In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher explores the challenges, the stakes, and the politics of Indiana’s energy future in her feature on the path to cleaner, more sustainable power.

If you are a gardener, it is that time of year when nature starts going wild. Everything is blooming! Understand that gardening is very good for your mental health. Gardening and strong mental health go hand-in-hand. A study published in 2018 in the journal Clinical Medicine found that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to both physical and mental health.

Penn State extension says working with the soil and plants can help relax the mind and have a grounding effect on the gardener, as gardening can help to reduce stress, anxiety and even built-up anger. Gardening also helps a person connect to the current moment and not be caught up in their mind.

Nearly all forms of exercise, gardening included, can lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. Also, routines such as spending a certain portion of the day weeding or tending to gardening needs, creates a soothing rhythm to ease stress.

Arbor Day is coming up on April 24th, and a good way to celebrate Arbor Day is to plant a tree. Planting trees is a commitment to the future. Look around your yard to find the perfect place to plant a tree. Every yard needs shade. If you enjoy wildlife, a tree offers many benefits to many different kinds of wildlife. Birds and animals, including bugs need trees.

They provide food, such as fruit, seeds, nuts and acorns. All of these are needed to help wildlife survive through hot summers and snowstorms. Trees also provide water by holding it in their leaves when it rains. And, they provide needed cover. Birds and animals need concealed places for nesting and hiding.

Another added advantage to trees is the reduction of your electric bill. Shade saves you money. Trees can reduce your summer electric bills by as much as 35%. Believe it or not, but trees can increase cooling efficiency as much as 10% with your air conditioning compressor. They can also provide privacy by planting a privacy screen, which is basically a living fence.

This way you don’t have to view traffic or your neighbors, and you can reduce noise. Trees also protect your soil, reduce odors, increase wildlife habitat and make it more comfortable to be outdoors. So, plant a tree to make your life brighter and better!

We have shared with you about how bad our water and air pollution is in the past. Number 1 out of all 50 states. So, it is exciting to see that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has finally decided to do something about our polluted waters and streams. It appears we are making measurable improvements. Not great, but better.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to assess and report on the condition of their waters every two years. A waterbody is considered impaired if its water quality is not sufficient to support its intended use. “Indiana has shown a deliberate track record of assessing, protecting and working to restore our waterways,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods.

Historically, Indiana has had very impaired water caused by E.Coli, biological impairment, and PCB’s. IDEM is making a commitment to detailed monitoring which will ensure that issues are identified, prioritized, and addressed; not overlooked.

Indiana is considered a success story because we were previously considered impaired, meaning we were too polluted to support expected activities such as swimming, fishing, or hosting certain biological communities; and we must be partially or fully restored and show progress toward achieving water quality goals. We seem to be doing better with water quality but we still have a long way to go. AND, we need to do something about our air quality!

Way back in 2014, the world learned about the lead water pipes in Flint, Michigan. They had recently switched the city’s water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River to save money. They immediately detected bacteria in the water. Warnings were issued to residents, and then testing revealed dangerous levels of lead in the water. Flint did not switch its water supply back to Detroit until October of 2015.

A settlement reached in 2017 required the replacement of every Flint resident’s lead pipes. Lead can enter tap water when pipes and plumbing fixtures corrode. In children, lead exposure can cause hearing, speech and behavioral problems, brain damage, and slowed growth. In adults, it has been linked to high blood pressure, joint pain, reproductive health issues, and cardiovascular disease.

Lead pipes tend to be neglected in poor, majority-black communities, like Flint. You don’t see these problems in wealthy white communities. If there is a problem, it is immediately fixed. Many people in Flint still suffer from skin rashes and hair loss. They have had to buy new water heaters, washing machines and plumbing systems which they were never compensated for.

At this time, trust is being rebuilt. But much damage was done. One woman suffered two miscarriages. He other children suffer fwith severe shoulder and neck pains. Many people will never trust the water from their taps in Flint, Michigan. Many think the plumbing lines are still contaminated. The water from the faucets are often yellow and have a foul odor. Most still use filtered water.

So when Michigan submitted a progress report to a federal court in July last year, stating it had completed the replacement of 11,000 lead pipes, restored 28,000 damaged properties, and the US Environmental Protection Agency lifted its emergency order on Flint’s drinking water earlier this year, many people remain skeptical.

Coal has long powered the homes and industries of Indiana, but the future of the state’s energy landscape is at a crossroads. As the push for renewable energy grows stronger, the state faces tough questions about how to transition away from its reliance on coal—an energy source deeply embedded in both the economy and culture. What will it take to make that shift, and why has it taken so long? This week’s feature on the subject by Amelia Bucher was recently placed as a finalists in the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists’ Best in Indiana competition.

The U.S. electrical grid is a complicated network of wires that traverse the continent and connect with regional private operators who then transmit and distribute power. Some call it “a patchwork of operators with competing interests,” writes Rebecca Hill. Indiana’s electricity comes primarily from coal, natural gas, and a growing renewables market, but the transition to renewables is not without problems. | Photo by Benedict Jones* Attend an Exploring Geodes activity at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, April 4th, at 2 pm. Learn how geodes form and whats inside them, plus you will get to crack one open. * Take a Morel Mushroom Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, April 5th, from 9 to 10:30 am. You will hike around Strahl Lake learning how to identify Morel mushrooms. Also, learn some recipes for cooking with morels. * Wildflower Weekend kicks off at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 10th, from 5:30 to 7 pm. You will learn about the lovely MyPath Trail which is being planned. You will get to see an overview of the trail head and then stroll along the area where the path is planned. * A Migratory Bird Feeders program will take place on Saturday, April 11th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. You will learn about the unique bird species that come through our area during migration. This program will allow you to build your very own bird feeder. * A Signs of Spring Hike is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th, from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Hike with a naturalist as they show you nature waking up.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………………..IDEM
Headlines…………………………………………EPA
Headlines……………………………..Julianna Dailey
Feature Report……………………….Amelia Bucher
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.