Michigan voters show strong support for clean energy, public health improvements

Brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, health has become a major priority in Michigan and that includes an increased urgency to ensure our air and water are clean.

According to the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) survey, 67 percent of Michigan voters showed broad support for the expansion of clean, renewable energy and combating climate change by reducing Michigan’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Voters predominantly cite public health, clean water and protecting the Great Lakes — along with economic benefits — as the best reasons to support expanding renewable energy.

The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter supports a transition to more clean energy and electric cars because it will reduce dangerous pollution that puts Michiganders’ lives at risk.

Scientists, medical professionals and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have found our state’s rates of asthma, lung and heart disease are significantly higher than other states, with asthma being three to four times higher than the national average in Michigan’s most polluted zip codes.

According to research from Harvard University, approximately 10 percent of Michigan adults have asthma which, exacerbated by COVID-19, can lead to irreparable damage or death.

It is time to take action to reduce pollution and join together to chart a new course for Michigan.

Major legacy auto manufacturers Ford and General Motors have committed to phasing out gasoline vehicles and moving toward zero-emission vehicles.

General Motors announced its goal to transition to an all-electric light-duty truck and SUV fleet by 2035. Ford has committed to investing at least $22 billion in vehicle electrification through 2025, nearly twice what the company previously committed to electric vehicles.

President Joe Biden has set ambitious goals to tackle climate change and put the United States on a path to a net-zero economy by 2050. The president’s Executive Orders concerning climate change include rejoining the Paris Agreement and immediate review of the harmful rollbacks of policies that protect our air, water and communities.

Michiganders agree that it’s time to take action. The GQR survey shows 75 percent of voters support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal for Michigan to become carbon neutral by 2050. Since signing the executive order last fall, Gov. Whitmer has created the Council on Climate Solutions, which is working to ensure fairness for and representation of underserved communities.

Moving to clean, renewable energy will reduce mercury and other toxic pollutants that make our water unsafe to drink and unfishable. Reducing pollution will help keep our air and water clean, decrease asthma and lung disease and protect our Great Lakes.

It is time we embrace the costsaving potential of renewable energy, energy efficiency and electric vehicles.