Fracking , to say the least, is a controversial method of energy resource extraction. Those who implement the practice contend it's more efficient, effective, and is not an environmental hazard. There are many who disagree, particularly when it comes to environmental impact. In this week’s, “Issues of the Environment,” WEMU’s David Fair discusses fracking and the effort to put it to a vote of the people with LuAnne Kozma , the ‎campaign director at The Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan​.

Washtenaw County's "eco-fee" for using plastic or paper bags from retail grocery stores is scheduled to go into effect on Earth Day in 2017. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks to Washtenaw County solid waste specialist Noelle Bowman about the new ordinance and whether state lawmakers will actually allow for its implementation.

Food safety became a huge concern when a man introduced hazardous chemicals to grocery stores in Washtenaw County in May. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks with Washtenaw County Environmental Health Director Kristen Schweighoefer about what to do if contaminated food becomes a serious problem.

The City of Ann Arbor will host the 16th annual Mayor's Green Fair on Main Street Friday, June 10, 6–9 p.m. to celebrate the community's environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofits, government, and businesses. In this week’s “Issues of the Environment,” WEMU’s David Fair talks with Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.

Washtenaw County is planning to regulate the use of single use, plastic bags. However, the Michigan State Legislature has slowed the process of passing this measure. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's Patrick Campion speaks with Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi about the controversy surrounding the proposed ordinance. Editor's note: Wednesday evening, the Washtenaw County commissioners voted 6-2 to approve a new carryout bag ordinance that would put a 10-cent "tax" on

One out of every four senior citizens contract multi-drug resistant infections, or superbugs, after a hospital stay. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks with Dr. Lona Mody, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, on ways to resist these powerful bugs.

Legislation to increase the speed limits on Michigan's highway has been working its way through the state Legislature. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks to Timothy Gates, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan State University, about how higher speed limits may impact the environment.

Dr. David Schwab, Research Scientist for the UM Graham Sustainability Institute Water Center, discusses his latest findings about the extensive spills that will happen if Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac ruptures and how that oil would spread through the Great Lakes.

Public transportation in Washtenaw County is growing. The AAATA is expanding service beginning in May, and increased rail service may be on the horizon. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks with Gillian Ream Gainsley, Ypsilanti representative for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, about how these transportation methods may impact the local environment.

DTE Energy will soon start construction on a solar panel array in Ypsilanti. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks with Barry LaRue, a trustee with the Highland Cemetery Association, about the solar array project and why the cemetery is the right place to house a renewable energy system.