Great Lakes, Great Stories

Tom Henry, reporter for The Toledo Blade, shares his influences, inspirations, and insights from over 40 years of environmental journalism. His human-centered storytelling underlines our connection to water - and to one another - while holding our leaders accountable for the promise of a sustainable Great Lakes ecosystem. Tom also explores the implications of ideology on our relationship with the planet.

Sandra Svoboda, program director for Great Lakes Now, spotlights the outlet's coverage of regional issues - such as pipelines and PFAS drinking water contamination - and their global relevance. By covering big issues from multiple angles, the acclaimed monthly TV program creates a shared sense of stewardship, culture, and identity across Great Lakes communities in the U.S. and Canada.

Believing that we achieve more when we work together, the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) - a national consortium of journalism organizations - uses its collective power to amplify trustworthy news. Milwaukee Media Hall of Famer Sharon McGowan, collaborations leader for INN, explains how the innovative From Rust to Resilience series brought various newsrooms together and uplifted stories about climate change's effect on Great Lakes cities.

The scarcity of natural resources has arguably defined many chapters of human history. Oil is seen by many as the driver of twentieth century geopolitics, and water has emerged as the defining natural resource of our future - with cascading implications on the environment and global economy. In this episode, Peter Annin, environmental journalist and author of The Great Lakes Water Wars, discusses the peril of water scarcity and potential solutions.

US Water Alliance’s Emily Simonson, director of strategic initiatives, discusses efforts to address inequities in water access, connect various stakeholders to “one water,” and build a sustainable water future - and she cites sources of inspiration, such as sacred Indigenous water traditions and the Flint community's work to transform devastating contamination through residential water testing initiatives.

“What happens in Duluth matters in Toronto and in Milwaukee and in Chicago.” Dan Egan has spent over 20 years writing about the Great Lakes. His conclusion: it’s all connected. In this episode, the best-selling author of The Death and Life of the Great Lakes highlights the greatest challenges and even greater opportunities for combating and adapting to climate change.