Take Action. Inspire Action
Working for effective climate action in Western Michigan, and worldwide.
West Michigan Climate Reality Chapter
Who we are
Serving Western Michigan communities, the West Michigan Climate Reality Chapter is composed of
community members who seek to educate, promote, and enact change for the betterment of the
environment, and to pursue solutions to the global climate crisis to preserve our world for future
generations. We value the Great Lakes and preservation of natural resources, sustainable Michigan
agriculture, and environmental justice.
Our Mission
The mission of the West Michigan Chapter is to bring issues of climate change, environmental
justice, and sustainable living into the public conversation in our communities. We strive to share
resources with each other and with our local community and to educate our community about issues
related to climate change and environmental justice.
Our Vision
The West Michigan Climate Reality Chapter seeks to contribute to the mitigation of global climate
change and make progress toward carbon reduction goals by collaborating and coordinating with
individuals and organizations at the local, state, and global level.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)
We are committed to building a more just and equitable world, one where all voices are heard and
respected regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
age, or physical ability. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive movement is critical to solving the
climate crisis, and that to build this winning coalition, we must ensure that those directly impacted –
particularly those who have been excluded in the past –are at the center of the movement for change.
While the climate crisis manifests on a global scale, we acknowledge that indigenous peoples, low-
income families, people of color, and other historically marginalized groups represent front-line communities who experience harmful climate impacts first and worst. To live our values of a truly
sustainable future for all, we must commit to understanding and undoing the historic injustices
which contribute to this reality and, in our solutions, address systemic inequities. We believe that
equity, fairness, and the fully voiced engagement of frontline communities most impacted by climate
change are essential components of any enduring climate solution and that to solve the climate crisis,
we must pursue a just transition to a clean energy economy that nurtures healthy and sustainable
communities and ecosystems.
Chapter Goals
Goal #1
Growing our chapter membership and encourage members to complete the Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training.
Objective: Gain active chapter members who represent a diverse population within West Michigan who have a commitment to mitigate climate change.
Goal #2
Identify local groups working on climate actions and create partnerships that enhance our productivity including passing climate friendly legislation.
Objective: Establish relationships with groups working on our chapter climate priorities including engaging with local government, and improving/maintaining voting accessibility within our communities. Partnerships might come from businesses, higher education, nonprofit, and youth organizations.
Goal #3
Identify Chapter climate priorities. For example: Our chapter represents Western Michigan and therefore preservation and stewardship of the Great Lakes and watersheds is a priority for several chapter members.
Objective: Align our Chapter priorities with global, national, state, and local initiatives.
Latest from the Blog
Enbridge Line #5 Update: September 2022
As our teams have been busy with climate actions and primary elections we want to make sure we re-share the list of Line 5 Truths vs. Enbridge Not true facts published by Oil and Water Don’t Mix. Kindly use the information in discussion with family, friends, colleagues, candidates… Many thanks. Be happy and well.Sue and…
Microplastics in the Great Lakes – An Emerging Water Quality Issue
Each year, the average person consumes enough microplastics to make a credit card, says Art Hirsch, a former environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience in water quality, stormwater management, sustainability, climate change and environmental impact statements. Mr. Hirsch will give a presentation titled ‘Microplastics in the Great Lakes’ at the White Lake Community…
Enbridge Line #5 Update: July 28, 2022
How the Line 5 Tunnel Can Impact You and the State of Michigan A new unproven technology is being tested in the State of Michigan’s most sensitive location, the Straits of Mackinac, with huge potential impacts; a boring tunnel machine that will bore a 20’- wide tunnel 60-100 feet below the lakebed for 3.5 miles…
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