In this week’s feature, an interview by Stephanie Stewart about Andy Mahler, who passed away recently, but had a profound affect on the Forest of Indiana, especially here in south-central Indiana.
While the coral reefs continue to be a cause of concern, due to record high ocean temperatures leading to coral bleaching, researchers and scientists are working to do what they can to save the coral reefs from widespread damage, for the future of their survival.
Expeditions in the French Polynesian Tatakoto (ta-ta-koh-to) atoll are surveying a “super coral” that is able to survive extremely high temperature fluctuations in the ocean, often to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, in a day. The expeditions are sponsored by 1 Ocean, UNESCO, and Labex Corail and the UPF, in partnership with the CRIOBE and SECOPOL labs, the article on UNESCO’s website states.
Their missions have been to study whether these super corals can survive in high temperatures, as well as to take these “super corals” and plant them in the reefs Moorea, an archipelago with less extreme temperature fluctuations in the ocean waters on a daily basis, to study their growth.
Six missions, since 2021, have been completed so far, as ocean researchers and scientists working on the project study whether the corals have an ability to sustain higher temperatures in future growth, which, if so, means these more resilient corals could be grown and planted in fragile, declining coral reefs that have suffered bleaching.
Studies performed by researchers in other parts of the world, along with the Tatakoto expeditions, confirm the data, that some corals, such as those in the Gulf of Aqaba, are resistant to heat waves higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, without suffering massive damage. In the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef, certain coral species observed between 30 and 60 meters also show a certain amount of heat tolerance, without widespread, permanent bleaching without any ability to recover their coral color.
As researchers continue to find ways to attempt to save the coral reefs, the fact there are some places where coral is proving resistant to higher ocean water temperatures gives some hope.
Honey bees are everywhere. If you go outside, you are going to see bees gathering honey from all the flowers. We need to protect our honey bees because they protect our public health and our food security. Back in the 1980’s, Shell and Bayer scientists developed a product called neonicotinoids better known as neonics.
It is a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine and they affect the central nervous system of insects. Repeated exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides starts to change a bee’s life and impact the entire colony. The science shows there are a number of different outcomes after exposure.
Neonics make it hard for bees to groom themselves, making them susceptible to disease and mites and weakening their immune systems. Neonics also affect bee’s ability to navigate back to the hive. Unable to find their way home, they die. Worker bees supply the colony’s food.
If they don’t come back, the entire colony can starve. If a bee is able to return to the hive, they return covered in contaminated pollen. As other bees store the pollen, they all become contaminated. Honey bees are critical to U.S. food supples. One-third of the foods we eat are pollinated by honey bees, especially the good stuff, like “super-foods” that are rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Here is an example of what could happen if we had no bees. Your picnic which might include kabobs, would not have any onions, peppers or tomatoes. Your blackberry pie would not have any berries, and your PB & J sandwich would not have any jelly or peanut butter.
Lemonade would have no lemons and you would not have watermelon to eat. Your Greek salad would have no tomatoes, cucumbers, onions or olives. There would be no guacamole or salsa, and your fruit salad would have only bananas and pineapple. Neonics have already been banned in Europe. They need to be banned now in the United States.
Womens International League for Peace & Freedom’s recent newsletter carried an article by member Patricia Hynes. Known by its acronym, WILPF is an activist women’s peace organization established during World War with multiple concerns regarding militarism, climate justice and social justice.
Hynes poses the question:
“How can we reduce toxic plastic pollution, given that it is ubiquitous—found everywhere from the highest mountain peaks and the deepest parts of the sea to our own internal organs and even in the air we breathe?”
Here are suggestions from Patricia on possible ways to mitigate excessive pollutants:
-phase out single use plastics and encourage your community to do likewise.
-use refillable ( nonplastic) water bottles
-cutting boards of plastic can result in microplastic in your food so are best avoided.
-advocate for a tax—or, even better, a ban—on single-use plastic bags,
-eliminate plastic bottles for liquid soap’s & detergents.
Additionally says Patricia Hynes, “In Finland, forty-two daycare centers have replaced plastic -flooring, rubber mats, asphalt, and gravel with natural materials such as soil, sand, moss, plants, and sections of forest floor.”
Stay tuned for further reports on clothing choices and ways to dress sustainably. Along those lines we end with a final quote from Patricia – ”Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon shed microplastic fibers into the air, onto our skin, and into water supplies. A single load of synthetic laundry can release up to 1.5 million microfibers into waterways. Some researchers estimate that synthetic textiles contribute up to 35% of all microplastic pollution.“
Not all bugs in your garden are pests. There are some computer apps like iNaturalist.org that can help with identification. Bugs are actually an essential part of nature. But when they feed on our plants, stored foods, wood, fabric, us and our animals, they become a problem. Things like moths and fleas.
Less than 1% of bugs are pests. Beneficial bugs pollinate, decompose, aerate soil, biocontrol weeds and damaging bugs, are a food source for many animals, provide products like honey and silk, have medical uses, and some even have aesthetic qualities like butterflies.
Not all garden pests are bugs. Some are mites and snails and slugs. There are some beneficial members of those families, though. Other garden pests are moles, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels. However, moles aerate the soil.
Try not to use any chemical sprays in your garden. I have been told that good old vinegar works really well in controlling weeds and pests. With time, patience, observation and spot control, you can move to a more natural, ecologically balanced garden
Most of us think of Bloomington as a very progressive city. Did you know that recycling is declining in Bloomington? If you live in the city limits, you get a recycling tote bin for your bottles, cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, junk mail and more and it is taken to a recycling center. If you live outside the city limits you have to gather all these products and physically take them to a recycling center.
People in Bloomington have been recycling since 1973, when the city began curbside collection. By 1991, the Bloomington program was serving 8,600 single-family dwellings. Today, about 14,000 households participate.
Although Bloomington scores well on recycling, Indiana as a whole is a lagger. Only 17% of recyclable stuff discarded by all Hoosier households gets into the recycling stream. By comparison, Illinois and Wisconsin recycle at 23%; and Michigan at 26%. California and Oregon lead the nation at 37%.
Participation is pretty good in Bloomington, but the volumes are not increasing year after year. Drop off sites include 6200 N. Matthews Drive in Ellettsville; 6015 E. Indiana 45, in New Unionville; 341 N. Oard Road in Bloomington; 3400 S. Walnut Street in Bloomington; 400 W. Dillman Road in Bloomington. All sites are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm.
Newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard, flattened boxes, plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminum and tin cans, electronics, batteries, textiles, yard waste and used oil can be recycled. The recycling participation is dropping worldwide, driven by what analysts say is urbanization, population growth and rising living standards.
Here is what is suggested if you want to reduce your “carbon footprint:
-Use energy efficient appliances and turn them off when not in use.
-Turn off your lights when not in a room.
-Try to buy “sustainable” products at the grocery store.
-Avoid single-use plastic bags (that’s a no-brainer).
-Walk, cycle and use public transportation or carpool.
-Conserve water and just be more mindful about taking care of Earth.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Carrie Albright
Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts
Julianna Dailey
Feature Report
Stephanie Stewart
Script
Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.