Small Business Role in Sustainability is Largely Untapped
WAFA DINARO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OF THE NEW ECONOMY INITIATIVE, AND A LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK DETROIT During an internship with a recycler in New York in 2020, entrepreneur and environmental scientist Madeline Miller watched as the waste materials from textile companies were being processed in the facility, and something entrepreneurial clicked. In […]
Sustainability Business Network Detroit, One Year In
Sustainable Business Network Detroit was formed a year ago out of a study conducted by Erb Family Foundation and is helmed by Terry Barclay, chair, SBN Detroit, and CEO Inforum; Neil Hawkins, president of Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation; and Cindy Goodaker, VP, signature programs and communications, Inforum, along with a distinguished list of […]
An Interview with Detroit’s New Director of Sustainability
Jack Akinlosotu, Detroit’s new director of sustainability, sees sustainability opportunities in Detroit’s large geography, mobility industry focus, and other characteristics as he begins to immerse himself in the community. Akinlosuto came to Detroit from Washington, D.C., where held posts at the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the Clean Energy Institute, and in private industry. […]
A Social Investment Model Designed to Give Power to Residents and Local Businesses
Rishi Moudgil leads the GreenLight Fund of Detroit, a locally driven, cross-sector, community-centered model to collectively identify critical paths to prosperity and invest in equitable social impact programs for children and families facing economic barriers in Detroit. SBN Detroit spoke to Moudgil about the model, sustainability, and impact on Detroit residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Q: […]
Eastern Michigan University – Steam Heat, Solar Panels, and a Recent Bronze STARS Rating
Eastern Michigan University approaches sustainability through a systemized framework and a community-derived mindset that together drive several sustainability initiatives and sustainable infrastructure endeavors on campus. For its sustainability framework, EMU uses the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) system and has developed a President’s […]
Mitigating Climate Risks to Michigan’s Forestry Industry
More than half of Michigan is forested, with 20 million acres making up a vital part of the state’s landscape. Millions of acres of Michigan forest land are used to produce timber, a renewable and sustainably managed resource that supports many industries. The forests also provide other values, including wildlife habitat and watershed protection, and […]
Joe Louis Greenway Project Aims to Transform Abandoned Rail Corridor into 27.5-Mile Recreational Pathway
The Joe Louis Greenway is a 27.5-mile pathway that will connect 23 neighborhoods and the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Dearborn to each other and to the Detroit riverfront, Dequindre Cut, Belle Isle, pedestrian/cyclist crossings at the Ambassador and Gordie Howe International bridges, and other trails. Upon completion, more than 40,000 residents will […]
Working at the intersection of Business, Education, and Research for a More Sustainable World
The Erb Institute at the University of Michigan has a mission to create a sustainable world through the power of business. The institute is a partnership between the Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability, where students and business partners work together to fulfill this mission. What does this translate to, […]
Consumers Energy’s PowerMIFleet Program Grows to 50+ Companies
Consumers Energy launched its PowerMIFleet program 19 months ago to augment its existing PowerMIDrive. The latter program, launched in 2019, is targeted to smaller users and offers lower electric rates for off-peak charging for drivers and will provide rebates for residential, business, and public charging stations. More than 2,700 have been granted so far. PowerMIFleet […]
DTE Talks About the Challenges and Opportunities in Building and Adopting EV Infrastructure
Widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption is crucial for achieving climate goals. However, the pace of EV adoption varies significantly across different income sectors, markets, and geographies. There are significant barriers to EV entry that are hindering the overall pace of electrification including lack of charging infrastructure (range anxiety), charger access disparities, and affordability. Addressing these […]
