More than 160 scientists from universities across Michigan today called on Michigan’s congressional delegation to oppose further attacks on the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority, calling the EPA essential to protecting the public health.
“For more than 40 years, the EPA has protected public health and safety by holding polluters accountable – and it should be allowed to continue doing its job,” said Knute Nadelhoffer, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. “Scientists across Michigan stand united with scientists at the EPA and across the nation. Science, not politics, must drive our fight against dangerous pollution.”
Nadelhoffer testified before Congress on Tuesday about the importance of allowing the EPA to set greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act.
The scientists’ letter states: “We strongly urge you to reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put our health, agriculture, environment and economy at risk.” [The letter is attached below.]
The scientists are continuing to circulate the letter to more researchers and scientists across the state, with the goal of building momentum and raising their voices to Congress.
“Michigan scientists urge Congress to defend Michigan citizens, not polluters,” said David Karowe, professor of biological sciences at Western Michigan University. “By taking away or weakening the EPA’s authority to fight greenhouse gas pollution, Congress is endangering the public health by increasing the likelihood of deadly heat waves, floods, and droughts.”
“In the long run, climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions is going to be extremely costly to Michigan’s economy, so we need to consider the long-term risk against the short-term costs,” said Stephen Hamilton, professor of ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. “And each year that we delay action commits us to more severe climate change well into the future, because greenhouse gas effects will persist for a very long time.”
“Greenhouse gas pollution is a threat to our families’ health and safety, and it endangers important industries from agriculture to tourism,” said Steve Bertman, WMU chemistry professor and an expert on atmospheric chemistry. “The science is clear: Greenhouse gas pollution harms our air, land and water. Ultimately, it will be the growing industries of alternative energy that will bring innovation and jobs back to Michigan. We should be doing everything we can to support these jobs of the future rather than upholding outdated technologies of the past.”
“I am proud to stand with my fellow scientists in sending this message to Congress: Let science, not politics, determine how we set standards on greenhouse gas emissions,” said Sarah Green, chair of the chemistry department at Michigan Technological University. “As Congress begins the debate on the Clean Air Act, it is vital that they hear from scientists – and more than 160 of us in Michigan are ready to make our voices heard.”
“The EPA does important life-saving work to protect public health,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center and an adjunct environmental law professor at the University of Michigan. “These Michigan scientists fully support the EPA’s setting sensible clean air standards to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollution that harm our health. Congress should work to reduce pollution, not open the floodgates to more toxic pollution that puts Michigan’s future and our health at risk.”
Among the facts the Michigan scientists highlighted in their letter:
- The Clean Air Act requires that EPA work to reduce smog and soot pollution, air toxics, and global warming pollution that together cost the people of Michigan and America billions of dollars in health care and other costs.
- Clean air rules can create more than 62,300 construction, installation and professional jobs in Michigan in the next five years.
- Michigan’s Big Three have already publicly supported EPA rules to reduce emissions in new vehicles.
- Clean air regulations save consumers millions of dollars in gas costs, reduce oil consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 960 million metric tons.
Signatories of the letter included scientists and researchers from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Hope College, Kalamazoo College and Calvin College, as well as scientists with other institutions doing research in Michigan.
A recent statewide poll showed Michigan voters overwhelmingly support the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources. According to the poll of 500 Michigan voters by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 68 percent of voters support the EPA’s authority, compared with only 27 percent.
Last week, the EPA released a report showing that the Clean Air Act will have saved $2 trillion by 2020 and prevented at least 230,000 deaths annually. By 2020, complying with the amendments would prevent 200,000 heart attacks, 17 million lost work days and 2.4 million asthma attacks, according to the report.
http://elpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/MI-Scientist-Letter-March-8-2011.pdf
Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Date: March 8, 2011
To: Michigan’s Congressional Delegation
From: Michigan College, University, Agency and NGO Researchers
RE: Clean Air Act and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As scientists, researchers, and concerned citizens of the great state of Michigan, we are writing tourge all members of our delegation to stand up for clean air, clean water and the future of Michigan’s economy. We strongly urge you to reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put public health, agriculture, the environment and our economy at risk.
As you know, the Clean Air Act requires that EPA work to reduce smog and soot pollution, air toxics, and global warming pollution that together cost the people of Michigan and America billions of dollars in health care and other costs. At the same time, these investments in public health and the environment generate tremendous economic investments in environmental and clean energy technologies and create thousands of good‐paying manufacturing jobs, including in Michigan’s recovering automotive sector. It is no longer credible or wise to argue that we must sacrifice public health or Michigan’s environment to save jobs. Indeed, a recent study by the Public Economy Research Institute projects that new clean air rules would create more than 62,300 construction, installation and professional jobs in Michigan over the next five years.
We also note that the EPA’s rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles were welcomed by the automotive industry, and will save consumers millions of dollars in gas costs, reduce oil consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 960 million metric tons. These rules are also expected to help spur innovation in new automotive technologies that will provide clear benefits for improving the competitiveness of Michigan’s auto industry and its workers. Clearly, the agency can and should move forward in a thoughtful and effective way to address one of the most pressing issues of our time.
Many of us wrote to you in 2009, urging you to support strong federal policies to spur rapid and deep reductions in greenhouse gas pollution. This request is no less urgent today, and scientific evidence for human‐caused climate change and its associated impacts has only become stronger since 2009. The fact that concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are accumulating in the atmosphere due to fossil fuel combustion and are raising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns is now essentially irrefutable.[1] It is time to accept the best of our science and use it to our advantage. We ignore this valuable information at great risk.
Federal policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas buildup in the atmosphere provide opportunities to protect Michigan’s valuable natural resources and stimulate our economy. Importantly, we believe that the benefits to Michigan will likely far exceed the costs. Michigan has been at the forefront of developing a clean energy economy, building on the tremendous success of our manufacturing heritage. For example, Michigan has approximately 6,300 people employed in the solar industry, and the state boasts one of the nation’s largest 2 solar components manufacturers. Dow Chemical Company recently announced that the company plans to invest more than $1 billion in its wind, solar, and advanced‐battery manufacturing operations, creating more than 6,900 new jobs.
Michigan universities are already partnering with major industries and suppliers, as well as Silicon valley funded start‐ups, to deliver next generation vehicles and fuels technologies, while we put idled manufacturing capacity to work building components for wind turbines. Sound, scientifically based federal policies will accelerate this transition by providing regulatory certainty and a friendly investment environment for new technologies. Michigan has positioned itself well to take advantage of the many opportunities presented by these policies, but that potential is limited if we do nothing to encourage a transition to cleaner energy.
Our state and nation face serious economic, social, and ecological impacts from global warming. If climate change continues on its present course, not only will we miss out on the new economic opportunities outlined above, but two of Michigan’s biggest industries, agriculture and tourism, could suffer due to reduced agricultural production and increased costs for farmers, and warmer temperatures that threaten favored recreational fishing and birding activities and winter recreation. Additionally, climate change could seriously impact water quantity and quality in the Great Lakes, leading to greater conflicts over water resources in the region.
In short, we ask that you allow the scientists and professionals at EPA to do their job and to continue to build on the decades of environmental and economic successes that have been the hallmark of America’s clean air policy. We have the strongest and most dynamic economy on earth and we’ve done it while becoming a leader in the development and manufacture environmental technologies, while simultaneously achieving dramatic improvements in air quality and public health. Sensible clean air regulations, derived from constructive bi‐partisan legislative action, were critical to that success. We, and Michigan, simply cannot afford to abandon that progress now.
Sincerely,
George Kling, Robert G. Wetzel Professor, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Knute Nadelhoffer, Director, UM Biological Station, Professor, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology,
Don Scavia, Graham Family Professor and Director, Graham Institute, Professor, School of Natural Resources & Environment, Professor, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Total Additional Signatures as conveyed via the Internet (file available) – 155, as of Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Christopher Steiner Assistant Professor, Wayne State University
Elizabeth Walker Research Technician Int./Lab Manager, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ines Ibanez Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
Dr. Nicholas J. Reo Research Fellow, University of Michigan
David Costello Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer, Natural Resources & Environment
L. Lacey Knowles Associate Professor, Dept Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
James M Le Moine Research Laboratory Specialist, University of Michigan
Michael Liemohn Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Robyn J. Burnham Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Neal R. Foster Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, SNRE
Lauren Yelen University of Michigan
Lutgarde Raskin Professor, University of Michigan
Stephen K. Hamilton, PhD Professor, Michigan State University
James Diana Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Michigan
Brian Bodenbender Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Geological and Environmental Scientists, Hope College
Michael P. Nelson Associate Professor of Environmental Ethics, Michigan State University
Angela Spickard Lab Tech., Michigan State University
Thomas M. Schmidt Professor of Microbiology, Michigan State University
Joan Iverson Nassauer Professor, University of Michigan
Peggy Ostrom Professor, Michigan State University
Arika Ligmann-Zielinska Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Steve Bertman Professor of Chemistry, Western Michigan University
Laura Schmitt Olabisi Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Micaela Martinez-Bakker National Science Foundation Doctoral Fellow Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
Dave Yuan Graduate Student Researcher, University of Michigan
Ulrich Reinhardt Professor, Eastern Michigan University
Philip Gingerich Professor, University of Michigan
Barry M. OConnor Professor/Curator, University of Michigan
Dana Infante Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Erika L. Roesler Graduate Student, University of Michigan
Alan Steinman Director Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University
Raymond De Young Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Deborah Goldberg Professor and Chair University of Michigan
Lucy Tran Ph.D. Candidate, University of Michigan Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Sarah Nicholls Associate Professor, Michigan State University
Jodi Nachtwey Assistant Professor, Wayne State University
Lynne Heasley Associate Professor, Environmental Studies, Western Michigan University
Jennifer Kostrzewski Research Lab Specialist Associate, University of Michigan
Charles Novitski Associate Professor, Biology Central, Michigan University
Bradley J. Cardinale, Ph.D. Assistant Professor University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources & Environment
Manja Holland Research Programs Officer, University of Michigan
John Vandermeer Asa Gray Distinguished University Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
Rachel Vannette Ph.D Student, University of Michigan
Ivette Perfecto George W. Pack Professor of Natural Resources, University of Michigan
John Guittar Doctoral Student, University of Michigan
E. Binney Girdler Associate Professor of Biology, Kalamazoo College
Harvey D. Blankespoor Professor Emeritus of Biology, Hope College 4
Jeffrey Bartz Associate Professor of Chemistry, Kalamazoo College
Mary Anne Evans University of Michigan
Bruce P. Block Lead Engineer in Research, University of Michigan
Jan Tobochnik Professor, Kalamazoo College
Greg Slough Professor of Chemistry, Kalamazoo College
Richard Zinck Doctor, University of Michigan
Helen Perlstein Pollard Professor of Anthropology, Michigan State University
Catherine Bach Professor Emeritus, Eastern Michigan University
K. Greg Murray Professor of Biology, Hope College
Henry Pollack Professor of Geophysics, University of Michigan
Dr. David Warners Professor of Biology, Calvin College
Péter Érdi Henry R Luce Professor, Kalamazoo College
John Langmore Chief Scientific Officer, Rubicon Genomics, Inc.
Karel Rogers, PhD Professor of Biology Emeritus, Grand Valley State University
William S. Currie Associate Professor and Associate Dean School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan
Jarod C. Kelly Assistant Research Scientist, University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment
Daniel C. Fisher Professor, University of Michigan
Philip Myers Professor, University of Michigan
Thomas Dietz Professor, Michigan State University
Aaron Liepman Assistant Professor, Eastern Michigan University
Gerald Smith Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan
James A Langeland Professor of Biology, Kalamazoo College
Adrienne Minerick Associate Professor, Michigan Technological University
David Pitts Associate Professor, Wayne State University
Craig harris Associate Professor, Michigan State University
Daniel M. Kashian Assistant Professor, Wayne State University
Christopher J Poulsen Associate Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan
Ann Fraser Associate Professor, Biology Kalamazoo College
Don Uzarski Director, CMU Institute for Great Lakes Research
David Marvin PhD Student, University of Michigan
Lucas Nave Researcher, University of Michigan Biological Station
Sarah Aciego Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
Brian Dorsey Ph.D. Candidate, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
Dr. Kenneth J. Elgersma Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan
Robert E. Grese Professor, University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment
Katherine L. Gross University Distinguished Professor and Director KBS, Michigan State University
Jay T. Lennon Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Mark Axelrod Director, Program in the Environment Michigan State University, Dept of Fisheries & Wildlife and James Madison College
Paul Webb Co-Director & Senior Research Scientist, University of Michigan
John Stone Center for the Study of Standards in Society, Michigan State University
Nathaniel E. Ostrom Professor, Michigan State University
Michael Grant Analytical Chemist, University of Michigan Biological Station
Richard Nyhof, Ph.D. Professor of Biology, Calvin College
Gregory J. Dick Assistant Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan
GP Robertson University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University
Sara Fortin Lab Technician, University of Michigan
James E. Breck Lecturer and Adjunct Professor, Program in the Environment and School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan
David Karowe Professor of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University
Burton V. Barnes Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan 5
Maarten Vonhof Associate Professor, Western Michigan University
John B. Miller Professor of Chemistry, Western Michigan University
David Allan Professor, University of Michigan
Susan Cheng Ph.D. Pre-Candidate Student, University of Michigan
Tim James Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
Scott M. Herron Associate Professor; Biology Education Program Coordinator, Ferris State University & University of Michigan Biological Station
Kassandra Semrau University of Michigan
Daniel Brown Professor, University of Michigan
Andy Flies Graduate student, Michigan State University
Nathan Sheldon Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
David E. Rothstein Associate Professor, Michigan State University
Sara Soderstrom Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Michigan
Kristin Judd Assistant Professor, Eastern Michigan University
R. Jan Stevenson Professor of Zoology, Michigan State University
G. Allen Burton Professor and Director, University of Michigan
Scott McNaught Professor of Biology, Central Michigan University
Elizabeth Haber Student, University of Michigan
Elizabeth Tibbetts Assistant Professor Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
Michael R. Moore Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Michigan
Charles Ide Gwen Frostic Professor of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University
Maria Carmen Lemos Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Joyce Penner Ralph J. Cicerone Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Michigan
Paul E. Berry Professor, University of Michigan
Carole Gibbs Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
Edward A. Parson Joseph L Sax Collegiate Prof. of Law, Prof. of Natural Resources & Envt, University of MIchigan
Alexa Unruh Master's student, University of Michigan - Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Mark Banaszak Holl Professor, University of Michigan
Cynthia Thompson Dr. Cynthia Thompson, Hope College
Steven L. Yaffee Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, University of Michigan
Dr. Cheryl Lyon-Jenness Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of History, Western Michigan University
Julia Wondolleck Associate Professor, University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources & Environment
Lori Hertel Biology Lab Director, Hope College
Melvin L. Northup Prof. Natural Resources Mgmt, Grand Valley State University
Catherine Riseng Doctor, University of Michigan
Hayley Lanier Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan
Kevin Bakker University of Michigan
Jonathan W. Bulkley Professor, University of Michigan
Rebecca D Hardin Associate Professor, University of Michigan
Dan A. Gerbens Adjunct Professor, Hope College
Brian A. Hazlett Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan
Scott Swinton Professor, Michigan State University
Eldon D. Greij Dr., Professor Emeritus of Biology, Hope College
Dr. David Skole Professor, Michigan State University
Kin M. Ma Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University
Jay Samek Research Scientist, Michigan State University
Jason Dobkowski Graduate Student, University of Michigan
Larry D, Nooden Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan
Tracy Dobson Professor, Michigan State University
Erik Nordman Assistant Professor, Natural Resources Management, Grand Valley State University
Rob Massatti PhD Student, University of Michigan
Mairin Balisi Graduate student researcher, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Mary Anne Carroll Professor, Atmospheric Sciences, University of Michigan
Raymond Barbehenn Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan
Stephen B. Malcolm Professor, Western Michigan University
Amy J Schrank Adjunct Assistant Professor, Michigan Tech University
David P. Cowan, Ph.D. Professor, Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University
Dmitry Beletsky Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan
Dr. Sharon Gill Assistant Professor, Western Michigan University
Catherine Badgley Assistant Professor, Research Scientist, University of Michigan