Michigan

Michigan Moms take action.

Here’s what we’ve been working on in the Great Lakes State!

We are fighting for cleaner cars— and air— for our children.

Moms Clean Air Force has been fighting against the rollback of the Clean Cars Standards. These standards lower climate-harming pollution and help families save money at the pump – but the Trump administration is trying to dismantle them. The heart of the U.S. auto industry, Michigan is critically important in this fight.

To urge automakers to oppose the rollback, we delivered thousands of signatures to the Big Three Auto Makers in Detroit, published op-eds, and launched a social media accountability campaign. Moms also attended the September, 2018, EPA hearings in Dearborn, MI, Pittsburgh, PA, and Fresno, CA to make it clear that moms across the country want cleaner cars and expect our automakers to provide them.

Moms & Mayors

Our Moms & Mayors program connects moms with their mayors and local leaders to improve children’s health and build resilient communities. We educate, empower and mobilize Moms in their hometowns to work with their local elected leaders to implement clean air strategies, reduce toxins in the community, and take action on climate change. We also train Moms to join boards and commissions and urge them to run for office.

Ecomadres

Launched in September 2018, the Ecomadres program brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families. Ecomadres is a collaboration between GreenLatinos and Moms Clean Air Force.

The program provides comadres with reliable information and solutions through online resources, articles, action tools, and on-the-ground events. Our inclusive community empowers and lifts up the voices of comadres for the benefit of our families and communities. Ecomadres has a vibrant network of state-based field teams and allies across the country.

We host cafecitos around the country that provide opportunities for the communities to discuss air quality and climate change.

Community Rx

Moms Clean Air Force is committed to exposing environmental injustices in the African-American community by taking a stand against environmental discrimination, holding legislators accountable for lack of resources, educating communities on their rights and their issues, standing with impacted communities, and fighting for clean air and climate solutions to promote healthy children and healthy communities.

Through our environmental health justice program Community Rx, our goal is to advocate, educate, and amplify through partnering with impacted communities and environmental justice organizations on events and resource development. We hold Table Talks around the country, casual gatherings that organize, motivate, and activate volunteers, partner with churches to use our “Breath of Life” Bible Study, and provide information on environmental health issues in African-American communities.

Baby Power

Our Baby Power program educates and engages expectant and new moms on our issues with the message that every baby has the power to make you want to change the world.

Our children breathe polluted air.

Over 36,464 children in Wayne County (Detroit) have asthma. With an F grade for ozone pollution and a C for particle pollution from the American Lung Association, the county is a dangerous place for these children – and everyone — to breathe.

Air pollution issues in Michigan are not limited to the state’s largest city. Of the 25 counties that monitor ground level ozone, or smog (out of 83 counties total), over half received an F grade based on the number of high ozone days. Smog is a harmful lung irritant that is formed in the atmosphere when pollutants combine with heat and sunlight. It triggers asthma attacks and increases lung infections. As climate change causes summer temperatures to rise, dangerous breathing days due to smog will become more frequent.

As in most states, Michigan’s air pollution comes largely from coal-fired power plants, cars, and trucks. But because Michigan is the home of Motor City — and the heart of the US auto industry – Michigan’s moms have a special role to play in advocating for a clean car future. Moms Clean Air Force is educating Michiganders on the dangers of air pollution, as well as helping to push for stronger national air pollution standards.

Our lakes are at risk.

Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth. The source of drinking water to more than 40 million people, the Great Lakes are threatened by pollution and declining water levels, which is already resulting in increased algal blooms. Scientists predict that climate change will cause water levels in the Great Lakes to drop significantly in coming decades, threatening this source of not only vital drinking water, but also transportation, tourism, commercial fishing operations, manufacturing operations, and sportsmen industries.

We have immense renewable energy potential.

The Great Lakes provide huge potential for offshore wind energy production. Michigan has the second most shoreline of any state in the country, and has already begun to capitalize on this resource. Michigan is currently one of the top 15 states in the country for wind energy production.

But despite growing renewable energy production, Michigan still relies heavily on coal. Coal is the state’s top energy source, creating two-fifths of the state’s electricity. Moving to renewable energy would help limit dangerous climate warming pollution as well clean up Michigan’s air by reducing particulates, smog-forming pollutants, toxic mercury, lead, and arsenic—all of which are byproducts of burning coal.

Past Events

May 2018:

Field organizer, Laura Burns joined Midwest field organizer, Kelly Nichols in Detroit to deliver over 13,000 petition signatures from Moms Clean Air Force members demanding that the big 3 automakers–Ford, Chrysler and GM–continue enforcing Clean Cars Standard.

2019

• Press Release, MI Moms Join Members of Congress on Capitol Hill as Part of Sweeping Movement for Climate Solutions
• Detroit Free Press, Ford in Group to Reach Emissions Deal
• Daily Republic, 4 Automakers Reach Emissions Deal With California, Bucking Rollback