open anywhere, read a poem to start or end your day, or any time in between)   - The Afterlives of Trees, by Kansas Poet Laureate Emerita Wyatt Townley (she’s homegrown – I can live with the pun – and a member of the Kansas Chapter, and also shared her poetry at the Kansas Chapter’s 2016 conference)   - Ghost Stories of the New West, by Denise Low (another Kansas Poet Laureate Emerita, who read at the fortieth anniversary Kansas Chapter conference in 2014)   - Learning to Live in the World: Earth Poems, by William Stafford (a native of Hutchinson, Kansas, and U.S. Poet Laureate, 1970-71)   - The Poetry Foundation (get your daily fix here – amaze your friends next time you see them by name-dropping the current U.S. Poet Laureate. Ah! Now you’re going to have to check.) Suggested films:   - Chasing Ice (2012) (you will see things)   - Our Planet (recommended by Zack Pistora)   - Earthwork (2009) (just recently discovered by me – featuring in a supporting role our own Scott Allegrucci, now Director of Appointments for Gov. Laura Kelly. You do want to see this one, trust me. The ironies are too rich. And the music is good too. I rented it on Vimeo for four bucks.)   - Jutland II (a three-minute meditation on, well, you decide … )   - 10 Films to Inspire Your Inner Environmental Superhero   - The Largest Environmental Film Festival Just Went Virtual | Sierra Club Activities:   - Forest bathing (also suggested by Zack – but we do recommend clothing)   - A neighborhood “bear hunt” for young children (this one from my daughter Erin) Times like this remind us that we are truly, just by virtue of being alive, part of the natural world. We’re also reminded of the important role played by advocacy groups like the Sierra Club in demanding transparency in the workings of our government and agencies at all levels. Please share your thoughts on our social media sites. Stay well, stay safe, and stay at home. We’ll all be together again on the flip side! Thanks to Gary Anderson, Elaine Giessel, and Zack Pistora for contributing to this article.   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please check out Michigan Chapter virtual events and presentations by our regional Groups, Committees and Networks, as well as suggestions for getting outdoors through the links on this webpage.

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PLEASE NOTE: our U.S. mail is being forwarded and some of you have experienced issues with returned donations sent by mail to our Lansing office. Please notify us of any problems you may have encountered at cecilia.garcia@sierraclub.org or jan.oconnell@sierraclub.org, or call Jan at 616-956-6646. Thank you for your patience and understanding.