In more states, including the Great Lakes states of IL, IN, & NY, lawmakers are introducing bills to bring transparency to data centers’ water use. A single hyperscale center can use as much water as 12,000 Americans per year, but their true impact on water is often hidden.

https://bit.ly/48My4YX

The amount of microplastics in our environment is increasing, but there is still no Illinois or federal surveillance program to track levels in drinking water. We talked with @abc7chicago.bsky.social about the need for better tracking.
https://abc7.ws/4iYZG1P

As international efforts to curb plastic pollution fall short, it's time for Great Lakes states to step up. Some are already leading the way.
https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2025/11/14/to-editor-failure-form-treaty-harms-great-lakes-pollution-fight/stories/20251114005

Webinar: Our 2025 Adopt-a-Beach Season
Join us Tuesday December 9, 2025 at 1PM EST for a year-end Adopt-a-Beach celebration! We’ll be honoring all the amazing volunteers who cleaned beaches, parks, trails, and marinas across the Great Lakes region in 2025.

Register today: https://bit.ly/3Y8Y9MM

The Great Lakes region faces growing demand from large water users like data centers, agriculture, and critical minerals mining. The demand may become unsustainable if we don’t take serious planning, policy, and regulatory actions. More about the problem and solutions: greatlakes.org/2025/08/grea...

This year, we set an ambitious goal: activate 12,000 volunteers to clean up Great Lakes shorelines in 2025. Thanks to you, momentum is building! An estimated 4,500 volunteers have already joined in. Consider joining or leading a cleanup today
greatlakes.org/get-involved...

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Megan Cunningham, our new Vice President for Programs!

Megan brings deep experience at the intersection of environmental justice, public health, and policy. Now, she’s bringing that passion and expertise to the Great Lakes.
greatlakes.org/people/megan...

Not enough is being done to reduce the runoff that causes algal blooms in Lake Erie, says our CEO Joel Brammeier: "If you want an economically vibrant agriculture system to thrive, you better be able to produce safe and clean water as part of that system."

"There may be a tendency to think of data centers as a somewhat cleaner industry than, for example, a large factory. But that’s not quite the case because the water being used will be warmed and also potentially contain contaminants."
www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/05/are-...

“We’re back to business as usual. That’s a good thing,” says our CEO, Joel Brammeier, about the critical Brandon Road project that will keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.

A critical bill to phase out the sale of single-use foam cups and food containers has passed the Illinois Senate. The Illinois House will vote on the bill as early as this week. Help push it across the finish line! Take action today at the link below. 👇

Tell Illinois: Keep plastic out of Lake Michigan and our drinking water.

Plastic pollution is a serious threat to Lake Michigan, our health, and our environment. Right now, Illinois has an opportunity to reduce 3 major sources of plastic pollution.

takeaction.greatlakes.org/page/80604/a...

How do microplastics in our water affect our health? Partnering with @rushmedical.bsky.social, we're learning more about the medical effects of microplastics. Ultimately, this work can support efforts to reduce plastic pollution in our drinking water and environment.
www.rush.edu/news/illumin...

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is one of the most important tools in the region’s toolbox to protect and restore the lakes. That why reauthorizing it is one of our biggest priorities. www.toledoblade.com/local/enviro...

Sunrise over Lake Michigan this morning from Montrose Harbor in Chicago, IL. Below zero temps are causing steam fog to form over the water. Photo courtesy of Lloyd DeGrane.

Good news for Great Lakes restoration. Today, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan bill to renew a program that funds on-the-ground restoration projects, from wetland restoration to cleaning up toxic hot spots.
greatlakes.org/2025/02/grea...

We're a nonpartisan nonprofit working across the region to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean, and natural waters of the Great Lakes. Follow for updates about the lakes and how you can protect them.