We champion lasting protections for Michigan's air, our water, and the places we love.
Our priorities
We believe in a big future for our state. One with clean air and water; homes and neighborhoods that work in concert with the environment to meet our needs and give us comfort; and nature at our doorsteps, whether we’re on the shores of a Great Lake or in a bustling city downtown.
Our policy priorities focus our work in seven critical areas of impact to ensure we are doing the most we can to protect the air we breathe, our water, and the places we love.
To work towards decarbonizing the economy and addressing the existential threat of climate change, we need bold legislative action that catalyzes movement towards a 100% emissions-free power sector.
As we fight for lasting change, we must cut red tape, restore transparency, streamline accountability and incorporate communities suffering from environmental injustice into decision making.
To address historic injustices, we must enact policies that hold industry accountable for pollution; protect children from lead exposure; and keep toxins out of food, water, homes and communities.
To ensure our state's beautiful land and wildlife are preserved, we must enact critical policies that restore protections for Michigan's natural spaces, safeguard our state’s ecological systems and biodiversity, combat invasive species, and conserve lands for future generations.
In order to enhance mobility for all Michiganders and save taxpayer money, we must rightsize our road system; increase funding for commuter rail, bike lanes, pedestrian spaces and bus transit; and help local governments create thriving, walkable communities.
To reduce the impact of waste on our communities and landscape, we must expand our local recycling systems, grow our circular economy and prevent waste in order to properly protect our land and water and to create jobs across the state.
To protect our globally rare water resources, we must pass legislation to prevent dangerous pollution from entering waterways, improve stormwater infrastructure and make drinking water more accessible and affordable for all Michiganders.
Discover
Join us at the 26th Annual Milliken Award Celebration
The Milliken Award recognizes individuals who show outstanding leadership, enduring commitment and extraordinary public service in protecting natural resources. Our 2024 recipient is John Erb, chairman of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.
Discover The Polluter Rulebook, our latest podcast miniseries
Power environmental change today.
Your gift to the Michigan Environmental Council is a powerful investment in the air we breathe, our water and the places we love.
Sign up for environmental news & stories.
"*" indicates required fields