By Trilby MacDonald, Ecology Center Writer

Trump Moves to Undo Climate Policies, But Barriers Remain

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement — his second such action — while aggressively pushing for fossil fuel expansion and dismantling Biden-era climate initiatives. Declaring an "energy emergency," his administration is fast-tracking oil and gas drilling, including in protected areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and seeking to roll back federal support for electric vehicles and clean energy.

However, despite Trump's "drill baby drill" rhetoric, significant barriers prevent sweeping changes to U.S. energy policy. Slow government processes, market forces making new fossil fuel projects less profitable, and legal challenges all limit immediate action. Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) continues to provide substantial economic benefits, particularly to Republican-led congressional districts, making it politically challenging to reverse. Though clawing back committed federal funds or undoing congressionally passed legislation requires an act of Congress, the Trump Administration and its allies in the Congress appear to be moving ahead with those plans. 

Progress for EVs Under Biden

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) surged ahead under the Biden administration. The number of public charging ports more than doubled from 2021 levels, with nearly 1,000 new stations coming online weekly. This rapid expansion has made EVs more accessible to consumers nationwide. Biden’s policies also drove record-breaking EV sales. In 2023, 1.5 million passenger EVs were sold in the U.S., a 50% increase from 2022. Over a vehicle’s lifetime, an EV owner can save between $18,000 and $24,000 on fuel and maintenance

The transition to electric vehicles now faces significant roadblocks. The Trump administration has rolled back key policies supporting clean transportation. The administration revoked a federal goal for 50% of new car sales to be electric by 2030, froze funding for EV charging infrastructure, and proposed eliminating the $7,500 federal tax credit for EV buyers. Further, Trump ordered his agencies to roll-back federal emission and fuel economy standards, and moved to rescind state emission waivers that allow states like California to set stricter pollution standards. This will slow EV innovation and allow gas-powered cars to remain dominant. These actions prioritize fossil fuels over clean energy, threatening progress toward a sustainable transportation future. Notably, Tesla, with its established market presence and domestic manufacturing, could gain a competitive edge as rivals face increased costs and reduced incentives.

Despite these federal setbacks, the push for EV adoption continues at the state level, and Michigan stands to benefit from leading the charge.

Michigan’s Stake in the EV Transition

As the heart of the U.S. auto industry, Michigan has more to gain — or lose — than any other state in the EV transition. Auto manufacturing is Michigan’s top industry, employing 18% of the nation’s auto workforce. While Michigan leads in EV-related jobs per capita, other states are quickly catching up, while China and the European Union lead the world in EV production and adoption. Michigan needs federal investment to stay at the leading edge of the global transition to EVs. 

Gabriela Santiago Romero is the council member for District 6 in Detroit, an area that has high unemployment and is heavily polluted by truck traffic. She is angry that programs to build battery plants and incentives to transition diesel powered trucks to EVs are now on hold. “There were a lot of opportunities to think about how we turn over from old fossil fuel to new energy, and that is at a standstill right now,” she laments. “So cutting back on that is also scaling back on job opportunities for Detroiters.”

Detroit is continuing to invest in the EV transition, using a variety of funding sources to install chargers in key locations like parks and public lots where home charging isn’t an option. Community-based EV car-sharing programs are also expanding access, ensuring that clean transportation benefits all residents, not just those who can afford a personal EV.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has recognized the urgency of staying competitive. The Michigan Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) aims for two million EVs on Michigan roads by 2030, but without federal funding, that goal will be hard to reach. The state’s 2025 budget included $30 million to fill gaps left by federal and utility programs, but that one-time funding is just a drop in the bucket.

The environmental and health stakes are just as high. Michigan’s transportation sector accounts for 32% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, with 58% coming from passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. A University of Michigan study found that EVs reduce lifetime emissions by 64% compared to gas-powered cars.

For communities like Detroit, where air pollution contributes to the highest asthma rate in the country, transitioning to EVs isn’t just about climate — it’s about public health. Cutting vehicle emissions will mean cleaner air and lower healthcare costs, especially in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by pollution.

The Road Ahead: Michigan Must Lead

With the federal government rolling back EV-friendly policies, Michigan must take the lead in securing its economic and environmental future. EV have so many benefits: lower long term costs for drivers, creating high-paying jobs, reduced pollution, and a strengthened Michigan’s auto industry. The biggest drawbacks for consumers are the scarcity of charging stations in some areas and the comparatively high sticker price of EVs. But with strong investment in charging infrastructure, consumer incentives, and public education, we can get there. 

If Michigan wants to remain at the epicenter of US auto manufacturing, the state must not only build EVs but ensure its residents drive them, too. The transition is happening — Michigan has a choice: lead or fall behind.

By Yuki Nakayama, Ecology Center Environmental Storyteller Rackham Fellow

If you have any interest in any hobby or activity, now is the time to get started and connect with your local community groups!

One of the major elements of practicing More Life, Less Stuff is extending the life of the objects you already have. This means repairing or mending things as necessary. When the pandemic came in full force in 2020, I decided that I would do my best to not purchase any new clothes until the pandemic was over. I did not want to add to the workload of essential workers like delivery drivers by ordering things online. I also wanted to cut the temptation for retail therapy because online shopping is so easy, but can have financial and environmental impacts. This solo “no-buy” challenge was easier to do during that time since I was not seeing anyone in-person and there wasn’t any pressure to look nice, but I have managed to continue it. (Read one of our past articles on No-Buy challenges)

What started as a no-buy challenge led to reaffirming the joy and excitement I experience when I engage in a craft like sewing or mending. I grew up with family members who have creative hobbies like quilting, knitting, and crocheting. Both of my grandmothers were well versed in Japanese and Western methods of sewing. The yukata (a summer Kimono) I still wear every summer was hand sewn by my grandmother. I also have sweaters that my great aunt knitted in the 90s that are lasting longer than the mass manufactured clothes I bought more recently and they always get complimented on how beautiful they are. 

Growing up, I was always encouraged to pursue creative projects and classes. I started my first sewing class when I was 10 years old. Despite the fact that I grew up sewing and with a family with many creative hobbies, it fell to the sidelines as my life took on new interests and challenges. I currently do not own a sewing machine and need to sew by hand, so my sewing ideas and projects got filed under “when I have time and a sewing machine in the future.” I rarely got around to them.

While I had sewing experience, darning was new to me. I purchased my first darning needles to practice mending on some old socks with holes (pictured left). I bought my darning needles and yarn at a local shop called Spun in Kerrytown. The people that work there were helpful and friendly, and they told me about classes and community meetings that they host for people who like to knit and craft — a whole local community I wasn’t aware of before. A few days after I purchased my new tools, I stopped by the store during my weekly shopping trip in Kerrytown because I was eager to show someone how my first darning project turned out. They gave me the biggest smile and praise for what I accomplished, which made me so happy.   

In most tutorials, they tell you to buy a darning mushroom, a wooden object that helps to stretch and secure the fabric so you can mend it. While Spun had the needles, they didn’t have the mushrooms in stock, so I used the cap of my Klean Kanteen water bottle as a makeshift darning mushroom (pictured right). It’s been a few years and I still don’t own a proper darning mushroom or a loom. I continue to use the same bottle cap or any other object that fits my mending needs. This isn’t to say don’t buy the mushroom, because I absolutely want one. It can feel like you need to buy all of the gadgets and tools when starting a new hobby, but it’s not always necessary — you can start with the bare minimum. I probably could have started without the darning needles since I already have other sewing needles. 

What I discovered was not just a way to save my clothes from the trash or a new skill, but a community of people who are excited to welcome new people to experience mending and crafting together. The mending and crafting community at large has provided a safe and positive environment for me. The interest alone was enough to gain access and many were eager to help out beginners and share the joy. 

When the Ecology Center asked me for story ideas for the More Life, Less Stuff series, I had to mention mending. It encapsulates the “More Life, Less Stuff” philosophy so much to care for your clothes and to enjoy them in the various stages of their life. I have mending projects that I am too embarrassed to include in this article, but the quality does not matter, especially as a beginner. You can always start small on clothes you only wear at home. It is such a good lesson in giving yourself grace, not forcing perfectionism on yourself, and being a witness to your own journey. Improvement is not required — it may or may not happen, but that’s okay. It’s all about taking a moment to think about the objects you own and incorporating a practice of not throwing something away without considering a way to repair, mend, or to reuse creatively. 

Mending also saves money. I want to be honest and realistic about how this is a major motivation for my mending practice. The individual and collective financial reasons and impacts should not be ignored. If being mindful of environmental health also helps ensure my financial health, it is a big win. Centering your life is about thinking about how you spend your money and time in ways that reduce harm and increase well-being. As we see product prices rise, mending can help our wallets while making an environmental impact for our collective health. 

If you have any interest in any hobby or activity, now is the time to get started and connect with your local community groups! 

Sewing Classing & Machines at Ann Arbor District Library 

As I was researching local resources for mending, sewing, and other forms of crafting for this article, I remembered that the Ann Arbor District Library always has wonderful classes and workshops (AADL Events). I took this opportunity to attend one of them called Sewing Lab at the Downtown Branch. I ripped a pair of pajama pants almost a year ago (in the most ridiculous way possible) and wanted to turn them into shorts, but had not yet gotten to it. This was the perfect opportunity for me to finally get this project off my long to-do list while fulfilling my duties for the Ecology Center. I hadn’t used a sewing machine in 10 years, so it was nice to get a refresher and be able to ask questions to an expert. I had such a wonderful time, I will definitely be back for the next sewing lab! 

Sewing Lab is one of many FREE workshop series that the AADL organizes. This lab meets every two weeks at the Downtown Library’s Secret Lab (in the basement) and is open to Grades 6 to Adult (young children must be accompanied by an adult). You do not need to sign up for the class, pay any fees, bring any tools, or even have a library card. They provide all of the tools so you just show up with an interest in sewing. This is possibly the best deal I have ever seen on learning the basics of sewing. While each workshop has a specific theme that the instructor will do a demonstration of, the Sewing Lab is just a day where people can come to use the sewing machines available at the library, to get some advice from an expert, and/or to just be in community with people. 

You’re welcome to bring any type of project you are working on, and people of all levels are welcomed. You can use a sewing machine for the first time, work on your personal projects, or simply be present. You are not required to use a machine or have a project. You can simply observe if that feels the safest way for you to enter this space and activity. You can come alone or with friends. The instructor and the staff will show you how to use a sewing machine even if you’ve never used one before. 

"The Sewing Lab [at the AADL] is open to everyone!” -Rae Hoekstra and AADL

Rae Hoekstra, one of the sewing instructors along with Amber Adams-Fall, said that she wants more people to know that the Sewing Lab is open to everyone at any point in their sewing journey (Rae also offers free patterns and tools on her website). The library staff I talked to also noted that the Sewing Lab is just one of many Arts & Crafts events that the library offers every month across their branches and welcomes people to look on their website or to pick up the free monthly schedule available at the library. The Next Sewing Lab session is on April 28th from 6pm to 7:30pm with Amber. She will be demonstrating rolled hems.

The sewing machines can be found on the second floor of the AADL (at the downtown branch) in waterproof hard cases with wheels. 

I was not able to finish both legs of the pajama pants during the Sewing Lab time, so I checked out a sewing machine to take home. The AADL has many types of tools that can be checked by library card holders. The sewing machines come with everything you need inside a weather proof container. During the week I had the sewing machine, I finished my pajama pants and did other sewing projects I had previously put off because I didn’t want to hand sew. I regretted not borrowing a sewing machine from the library sooner!

Local mending and crafting groups:  

Here are different ways to start your mending, sewing, and crafting journey while connecting with the local arts & crafts community. 

1. Ann Arbor District Library Events page
2. Spun (a yarn store in Kerrytown) offers affordable classes, crafting related events, and free drop-in groups. They also have a “craft for cause” project with national charity organizations if you want to donate your crafted items.
3. Argus Farm Stop’s Packard Cafe has a weekly sewing club every Monday from 6 PM to 7:30 PM that is FREE and open to the public. You can learn to repair, repurpose, and restyle your clothes.
4. Ann Arbor sewing center offers affordable quilting classes and clubs. They also offer free quilting patterns on their website.
5. SCRAP Creative Reuse Center is a great place to donate your unused supplies and to shop for materials in a more sustainable way. They also offer many events and workshops.
6. Leabu Sewing Center has many classes, events, and sewing machine repair services. They also have a Stitch with SnL live on Youtube and Facebook (every Wednesday 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM)
7. Maker Works has crafting classes and crafting tools available for use in their shop. They also have a regular repair lab called Fix it Fridays if you have anything that requires repair.
8. There is a Google map list of fabric shops around the world focusing on small businesses to source your materials from.   

There will be articles soon on repair beyond mending clothes so be on the lookout for upcoming installments of the More Life, Less Stuff Series!! 

It's Michigan's budget season, and we are calling on our state representatives to put Michiganders' healthy future first when creating its budget. 

Michigan needs a budget that supports community resiliency as energy costs rise and the impacts of climate change worsen. We must invest in better energy efficiency, cleaner air, and sustainable transportation by reducing heating costs, updating homes, and expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging.

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program will help Michiganders access safer, more affordable heating options. In addition to its widespread benefits, this program will lower energy bills and improve air quality for the 327,000 rural households relying on delivered fuels. 

Improving the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will allow more families to weatherize their homes and save energy money while promoting long-term energy security.

A significant investment in EV charging and transportation will help position Michigan as a national leader in clean transportation, ensuring all communities, including rural areas, have access to EV technology.

We must continue our commitment to workforce development by supporting the Going PRO Talent Fund. This funding will equip our workers with the necessary skills for high-demand jobs in the EV and clean energy sectors, fostering innovation and economic growth.

Finally, we urge an increase of $50 million to bolster local bus operating funds, ensuring that all Michiganders have access to work, food, schools, and healthcare across all 83 counties.

Together, these investments represent a commitment to the future of Michigan—one that prioritizes energy efficiency, economic opportunity, and environmental health for all. 

FY26 Budget Priorities Facts

Reducing Heating Costs for Rural Michiganders ($5 million – EGLE)

• Adding targeted funding to the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program housed in EGLE will help more families in rural communities cover upfront costs associated with switching to safer, more affordable heat sources. 
• This investment will reduce energy bills, improve air quality and benefit Michigan’s 327,000 households, many of which are located in rural areas, that rely on delivered fuels for heating and cooking.
• Families who depend on delivered fuels like propane face higher costs and increased indoor health risks compared to those using electricity, research shows. 

Helping Families Update and Weatherize Their Homes to Save Money and Conserve Energy  ($10 million – MDHHS)

• Shifting a greater share of existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) federal energy assistance funds toward weatherization will help address rising energy costs for many families.
• This will also encourage updates and weatherization of older homes to put money back in families’ pockets and conserve energy.
• Increasing Michigan’s allocation from 10% to the full 15% allowed by law will provide savings for families, reduce reliance on short-term crisis assistance, promote long-term energy security and provide homeowners with greater self-sufficiency.  

Expanding EV Charging and Fleets ($45 million – EGLE)

• Proactively funding EV infrastructure and fleets helps Michigan stay competitive with other states, fills gaps in federal funding and helps position the state as a national leader in clean transportation. 
• This investment builds on Michigan’s ongoing efforts to grow EV charging accessibility, leveraging the existing Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure Program within EGLE and expanding it to include vehicle grants.  
• Expanding charging networks and clean fleet funding ensures rural areas, multifamily residents and small businesses have the same access to EV technology, reducing transportation costs and improving air quality for all communities. 

Supporting the Going PRO Talent Fund  

• Continued investment in the Going PRO Talent Fund ensures workers gain the skills needed for high-demand jobs in the EV and clean energy sectors, keeping Michigan at the forefront of innovation.  
• Funding helps small- and medium-sized businesses train employees through on-the-job training and apprenticeships, building a strong talent pipeline while creating and retaining good-paying jobs.  

Supporting the Energy Revolving Fund ($5 million - DTMB)

• The Energy Revolving Fund will support transitioning the state’s fleets to electric vehicles. 
• The revolving fund also provides resources to support strategic investments by state agencies in clean energy technology, renewable energy and initiatives that reduce energy costs.

Supporting the State Fleet Transition to Electric ($1 million - DTMB)

• Transitioning the state fleet to EVs reduces fuel and maintenance costs, leading to long-term savings for taxpayers while improving government efficiency. 
• Investing in state fleet electrification supports local EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers and the broader clean mobility supply chain, strengthening Michigan’s economy for years to come. 

Investing in Local Bus Operating  ($50 million increase to $276 million total - MDOT)

• Investing in Michigan’s full transportation system (buses, trains, senior services, ferries, pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, etc.) will enable all Michiganders as they go to work, school, doctor’s appointments and more, even if they can’t drive or their car breaks down.
• This investment will support all 77 public transit services in all 83 Michigan counties which together provide more than 45 million rides each year.
• MDOT has allocated a portion of state gas tax funds to local public transit for 75 years. This increased investment restores that support, addressing increased costs and needs local agencies are facing and preventing shut downs of essential local services.

By Crystal Zanders, More Life, Less Stuff Freelance Writer

I spent most of 2024 stressed out — it felt like one thing after another. Luckily, everything has worked out, but dealing with it gave me a new perspective on stress.

There are a lot of things in life we have no control over. When bad things happen, we choose how we are going to respond. I have learned to identify the energy-wasters in my life and to do what I can to declutter my mind so that after I deal with the real problems, I have more space and energy to live my life and experience joy. More joyful life, Less joyless stuff. 

While reading online forums about having less stuff, I learned about digital decluttering, a relatively new concept. I realized that much of the time I  spend using technology is ‘energy-wasting’ instead of ‘joy-bringing.’  So, I am starting my decluttering process there. 

To be clear, I am not anti-technology. There are some ways that it helps us create a better, more enriching, more fulfilled life. I work remotely and live far from many of my friends and family. I am very grateful for current technology because not only does it enable folks with disabilities to live fuller lives, but it also allows us to connect with each other.  However, it can also distract and disrupt life. 

This isn’t about judging folks or myself for using technology but about making sure the technology is bringing life, not just more stuff.  

So, how do we optimize the use of technology to create more life? How can we be purposeful about when, where, and why we use it — so that we are using it, it isn't using us?

Ask yourself, how much time are you spending in digital spaces?

Before I could begin to declutter, I had to stop and take stock of how much time I was spending in digital spaces and what I was doing during that time. Luckily, my phone tracks that for me. 

Due to health issues, I spent the holidays alone. So, I spent more time using technology.  I want to make sure I am spending my unstructured time doing things that matter to me. For example, I spent almost eight hours on my phone on New Year's Day. 

Four hours were spent on calls and texts to and from people I care about. For me, connecting with them was a good use of technology. However, it might not have been such a good idea if I had been surrounded by family and/or friends in person. So, be sure to consider the context. 

I spent another hour on YouTube. Since I listen to news and documentaries on YouTube while walking my dogs, I consider that an hour well-spent. I was outside getting fresh air and exercise, a positive use of time and technology. 

The last three hours of my screen time were split between an online game and social media. I see my online gaming as neutral. It helps me relax. Some people knit; I play merge games. Learn more about healthy gaming. 

That week, in addition to my groceries,  I bought some dog toys. I felt guilty because, in an attempt to buy less stuff, I gave my dogs last year’s toys for Christmas. When you put a dog toy away for a few months, then bring it back out, dogs treat it like a new toy. Now that I think about it, I wonder if my guilt came from me or from the daily emails that I get from the pet supply store. Was this my idea, or was it a result of the targeted ads that I see all the time on social media because I have purchased dog food online?

My relationship with social media is more complicated because some of my time there is associated with my work. I use Facebook to network with writers around the world; LinkedIn is where I connect with other academics; I do some of my research on Reddit.

On New Year's Day, however, I was just reading and watching random things. I spent time watching a video of a dog hopping through the snow over and over again. I read comments to see how "the internet" responded to the news of a reality TV star's imminent (and third?) divorce. Although I find all of this entertaining, looking at my digital use with a critical eye, I need to consider: 

Am I on social media because I am afraid that I'll miss out on something? If I go to social media for entertainment, am I having fun? (Dog video, yes. Reality star, not really.) 

A University of Michigan study found that the more time people spent on Facebook, the less happy they were. Social media can increase feelings of anxiety and depression, especially in children and teenagers. For young people, this problem has gotten so bad that the US surgeon general is calling for a warning label on social media platforms. More Life, Less Social Media.

In my years of working in education, I've learned that kids tend to emulate what you do, not what you say. So, our relationship with technology affects the children in our lives. We have to be careful that what’s supposed to entertain us isn't bringing us down instead. 

If you aren't benefiting from the use of this technology, then it might be time to digitally declutter your life — set time limits, especially on social media and the news. 

More Life, Less Stuff

How is your use of technology impacting your life? 

• What & who matters most to you in life?
• How much time are you spending on those things and with those people?
• Is your relationship to technology interfering with your relationships with people?
• Is the time you are spending with technology improving your life?
• Would using less technology give you more life?
• Are there things in your technology usage that aren't serving you or connecting you with what and who matters the most?
• When looking at entertainment, are you having fun?

The More Life, Less Stuff campaign hopes to inspire you to connect with your community and use less stuff (technology included!) Stay tuned for Part 2 of digital decluttering: Set limits for your digital use.  

By Yuki Nakayama, Ecology Center Environmental Storyteller Rackham Fellow

"We need materials and production systems in harmony with nature so that we are not constantly playing catch up to remove toxins in our environment." -Jeff Gearhart (Ecology Center Research Director)

The 20th anniversary of the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP) is coming up! Since the 1990s, the Ecology Center has been working on projects to address the use of toxic chemicals in consumer goods, including automobiles. After releasing its landmark 2001 study on mercury in automobiles, Ecology Center led the campaign to create this long-lasting, successful federal program. (more on EC's past articles on Healthy Cars here).

What Are Mercury-Containing Switches?

Mercury-containing switches are small glass capsules that contain about one gram of mercury (image below). They were used for decades to activate hood and truck convenience lights and as motion sensors for anti-lock braking systems. Non-mercury switch alternatives were always available for these applications, but were not commonly used in cars.

An Ecology Center-led campaign and legal pressure forced the auto industry to eliminate these switches in newly manufactured cars 20 years ago.  However, this left millions of older vehicles with mercury switches that no one was taking responsibility for recovering. 

What is the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program (NVMSRP)?

NVMSRP is a voluntary nationwide agreement between the EPA, American Iron & Steel Institute, Automotive Recyclers Association, Ecology Center, Environmental Council of States, Environmental Defense, End of Life Vehicle Solutions, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, and the Steel Manufacturers Association to recover mercury switches from 2002 and older scrap vehicles before they are shredded for recycling. (Program establishment article from 2007) 

They created a system and financial incentive by supplying prepaid collection buckets to be shipped to EPA warehouses. Participating automobile dismantlers are paid $1 per switch from a $4 million fund created by the industry. Mercury switches are small (roughly the size of an acorn), but each contains one gram or more of mercury.

Since 2006, over seven million mercury switches have been removed– the equivalent of roughly eight tons of mercury! 

Why Should We Care? 

Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause serious health issues, such as developmental, neurological, behavioral, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and immune system disorders. For example, inhaled as a vapor, mercury can cause tremors, memory loss, and muscle weakness. Mercury pollution threatens wildlife and can build up in the fish people eat. (more information on mercury and other toxins:  Healthy Stuff Lab's Chemicals of Concern Article)

While Michigan banned mercury in thermometers in January 2002, it is still found in cars made in the 1980s and 1990s. Over 200 million mercury switches containing 250 tons of mercury were installed in vehicles before the project started in 2006. This means cars with mercury switches stayed on the road until they reached the end of their life cycle. Before this project, all car parts (including those with mercury) were shredded.

While coal-fired power plants are the #1 source of mercury pollution, emitting approximately 50 tons of mercury a year, car disposal was the third highest source of mercury emissions to the environment. As cars were disposed of, mercury pollution was released into our environment because a clean and safe system did not exist. 

The NVMSRP is at the tail end of its project now that newer cars do not contain mercury switches. While not all of the mercury switches on the road were collected, the program successfully continued an important nationwide initiative for 20 years and created a large-scale project to address the disposal of products with toxic chemicals.  

"A Product Design Disaster" 

Jeff Gearhart, Ecology Center Research Director, described the issue as a “disaster in design,” stating that “They [manufacturers] weren’t thinking about the consequences or the lifetime of the products.” This led to the urgent need to develop a safe removal program to recover the millions of mercury switches out on the road.

The Ecology Center conducted survey reports exploring opportunities for public policy advocacy, market campaigns, and public exposure to ensure safe and healthy cars. The reports identified two key policy pieces: extended producer responsibility (to clean up the mess) and design responsibility, which clearly articulates the chemicals manufacturers cannot use (which sadly did not exist before the ’90s).

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Producer responsibility is about ensuring that manufacturers are held accountable through the entire life cycle of a product, not just its creation. This means requiring producers to bear the systemic and financial responsibility for the disposal process of the waste generated and addressing the environmental harm caused by their products. 

In the case of mercury switches, the program started with the automobile and steel industry paying for prepaid buckets and collection payments. The initial incentive fund was exhausted in 2009, and the collection payments stopped, but the prepaid buckets continue to be provided through the program. Due to the automobile industry's reluctance to provide funding, the program was at risk of ending by 2017.

However, the steel industry decided to continue financially supporting the program, extending it through 2027 (press releases on program extension.)This is because Electric Arc Furnaces will face more regulations if they do not clean up mercury from steel scraps they process, creating an incentive for the industry to fund the mercury switch program. This highlights the challenge of ensuring the industry takes financial responsibility for using toxic chemicals in the absence of regulatory enforcement.

What is Design Responsibility?

Design responsibility is about getting to the source of the issue at the earliest stage possible in the production process. The NVMSRP successfully created a voluntary standard for the automobile industry to urge them to avoid specific chemicals in their products — a mixture of legal requirements, legislative efforts in individual countries, and voluntary efforts led by the industry. NVMSRP and many others have led to things like the Global Automotive Declarable Substance List, which requires suppliers to declare the use of certain chemicals and prohibits the use of the most toxic ones. 

These efforts actively drive change in the supply chain so that toxic chemicals are not being used from the beginning rather than having to clean them up afterwards. It is important to note that many agreements are voluntary and not required, which is why we must continue to work to establish legislative requirements to hold the industry accountable for the products they design. 

Lessons Learned from the Project

While the project removed over seven million switches (amounting to over seven million grams of mercury = eight tons) and limited mercury use in automobiles, there is still a long road ahead for clean and healthy cars.

Cars still have parts that contain PFAS, flame retardants, plastics, and other harmful chemicals, and the industry continues to face challenges in screening suppliers for hazards. For example, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, a type of PFAS) is frequently used as a coolant in car air conditioners, even though safer alternatives, called "natural refrigerants," are available.  

This means producer and design responsibility continues to be neglected as our cars are still produced using toxic and harmful materials. The same structural issues that the mercury switch recovery project faced are replicated across different toxic chemicals and industries.

Producer and design responsibility must be addressed in tandem to ensure that healthy products are created with imminent disposal in mind and to create a safe removal process for products already out in the world.

Alongside producer and design responsibility, the project identified other important principles that must be centered as we work towards a healthier world: better hazard assessments and green chemistry. There is an urgent need to develop better evaluation and screening tools built on an inherent hazard-based approach rather than waiting on long-term studies on individual chemicals. Some tools, such as Green Screen, help companies have better screening practices and alternatives at the design stage, but there is a need for more. 

Better screenings also require more developments in green chemistry that can identify safer alternatives for manufacturers and consumers. However, a training gap is caused by the separation of scientific fields such as chemistry, environmental science, and toxicology, which are necessary for innovations in green chemistry. Funding for collaborative research across fields is urgently needed to expand our knowledge about materials. 

Gearhart also stated, "We need materials and production systems in harmony with nature so that we are not constantly playing catch up to remove environmental toxins." Change is slow and gradual, but the mercury switch program shows us that it is never too late to act and that our collective effort is crucial to making big changes to ensure access to safe products.

What Can People Do?

• Support extended producer laws in your state. Many states have bills regarding this key issue. In Michigan, House Bill 5902 was introduced in the House in 2024. Check out more information on the bill here.

• Own fewer cars and use local public transportation. You can support local public and other fossil fuel-free forms of transportation projects. Check out programs like A2Zero, Adopt-a-stop, getDowntown, and D2A2 in Ann Arbor.

• Support and advocate for urban city planning that relies on fewer cars and centers on more walking, biking, and public transit. Support local bills expanding public transportation, like MI House Bill 5769. 

• Donate to the Ecology Center and stay informed about the ongoing campaigns at the Ecology Center on PFAS, Lead, and Microplastics.  Start by learning about our Healthy Stuff Lab and our most recent article about the retailer report card.

Proposal includes $250 million for buses, transit 

LANSING – A broad coalition of Michigan organizations is expressing support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recently announced $3 billion transportation plan because it makes important investments in both public transportation and roads, while not taking away from schools and cities.

Within Gov. Whitmer’s MI Road Ahead Plan, $250 million will be allocated for local bus services and new transit projects, following Michigan’s long-established transportation investment formula. The Governor also commits that funding shifted away from schools and cities would be fully replaced by other revenue. The groups look forward to additional details, such as where the $500 million of unidentified budget cuts would come from, and assurance that any shifts in the gas tax will not further penalize EVs.  

This follows the coalition’s push last week for the state to invest in a sustainable, affordable transportation system, instead of focusing exclusively on pavement-only solutions for roads.  

The following organizations support funding Michigan’s full transportation system: 

• Transportation Riders United
• Michigan Environmental Council
• Ecology Center
• Evergreen Action
• Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action

“We applaud the Governor for recognizing the importance of investing in all of Michigan’s infrastructure,” said Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United. “Strong leaders recognize that growing Michigan depends on resilient infrastructure, great schools, and thriving cities.”

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By Yuki Nakayama, Ecology Center Environmental Storyteller Rackham Fellow

I love movies! My passion led to me pursuing a Ph.D. in it. As a film fan, my “More Life, Less Stuff” activities frequently center on going to local film screenings and events on my own and with friends. There is a special kind of experience that you can only get from watching a movie on a big screen in a dark theater room away from smartphones and outside realities. The films create a temporary escape and provide a rich topic to have interesting conversations with friends. The events also help me connect with new people interested in films.

The More Life, Less Stuff campaign is not simply about encouraging more sustainable lifestyle choices and buying less stuff. It is about encouraging people to look around to find local experiences that can enrich our lives as an individual and as a community. What counts as an enriching, fun experience will differ for each person. We want to help inspire readers to think about what kind of activities they might enjoy by sharing some of our favorites. 

In this article, I want to inform you about the cool film series currently taking place on the University of Michigan Campus by different research centers and departments. Many of which are free! 

Nam Center for Korean Studies: Korean Cinema Now (Free Event)

The Nam Center for Korean Studies was established in 2007. The Korean Cinema Now film series is one of my favorite film series on campus. The series takes place in the Winter term (January to April) on Saturdays at 1pm and is free (first come first serve basis). One of the main attractions of this series is that it focuses on recently released films (blockbusters and independent) that do not normally circulate in the US. Despite the fact that we now have streaming platforms, many films around the world are still hard to see, especially new releases. The series includes a wide range of genres.

The upcoming film is Exhuma (Jang Jae-Hyun, 2024), a horror thriller about an investigation into a supernatural illness plaguing a wealthy family and the dark mystery that is unearthed from the grave. Screened at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in 2023, this film was the highest grossing South Korean film of 2024 and the sixth highest grossing South Korean Film of all time. Come see Exhuma on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 1 PM at the State Theater (Tickets not needed. First come, first serve)    

You can view the entire line up and get more information on the Marquee Arts website. 

Center for South Asian Studies: Spotlight on Women Directors (Free)

The Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS) ,established in 1999, started their film series in 2023 to join the unique landscape of Asian cinema series and events at the University of Michigan. The series takes place over the academic school year featuring a mixture of recent releases, old classics, blockbuster films, and independent films from all over South Asia (not just Bollywood films)! Many South Asian Films, especially independent films, do not circulate widely in the US and free screenings need special approval from the distributor. The founding curator, Veerandra Prasad, uses the personal connections he has built over the years to bring these films to Ann Arbor audiences. He is a screenwriter, director, and lecturer in the department of Film, Television, and Media. Each film will have a short intro by the curator.

This year the film series focuses on women directors. The next film is an Indian comedy film, titled Laapataa Ladies (Kiran Rao, 2024), about two young brides accidentally swapped on the train that end up on a  journey with hilarious and unexpected consequences. This film was selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Category for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards over ALL We Imagine as Light which created some controversy. The screening is on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 7pm at the Michigan Theater (must reserve a ticket through the Michigan Theater website). The films are announced on the CSAS website and the Marquee Arts website. 

Center for Japanese Studies: Masato Harada: A Life in Cinema (Tickets available for purchase)

The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) was founded in 1947 and has organized many events related to Japan. Their film series is the longest running Japanese film series in the world. They have shown over 650 films and invited many filmmakers to Ann Arbor. The film series takes place during the winter term (January to April) every Thursday at 7pm at the State Theater. All of the screenings have a short introduction by the curator or an expert. 

This year’s series focuses on the works by director Masato Harada, curated by Markus Nornes (Professor of Asian Cinema in the department of Film, Television, & Media and Asian Languages & Cultures). The next film of the series is The Emperor in August (2015), which is a remake of the 1967 film Japan’s Longest Day by Kihachi Okamoto. This film chronicles the chain of events in the last 4 months of World War II in Japan leading to the famous surrender broadcast by Emperor Hirohito on August 15, 1945. The Emperor in August is currently not available for streaming in the US so don’t miss your chance to see it on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7 PM at the State Theater (Ticket Purchase required).

Check out the films and purchase your tickets on the Marquee Arts Webpage.

These are just a few of the film series available through the University of Michigan. There are many other film-related events running at various points in the year: 

• The German film series by the German Languages & Cultures department (free with food). 
• II Cineforum: Italian Classics on Campus Series by the Romance Languages & Literatures department (free).
• WCEE Film series by Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (free).
• CHOP (China Ongoing Perspectives) film events by the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (free).
• The Polish film festival by the Slavic Languages & Literatures department (free for UM students). 

All free events that are open to the public organized by the University of Michigan can be found on the Happenings @ Michigan page. 

Don’t miss out on the cool (free!) opportunities here in Ann Arbor to connect with films that are otherwise difficult to access. Be part of the Ann Arbor film community and history by attending the events. More articles about inspiring More Life, Less Stuff activities will be coming soon. If there are any groups or organizations you think should be featured as part of this series, please let us know! We’re always excited to learn about local groups. 

The new year brings a shared resolve to make positive changes in our lives. In 2025, we’re committed to continuing to push for a safer, toxic-free material economy. Toxic chemicals have no place in our everyday environments, and shopping for safe products shouldn’t be difficult.

Released in late 2024, Toxic-Free Future’s Retailer Report Card evaluates and grades major US and Canadian retailers' efforts to eliminate hazardous chemicals and plastics from their supply chains and promote safer alternatives.

Toxic chemicals in everyday products have been found to be linked to serious health risks, including cancer, developmental delays, and hormone disruption. These chemicals often find their way into plastics, household goods, and even food packaging, creating a pervasive and dangerous cycle. 

As federal regulatory protections face threats of rollback, the need for market-based solutions is more urgent than ever. Remember that we have the power to buy or not buy. Through informed intentional purchasing, we can avoid shopping at retailers who are failing to protect shoppers from toxic chemicals. The Retailer Report Card is based on grading Four Essential Elements of a Safer Marketplace: Corporate Commitment, Transparency, Ban the Bad, and Safer Solutions. It’s important to note that these grades do not factor fair labor practices, wages, or community benefit. The grades are also based on publicly available data released by individual retailers.

What did the Retailer Report Card Find? 

Overall, most retailers are failing to protect consumers from toxic chemicals and harmful plastics, with the average grade across 50 companies being a troubling D+. 56% (28 of 50) retailers have a corporate safer chemicals policy and 16% participate in the Chemical Footprint Project (CFP), but many still scored low. Most retailers do not know or ask their suppliers about the chemical content of products, making it difficult for retailers or consumers to assess and avoid harmful hazards.  

Which retailers scored low? 

17 retailers earned failing F grades, placing them in the report’s Toxic Hall of Shame. Those failing include well-known brands such as 7-Eleven, Five Below, LL Flooring, McDonald’s, Sally Beauty, among others. Retailers with failing grades had one or more categories with a 0% score with a low average across all categories. In particular, 7-Eleven, Couche-Tard, Publix, Sherwin-Williams, and Trader Joe’s scored 0% on all four evaluation categories. The retailer report card also shows that restaurant chains and dollar stores that tend to be in  low-income communities and communities of color ranked low. This disproportionately impacts communities who may not have access to safer alternatives. Read the Report for the complete list. 

Which retailers scored high? 

Apple, Sephora, Target, and Walmart achieved the highest scores for their commitment to restrict toxic chemicals. Ulta Beauty improved the most by nearly doubling its score since they were first evaluated. More than one in three retailers improved their scores compared to past reports. It is Important to look at individual scores for each category to better understand their scores. For example, a retailer can score high for Corporate Commitment, but score much lower for other categories and vice versa. 

We are urging all retailers and suppliers to publicly commit to protecting shoppers through stronger chemical policies and to take sufficient action to remove toxic chemicals from their shelves. Policy and action must be done together to ensure safer products for all consumers. 

What Can We Do to Push for a Safer Marketplace?  

Being an informed consumer can push the market towards scientific innovation. The Retailer Report Card is not just a critique, it’s a guide for retailers to clean up their act, and for communities to demand better. Many of the stores mentioned in the Retailer Report Card have locations in Michigan, and these grades can guide where we choose to shop or not. Our purchasing power can be an advocacy tool to push retailers towards pulling toxic chemicals from their shelves and instead, offering safer solutions. Using our power as customers can also push companies and governments to invest time and resources to identify safer alternatives for hazardous chemicals. 

Retailers in the Toxic Hall of Shame need to hear from you. 

Join us in urging retailers to commit to safer products and improved transparency.

Here’s how to take action:

1. Read the Report: Learn more about the 2024 Retailer Report Card key findings here.
2. Contact Retailers: Click here to send a message to CEOs of failing retailers.
3. Be a conscious shopper: Support local businesses with passing grades and transparent practices. Ask local small businesses who aren’t part of this report whether or not they are trying to remove toxic chemicals from their shelves. Find those who are leading the charge toward safer products.
4. Participate in a no buy challenge: the most sustainable product is the one that isn’t purchased. Check out our More Life, Less Stuff series to get inspiration! 

Together, we can drive change, one purchase, one policy, one campaign at a time. 

By Trilby MacDonald, Ecology Center Writer

On January 20, President Trump issued executive orders designed to reverse the Justice40 initiative and most other federal environmental justice initiatives. By themselves, however, the orders don't end the program or undo the positive impact it has had in overburdened communities across the country. Its fate will be determined in the coming years. To explain what's at stake, read on.

Devastating fires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels are a staple of the daily news cycle. Although climate-related catastrophes like these seem far from Michigan, the state has declared major disasters due to flooding five times in the past decade. Many Michiganders are taking steps to protect themselves and reduce their carbon footprints by weatherizing their homes and investing in clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. 

Folks who live in disadvantaged zip codes with crumbling infrastructure and few public services are the hardest hit by climate change, yet many say they feel left behind by the clean energy movement. The cost of basic home improvements that would lower energy bills and emissions are expensive for people struggling to make ends meet. The costs of solar power and electric vehicles are completely out of reach. Grassroots organizations working to build climate resilience in disadvantaged communities have also been left out.  Without the funding and capacity needed to win and manage large government grants, they are at a disadvantage compared to larger, richer competitors.

To address these inequities, President Biden issued the Justice40 initiative, requiring 40% of the benefit of federal climate and infrastructure investments go towards community-based organizations in overburdened neighborhoods. These investments fall under the wide umbrella of Environmental Justice and can include everything from flood mitigation, renewable energy, and workforce development to transportation, housing, and pollution reduction. The Biden Administration tapped Tony Reames, University of Michigan Tishman Professor of Environmental Justice and former Ecology Center board member, to lead the bold initiative.

Energy Justice with Tony Reames:

“It’s a way for the federal government to think about communities experiencing the climate crisis first and worst, making sure they’re at the front of the line,” explains Reames in an interview with the Ecology Center. His passion for environmental justice springs from his experience growing up in a “quintessential environmental justice community” in rural South Carolina, home to the state’s largest landfill, a maximum security prison, and legacy contamination by the textile industry. Justice40 unlocks the power of government to improve access to affordable and reliable clean energy for communities like his. 

Environmental justice recognizes the historical and systemic inequities in how environmental harms and benefits are distributed and seeks to remedy those disparities,” explains Reames, while energy justice aims to achieve “equity in both the social and economic participation in the energy system while also remediating the social, economic, and health burdens of those who have historically been harmed by that system.

Between 2021 and 2023, Justice40 allocated roughly $600 billion across more than 500 programs in 19 federal agencies, making it the largest distribution of federal funding to benefit marginalized communities in U.S. history. To make sure the money is going to the right places, applicants must measure how their projects would aid local communities.  “We looked at disadvantaged communities through metrics like energy burdens, pollution exposure, and access to clean energy technologies, ensuring resources go to those who need them most,” Reames explains.

The Michigan Justice40 Accelerator program overseen by The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE,) provides funding, training, and technical support to community-based organizations at the forefront of the environmental justice movement. Each organization in the program receives a $15,000 grant to provide project development and technical assistance, such as grant writers to build proposals that could attract funding for transformative projects. Ecology Center partner, the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides the Michigan Justice40 Accelerator with operations and community engagement support.

MEJC addresses the root causes of climate change, including racism and capitalism, which affect people of color and low-income communities the most. MEJC’s approach is as diverse as the communities it represents, including organizing, policy advocacy, and direct action to build collective power and achieve statewide environmental justice from the ground up. MEJC’s signature Energy Democracy campaign focuses on protecting consumers’ rights and dismantling DTE’s lock on the energy market in Southeast Michigan. Elijah Williams, MEJC Community Organizer, chairs the Arts and Community subcommittee of the Energy Democracy campaign. He moved to Detroit from Jackson, Mississippi in late 2023 and was shocked by the high cost of living, especially utilities. “Michiganders pay way too much for energy in general, and the price keeps going up. There’s been like two or three rate increases since I’ve lived here.” Williams believes that artistic expression can harness the power of collective action by helping people “to make the connection between culture, energy justice, and democracy.” He sees the arts as a vital tool for cultivating community identity and resilience. 

Looking back on his childhood, Williams recalls being taught to conserve water and energy to save money. “But now I see it as saving resources for the good of the community,” he says. This shift in perspective inspires his vision: “I want to be able to reintroduce energy democracy from a standpoint of autonomy and not out of fear.” Together with his fellow activists at MEJC, Williams finds joy and fellowship in creative projects that not only express the pain of energy injustice but also light a path forward through collective action.

Justice40 is an ambitious stride toward addressing the deep disparities that have long left underrepresented communities bearing the brunt of environmental harm. It shows what is possible when government policy aligns with grassroots advocacy and a vision of equality. While the initiative marks significant progress, our energy justice work is only just beginning. Regardless of political shifts, the pursuit of fairness and resilience must go on. Now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to ensure a just transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future for all.

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued its final order in DTE Electric Company’s rate case, approving a rate increase of $217 million, less than half of its requested $456 million, while maintaining DTE’s return on equity of 9.9%.

The Clean Energy Organizations (CEOs), who intervened in the case, appreciate the Commission’s attention to affordability and reliability, but urge continued work to advance grid equity and clean energy adoption.

The CEOs support the Commission’s decision to approve DTE’s electric vehicle investments, which will expand charging infrastructure as more drivers opt for EVs. This includes $12.5 million in capital expenses for DTE Electric’s Charging Forward program in 2024 and $5.1 million in 2025, as well as additional expenses in support of the company’s residential, business and eFleet charger rebate programs. These investments will boost EV adoption, improve air quality, and support economic growth in the region. 

As part of its ruling, the Commission adopted a default time-of-use rate for the residential class, supported by the analysis of CEO Witness William Kenworthy. Importantly, the Commission directly adopted Mr. Kenworthy’s recommendations regarding ways to address the negative impacts of time-of-use rates on vulnerable customers.  

However, the Commission’s decisions fell short in addressing certain critical needs for scaling up local, distributed clean energy resources and non-conventional solutions like virtual power plants (VPPs) and demand response programs that collectively improve grid flexibility and reliability. The failure to transition pilot programs, such as microgrids, into full-scale initiatives that deliver meaningful grid value misses an opportunity to drive broader clean energy adoption and promote greater equity.

While CEOs appreciate the Commission's recognition of equity in investment decisions, the order misses the opportunity to expand equity metrics like energy burden and disconnection rates. It also falls short of requiring a comprehensive framework for evaluating how investments impact disadvantaged communities – critical steps to ensuring Michigan’s clean energy transition benefits everyone, particularly those most burdened by the current energy system.

Charles Griffith, Director, Climate & Energy Program, Ecology Center said:

“We appreciate the Commission’s Order upholding the company’s Charging Forward EV programs, which will boost EV adoption by ensuring greater access to EV charging where people live, work and play. These programs will not only help to improve air quality and curb climate change, but will also spur new economic development in the region and put downward pressure on utility rates.”   

Daniel Abrams, Senior Associate Attorney, ELPC said:

“The Commission’s order authorizes important spending on DTE’s distribution grid aimed at improving reliability, particularly in EJ communities. We applaud the Commission for its continued, specific attention to the needs of these communities. However, DTE and the Commission need to go further to incorporate distributed energy and new technologies into the DTE’s portfolio to best prepare for the grid needs of the future.” 

Lee Shaver, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists said:

“We appreciate the Commission's efforts to advance affordability and reliability in DTE’s operations. But DTE and the Commission must continue working to more deeply integrate energy justice principles into the company’s grid investments, while also embracing innovative solutions such as batteries and microgrids that can cost-effectively enhance reliability and advance the clean energy transition.”

Will Kenworthy, Senior Regulatory Director, Vote Solar said:

“The adoption of default residential time-of-use rates is the right thing for the energy system. Like the Commission has ordered them to do, DTE has the ability to identify the small number of vulnerable customers for whom this is not the best option. The CEO believes this is the right approach and we’re pleased to see the Company implement it.”

The CEOs include The Ecology Center, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Vote Solar.

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