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        <title>89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment</title>
        <description></description>
        <language>en</language>
        <link>https://www.wemu.org/podcast/issues-of-the-environment</link>
        <lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:56:51 -0400</lastBuildDate>
        
        
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<itunes:title>Issues of the Environment</itunes:title>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>

<itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>




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        <itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords><itunes:subtitle>Environment News from 89.1 WEMU</itunes:subtitle><itunes:category text="News &amp; Politics"/><itunes:owner><itunes:email>wemu@wemu.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: The Pear Street Collective's ongoing maple sugaring project</title>
    <enclosure length="11769617" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/03/ioe-04-08-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Most of us will agree; when you combine environmental education with urban forestry and seasonal ecology, and part of the reward is a sweet, sticky, natural treat, you have a winning combination! Making syrup at the neighborhood level: that's the subject of this week's "Issues of the Environment" conversation between Jennie Williams and WEMU's David Fair. Williams is from the Pear Street Collective in Ann Arbor and part of the neighborhood maple sugaring project.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:56:51 -0400</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-04-08/issues-of-the-environment-the-pear-street-collectives-ongoing-maple-sugaring-project</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: The Pear Street Collective's ongoing maple sugaring project</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Most of us will agree; when you combine environmental education with urban forestry and seasonal ecology, and part of the reward is a sweet, sticky, natural treat, you have a winning combination! Making syrup at the neighborhood level: that's the subject of this week's "Issues of the Environment" conversation between Jennie Williams and WEMU's David Fair. Williams is from the Pear Street Collective in Ann Arbor and part of the neighborhood maple sugaring project.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Most of us will agree; when you combine environmental education with urban…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>654</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Preserving the Sibley Prairie in Brownstown Township</title>
    <enclosure length="12902692" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/03/ioe-04-01-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie. It’s called the Sibley Prairie, and you’ll find it in Brownstown Township. It is the largest and highest quality lake plain prairie in Michigan. As such, work is underway to try and permanently preserve this rare ecosystem. Jeff Vornhagen is Director-at-Large of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. He spoke about the preservation project with WEMU's David Fair.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:42:45 -0400</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-04-01/issues-of-the-environment-preserving-the-sibley-prairie-in-brownstown-township</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Preserving the Sibley Prairie in Brownstown Township</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie. It’s called the Sibley Prairie, and you’ll find it in Brownstown Township. It is the largest and highest quality lake plain prairie in Michigan. As such, work is underway to try and permanently preserve this rare ecosystem. Jeff Vornhagen is Director-at-Large of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. He spoke about the preservation project with WEMU's David Fair.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie.…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>664</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor Mayor Taylor weighs in on dioxane plume Superfund designation</title>
    <enclosure length="12355499" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/03/ioe-03-25-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences 1,4 Dioxane plume has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. After years of effort toward that end, it seemed as though the designation came suddenly and without notice. With a little time behind us now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next in the slow process of cleanup and accountability in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:55:09 -0400</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-03-25/issues-of-the-environment-ann-arbor-mayor-taylor-weighs-in-on-dioxane-plume-superfund-designation</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor Mayor Taylor weighs in on dioxane plume Superfund designation</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences 1,4 Dioxane plume has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. After years of effort toward that end, it seemed as though the designation came suddenly and without notice. With a little time behind us now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next in the slow process of cleanup and accountability in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>680</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Dealing with electronic waste  in Washtenaw County</title>
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    <description><![CDATA[While we work on big, community environmental initiatives and goals, we have to remember that sometimes it’s the small, everyday choices we make at home that add up to a big difference. Washtenaw County has robust reuse and recycle programs. With the growing amount of electronics in our lives, we are often left with decisions to make about how best to get rid of those items. WEMU's David Fair talked with Washtenaw County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont about our options and the kind of difference our choices can make.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:11:56 -0400</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-03-11/issues-of-the-environment-dealing-with-electronic-waste-in-washtenaw-county</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Dealing with electronic waste  in Washtenaw County</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[While we work on big, community environmental initiatives and goals, we have to remember that sometimes it’s the small, everyday choices we make at home that add up to a big difference. Washtenaw County has robust reuse and recycle programs. With the growing amount of electronics in our lives, we are often left with decisions to make about how best to get rid of those items. WEMU's David Fair talked with Washtenaw County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont about our options and the kind of difference our choices can make.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[While we work on big, community environmental initiatives and goals, we have to…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>684</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: U-M at center of geological hydrogen research and debate</title>
    <enclosure length="11764120" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/03/ioe-updated-03-04-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[The picture of our present-day energy use comes from a sort of all-of-the-above menu. We use oil, gas, natural gas, nuclear, wind and solar. Research is underway to determine if the use of hydrogen can be used to significant scale as part of the energy diet. Ann Arbor has become central to the research and discussion on that matter. On this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair was joined by the Associate Dean for Research at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, Todd Allen. They explored the environmental promise, uncertainties and controversies surrounding hydrogen energy.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:28:05 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-03-04/issues-of-the-environment-u-m-at-center-of-geological-hydrogen-research-and-debate</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: U-M at center of geological hydrogen research and debate</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[The picture of our present-day energy use comes from a sort of all-of-the-above menu. We use oil, gas, natural gas, nuclear, wind and solar. Research is underway to determine if the use of hydrogen can be used to significant scale as part of the energy diet. Ann Arbor has become central to the research and discussion on that matter. On this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair was joined by the Associate Dean for Research at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, Todd Allen. They explored the environmental promise, uncertainties and controversies surrounding hydrogen energy.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[The picture of our present-day energy use comes from a sort of all-of-the-above…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>686</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: University of Michigan working to win the national 'Campus Race to Zero Waste' competition</title>
    <enclosure length="13049728" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/02/ioe-02-25-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:46:43 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-02-25/issues-of-the-environment-university-of-michigan-working-to-win-the-national-campus-race-to-zero-waste-competition</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: University of Michigan working to win the national 'Campus Race to Zero Waste' competition</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>685</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: State Senator from Ann Arbor advocates for virtual power plants</title>
    <enclosure length="12298839" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/02/ioe-02-18-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number of issues to address, from energy generation and storage to how our electric grids are developed, secured and controlled. State Senator Jeff Irwin is a proponent of virtual power plants as a part of the comprehensive solution. It would divert control of the grids away from the major, centralized utilities. The 15th District Democrat believes virtual power plants can give power to communities in determining their energy futures while saving ratepayers money. Learn more in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:40:29 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-02-18/issues-of-the-environment-state-senator-from-ann-arbor-advocates-for-virtual-power-plants</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: State Senator from Ann Arbor advocates for virtual power plants</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number of issues to address, from energy generation and storage to how our electric grids are developed, secured and controlled. State Senator Jeff Irwin is a proponent of virtual power plants as a part of the comprehensive solution. It would divert control of the grids away from the major, centralized utilities. The 15th District Democrat believes virtual power plants can give power to communities in determining their energy futures while saving ratepayers money. Learn more in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>682</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: The ecological benefits of extra snow during the winter</title>
    <enclosure length="12069406" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/02/ioe-02-11-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most of the past decade. It has created inconveniences and hardships. But there may be some benefits to all of the snow and cold. Snowier winters play an important ecological role beyond what we experience at the surface. WEMU's David Fair was joined by U-M Biological Station researcher, Dr. Olivia Vought to explore this winter’s environmental benefits and how it all works.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:41:16 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-02-11/issues-of-the-environment-the-ecological-benefits-of-extra-snow-during-the-winter</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: The ecological benefits of extra snow during the winter</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most of the past decade. It has created inconveniences and hardships. But there may be some benefits to all of the snow and cold. Snowier winters play an important ecological role beyond what we experience at the surface. WEMU's David Fair was joined by U-M Biological Station researcher, Dr. Olivia Vought to explore this winter’s environmental benefits and how it all works.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>665</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County Commissioner takes stand against AI and the need for data centers</title>
    <enclosure length="16224764" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/01/ioe-02-04-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern. Right here in Washtenaw County, there are at least four data center projects proposed or in development. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi opposed tax incentives while he was a state legislator and even more have passed since his departure. WEMU’s David Fair caught up with Rabhi to discuss his positions on AI and the need for data centers.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:57:23 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-02-04/issues-of-the-environment-washtenaw-county-commissioner-takes-stand-against-ai-and-the-need-for-data-centers</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019c-2883-d6a2-afbc-bf8362a80000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County Commissioner takes stand against AI and the need for data centers</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern. Right here in Washtenaw County, there are at least four data center projects proposed or in development. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi opposed tax incentives while he was a state legislator and even more have passed since his departure. WEMU’s David Fair caught up with Rabhi to discuss his positions on AI and the need for data centers.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern.…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>919</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Controlling invasive plants in the Huron River Watershed</title>
    <enclosure length="10296786" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/01/ioe-01-28-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:57:47 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-01-28/issues-of-the-environment-controlling-invasive-plants-in-the-huron-river-watershed</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019c-0477-d1d2-a1bc-6d7f08d80000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Controlling invasive plants in the Huron River Watershed</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>598</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Shaping 2026 environmental policy in Michigan </title>
    <enclosure length="15766297" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/01/ioe-01-21-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:59:16 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-01-21/issues-of-the-environment-shaping-2026-environmental-policy-in-michigan</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019b-e0d9-d8b4-a1df-f3fbeeb50000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Shaping 2026 environmental policy in Michigan </itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year.…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>914</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: The state of the electric vehicle industry entering 2026</title>
    <enclosure length="11854771" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2026/01/ioe-01-14-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric vehicles are already embedded in local climate policy as a required component of meeting adopted emissions targets. Affordability has become a significant issue, and these cost pressures affect communities differently within Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair looked at the impact of EV’s in our community with Charles Griffith from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:22:42 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-01-14/issues-of-the-environment-the-state-of-the-electric-vehicle-industry-entering-2026</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019b-bc74-d4d3-a7bf-be7ffd660000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: The state of the electric vehicle industry entering 2026</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric vehicles are already embedded in local climate policy as a required component of meeting adopted emissions targets. Affordability has become a significant issue, and these cost pressures affect communities differently within Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair looked at the impact of EV’s in our community with Charles Griffith from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>682</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor's environmental outlook for 2026</title>
    <enclosure length="11981604" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/12/ioe-01-07-26.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Ann Arbor is expecting progress towards its sustainability goals in 2026. Advancement on the voter-approved Sustainable Energy Utility will continue, and with the 2030 deadline rapidly approaching, more work is to be done to move ahead with the goals and aspirations of the city’s A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality plan. On the first "Issues of the Environment" of 2026, WEMU's David Fair explores the environmental year ahead with Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 06:41:05 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2026-01-07/issues-of-the-environment-ann-arbors-environmental-outlook-for-2026</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor's environmental outlook for 2026</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Ann Arbor is expecting progress towards its sustainability goals in 2026. Advancement on the voter-approved Sustainable Energy Utility will continue, and with the 2030 deadline rapidly approaching, more work is to be done to move ahead with the goals and aspirations of the city’s A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality plan. On the first "Issues of the Environment" of 2026, WEMU's David Fair explores the environmental year ahead with Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Ann Arbor is expecting progress towards its sustainability goals in 2026.…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>683</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: The struggle over data centers in Washtenaw County</title>
    <enclosure length="11928696" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/12/ioe-12-31-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is the proliferation and impacts of data centers. In 2026, we're likely to see some of these centers move toward becoming operational. Weighing economic benefit against potential environmental harm will continue, and there will be more vocal support and outrage for each proposed center. WEMU's David Fair got together with Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons to try and compute the impact of data centers in Washtenaw County.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 06:12:20 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-12-31/issues-of-the-environment-the-struggle-over-data-centers-in-washtenaw-county</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: The struggle over data centers in Washtenaw County</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is the proliferation and impacts of data centers. In 2026, we're likely to see some of these centers move toward becoming operational. Weighing economic benefit against potential environmental harm will continue, and there will be more vocal support and outrage for each proposed center. WEMU's David Fair got together with Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons to try and compute the impact of data centers in Washtenaw County.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>660</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County 2025 environmental year in review </title>
    <enclosure length="12128154" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/12/ioe-12-24-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and one with significant and growing challenges. Environmental aspirations are being worked into place in almost direct opposition to changing federal priorities and policies. WEMU's David Fair reflected on 2025 in a conversation with Beth Gibbons, the Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:08:19 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-12-24/issues-of-the-environment-washtenaw-county-2025-environmental-year-in-review</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019b-5042-d81e-abdb-5b761d900000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County 2025 environmental year in review </itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and one with significant and growing challenges. Environmental aspirations are being worked into place in almost direct opposition to changing federal priorities and policies. WEMU's David Fair reflected on 2025 in a conversation with Beth Gibbons, the Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[When it comes to our local environment, 2025 has been a year of progress and…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>679</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Lowering your carbon footprint during the holiday travel season</title>
    <enclosure length="12242112" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/11/ioe-12-17-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:53:36 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-12-17/issues-of-the-environment-lowering-your-carbon-footprint-during-the-holiday-travel-season</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019b-2c28-d35a-a5fb-aded564c0000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Lowering your carbon footprint during the holiday travel season</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>682</itunes:duration>
<itunes:image href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5ee41d1/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2654x2654+0+0/resize/2000x2000!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd4%2F34%2Fa494f9e649768f51df87cc9c072a%2Fgreg-keoleian.jpg"/>





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    <title>Issues of the Environment: Expanding Ann Arbor Public Schools' electric bus fleet</title>
    <enclosure length="11747475" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/12/ioe-12-10-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet entirely electric. The goal is full electrification by 2035. There are challenges in getting to where the district wants to be in terms of funding, infrastructure and reliability. WEMU's David Fair talked with the district’s manager of construction projects, Moe Nagpal, to find out what the process and procedure looks like.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:46:10 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-12-10/issues-of-the-environment-expanding-ann-arbor-public-schools-electric-bus-fleet</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Expanding Ann Arbor Public Schools' electric bus fleet</itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet entirely electric. The goal is full electrification by 2035. There are challenges in getting to where the district wants to be in terms of funding, infrastructure and reliability. WEMU's David Fair talked with the district’s manager of construction projects, Moe Nagpal, to find out what the process and procedure looks like.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>671</itunes:duration>
<itunes:image href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c8a8e05/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2000x2331+0+0/resize/1716x2000!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F2e%2Fd54232984264a9ab75a6b9e46cf8%2Fmoe-nagpal.jpg"/>





<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Zerowaste.org's tips for a more sustainable holiday season </title>
    <enclosure length="12644745" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/11/ioe-12-03-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will be more spending this year than last, despite all of the economic uncertainty around the country and here at home. There are ways to cut down on spending and to help the environment at the same time. WEMU's David Fair talked with Samuel McMullen from Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.org about sustainable gift giving on a pre-holiday edition of "Issues of the Environment".]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:40:27 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-12-03/issues-of-the-environment-zerowaste-orgs-tips-for-a-more-sustainable-holiday-season</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Zerowaste.org's tips for a more sustainable holiday season </itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will be more spending this year than last, despite all of the economic uncertainty around the country and here at home. There are ways to cut down on spending and to help the environment at the same time. WEMU's David Fair talked with Samuel McMullen from Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.org about sustainable gift giving on a pre-holiday edition of "Issues of the Environment".]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[We are well into the holiday shopping season now. Analysts predict there will…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>672</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Brownfield redevelopment projects in Washtenaw County </title>
    <enclosure length="11584912" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/11/ioe-11-26-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Brownfield projects in Washtenaw County are paying off. WEMU's David Fair explored the environmental and economic benefits these projects are providing with Nathan Voght from the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:36:21 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-11-26/issues-of-the-environment-brownfield-redevelopment-projects-in-washtenaw-county</link>
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    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Brownfield redevelopment projects in Washtenaw County </itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Brownfield projects in Washtenaw County are paying off. WEMU's David Fair explored the environmental and economic benefits these projects are providing with Nathan Voght from the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Brownfield projects in Washtenaw County are paying off. WEMU's David Fair…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>647</itunes:duration>






<author>wemu@wemu.org (David Fair)</author><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:keywords>environment,coal,ash,David,Fair,NPR,Public,Radio</itunes:keywords></item><item>
    <title>Issues of the Environment: Advancing Washtenaw County's Materials Management Plan </title>
    <enclosure length="11632394" type="audio/mpeg" url="https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s364/audio/2025/11/ioe-11-19-25.mp3"/>
    <description><![CDATA[Washtenaw County is increasing efforts toward a more effective way of dealing with waste. 2023 amendments to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requires all Michigan counties to develop a new “Materials Management Plan” that emphasizes recycling, organics diversion, and sustainable materials management rather than focusing solely on landfill capacity. Its led to some forward thinking and action plans here in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair discussed those programs with Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office.]]></description>
    
    <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 06:52:24 -0500</pubDate>
    <link>https://www.wemu.org/show/issues-of-the-environment/2025-11-19/issues-of-the-environment-advancing-washtenaw-countys-materials-management-plan</link>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">0000019a-9bf5-d4aa-a7ff-bffd13d10000</guid>
    
    <itunes:title>Issues of the Environment: Advancing Washtenaw County's Materials Management Plan </itunes:title>
<itunes:summary><![CDATA[Washtenaw County is increasing efforts toward a more effective way of dealing with waste. 2023 amendments to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requires all Michigan counties to develop a new “Materials Management Plan” that emphasizes recycling, organics diversion, and sustainable materials management rather than focusing solely on landfill capacity. Its led to some forward thinking and action plans here in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair discussed those programs with Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office.]]></itunes:summary>
<itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Washtenaw County is increasing efforts toward a more effective way of dealing…]]></itunes:subtitle>
<itunes:author>David Fair</itunes:author>
<itunes:duration>660</itunes:duration>






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