Lakes Chat
Lakes Chat
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Dive into Our Lakes Chat! Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes will chat with a special guest(s) about Great Lakes Issues and dig into what it all means for you and your community. Learn more about us: https://greatlakes.org/
Episode 14: Plastic Pollution - Dr. Sherri Mason
In today's episode, we’re chatting with Dr. Sherri Mason, a leading expert on plastic pollution. Her award-winning work has drawn international attention to the threat of microplastics in our waters and led to the passage of national legislation banning microbeads. She serves as Director of Sustainability at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
May 31, 2022
38 min
Episode 13: Green Infrastructure
In today's episode, we’re talking with Alex Novak, the Alliance’s Community Planning Manager based in Detroit. We're chatting with Alex about green infrastructure – what it is, and how it can help improve our Great Lakes communities.
May 24, 2022
31 min
Episode 12: Joel Brammeier - Climate Change
In today's episode, we’re talking again with Joel Brammeier, Alliance President and CEO. Today we’re talking climate change and the Great Lakes. Our region is frequently referred to as a ‘climate haven’ - an anticipated area of migration as people around the country may move in large numbers as the impacts of climate change are felt. But, the Great Lakes are also going to be feeling the impacts of climate change, and, in an op-ed last year, Joel argued that we need to get our own house in order. We’ll be talking about how climate change is already affecting the lakes, whether or not the Great Lakes really are a climate refuge, and what leaders can do to make sure our communities are climate-resilient.
May 17, 2022
22 min
Toxic Lead Pipes in Great Lakes Cities
In today's episode, we’re reconnecting with Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water, and Equity Policy Director. We spoke with Anna-Lisa earlier this season about the big problems facing water and wastewater infrastructure around the Great Lakes region. In this conversation, we’ll be digging into the problem of toxic lead pipes that carry water into homes in many Great Lakes cities.
May 10, 2022
24 min
Episode 10: Tom Zimnicki Agricultural Pollution in the Great Lakes
In today's episode, we’re talking with Tom Zimnicki, the Alliance’s Agriculture and Restoration Policy Director. We’ll talk with Tom about harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes, the role agricultural pollution plays in causing those blooms and get his thoughts on how to tackle this challenging problem.
May 3, 2022
35 min
Episode 9: Oscar Sanchez,  Community Planning Manager at Southeast Environmental Task Force
In today's episode, we’re talking with Oscar Sanchez, the Community Planning Manager at Southeast Environmental Task Force, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to serving Chicago's southeast side and south suburbs. We’ll talk with Oscar about the community’s recent big win to stop General Iron, a major industrial facility proposed for the community, Calumet Connect, a community-led effort focused on sustainable economic development along the Calumet River, a tributary to Lake Michigan.
Apr 19, 2022
29 min
Episode 8:  “…And Water For All”  Interview with Write, Director, Producer Ramiro Berardo
In today's episode, we’re talking with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio, but has lessons for the Great Lakes region and beyond. It examines the challenges that governments and communities are facing to ensure access to clean, affordable water now and in the coming decades.
Apr 12, 2022
43 min
Spring Kick Off Adopt-a-Beach Program
In today's episode, we’re talking with Juliann Krupa, the Alliance’s Volunteer Engagement Manager. We’ll be talking about our upcoming Adopt-a-Beach Spring Kickoff and the problem of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.
Apr 5, 2022
26 min
Episode 6: Water Infrastructure
In today's episode, we’re talking with Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water and Equity Program Director. We’ll be talking about water infrastructure and what needs to happen to be sure everyone around the Great Lakes region has access to safe, affordable drinking water. Resources BLOG- https://greatlakes.org/2021/08/illinois-shows-leadership-for-lead-free-drinking-water-further-action-is-needed-across-the-great-lakes-region/ (Illinois shows leadership for lead-free drinking water; further action is needed across the Great Lakes region) BLOG- https://greatlakes.org/2021/05/water-infrastructure-front-and-center-in-washington-dc/ (Water Infrastructure Front and Center in Washington, DC) (This blog is part of a periodic series of updates from Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Government Relations, with his view on Great Lakes policy from Washington, DC.) Report: https://greatlakes.org/water-affordability-ohio-report/ (Water Affordability in Ohio)
Mar 29, 2022
33 min
Episode 5: Invasive Species
In today's episode, we’re talking with Molly Flanagan, the Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs, to get an update on invasive species in the Great Lakes. We’ll be talking about invasive carp, the status of efforts to regulate ballast water which is a main pathway for invasive species into the lakes, and the latest from Washington, DC on efforts to keep invasive species out of the lakes.
Mar 22, 2022
29 min
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