Environmental policy

Karen Kendrick-Hands Papers

aorchard — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:58:08 -0400

Karen Kendrick-Hands was a Detroit-area environmental lawyer and activist. Since the 1980s, Kendrick-Hands participated in a variety of causes within Michigan, notably regarding issues of greenhouse gas emissions. Specific actions included the Polluters Pay Act, opposing the split of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources and Department of Environmental Quality, SEMCOG’s Ozone Action! campaign, and opposition to garbage incinerators in Michigan. Over the years she has supported environmentalism by utilizing her experience as a lawyer to tackle environmental issues from the legal and legislative angles. She has recently become notable as a purveyor of high-end yarn and knit goods and runs a nonprofit organization that promotes the crafts of knitting and crochet.

The Karen Kendrick-Hands Papers contain records regarding the environmental campaigns she participated in over the years. Most records are grouped by subject, often by environmental issue or organization. Much of the collection is comprised of publicly available records with Kendrick-Hands’ personal notes and annotations written in the margins. Commonly found throughout the collection are Karen Kendrick-Hands’ handwritten notes from various meetings and events she attended.

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) Records

drice — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:43:34 -0400

SEMCOG grew out of primarily the Detroit Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Commission (DRPC) and the Supervisors Inter-County Committee (SICC) in an effort to consolidate regional planning agencies and avoid duplication of programs and services. SEMCOG has continued its predecessors' work of assisting local planning programs, collecting area planning data, and providing an infrastructure for procurement of federal aid.

Records in Part I document SEMCOG's predecessor, the DRPC, and its transition to and early operation of the Planning Division of SEMCOG, through the office files of Paul Reid, Executive Director at the time of transition. Contained therein are findings of various planning projects and studies conducted by the two entities.

Records in Part II relate primarily to the administration of SEMCOG and the environmental, transportation, and economic issues it dealt with.

Records in Part III related to SEMCOG's work in environment, transportation, and urban planning. Documented are the activities of executive directors John Amberger and Paul Tait, and the Executive and Advisory Council from SEMCOG's inception through 2003. The records of the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) a private-sector sister organization to SEMCOG are also included.

Urban Environment Conference (UEC) Records

drice — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:09:42 -0400

The Urban Environment Conference (UEC) grew out of an effort in 1971 by Michigan Senator Philip Hart to provide a forum for the discussion of problems and issues of joint concern to urban reform groups, environmentalists, and organized labor. Within a year, most of the participants decided to organize the group as a non-profit corporation with both advocacy and clearinghouse functions, including lobbying, education and publicity, fundraising, leadership training, technical assistance on program development, and coalition-building. While protecting on-the-job and community health has been the Conference’s priority issue, UEC also has a notable record on energy, mass transit, fair housing and full employment.

The Urban Environment Conference Collection consists of correspondence, reports, minutes,
clippings and publications related primarily to environmental/occupational health issues affecting minorities at home and in the workplace.

Labor Unions, Earth Day, and Environmentalism

gstrassel — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 16:05:51 -0400

This Earth Day, we’d like to highlight archival collections that demonstrate organized labor’s role in environmentalism and the understanding of Earth Day as advantageous to the interests of business and workers alike. Though one may not expect it, numerous collections highlight unions’ historical efforts to fight pollution and champion conservation. read more »

(32623) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:36:15 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney talking with actor and activist Ted Danson in Washington DC.

(32624) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:42:51 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney speaking at "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

(32625) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:48:04 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney and with actor/activist Ted Danson talking with other individuals who participated in the "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

(32626) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:50:25 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney and Ted Danson look on during the "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

[Podcast] A Miasma of Metals: The Steelworkers’ Environmental Call Following the Donora Smog of 1948

teller — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:30:05 -0400

Louise Milone recounts how smog produced by the southwestern Pennsylvanian steel industry poisoned the air in the Monongahela Valley town of Donora on November 1, 1948, killing more than 22 people and sickening thousands more. Exploring the response of the US Steel Corporation, employees, and Donora residents, Milone explains how the United Steelworkers of America union pushed for an investigation and improved environmental and health and safety regulations following the disaster. Milone is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of Georgia Department of History. read more »