Environment
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University to begin installing solar power sites on campus
New solar installations distributed across the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses will have a total capacity of 25 megawatts of renewable electricity after a three-year installation process is complete. The electricity generated — enough to power about 3,000 homes — will feed directly into U-M buildings rather than going back into the regional power grid.
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Supporting flood resilience efforts in Great Lakes states
Scientists in the School for Environment and Sustainability are always seeking to influence water policy through research in the Great Lakes states. Recent work has produced actional recommendations to enhance resilience amid a changing climate.
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Harvest time: Community farm rekindles interest in growing and preserving food
While working as a nurse practitioner in Midland, Michigan, alumna Beth DeVries was surprised to learn how many people were not able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Knowing how much good health relies on good food, she decided to take action. In 2018, DeVries founded Phoenix Community Farm.
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Hurricanes, fires, floods: How to be prepared
As people prepare for wild winds and heavy rains during hurricane season, you may be wondering what to do if disaster strikes? If scary images of bent-over trees and rampaging storm surges scare you, remember that preparing ahead is best to keep your family safe all year long.
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Happy trails: Conservancy brings universal access to seven trails in northwestern Michigan
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has created more than three miles of accessible trails since 2016 when the Overlook Trail at Arcadia Dunes opened. It’s all part of the conservancy’s work since 1991 under the leadership of Glen Chown, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from U-M’s School of Environment and Sustainability.
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Green hydrogen: Powering the future of passenger and freight transportation?
Green hydrogen is emerging as an important potential solution for decarbonizing transportation, but new energy efficiency findings indicate that it should be used strategically in heavy-duty road, rail, aviation, and marine transportation, a U-M study shows.
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National champs: U-Michigan Solar Car Team takes first in American Solar Challenge
The team covered 2,120 miles before reclaiming U-M’s title as national champions. Michigan students had won six consecutive American Solar Challenges, held every other year, until finishing second in 2018. This is the first U.S. race they’ve competed in since then, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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U-M-led school for oceanographers in Africa receives funding from Schmidt Sciences
The Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School in Nigeria and Ghana was founded by Brian Arbic, a physical oceanographer and U-M professor in earth and environmental sciences. Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt are founders of Schmidt Sciences.
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U-M lands $6.5M center to study links between Great Lakes algal blooms, human health
Researchers at U-M have been awarded a five-year federal grant to study links between climate change, harmful algal blooms, and human health. Increased precipitation, more powerful storms, and warming Great Lakes waters encourage the proliferation of algal blooms composed of cyanobacteria.