news/environment - The State News

The Shorter Shower Initiative is a research program by Michigan State University’s Social Science Scholars for water conservation in the university's dorms. Beginning in 2022, this research project has been working toward reducing the amount of heated water used on campus, as it directly contributes to carbon emissions.

ENVIRONMENT

MSU partners with Bioelements Group to improve sustainable packaging

Anna Rossow

October 30, 2024

MSU School of Packaging has partnered with Bioelements Group, a Chilean-based company that prioritizes the environment when creating packaging materials, to create more sustainable, biodegradable packaging.

ENVIRONMENT

EGLE denies river restoration project, sidewalks, river trail at risk

Anna Barnes

October 26, 2024

The banks of the Red Cedar River are eroding, which could cause various issues for MSU in the future. In an attempt to take more aggressive measures to stop the issue, IPF sought a permit from EGLE for a river restoration project, but was denied. Experts discuss what this means for the banks of the Red Cedar in the long run.

ENVIRONMENT

Michigan cities deemed 'climate havens' aren't truly safe from climate change effects

Anna Barnes

October 19, 2024

Cities in Michigan have come to be known as 'climate havens,' places where people will be safe from extreme weather events. This may be true for now, but climate change will bring the state its own set of issues, such as flooding, gentrification and more.

ENVIRONMENT

2024 Michigan Climate Summit discusses the intersection of democracy, climate justice

Anna Barnes

September 29, 2024

The Michigan Climate Action Network hosted their annual Michigan Climate Summit in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Sept. 26. The summit featured big names like Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and panels that focused on civic engagement and the upcoming election.

ENVIRONMENT

Year-long pollinator garden project hosts grand opening

Anna Barnes

September 27, 2024

The Environmental Studies and Sustainability United student group hosted a grand opening event for their pollinator garden project on Sept. 26. The garden has been in the works for about a year and now holds over 300 native plants to encourage pollination and add some beauty to campus.

ENVIRONMENT

Michigan Waterways Stewards hosts river trail clean up

Anna Barnes

September 21, 2024

The Michigan Waterways Stewards hosted a cleanup of the Red Cedar River Trail on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. Community members volunteered to help with the clean up, promoting conservation efforts and a dedication to ensuring a healthy environment.

ENVIRONMENT

Fast fashion: What is it and what are the environmental effects?

Amy Cho

September 19, 2024

Fast fashion brands, such as Shein and Temu, have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, thanks to social media. MSU students and professors explore why fast fashion is harmful to the environment, why it appeals to college students and some of the more sustainable practices to utilize instead.

ENVIRONMENT

Beal Botanical Garden to remove invasive species

Anna Barnes

September 18, 2024

The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden has committed itself to removing invasive species from the garden and around MSU's campus. In light of the Red Cedar River's tendency to flood and spread these invasive species, the Beal Garden has adopted a new invasive species policy to help them be better stewards of the environment.

ENVIRONMENT

What to know about MSU's pollinator research

Joe Lorenz

April 16, 2024

MSU is home to extensive pollinator research.

ENVIRONMENT

Department of Natural Resources stocks Red Cedar River with over 3,000 trout

Emilio Perez Ibarguen

April 12, 2024

As a part of its spring-long process of stocking rivers and lakes, employees from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources released 3,300 steelhead trout into the Red Cedar River. After molting in the river for a short period of time, the trout will swim downstream toward Lake Michigan to join the local ecosystem.

ENVIRONMENT

A total solar eclipse will happen in April. Here's what to know

Hannah Locke

March 25, 2024

On April 8, a rare astronomical phenomenon will take place over North America: a total solar eclipse. While solar eclipses are relatively common, occurring a few times a year, the ability to experience totality in the Midwest is rare; the next total eclipse will not occur until 2045. Here's what to know about the astronomical event and how you can participate.

ENVIRONMENT

Severe winter weather possible in Michigan through Saturday

Joe Lorenz

January 12, 2024

A winter storm warning has been put in place by the National Weather Service and will remain in effect until 7 p.m. on Saturday. According to an NWS Urgent Winter Weather Message, a winter storm is heading toward west Michigan and is forecasted to start snowing shortly after 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. This storm is forecasted to bring anywhere from 8 in. to 13in of snowfall and wind gusting up to 50 mph. Windchill is expected to bring temperatures into the single digits.

ENVIRONMENT

What do the Beal Gardens do during the winter?

Joe Lorenz

November 17, 2023

As the days start getting shorter and colder, many students are reminded that winter is fast-approaching; so do the plants in the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and their human caretakers.

ENVIRONMENT

MSU hosts Cajun folklorist and environmental activist to discuss changing climate, cultural preservation

Owen McCarthy

November 17, 2023

MSU’s Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences hosted Jonathan Foret, a Cajun folklorist and environmental activist, to give a talk on the challenges of preserving coastal Louisianan culture as climate change and natural disaster slowly deteriorate the land.