Joel Brammeier is passionate about the Great Lakes. Whether it was as a kid exploring their shorelines in the Detroit suburbs, or as the president and CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes today, he's always been drawn to them. With 20% of the Earth’s fresh surface water belonging to the Great Lakes, Joel explains how crucial it is that we start taking microplastics seriously and that “regulation” doesn’t need to be a bad term when it comes to water. Instead, it can be a helpful tool that puts laws into place that keeps not only our drinking water clean, but our beer too. He and Charlie discuss the Great Lakes Compact, why microplastics are bad for us, and what the implications of recent government budget cuts will mean for environmental agencies. Joel also shares what makes him say “cripes!” which is something all parents of teenagers can relate to. All that and more on this episode of the Cripescast.

For more information about Joel’s work and to get involved head to www.greatlakes.org.

Follow the Alliance for Great Lakes on social:

Bluesky – @alliancegreatlakes.bsky.social

Instagram – alliance4greatlakes

Facebook – AlliancefortheGreatLakes

Check out his latest Op-ed in the Sun Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/03/20/epa-cuts-great-lakes-states-clean-water-lead-lines-flooding-joel-brammeier