Something’s in the Water

Something’s in the Water

 
 
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Editor’s note: We faced some technical difficulties with this recording, but the sound will level out after 1:07. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Ann Arbor and its 72 sister municipalities form the Huron River Watershed, meaning that every drop of water that falls in these locations makes its way back to the river one way or another. We share this water not only with our families, friends and neighbors, but also with our governments, businesses, and manufacturers. In sharing a common resource like water—the essence of life—it makes sense to have a rule book that outlines permissible and non-negotiable actions as well as provisions to guide the course of action in the event of foul play. Michigan water quality standards fill this niche. However, as regular hosts Aurora Aparicio, Bella Isaacs, and Heena Singh learned this week from guest expert Laura Rubin, our rule book does not always keep pace with the discoveries of contemporary science.

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Plants Are Good

Plants Are Good

 
 
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You heard it here first, folks! Today, we invited Peter Pellitier into the studio to elucidate the multi-faceted relationship between plants and carbon dioxide. Peter is a current Ph. D. candidate at SEAS where he researches terrestrial ecology and mycorrhizal fungi. He explained that plants have increased their carbon dioxide uptake by 31% as compared to pre-industrial rates.

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You Want the Good News or the Bad News First?

You Want the Good News or the Bad News First?

 
 
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Whatever your answer, we decided to start with a bit of good news. As we finished off the second week of the new year, the Hot In Here crew covered all things environmental, from the impacts of fast fashion trends to nuns karate-chopping incandescent light bulbs (full disclosure, this week’s tangents were sponsored by Ed’s empty stomach).

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Just A Couple of Lame Ducks

Just A Couple of Lame Ducks

 
 
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This week on the show, regular hosts Bella Isaacs, Aurora Aparicio, and Ed Waisanen break down how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting the environment, legislation that passed during former Governor Rick Snyder’s final days in office, and new Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s first couple executive actions. They also do a hair check in, figure out where exactly the term “lame duck” comes from, and talk about their most treasured gifts from the holiday season.

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