By the Numbers Michigans future counts on climate action

Future Vehicles

The MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled just over seven months ago is Michigan’s long-range plan to fight climate change, create good jobs, and build a better and healthier future for all Michiganders. Perhaps the most important number in the plan is 100% — representing the goal of a fully carbon-neutral Michigan economy by 2050.

An aerial view of the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti; it's a brick building surrounded by green trees and the roof is covered in solar panels..

Solar panels on the roof of the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti.

To boost your Michigan climate literacy, here are plenty of other significant numbers in the mix:

Three: In degrees Fahrenheit, the rise in Michigan’s average temperature from 1900 to today.

$4-$11: The savings Michigan will realize in avoidance of future damages for each dollar it commits to climate adaptation, according to a study by the National Institute of Building Sciences.

Five: Sectors of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions sources and their percentage by which they affect Michigan’s total GHG emissions in 2019 (updated from 2005 figures in the MHCP as released):

  • Energy production, 29%
  • Transportation, 25%
  • The built environment (homes, businesses, and other buildings), 17%
  • Energy-intensive industries, 14%
  • Agriculture and waste: 8%
  • Natural lands, -7%

Six: Action areas in the plan’s “Roadmap to 2030” for reducing GHG emissions 52% from 2005 levels:

  • Electric grid: Generate 60% of the state’s electricity from renewable resources, and close remaining coal plants. Limit the energy burden from powering and heating homes to not more than 6% of annual income for low-income households.
  • Electric vehicles and public transit: Build infrastructure to support 2 million EVs. Increase access to clean transportation – including public transit – by 15% per year.
  • Home and business repair and decarbonization: Reduce heating-related emissions by 17%.
  • Clean-energy jobs and industrial innovation: Support clean innovation hubs, triple the recycling rate to 45%. Reduce food waste by 50%.
  • Land and water: Protect 30% of lands and waters to naturally reduce GHGs. Improve access to recreational opportunities, and protect biodiversity. Support climate-smart agriculture.
  • Environmental justice: Direct 40% or more of the benefits of climate funding and initiatives to disadvantaged communities. Provide a just transition for all workers through proactive engagement, job training, and workforce development.

Seven: Plan objectives:

  • Mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
  • Spur economic development and well-paying jobs.
  • Protect and improve public health.
  • Make Michigan a climate action leader.
  • Protect our natural resources and wildlife.
  • Make Michigan energy independent.
  • Address environmental injustices.

Eight: Outcomes envisioned for every Michigander by 2050:

  • Clean air to breathe and water to drink.
  • Affordable, reliable, clean energy.
  • Good-paying, sustainable jobs to support families.
  • Clean, affordable transportation.
  • A healthy, sustainable, efficient home.
  • Healthy, affordable, local food.
  • Safe natural spaces to enjoy.
  • Community resources for resilience to impacts of climate change.

11%: Current approximate amount of Michigan’s total in-state electricity generated from renewable sources.

13: Number of other U.S. states with economywide climate action goals at the time the MHCP was announced.

16: As of 2022, the number of Michigan communities with goals to be carbon neutral or to reach 100% renewable energy by 2050.

40%: Energy use reduction goal for state-owned buildings by 2040.

73%: Decrease in particulate matter pollution from power plants since 2005 as the state has transitioned from coal to cleaner energy sources.

100%: Renewable energy goal for powering state-owned facilities by 2025.

1,929: Number of public comments received during the drafting of the MHCP, at listening sessions and via email and regular mail.

$6,000-$10,000: Amount owners of electric vehicles are expected to save over the life of the vehicle, compared with a gasoline-powered vehicle, because charging is half as expensive as the equivalent amount of gasoline and electric vehicles require half as many repairs and cost half as much to maintain.

More than 113,000: Growing number of clean energy jobs in every region of Michigan – the majority in manufacturing (57%) and construction (21.7%) – paying up to 25% more than the national median wage.

For the full picture, dig into the complete MI Healthy Climate Plan online. It’s about 50 pages long and includes photos and informational graphics.

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