In Michigan, a state surrounded by 90 percent of the nation’s fresh surface water, climate change is having significant impacts to the Great Lakes. Lake ice comes later and doesn’t last as long as it used to, and extreme weather events, like rain and snow storms, have become more severe. For people living in Michigan, those bigger rainstorms mean more floods, record-high lake levels, shoreline erosion and more algae blooms, threatening fish and drinking water.
Michigan can boost its economy and protect its natural beauty by helping build America’s clean energy economy. In 2018 there were 85,061 jobs in energy efficiency in Michigan, 4,783 wind jobs, and 4,169 solar jobs. Michigan produced enough electricity from wind to power 512,500 homes, and was home to 26 manufacturing plants for wind power equipment.
Transitioning to clean, renewable energy will help reduce dangerous pollution, fight climate change and protect Michiganders’ water.
In the face of mounting challenges to our water – exacerbated by our rapidly-warming planet – Michigan needs bold leadership on protecting our drinking water and defending us against the impacts of climate change. Read the report »
Michiganders across the state, from impacted citizens to business owners, are calling on candidates to make protecting our water and tackling the climate crisis a top priority. Read the stories »
In a poll of likely Democratic primary voters in Michigan in December 2019, eighty-five percent said they are already feeling effects of climate change, or worry about how climate change will affect their families.
Sixty-five percent say it is essential that a candidate for president have a clear plan on protecting drinking water.
The 2020 presidential election represents the last, best chance for the U.S. to confront the climate crisis.
Change the Climate 2020, a project of the League of Conservation Voters, aims to make sure the presidential primary candidates make climate change a top priority.