LANSING, Mich. – As many Michiganders are still cleaning up from the devastating effects of last summer's storms while bracing for winter, a recent report from the National Wildlife Federation suggests some of the best resources for preventing major flooding can be found right outside.

Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, says when it comes to putting up a strong, protective infrastructure, Mother Nature really does know best.

"When a storm comes through and you have healthy wetlands and other marsh plants, their ability to absorb the energy from these storms to protect the communities that are directly adjacent, really is a sight to be seen," he stresses.

It's estimated that Michigan has lost nearly 50 percent of its wetlands since the late 1700s, and as much as 75 percent in coastal and southern parts of the state.

The report recommends better protections for these areas by strengthening the Clean Water Act, as well as improvements to federal flood insurance policy that would incentivize protective efforts.

Wesley Dupont, executive vice president and general counsel with Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, says it makes good business sense to take proactive steps to protect communities, especially given the impact of climate change.

"We want to make sure our insurants are safe, that we're limiting the type of damage they're going to receive when a storm comes their way, and the frequency with which extreme weather is occurring these days, it's just ramping up and we have to be ready for that," he says.

The damage from storms that swept through the metro Detroit area in August is estimated at more than $1 billion.





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As federal funding for climate initiatives faces steep cuts, nonprofits and philanthropic organizations are stepping into the breach, calling out the urgent need for private support to address what they see as an existential crisis.

The issue took center stage Wednesday in Orlando, at the Climate Correction Conference. With federal grants paused or canceled due to recent executive orders and legal challenges, nonprofits grapple with uncertainty, making private philanthropy more critical than ever.

Dawn Shirreffs, Florida director of the Environmental Defense Fund, explained the urgency.

"We don't have time," Shirreffs emphasized. "In fact, one of the things Environmental Defense Fund is known for is we don't have an endowment, because we don't feel we have the time to wait in the battle on climate change to have money sitting in a bank. We need to get our greenhouse gas emissions down now, so that we have a planet to fight for."

Shirreffs argued it is time to rethink philanthropic giving. She stressed there is a critical need for strategic, multiyear funding rather than one-time donations to sustain climate efforts.

David S. Vogel, cofounder, trustee and chief scientist for the VoLo Foundation, which is hosting the conference, said as a data-driven funder, he prioritizes long-term investments in climate solutions, from sustainable farming to clean energy innovation. He echoed the call for proactive philanthropy in light of federal funding cuts.

"Cuts all across the board -- not just climate science, cancer research -- again, the government falling short on thinking proactively. It's very reactive," Vogel contended. "As a result, maybe the government will end up having to pay more in climate damages. But it's more important than ever for private funding to step in and fund at least the right areas of research."

Yoca Arditti-Rocha, executive director of the CLEO Institute, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Florida, from rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes to an insurance crisis, all while receiving minimal funding for solutions.

"It's important to understand that only 2% of global philanthropy dollars go to climate solutions," Arditti-Rocha pointed out. "We cannot solve this issue with just 2%. We must close that funding gap."

The panelists agreed the climate crisis is a threat multiplier, exacerbating issues like poverty, public health and housing. They said philanthropy must step up to fill the void being left by government cuts.

Michigan ranks 26th in the U.S. for total installed solar capacity, while global capacity rose 21% from 2023. However, there are industry concerns that federal policy changes and trade barriers may slow future growth. In 2024, Michigan added over 450 megawatts of solar, bringing its total to more than 1,800 megawatts - enough to power over 300,000 homes. Nationwide, nearly 50 gigawatts were installed.

John Freeman, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, remains confident, citing market demand as the key driver.

"The marketplace is indicating that you can get lower costing energy from using solar and wind - and at the same time you're also able to reduce your cost by not using an energy source like coal which pollutes," he said.

While Freeman remains optimistic about the future of solar power, critics argue it's unreliable, expensive upfront, land-intensive, difficult to recycle, dependent on subsidies, and a strain on the power grid.

Freeman pointed out that technological advances in the solar industry are also increasing demand. He explained that in the past, homeowners would send excess solar energy back to the grid, relying on net metering or losing unused power, but now the use of home battery storage has been an efficient game-changer.

"The extra electricity that your system was producing during the day that you can't use immediately, you just dump that into your battery and then you utilize that electricity from your batteries in the evening when the sun is gone down," he continued.

In 2023, solar energy accounted for 53% of all new electricity-generating capacity added in the U.S., surpassing wind and natural gas. However, skeptics point to mining, energy use, and solar panel waste.


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As Florida grapples with rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes and extreme heat, the state's vulnerability to climate change is impossible to ignore.

Against this backdrop, a conference opening today in Orlando is turning to art to inspire action. At the heart of the Climate Correction Conference is a massive mural by TIME Pieces artist Allison Dayca, spanning 1,000 square feet at the Orange County Public Schools Academic Center for Excellence. The vibrant piece, featuring the message "Love Your Planet," is a collaboration with local students.

Dayka said they contributed ideas, including their school mascot, a lion.

"I hope it brings happiness, because it's bright and colorful and I hope it makes people want to just make a little change," Dayca explained. "Because if we all collectively make one little small change, it ends up being something really large. I think the health of our environment is, ultimately, the health of ourselves."

The mural is more than just art, it is a call to action. Dayka's characters, including Vita, sponsoring VoLo Foundation's mascot, and Future, a figure living in a climate-altered world, aim to spark conversations and drive community engagement. Today's free events include an art exhibition and hands-on workshops. Thursday's sessions focus on "Leaders in Action."

The conference will highlight the role of local leaders and communities in driving change in the areas of clean energy, resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

Thais Lopez Vogel, cofounder of VoLo Foundation, organized the event.

"I feel like some people think that the government has to interfere to solve it, and they don't act," Vogel observed. "What we're telling them is, don't wait for someone else to fix it. We come together as a family, as a community and we take action, so the leaders are us."

Florida's climate crisis is a microcosm of global challenges. The state's low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, while its agriculture and tourism industries face increasing threats from extreme weather.