Technology Trends Supporting a Greener Future for Michigan
Business owners, industry leaders, individuals, and authorities in Michigan are taking a proactive approach towards creating a greener future for the Great Lake State, also known as the Wolverine State, by embracing several innovative technology trends.
On this page, we will be taking a closer look at which key technologies, trends, initiatives, practices, and principles are helping to reduce emissions and improve overall sustainability here.
What are the key technology trends and initiatives driving a greener future for Michigan?
Michigan is currently leveraging a range of modern technologies as it attempts to reposition itself as one of the greenest states in America.
A great deal of investment in key areas, as well as a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint to create a greener and more sustainable future, has included individuals, businesses, authorities, and organizations adopting and implementing one or more of the following technologies and initiatives:
Government initiatives
- IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) funding
- Clean energy & jobs act
- MI healthy climate plan
Energy efficiency
- Various energy efficiency initiatives/programs
- Building efficiency
- Smart grids
Renewable energy
- Hydrogen fuel
- Wind and solar
- RECs (Renewable Energy Credits)
Sustainable transportation
- Electric buses
- Hyrdogen-fueled trucks
- EVs (Electric Vehicles)
Some of the other key technologies that are also helping to create a greener future for Michigan include various AI-powered tools, systems, and applications, such as data gathering and analysis and machine learning, 3D printing technology, and converting waste-to-energy tech.
Which industries in Michigan are more sustainable than ever?
The key industries that are now more sustainable than ever are electricity generation and utilities, transportation, data centres, construction, eCommerce, retail, and manufacturing, to name a few.
Individuals are more conscious than ever of the carbon footprint they leave behind and are doing their bit to create a greener future here.
How are businesses and individuals using the digital landscape to become more green and sustainable?
More companies than ever are developing sustainable software that uses less energy during operation, which promotes a more sustainable digital landscape. AI and ML (artificial intelligence and machine learning) are being leveraged to upgrade existing systems, make them more efficient and help optimize energy management.
Data centres that are crucial for many industries, such as the burgeoning iGaming industry, are increasingly powered by renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint.
This multi-billion dollar industry is home to countless fully licensed and regulated online sportsbooks, dedicated poker sites, and casinos, and people who traditionally would travel by car or on bus to a land-based gaming venue to play slots and classic table & card games, take part in poker tournaments, or place sports bets on their favourite sporting events are no longer commuting to these places in person by bus or car.
The ones that do still visit these land-based venues either walk or cycle in, use electric-powered vehicles instead of using gas-guzzling vehicles, or they frequent them less often than they used to. Instead, many people have shifted to placing bets on a handful of ‘greener’ iGaming sites, like those selected by AskGamblers – one of the iGaming industry’s most trusted review sites.
Instead of the long commute to and from betting shops, racetracks, casinos, and so on, more people than ever who enjoy the occasional flutter in Michigan prefer to do so from a legally permitted betting site that’s fully licensed and regulated by the MGCB (Michigan Gaming Control Board).
How are these technologies and initiatives supporting Michigan’s greener future plan?
Take renewable energy integration, for example, which is essential in reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions into the environment and is a key driving force behind creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly system. The state is now more reliant than ever on renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
Another key technology that helps reduce carbon emissions in Michigan is smart grid tech, which enables a more efficient and reliable way to distribute energy while, at the same time, optimizing energy consumption.
The state is also focusing on extending the lifespan of products to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact that technology has by improving recycling processes, enhancing modular design, and repairability.
Michigan leaders are also currently looking for new carbon capture and storage solutions to decarbonize various emission sources and industrial facilities. There is also growing demand for eco-friendly and transparent supply chains, which ensures that products are made and distributed in a more sustainable way.
Conclusion
Michigan currently has several initiatives that are helping the state to become more environmentally friendly, one of which is the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. The top priorities are protecting public health and the environment, transitioning to a cleaner energy economy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Many private-owned and state-owned facilities, companies, and utilities are currently using 100% renewable energy to reach their net-zero and carbon-neutral goals, and significant investment continues to be pumped into the right areas to improve clean energy.
Besides the MI Healthy Climate Plan, one of the other key initiatives is the Clean Energy & Jobs Act, which is also helping create a much greener future for Michigan. There are also significant efforts to improve the quality of the water here by installing water filters in schools.
The conservation of land also remains a top priority, with goals to protect at least 30% of the land by the end of the decade, and many individuals and communities are also playing their part by taking part in a range of eco-friendly initiatives, such as tree planting projects, and recycling programs.
