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DNR Get Involved – July 2020
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| DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
Whether your child is barely tall enough to reach the light switch or you have a teenager living in their own world, it can often be a challenge to get kids to save energy. But the monetary and environmental consequences of wasting energy is an important lesson for kids of all ages to learn.
So, how can you attract your child’s interest in energy consumption? SaveOnEnergy has a few tips to help parents steer their children toward becoming energy savers in no time.
Set a good example. Children emulate their parents’ behavior. If you constantly adjust the heat rather than put on a sweater, leave the lights on all over the house or stand with the refrigerator door open while deciding on a snack, you can’t expect your children to do the opposite. Instead, take the time to research easy ways to save energy and follow your own advice. Your kids will take notice and start following your lead.
Start early. Even before your youngsters are tall enough to reach the light switch, you can tell them why saving energy is important. Young children love a running commentary, so while you’re taking a short shower or cooking efficiently in the kitchen, you can explain what you’re doing and why. You can also ask them for “help” – lift them up to turn off the light switch or have them push a door closed for you. By educating your kids early in life, they will grow up knowing how to conserve energy and why it’s important.
Read about recycling, conservation efforts, and saving gas, electricity and water. Many children’s books tackle the difficult topic of climate change in terms they can understand. Whether it’s teaching them to sort recyclable items or the benefits of shorter showers, your local library can help you teach your children all about saving energy.
Start a mantra. If the book your daughter reads says she can save the polar bears by turning off the computer and lights when not in use, explain new things as they come up that can also help “save the polar bears.” When your child becomes interested in an environmental topic, be sure to encourage them to learn more about what they can do to help. They’ll quickly learn that their energy habits around the house can have impacts around the world.
Put each child in charge of something. Your son may be in charge of making sure the lights are out before everyone leaves the house and your daughter may be in charge of making sure everyone recycles paper instead of throwing it away. This makes them feel they’re part of the solution – and they will probably enjoy getting to remind their parents of the rules every once in a while! This is also a great way to get your older kids involved in energy savings. The habits they forge today will stick with them throughout adulthood.
Begin taking family walks. If you’re planning a trip to the ice cream shop down the street, why not walk instead of drive? Not only will family walks allow you to spend quality time together, but you can also discuss the environmental and fiscal importance of saving gas. You could even schedule a walk dedicated to picking up litter or finding new flowers.
Keep computers and charging equipment in main rooms, not bedrooms. Your kids’ phone chargers and laptops don’t need to be plugged in all the time – that leads to vampire energy use. By keeping these devices in the kitchen or family room, you can keep a better eye on how much energy they are consuming.
Attach a list of snacks to the refrigerator door. If your kids always come home from school and stand in front of an open refrigerator, make them stop and think before they touch the door. An up-to-date list of what is inside the fridge will help everyone think about what they want before they waste energy standing in front of an open door. Also, take the time to explain why it’s important to keep the refrigerator door closed. When the cold air gets out, the fridge uses more energy to keep the inside at the right temperature. Understanding why this habit saves energy will help them remember to stick to it even when you aren’t around.
Use a timer for the shower. No matter your age, it can be easy to lose track of time in the shower. Encourage your teens to set a timer the next time they shower so they know exactly how long the water was running. For younger kids, you can set the timer on your phone and tell them afterwards. Reducing shower time by just a minute or two every couple of days can ease them into a new, shorter routine.
Give incentives. If all else fails, bribe them. Make a deal that if your child meets a certain goal, he or she gets extra time for something special or can pick the movie that night. Having something to look forward to can do wonders for children’s attitudes. We won’t judge you!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2020 Contact: [email protected]
Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification Formally Launches, Sets Course for Economic Growth, Job Creation Trevor Pawl named Chief Mobility Officer, to head Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the formal launch of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) today, naming Trevor Pawl as the state’s Chief Mobility Officer and reaffirming Michigan’s position as the global leader in producing and developing the next-generation of transportation technologies. The new office will work across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that Michigan strengthen opportunities for economic growth and job creation while securing our continued leadership in mobility and electrification through forward-thinking policies, innovative partnerships and smarter infrastructure,” Governor Whitmer said. “Trevor has a proven track record of building and scaling state programs like Pure Michigan Business Connect and PlanetM. He is the right person to bring Michigan’s mobility ecosystem together under a common vision and generate meaningful results.”
The OFME will focus on six objectives:
“Today’s announcement builds on the work we’ve done to help advance the competitiveness of Michigan’s automotive core and grow the ecosystem around the new companies and technology reshaping mobility,” said Jeff Donofrio, Director of the Michigan Department Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Developing a holistic statewide approach to mobility and electrification will be critical in helping our economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and to creating a more diverse economy and workforce. The creation of the OFME is a recognition of the changing landscape for automotive manufacturing and the need for a comprehensive statewide approach to help government, education and the private sector succeed in an evolving mobility industry. The state of Michigan is also targeting new jobs related to mobility and electrification as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s strategic plan to create long term economic opportunity throughout Michigan.
“Michigan put the world on wheels, and as we move into the next generation of transportation technologies, we need to assure we remain the global hub for the mobility industry. The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification will leverage our competitive advantages to make sure our state isn’t only a place where mobility solutions are born, it’s also where companies will find long-term success and support,” said Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer. “While Michigan remains an undisputed leader in mobility, there is more work to be done, including increasing the state’s share of electric vehicle production, building a stronger pipeline of software engineering talent, and leveraging technology to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities.”
Through the signing of Executive Directive 2020-1, Governor Whitmer directed the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to create the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the designation of a Chief Mobility Officer to head the office. The OFME, with Pawl serving as Chief Mobility Officer, will live within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and enhance the current concierge-level services being provided to mobility companies by PlanetM, by incorporating a strategic policy team to recommend public policy around autonomous and connected vehicle technology, electric vehicle technology, charging infrastructure, shared transportation, and other relevant issues. The Council on Future Mobility and Electrification, created under Executive Order 2020-1, will be integrated into the OFME as part of these strategic policy efforts once appointments are made.
Supported by private sector leaders, the OFME will build on, and expand, on the current successes of the state’s mobility initiatives – including the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) ongoing work with automotive industry partners in developing smart infrastructure; the LEO’s work on economic competitiveness and attracting and developing talent; the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) work on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and MEDC’s business development programs to support automotive and mobility assemblers and suppliers.
Michigan’s suppliers have contributed most to the state’s auto employment growth since 2013, but the anatomy of vehicles is rapidly changing and so is the content that suppliers need to provide. The OFME will look to accelerate meaningful relationships between suppliers and solutions providers across Michigan, Silicon Valley, Israel and other high-tech markets. Michigan is the 2nd highest receiver of venture funds to mobility startups. But, unlike other regions, most VC funding to mobility startups in Michigan is focused on hardware, with only 6 percent of investment in software. The OFME will work on this imbalance by enhancing the state’s PlanetM initiative which has already facilitated over $91 million in investment since 2017 by connecting new, next-generation mobility companies into Michigan’s automotive community.
The OFME will also build on Michigan’s leadership in smart infrastructure and through active public policy initiatives, as well as grants and services to help activate new technologies across Michigan. There have been almost 10,000 fatal automobile crashes in Michigan in the last decade. 94% are attributed to human error. The sooner smart infrastructure is deployed, the more lives can be saved.
To date, the Michigan Department of Transportation has constructed nearly 500 miles of tech-enabled corridors as part of the largest vehicle-to-infrastructure technology deployment in the United States. The OFME will work with MDOT to maintain Michigan’s pole position as a national leader in inclusive, community-led mobility efforts. This means facilitating new deployments that leverage R&D from mobility companies and help Michigan cities solve pressing transportation and infrastructure challenges.
Pawl previously served as Senior Vice President of Business Innovation at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) where he led the State of Michigan’s economic development programs focused on the future of mobility (PlanetM), supply chain (Pure Michigan Business Connect), entrepreneurship and international trade.
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LANSING, Mich. – To help combat the alarming increase of out-of-hospital medical emergencies and deaths that occurred in Michigan this spring, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, is urging residents not to avoid seeking help in a medical emergency. “It is incredibly important that people not delay care, especially if they are having concerning symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or dizziness,” Khaldun said. “Hospitals and EMS providers are working hard to keep patients safe, so please contact them if you are having a medical emergency.” Data from Michigan EMS agencies from March 15 to May 23, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, show:
Michigan’s EMS providers are prepared to safely care for patients with additional protective gear and disinfecting protocols in place, according to Michigan Association of Ambulance Services (MAAS). “Medical emergencies have not gone away during the pandemic and Michigan EMS providers are standing by to help Michiganders safely get the lifesaving help they need,” said Jack Fisher, MAAS president and executive director of Medic 1 Ambulance in Berrien County. “Every minute counts in a medical emergency and we hope this alarming trend of people avoiding care and dying needlessly doesn’t continue.” Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported emergency department visits declined by 42 percent during the early months of the pandemic with a 23 percent decrease in emergency visits for heart attacks and a 20 percent decrease for stroke in the 10 weeks following the declaration of a national emergency due to COVID-19. |
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2020 Stay safe this summer by looking out for harmful algal blooms LANSING, Mich. – If you or your family will be living near or visiting Michigan waters this summer, it is important to be aware of potential harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria, which can have an impact on the health of people and animals. Also called blue-green algae, cyanobacteria are a natural part of Michigan lakes, rivers and ponds. However, some cyanobacteria produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, that can make people and animals sick if they grow to form HABs. HABs in Michigan usually happen from May through October, with most appearing in August and September. A bloom can last days or months. Blooms can change in size, severity and location within the same day. They also may disappear on a waterbody, but then form again. Breathing in or swallowing water containing HABs and their toxins may cause the following symptoms: runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches, dizziness or difficulty breathing. Skin contact can cause rashes, blisters and hives. “As it’s not possible to know if an algal bloom is harmful just by looking at it, we urge Michiganders to avoid discolored areas in the water or water that looks like it has algae growing on it,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “If you may have had contact with or swallowed water with a HAB and feel sick, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, get emergency medical attention as soon as possible.” What does a HAB look like? HABs can be many colors, such as green, blue-green, blue, brown, white, purple or red. HABs can look like scum in the water and may have flecks, foams, globs or mats floating in it. The water can look like it has spilled paint or a green sheen on the surface. Some HABs smell bad. Are there nontoxic blooms on lakes? Yes, green ‘filamentous’ algae, aquatic vegetation, duckweed and pollen are sometimes mistaken for cyanobacterial blooms but do not contain toxins. Visit the Harmful Algal Bloom Picture Guide at Michigan.gov/habs for examples of HABs and other lake conditions mistaken for HABs. What should I do if I think I’ve found a HAB? Consult the Harmful Algal Bloom Picture Guide for examples of HABs and compare to other algae and plants found in lakes. If you think you have found an HAB or have any suspicion, do not let people, livestock or pets in the water or near the shore where you see the potential HAB. Unless the bloom covers a large part of the lake, you can limit your risk by using a part of the lake with no visible accumulation of algae. Always rinse off people and pets after contact with any lake water. Follow instructions on posted HAB advisories or closings. Advisories or closings at some beaches for bacteria, such as E. coli, can also be issued and should be followed. Beach monitoring information is available at Egle.state.mi.us/beach/. Report suspected HABs to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) by calling 800-662-9278 or e-mailing [email protected]. If possible, include pictures of suspected blooms. Should residents be concerned about threats to animal health? Animals, especially dogs, can become ill or die after contact with HABs. Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggered walking and convulsions. Preventative measures for dogs include keeping them out of the water wherever surface scums or discolored water are visible, bringing along clean, fresh water for them to drink and rinsing them off after contact with any lake water. If a pet or livestock animal becomes sick after contact with lake water that may have had a HAB, contact a veterinarian immediately. Illness in an animal due to exposure to a HAB is reportable to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Cases can be reported by submitting a Reportable Disease Form, located at Michigan.gov/dvmresources under “Reportable Diseases,” or by calling 800-292-3939. Contacts for HAB questions
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Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in July. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks.
The DNR welcomes public input on its plans for Michigan’s 4 million acres of state forest.
