Efforts to counter warming temperatures, microplastics in Lake Michigan

From Plastic Free July to a nano-tech coated sponge, scientists in the Chicago area are working hard to fight climate change and waste.

By Lynnea Domienik
Microplastics
Humans eat about a credit card worth of plastic every week, according to some reports. Andrew Selsky/Associated Press
Microplastics
Humans eat about a credit card worth of plastic every week, according to some reports. Andrew Selsky/Associated Press

Efforts to counter warming temperatures, microplastics in Lake Michigan

From Plastic Free July to a nano-tech coated sponge, scientists in the Chicago area are working hard to fight climate change and waste.

By Lynnea Domienik
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Billions of tons of plastic waste are piling up in landfills and waterways around the globe. Over time, this waste breaks down into micro- and nanoplastics that are easily ingested by aquatic animals and even find their way into people’s bloods and organs.

Reset learns more about the impact of plastic degradation in the Chicago region and efforts underway to protect Lake Michigan.

GUESTS: Joel Brammeier, CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes

Vinayak Dravid, Abraham Harris Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering; founding director of the Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center (NUANCE)