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Wildfires are burning through the states of Oregon and Washington this week as human caused fires and dry conditions create fires around the world that continue to destroy homes and other buildings, and raise concerns, following evacuations. In eastern Washington state, as of Tuesday, August 4th, estimates of 60,000 people had evacuated their homes due to wildfires, and over 600 structures had been destroyed.

The Spokane fires burned an estimated 8.2 square miles over the weekend, as reported in the Associated Press, and about 390 square miles have been burned in Washington state so far this year, some fires, such as the Spokane fires, still uncontained.

Federal agencies and local fire fighters are at their limits as to what they can do to contain these fires, asking for assistance from the White House.

In Idaho, crews were fighting fires with bulldozers and helicopters in the cattle ranching farmlands as a fire burned more than 525 square miles through grassland, in eastern Oregon, and western Idaho. The Associated Press reported the fire has posed a threat to over 600 homes and 800 other structures, and that lightning was the official cause, as dry conditions and temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit continue to cause wildfires.

The wildfire map of the United States on www.EGP.wildfire.gov shows there are still wildfires burning in Washington state, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California, as well as several in Texas, Florida, and Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. There are also several fires along the coast of North and South Carolina.

While wildfires are natural and occur every year, the hot conditions this year have caused wildfires and human caused fires to burn areas of the world more than before, and in many instances, authorities are continually at their limits on how to respond to contain them.

Could a dangerous chemical be lurking in your coffee? Last year, the Environmental Defense Fund found that the US Food and Drug Administration has been allowing 25 chemicals linked to cancer into America’s food system. Many are used in packaging and processing. Eight are known human carcinogens and 17 are probable human carcinogens.

Maria Doa, EDF’s senior chemicals expert said that she believes the FDA is putting people at risk. By law, the agency is required to ban food additives that cause cancer in humans or animals. While many of the chemicals are looked at are not added into food as ingredients, two-thirds of them can migrate into food from processing and packaging, including plastics, paperboard, metals and coatings.

Here’s one concerning example: Methylene chloride, commonly used as a paint stripper, is so dangerous that the EPA has banned its use in most instances. But the FDA still allows it to be used to decaffeinate coffee and tea. The FDA, not the EPA, regulates chemicals in food, and their failure to act shifts the burden of toxic chemicals onto consumers, with estimated health costs reaching up to $2.2 trillion every year.

The agency’s inaction is even harder to accept when you consider that many people are exposed to these same carcinogenic chemicals from multiple sources every day – in their food, air and water – and that cumulative exposure isn’t a risk they even consider. That is a huge regulatory gap. Plus, in may cases safer substitutes are readily available.

You can sign a petition urging the FDA to take action. Go to EDF.org/SaferFoods.

Below are some cancer-causing chemicals permitted by the FDA. These known carcinogens are among 25 cancer-linked chemicals the FDA allows in our food system.

—Formaldehyde – It is allowed for use in contact surfaces and melamine kitchenware, as well as defoaming agents.
—Methylene chloride – Allowed in use in decaffeinating coffee, in hops and spice extracts, adhesives and industrial products.
—Tricholoroethylene (TCE) – It is allowed for use in hops and spice extracts and in decaffeinating coffee.
—Asbestos – It is allowed for use in adhesives, rubber articles and polyester resins in food-related manufacturing.

Earlier this week I was mowing my lawn and an orange butterfly went by in front of me. It was a Monarch Butterfly. I did a double take, and sure enough it was definitely a Monarch. We have had many Frittilaries, Viceroys and Checkers, but not any Monarchs. I had to share the wonderful news about seeing the Monarch Butterfly with my husband.

So, what’s going on with Monarch Butterflies? Why are they so special?

The Monarch Butterfly or simply monarch is a milkweed butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. Starting in central Mexico they travel 3,000 miles to the United States and Canada. It is a multi-generational journey with each generation living up to nine months. They go through a four-stage, one-month long life cycle, starting with the egg, then caterpillar, pupa and adult butterfly.

As the weather gets colder, the North American monarchs migrate south to Mexico, where they live in protected forests. Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed leaves, which provide necessary toxins for protection. Adult monarch butterflies feed on the nector from a wide variety ot flowers such as goldenrod, asters, and other wild flowers.

While adult monarchs are toxic to many animals due to milkweed toxins, insects like wasps and spiders eat the eggs and caterpillars, and a few birds target the butterflies. Monarch butterfly populations are dropping fast – falling over 80% in the east and 95% in the west since the 1990’s. The decline is driven by the loss of milkweed plants, heavy use of farm chemicals, deforestation in winter homes, and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change.

I have a huge milkweed patch in my flower garden and do not use any chemicals in my yard because it is important to protect Monarch butterflies and all insects, especially the pollinators, because they allow us to have food and to live.

They symbolize change, resilience, and hope, and many people believe they are the souls of their loved ones.

In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright, in Part 2, interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.

August is National Wellness month! Take a Wellness Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, August 9th, beginning at 10 am. Hike on Trail 5 around Spring Mill Lake that will focus on wellness. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Enjoy a S’Mores Celebration on National S’Mores Day at Lower Cascades Park in the Sycamore Shelter on Monday, August 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Build and eat your own S’Mores. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A program on Edible Perennial Gardening is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Review how to establish and care for some of the most delicious garden favorites like strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Snake Chat will take place in the Activity Center at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, August 14th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Drop by to meet and touch a live snake and get your questions about snakes answered.
Take a Grissom Memorial Tour at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 1 pm. The guided tour will take you to see additional artifacts rarely seen by the public.

Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Cynthia Roberts

Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Vanessa Glavinskas with EDF
Julianna Dailey

Feature Report
Carrie Albright
Ashton Harper

Script & 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.

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Later in the program, we will listen to Grow With Glo as she talks with Anne Middleton, Associate Director of Wildcoasts, and how they are protecting Baja’s wild coastlines and more.

Environmental ReportsU.S. Stalls on Clean EnergyClean energy investments amounting to $83 billion have faced cancellations or delays due to the Trump administration’s policies, which lessened federal support for clean energy initiatives. A report from the Blue-Green Alliance, released on July 14th, highlights that 223 clean energy projects representing $82.9 billion in investments and 111,765 jobs have either stalled or been canceled. Labor leaders discussed these findings with Senate Democrats, emphasizing that each project delay or cancellation impacts working individuals significantly. Brent Booker, president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, stated that such decisions extend beyond energy policy; they directly affect jobs, incomes, and the prospects for the middle class. Additionally, the report notes that federal funding reductions and regulatory rollbacks, initiated in 2025, have undermined workplace protections for workers in the energy and industrial sectors.

Indiana Coal AshIndiana, with over 100 coal ash sites—the most in the nation—is pursuing a permitting program for hazardous waste management as federal cleanup requirements are proposed for rollback. This state initiative would require utilities to obtain permits for disposal of coal combustion residuals, primarily managed in ponds, contrasting with federal oversight. On June 26, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee this management process, aiming to transfer regulatory responsibility to the state. Coal ash harbors dangerous pollutants like arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury, associated with serious health issues and environmental contamination. While the EPA has enforced federal regulations since 2015, IDEM’s proposed oversight would represent a significant shift. Governor Mike Braun asserted the necessity of this program in a June 30 announcement, highlighting the critical need for such measures to improve Indiana’s air and water quality, which is currently ranked the worst in the U.S. Only five other states have established similar coal ash permitting programs, making Indiana’s potential program the largest in the country due to its high number of coal ash sites.

Blue ChicorySummer brings many outdoor memories for most people, and a drive along the countryside in town brings the beautiful sight of blooming wildflowers. Many pale white Queen Anne’s lace flowers can be seen along the roads in town, as well as blue chicory. Chicory, a naturalized European perennial wildflower, blooms from the summer to the fall, with medicinal properties due to its inulin, a prebiotic fiber which helps in balancing stomach health and stimulating bile production. Chicory roots are also brewed as a coffee alternative, or into a tea. The leaves can also be eaten raw in salads, or cooked. Chicory also contains chicoric acid, an antioxidant, and flavonoids that may be used in natural medicine to heal the liver and the heart, as well as lower cholesterol levels. These blue flowers growing in the summer are medicinal, as well as a lovely sight. Consider how many plants growing as wildflowers, like chicory, that also contain medicinal properties, and remember to enjoy the view, while it is there.

The Tulip TreeTall and striking, the tuliptree (Yellow Poplar) is a prominent native hardwood in North America, distinguished by its tulip-shaped flowers. Reaching heights of 70 to 100 feet, it features unique, four-lobed leaves that turn golden in fall and has subtle greenish-yellow blooms in late spring. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it supports pollinators, provides habitat for wildlife, and offers shade in urban environments. Thriving in zones 4 to 9 under full sun and well-drained soil, the tuliptree is a versatile and stable utility wood, suitable for furniture, cabinetry, and even musical instruments.

And now for some upcoming events:* A Magnificent Mallards class and Mallard Duck paper craft is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn the importance of waterfowl to wetland ecosystems. * Where do insects hide? Join the naturalist for a guided hike and become Insect Detectives at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, July 25th, from 3:30 to 5 pm. * Are you Wild About Wildlife? McCormick’s Creek State Park will have activities all day at the park on Saturday, July 25th, beginning at 10 am with a hike to learn about Springhouse Salamanders. Presentations on Predator Protection; Live Birds of Prey; and Slimy Sallies will take place during the day. * Dragonfly Catching will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, July 27th, from 2 to 3 pm. With water boots on and a net in your hand, you will hike to the creek to catch the world’s fastest winged predator – dragonflies! * Are there Armadillos in Indiana? Find out about the Nine-banded Armadillo and their range expansion at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, July 31st from 9:30 to 11 am at the campground.

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.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Preston RogersHeadlines: Stephanie Stewart, theIndianapolis Star, Arbor Day Organization & ReutersFeature Report……………………………..Gloria ChiScript………………….Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEvents Calendar…………Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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Later in the program, EcoReporter Carrie Albright talks with one of the founding members of the Plastic Reduction Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to educating Hoosiers on plastic’s harmful impacts on our water soil, and humans health, and what they can do about it.

Environmental ReportsThe Ocean ConservancyThe ocean continues to be a significant repository for plastic pollution, adversely affecting marine wildlife due to the overproduction and consumption of single-use plastics. Each year, over 11 million metric tons of plastics enter the ocean, equating to a garbage truck’s worth every minute. Ingested plastics can cause severe health issues in marine animals, with evidence of plastic ingestion found in nearly 1,300 species, including mammals, seabirds, and all seven species of sea turtles. A collaborative study involving Ocean Conservancy and various universities aimed to determine how much ingested plastic is lethal for seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. The findings revealed a concerning situation: even small quantities of rubber—like that from balloons—can be deadly for seabirds, requiring only six small pieces to be fatal. Loggerhead sea turtles are affected by less than half a baseball’s worth of plastic, while marine mammals, such as sperm whales, may die from swallowing just 28 pieces of debris. This research highlights the dangers of macroplastic pollution and offers critical insights for future research and policy development to mitigate its impacts. Legislation like the REUSE Act in the U.S. aims to improve reuse and refill systems while promoting interventions such as beach cleanups and targeted policies on harmful plastic types, like bags and balloons, to safeguard vulnerable marine species from plastic-related threats.

Are You a Birder?Many people enjoy feeding birds to identify the species in their yards. During late winter and early spring, birds mate and prepare for nesting by gathering materials. However, they also experience molting, a critical process that follows nesting. As molting season begins, both adult birds and fledglings prepare for extensive feather replacement, which is physically demanding. This process requires significant energy and high-quality protein and fat. To support birds during molting, you can offer high-protein foods such as suet, bark butter, peanuts, mealworms, and bird seed, helping them maintain their health during this challenging time.

Wild FiresIn a previous EcoReport this month, high temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit swept over some parts of Europe and wildfires were burning in Colorado and Utah. As of Friday, July17th, in Canada, currently over 900 wildfires are burning across the country north of the United States. The largest of these fires is known as “Thunder Bay 36” in northwestern Ontario, which has burned 867,150 acres as of today. Canada is facing its “second worst season of wildfires,” in terms of destruction recorded, this year. Over 209 wildfires in Canada are classified as being out of control, as of today. Lightning strikes and people starting fires, along with record high temperatures, have contributed to the numerous wildfires. While the risk of lung damage due to the smoke sweeping downwards into the United States is not deemed as dangerous as in a previous recent summer, cities were cautioned about outdoor activities.
In Toronto, FIFA cancelled its semi final outdoor events and activities, and warnings were issued in Chicago, Detroit, and New York, as well. The final of the World Cup will be played on Sunday, in New Jersey, with the third and fourth place game on Saturday, n Miami.

And now for some upcoming events:* A Speolo Art Experience is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th,
from 10 am to 12:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Take
a 2.8 mile roundtrip hike to wolf cave where you will crawl through
the cave to a small room and put your art skills to test in total
darkness. Wear closed toed shoes and bring a head lamp. * Take an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip at the Paynetown State
Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, July 21st,
beginning at 7 pm. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake on
this guided paddling trip through backwaters, bays and
slow-moving streams. Register with Jill Vance at
jvance@dnr.IN.gov. * Join the Naturalist for a Strahl Lake Hike at Brown County State
Park on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Hike Trail 6 to
hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make
the lake their home. * Moth Night will take place on Friday, July 24th, from 9 to 10:30
pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. A brief introduction on
moths will begin the evening, then with a white sheet and light,
you can try to identify the moths. Meet at the boathouse.
Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. * A Magnificent Mallards class and Mallard Duck paper craft is
scheduled for Saturday, July 25th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the
Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the
Campground Playgrount to learn the importance of waterfowl to
wetland ecosystems.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Preston RogersHeadlines The Ocean Conservancy,Ken Keffer w/ Wild Birds Unlimited & Stephanie StewartFeature Report……………………………..Carrie AlbrightScript………………….Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEvents Calendar…………Julianna Dailey & Eco Report TeamEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this week’s feature, we learn about two new State Parks for Indiana, as Correspondent Zero Roze gets some updates from David Seastrom of Indiana Forest Alliance.

A heat wave swept over Indiana last week, with temperatures reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, while around the world, temperatures reached over 100 degrees last week in Europe. In the south-western city of Saarbrueken, Germany, close to the border of France, the temperatures reached 109 degrees, while temperatures in Belgium and the Netherlands also reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit last week.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, a wildfire near Leadville, the Aspen Acres fire, burned almost 92,000 acres last week and is currently 13 percent contained. There are, according to Colorado’s state wildfire map, fires.cornea.is/state/colorado, thirteen wildfires currently burning, with the second two largest wildfires still burning.

The Ferris wildfire has burned roughly 51,000 acres in Montezuma county, and the Gold Mountain wildfire has burned 29,000 acres in Ouray county. In Salt Lake City, the Bonneville wildfire was as of Tuesday morning 84% contained, having burned 566 acres above the University of Utah and Red Butte Canyon.

In 2026, according to data from the website Utah Fire Info, 412 wildfires have occurred this year in Utah, burning over 357,000 acres. It is undeniable the summer in the Midwest is going to be a hot one, with more extremely high temperatures to come, and with the high temperatures, wildfires will be more and more prone to starting.

For that reason, fireworks were banned or cautioned in July in Utah, Colorado, California, Oregon, Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico, as officials were concerned about the risks on an already dry landscape.

Many of you are aware of the drawbacks of fast fashion. Since 2010 Bloomington has offered the community the Trashion Refashion Show, initiated as a fund raiser for the local Center for Sustainable Living. The emcees do an excellent job of pointing out the downside of so called “Fast fashion.”

Impairment of the environment is only starting to be taken seriously by those responsible. There are steps however, that both the industry and the consumer can take to rectify the situation. Energy usage is a major contributing factor. The fashion industry relies on excessive water resources while also is often guilty of polluting rivers and streams.

Microplastics in fabrics used in clothing construction don’t break down readily but pile up in huge dumps that not only scar the landscape, but also release toxic dyes and methane into the air and soil, worsening climate change and polluting nearby communities.

The evidence is undeniable: pollution due to fashion is no longer hidden. It is floating in oceans, poisoning rivers, and piling up in deserts visible from space.

A number of brands now push for rapid emission reductions across their supply chains but it’s an unequal equation where the remedies are being pushed downstream to the sweat shops in countries where garments are mass produced (think Bangladesh or Haiti).

When the synthetic fibers are part of the mix the cost to the environment escalates. The main sources of environmental degradation attributed to the fashion industry are dyeing and finishing at 36%, yarn preparation 28% and fiber production at 15% according to Earth.org.

Another set of statistics from “theroundup.org.” indicates that approximately 100 billion garments are produced by the fashion industry every year. Each year, as much as 92 million tons of clothing end up in landfills. Only 20% of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling globally. Many consumers now choose to buy second hand clothing as a positive contribution to the environment.

Bloomington’s ArtRemains provides a venue to collect and sell another persons discards at a very reasonable cost. Yarn, fabrics, thread and buttons are all available among a plethora of other art supplies. My Sisters Closest and Plato’s Closest are also good sources of used clothing along with Opportunity House and Goodwill.

In West Lafayette ‘Cornflower ‘print company owner Jess McGregor screenprints on second hand, thrifted apparel, uses non toxic inks, and converts paper scraps into greeting cards. With every order she plants a tree -extolling the virtues of being conscientious about our earth and the environment.

In this week’s feature, we learn about two new State Parks for Indiana, as Correspondent Zero Roze gets some updates from David Seastrom of Indiana Forest Alliance.

A Night Sky Viewing will take place at the Ferguson Dog Park on Saturday, July 11th, from 8:15 to 10:45 pm. The Indiana Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and equipment to aid you as you look at planets, galaxies and star clusters.
Find out What’s Under That Rock at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, July 11th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Animals like to hide in interesting places. Join the Naturalist on a hike to the waterfall to see hidden worlds.
Take a Sunset Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, July 16th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Meet at the Boathouse. Register by July 13th at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Beginner Kayaking Workshop will take place at the Cutright State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 16th, beginning at 9:30 am. Explore the quieter side of Lake Monroe as you learn paddling and safety skills. Register at jvance@dnr.IN.gov.

Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Preston Rogers

Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts

Feature Report
Zero Roze

Script & Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey

Engineer
Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright interviews Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.

We’ve had some serious storms in southern Indiana this spring, and you may have noticed that it’s bigger and more destructive than previous years. Climate researchers now have evidence that golf-ball-size hail and larger will become much more common in the United States. According to climate researchers at Northern Illinois University, a warmer atmosphere creates more powerful thunderstorms which are then capable of producing larger hailstones.

The research shows this trend will intensify as global temperatures continue rising. For those of us who are not hail scientists, hail forms when rising air in thunderstorms lifts water droplets into freezing air high in the atmosphere. The stronger the storm’s updraft, the more ice accumulates around each droplet before gravity finally pulls it down to earth.

More atmospheric energy from warming means more powerful updrafts and bigger hailstones. While this phenomenon is fascinating, maybe even fun—it also has some very real dangers. Larger hail can cause more damage to private property, like vehicles, roofs, and outdoor structures. Massive hailstones are just one of the many symptoms of how our planet continues to change.

The tornado that moved northwards in Monroe County recently, close to Martinsville, Indiana, has been a significant damage tornado, taking trees along the corridor of I-69 and felling many, with shards of their trunks still standing. High winds and heavy rain began late Wednesday night on June 17th, with winds reported at up to 40 to 45 miles per hour speeds by the National Weather Service, causing severe damage to the trees along I-69, as well as power lines and vehicles, and closing roads.

The tornado became a significant debris tornado close to 10 pm on Wednesday night last week, with most of the damage in Mount Pleasant, Indiana, as fallen trees blocked roads and cellular service was limited. Emergency workers found some people with injuries in Mount Pleasant, and as power lines and trees had fallen, blocking in residents, workers had to access residents on foot, however, due to the damage, some areas were impassable as of yesterday’s reports.

On Brighton Road, there was a fire, although no one was reported as severely hurt. The extent of the tornado damage is not yet known, The Bloomingtonian reports. In some areas, workers have reported trees being down for nearly 100 to 200 yards. I-69 was closed along mile marker 130 due to fallen trees.

In the Netherlands, a mobile cart is trading mini pancakes for something most people throw away—cigarette butts. Okay, yes, it sounds odd, but it’s working to clean up streets while educating communities about waste. WasteBar is a project that exchanges litter—specifically cigarette butts and aluminum cans—for food and drinks.

Bring a handful of discarded butts to the cart, and you’ll walk away with poffertjes (Dutch mini pancakes). For those of us shocked by this business decision, it turns out that the Netherlands discards between five and ten billion cigarette butts annually. Each filter is made of a plastic that takes up to a decade to break down while leaching nicotine and heavy metals into soil and waterways.

When customers bring their cigarette butts to exchange, the WasteBar team doesn’t just offer a pancake, they explain why this type of litter is so damaging and even walk you through waste reduction practices. Partnering with artist Angelina Kumar and the organization UPPACT, WasteBar is targeting one million collected butts in 2026 to transform into a recycled bench or garden set.

By making litter cleanup feel rewarding rather than thankless, this project shows how behavior can shift when organizations take on creative solutions and engage their community.

There are lots of ways to approach environmentally conscious behavior change and Amsterdam just took on a new one: They’ve become the first city in the world to ban public advertising for both meat and fossil fuels. Since May 1st, Amsterdam’s outdoor advertising space no longer promotes meat products or fossil fuel-related travel and transportation.

The city is framing this as part of its climate strategy, with targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and halve meat consumption by the same date. This move intentionally targets consumer choices that are directly responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water depletion.

Banning ads for meat products is focused on the meat industry, not local, sustainable farming businesses. Many small-scale and regenerative farms operate with environmental footprints that look completely different from factory farming. The intention behind this ban is to prevent corporations from normalizing consumption of industrially-produced, high-impact products.

Other Dutch cities have followed with similar restrictions. By removing these ads from public spaces, Amsterdam is shifting what communities consider the default option. The goal is making people think twice about industrial meat and fuel consumption.

Do you get frustrated by how much plastic you end up with after a trip to the supermarket? You can participate in a supermarket audit so we can collectively demand change. Supermarkets are key to less plastic. Supermarkets can influence how brands package their products, and how much plastic consumers end up being exposed to when shopping for everyday products.

They are key players in the plastic pollution lifecycle. Supermarkets have a huge opportunity to help reduce plastic pollution but currently they have largely avoided responsibility for their role in the crises. There’s a lack of information on supermarket business practices around the world, and without information, we can’t demand they do better.

By surveying how supermarkets are either increasing plastic pollution or helping reduce it, we can see what best practices exist, and what practices need to become things of the past. By auditing stores around the world we can see which companies are leading the way and pressure others to follow their example.

If you are interested in participating in a questionnaire, you can go to #breakfreefromplastic to conduct a supermarket audit.

In this week’s feature, Carrie Albright interviewed Jolie Perry, the sustainability coordinator with the city of Bloomington where they talk about the SEEL program in town that provides grant funding and assistance to nonprofits and businesses to install solar panels to improve building efficiency.

A Snakes by the Lake activity is planned for Saturday, June 13th at Spring Mill State Park beginning at 1 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Meet snakes that are used for education during the activity.
A class on Learn to Compost at Home will take place on Tuesday, June 16th, from 6 to 8 pm at Butler Park Community Gardens. This workshop will cover composting methods that can be used in your yard. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take a Sunset Paddle on Griffy Lake at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, June 18th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Watch the sunset in a peaceful surrounding while floating on the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Bloomington’s Bee City committee has scheduled A Pollinator Week Pop-Up Exhibition at the Lilly Library beginning on June 18th.
The Bloomington Bee City committee has also scheduled a documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21st. Contact the library for times.

Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Cynthia Roberts

Headlines
Stephanie Stewart
Cynthia Roberts
Carrie Albright

Feature Report
Carrie Albright
Ashton Harper

Script & Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey

Engineer
Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

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.

A Snakes by the Lake activity is planned for Saturday, June 13th at Spring Mill State Park beginning at 1 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Meet snakes that are used for education during the activity.
A class on Learn to Compost at Home will take place on Tuesday, June 16th, from 6 to 8 pm at Butler Park Community Gardens. This workshop will cover composting methods that can be used in your yard. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take a Sunset Paddle on Griffy Lake at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Thursday, June 18th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Watch the sunset in a peaceful surrounding while floating on the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Bloomington’s Bee City committee has scheduled A Pollinator Week Pop-Up Exhibition at the Lilly Library beginning on June 18th.
The Bloomington Bee City committee has also scheduled a documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21st. Contact the library for times.

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

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Yellowwood State Forest is growing. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has acquired 122 acres in northwestern Brown County to expand Yellowwood. Forest preservation advocates approve but remain wary, given the history of state-sanctioned logging on Hoosier public lands. Correspondent Andrew Price has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Spring storms are a fact of life in Indiana, bringing the possibility of heavy rain, damaging winds, and tornadoes each year. But researchers say changing weather patterns may mean communities need to rethink how they prepare for severe weather. In this week’s program, WFHB Correspondent Ben Sharpe speaks with IU meteorologist Cody Kirkpatrick to take a closer look at Tornado Alley’s recent eastward expansion, what it could mean for Indiana, and how residents can stay prepared.

Indianapolis and the surrounding metropolitan area failed a number of critical air pollution measures in the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report.

The ALA’s annual nationwide report published each spring gives the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie metro area an “F” in smog and soot pollution. The report analyzes emissions data over a three-year period from 2022 to 2024.

Smog is ground-level ozone pollution and soot is particulate matter. The two comprise two of the six commonly found air pollutants in the United States according to the EPA. Both pollutants form in part when coal-fired power plants and diesel engines burn fossil fuels. Smog and soot can cause premature death and other serious health hazards such as heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, asthma and cognitive decline, according to the ALA.

The lung health report ranks the central Indiana metro area in a number of categories with the region performing poorly in most. Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie ranked the 11th most polluted area for year-round particle pollution and 14th for short-term particle pollution.

And the rest of the state fares little better. More than 670,000 Hoosier children breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution, the report says. This year’s report focused on the risk to youth that polluted air can pose. Small lungs are particularly vulnerable, said Tiffany Nichols, ALA director of advocacy.

“Infants, children and teens have lungs that are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to the impacts of unhealthy air,” Nichols said.

To prevent today’s youth from developing diseases related to polluted air, the American Lung Association has been asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop rolling back clean air rules put in place by previous administrations. The Indiana chapter has also asked state lawmakers to take steps to protect air quality.

Nichols grew up on the northwest side of Indy where the neighborhoods had been demolished to build I-65. Nearby trees were torn down to make way for the highway that would bring cars and trucks emitting harmful exhaust.

“So, then you have these areas that are essentially like a pocket of unhealthy air, and then those neighborhoods also had a lot of factories,” Nichols said. “That exacerbated health conditions in many of those communities that are oftentimes less fortunate already.”

While air pollutants have existed for centuries, the rise of data centers poses a new threat. State and local lawmakers, Nichols said, should also pay attention to these new potential sources of pollution both in Indiana and across the country.

“We’re asking that those companies that are interested in putting data centers in communities work with the local community,” Nichols said. “Since data centers have the potential to be another source of pollution we also ask that they use renewable, zero-ignition energy sources.”

The ALA report also urges the U.S. EPA to recommit to protecting people’s health from harmful air pollution. This year, the EPA has gone on what Administrator Lee Zeldin has characterized as a deregulation campaign that environmental advocates in Indiana have charged will lead to “death by 1,000 cuts.”

The current EPA, the American Lung Association report says, has “retreated from its public health foundation by rolling back clean air protections.”

Since we just celebrated Arbor Day, we thought you would like to learn 5 simple tips for tree selection success. Planting a tree is one of the most lasting ways to shape your space. The right choice delivers decades of shade, beauty, and wildlife benefits – but success starts with smart selection.

First, start with your site. Look beyond hardiness zones. Consider sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and weather extremes. The better you understand your conditions, the better your tree will thrive.

Second, plan for mature size. That sapling will grow. Check height and spread at maturity, and allow space away from roofs, utilities, sidewalks, and driveways.

Next, choose with purpose. Decide what you want your tree to do – provide shade, create privacy, support wildlife, or conserve water – and let function guide your choice.

Then, think roots and maintenance. Tree roots need space to grow, and some trees have higher care needs. Pick a species that fits both your space and your schedule.

And last, do your homework and don’t just settle for what’s available. Research native and climate – resilient trees suited to your area. They are more likely to thrive and support local ecosystems long term.

During a visit to one of Europe’s most polluted regions, Pope Leo openly criticized companies that prioritize profit over environmental protection and the health of vulnerable communities.

On May 23rd, Pope Leo visited Acerra, Italy. This area is known as the Triangle of Death because of abnormally high cancer rates linked to decades of illegal toxic waste dumping. There Pope Leo met with families who lost loved ones to pollution-related illnesses and called out companies seeking what he termed “dizzying profits” [end quote] at the cost of environmental destruction.

In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italian authorities had repeatedly failed to protect residents from illegal dumping since at least 1988. Italy’s Prime Minister launched a task force aimed at helping victims and pursuing environmental cleanup. But Pope Leo identified the systemic break in these good intentions, stating that “unscrupulous people and organizations have been allowed to act with impunity for too long.”

Pope Leo, who took office in May, has been speaking more forcefully on environmental and social issues, and is expected to release encyclicals—or letters directed at the 1.4B Catholics of the world, outlining the church’s perspective on a topic—that focus on these unchecked environmental concerns.

This June, Bloomington is hosting Pollinator Week as part of its Bee City USA designation. Local residents are invited to be citizen scientists by simply taking photos of pollinators and plants with your phone.

BioBlitz 2026 runs June 21–28 throughout Bloomington and surrounding areas. A bioblitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. Residents are invited to join community events or make observations on their own using the iNaturalist app, a tool used by everyday nature enthusiasts for species identification and logging GPS-tagged observations.

By snapping photos of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, or plants, community members help scientists identify species and gather crucial data about local biodiversity. All observations support current and future management of urban, landscaped, and natural areas around Bloomington.

Pollinators like bees transfer pollen between flowers, allowing more than 85% of all flowering plants and 67% of agricultural crops to reproduce . Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps, bats, and hummingbirds are also important contributors to this process. Yet research shows significant declines in native pollinator populations globally, with up to 40% of pollinator species at risk of extinction in coming years due to habitat loss, harmful pesticides, and climate change.

By participating in BioBlitz, Bloomington residents join the global efforts to document and understand the biodiversity we share. Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just someone with a smartphone, you can contribute to real science and help protect the pollinators that sustain our food, gardens, and ecosystems.

Bloomington’s Bee City committee has organized three events:

– A Pollinator Week Pop-up Exhibition at the Lilly Library on June 18
– A documentary screening of “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” at the Monroe County Public Library on June 21, and
– Green Drinks Bloomington featuring a Sycamore Land Trust discussion about the cypress firefly on June 24 at Upland Brewing.

Aquatic Wildlife of the Waterfall hike is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 30th, from 10 to 11 am. See parks and animal ambassadors at the waterfall.
Once In A Blue Moon event is scheduled at Griffy Lake on Sunday, Mary 31st, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The moon will rise on this 1 mile hike. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Strahl Lake Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Monday, June 1st, from 9 to 9:45 pm. Hike Trail 6 to learn the history of the lake and about animals that make the lake their home.
An activity about Fish of Monroe Lake is scheduled for Friday, June 5th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn about common fish seen at Monroe Lake.
Nature Play Days will take place at Lower Cascades Park in the Waterfall Shelter on Saturday, June 6th, from 1 to 4 pm. The activities will include hikes, scavenger hunts and hands-on fun with nature in mind. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Carrie Albright

Headlines
Karl Schneider with IndyStar
Carrie Albright

Feature Report
Ben Sharpe
Andrew Price in partnership with
The Media School at Indiana University

Script
Julianna Dailey

Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey

Engineer
Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Last week we shared information about air pollution nationwide and for the State of Indiana, including that Indiana is one of the worst states for air pollution. We have also shared several times information about plastic pollution. Now, we have learned that plastic is contributing to the warming of the Earth.

Two of our planet’s most serious environmental issues are microplastics and global warming. A new study has found microplastics floating in our atmosphere are actually helping to boost global warming. The plastic particles absorb about five times as much sunlight as they reflect. These tiny plastic fragments can travel long distances through the atmosphere, said Gilberto Binda of the University of Insubria in a companion article in Nature Climate Change.

He also said that the plastic’s color is an important factor determining the plastic’s contribution to global warming. Drew Shindell of Duke University said microplastics have a small contribution to global warming. “A fairly small percentage, around 2%, but regionally can be large. And, to reduce warming, we are going to need all the options we have available so knowing about this one is useful to add to our efforts to cut warming, even if it’s a relatively minor player.”

According to the study, colored micro-plastics and nanoplastics suspended in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming at a level equivalent to 16.2% of that caused by soot, with higher values seen over oceanic garbage patches.

The color of the plastic really matters: Researchers found that black and colored particles strongly absorb sunlight compared to white particles. Therefore, that means the darker the plastic particle, the more it contributes to global warming.

“Further research is needed to fully determine how micro- and nanoplastics contribute to Earth’s warming and to improve their representation in climate models,” according to a news release about the study. Carbon dioxide is still the biggest contributor.

Now that we know that plastic is not only in our food and bodies, but also in the air, we need to become more earnest in our use and recycling of plastic. There is In-Store Recycling where you can collect clean and dry plastic films from packaging at home and bring back to bins at the front of stores. This would include grocery and shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, shipping materials, such as shipping envelopes, bubble wraps and air pillows.

You can also recycle outer package wrapping, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers, resealable zipper bags, bread bags and plastic cereal box liners. Another way is to use Mail-In Recycling where you collect empty Kroger branded packaging at home and send the plastic to TerraCycle at no cost to you.

Flexible Plastic Food Packaging includes chip and snack bags, shredded cheese bags, frozen food bags, pouches, deli meat and cheese bags, grain and bean bags, and plastic pet food packages. The Brands that are participating in Mail-In Recyling include Kroger, Private Selection, Simple Truth, Simple Truth Organic, HemisFares, Comforts, Luvsome and Other Kroger Company brands.

Since President Trump’s return to office, his administration has purged more than 8,000 government web pages and 3,000 datasets – wiping out scientists’ and the public’s access to climate, health and environmental justice information from the EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies.

These aren’t just files. Climate scientists rely on NASA satellite data and NOAA weather records to monitor changes in Earth’s systems. Public agencies and local governments use the same data – along with census information – to identify communities most at risk. US Department of Agriculture climate risk models and crop-resilience tools help farmers plan for and manage droughts, floods and changing seasons. “If we lose environmental data, we limit our capacity to respond to climate threats,” says Ellen Robo, a transportation and clean air expert at EDF. “You can’t protect what you can’t measure.

EDF is part of Public Environmental Data Partners, a coalition that archives federal climate datasets and uploads them to public repositories. Volunteers work from university libraries and kitchen tables, using tools like the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine and Harvard’s Perma.cc to capture disappearing content, preserving critical datasets as the administration deletes information that conflicts with its pro-fossil-fuel agenda.

Second, plan for mature size. That sapling will grow. Check height and spread at maturity, and allow space away from roofs, utilities, sidewalks, and driveways.

Next, choose with purpose. Decide what you want your tree to do – provide shade, create privacy, support wildlife, or conserve water – and let function guide your choice.

Then, think roots and maintenance. Tree roots need space to grow, and some trees have higher care needs. Pick a species that fits both your space and your schedule.

A United Nations report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, warns that the world has entered a state of “water bankruptcy.” Overextraction of fresh water has reached such severe levels that past hydrological and ecological baselines cannot realistically be restored.

This irreversible damage to water sources, including rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils, and glaciers, differentiates water bankruptcy from a water “crises,” which suggests a temporary emergency followed by a return to normal through mitigation efforts.

The state of water bankruptcy is a result of governments failing to act on water overuse for too long. Three-quarters of the world’s population lives in countries classified as water-insecure or critically water-insecure, while almost half the population is now experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month a year. Water bankruptcy management requires preventing further irreversible damage while adapting systems to a smaller hydrological budget.

The report notes, “Population growth, urbanization, and economic expansion have increased water demand for agriculture, industry, energy, and cities.” Agricultural use alone accounts for 70% of all fresh water withdrawals.

Dr. Jonathan Paul, a geoscientist at Royal Holloway, University of London, told The Guardian, “The elephant in the room, which is mentioned explicitly only once, is the role of massive and unequal population growth in driving so many of the manifestations of water bankruptcy. Addressing this growth would be more useful than tinkering with outdated, non-inclusive, and top-down water resource management frameworks.”

Last month Artemis II completed a 10-day voyage around the Moon, setting a record for the greatest distance humans have traveled in space. Indiana played a part, with Hoosiers filling more than a thousand NASA jobs with $200 million in economic impact. Eighteen Indiana suppliers contributed to the Artemis program. Indianapolis company Major Tool & Machine did the friction welding on the rocket engines. Here in Bloomington, Dr. Lisa Pratt is a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Space travel fascinates the imagination, but Pratt says it also impacts life on Earth in practical ways that you may not think of. Technologies built for orbit find their way into our everyday lives. Water filters, cordless power tools, and even some lifesaving medical devices started in the space program. Correspondent Ben Sharpe delivers this week’s feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

The Shawnee Cave Hike is scheduled for Saturday, May 16th, beginning at 10 am at Spring Mill State Park. This is a 3-mile rugged hike to see four caves – the Donaldson, Bronson, and the Twin Caves. Wear durable shoes.
A presentation on Mason Bees is planned for Sunday, May 17th, from 3 to 4 pm at Wild Birds Unlimited. Find out why these busy bees are so vital to our ecosystem.
Enjoy the Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Monday, May 18th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. This is a short, ADA accessible hike where you will see vistas and an historic park gatehouse.
Enjoy Tea With Trees at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, May 22nd, from 10 am to Noon. Stop by the Nature Center to try some native teas that come from trees.
Celebrate World Turtle Day at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 23rd, at 10 am. Meet on the Inn Lawn to warm up in the sun and learn all about turtles.

Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Preston Rogers

Headlines
Doyle Rice with USA Today
Environmental Defense Fund
Arbor Day Foundation
Population Connection
Julianna Dailey

Feature Report
Ben Sharpe

Script
Julianna Dailey

Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey

Engineer
Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Coming up later we look back at a feature report from September 2020 when federal officials filed a lawsuit against Indianapolis Power and Light claiming that the company has been violating the Clean Air Act repeatedly. According to the IndyStar, the coal-fired power plant agreed to reduce its emissions, “on behalf of the state of Indiana and its environmental management agency.”

Environmental ReportsOzone Pollution on the RiseNearly 152.3 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution, primarily from ozone and PM2.5 particles, according to the American Lung Association’s 2026 “State of the Air” report. Over 129 million reside in counties with failing ozone pollution grades, a result of emissions from vehicles, industries, and chemicals that generate ground-level ozone. Approximately 62 million people experience daily spikes in particle pollution from sources like car exhaust and construction.

The report highlights significant disparities in exposure, with people of color more than twice as likely to live in regions with failing pollution measures, often linked to socioeconomic resources that limit access to healthy food, safe exercise areas, and healthcare. Contaminated air adversely impacts not just health but also family dynamics and financial conditions. Children are particularly vulnerable, with 33.5 million living in counties failing to meet standards for at least one major pollutant, which can result in reduced lung development and lower lung capacity later in life.

Despite progress under the Clean Air Act since 1970, air pollution is worsening due to climate change, which exacerbates conditions like extreme heat and wildfires. Particle pollution, while slightly improved, still affects many more people than in prior years. The American Lung Association advises residents in polluted areas to limit outdoor activity, use N95 masks, and maintain clean indoor air. Staying current on vaccines, including for flu and COVID, can provide additional health protection. Emphasizing community action, it is essential to sustain advancements in air quality through robust public health policies, as clean air efforts in one area benefit all. “Air does not respect borders,” Dr. El-Hasan states, underscoring the importance of localized efforts in promoting national air quality.

Indiana Ranks Poorly in PollutionIndiana ranks as one of the most polluted states in the U.S., with U.S. News & World Report designating it as the worst state for pollution and natural environment in 2025. The state’s performance in industrial toxins and pollution-related health risks places it 48th in both categories. In statewide air quality rankings, Indiana is often among the top three most polluted states, with the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie area ranked 11th for year-round particle pollution in the American Lung Association’s reports from 2025 and 2026. Marion and Lake counties frequently receive failing grades for ozone and particle pollution.

The primary sources of pollution include emissions from factories, steel mills, and refineries, particularly in Northwest Indiana, where coal-fired power plants are significant contributors to smog and soot. Transportation, due to heavy diesel truck traffic and passenger vehicle emissions, accounts for 60% to 70% of nitrogen dioxide levels in some areas. Additionally, natural factors such as wildfires and high ozone levels from decaying forest matter occasionally exacerbate pollution.

While the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) notes a 74% reduction in statewide air contaminants over the last 25 years, concerns arise from recent budget cuts and the rollback of stricter environmental regulations.

Monroe County to Restore Prairie GrasslandThe Monroe County Board of Commissioners convened on May 7th to discuss and approve a partnership agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aimed at a prairie restoration project at the Monroe County Nature Preserve. This undertaking will revitalize approximately 24 acres of prairie grassland habitat through a collaborative effort involving Monroe County Parks, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and federal wildlife officials. Parks Director Kelli Witmer highlighted that the initiative aims to link fragmented prairie areas into a unified habitat conducive to wildlife. Commissioner Jody Madeira expressed support for the initiative, leading to the commissioners approving the measure with a 3-0 vote. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14th.

And now for some upcoming events:* A Let’s Propogate an Herb Garden class is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Butler Community Gardens. After the class, you will get to take home a miniature herb garden to start the season. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Kade YoungHeadlines…Grace Hagen, Julianna Dailey & Kade YoungFeature Report……………………………..Katrine BrunerScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, Gloria Chi with Youth Radio speaks with Marsha Feldman, David VanGilder and others attending the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference held at Indiana University.

May first is International Workers’ Day. On this day, the struggles and achievements of the labor movement in demanding economic justice are honored. Massive parades are held in numerous cities world wide. ( I was fortunate to attend one in Bloomington’s sister city Santa Clara some years ago.

Representatives of their numerous unions waved their banners. “May Day Strong” includes multiple activist groups that are taking a stand in support of immigrants this year and pushing back on ICE. Workers over Billionaires is a motto. Organizers are urging boycotts of work, school and shopping.

Another tradition of May Day celebrations has its roots in Medieval Europe and was popularized in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. May day baskets are a tradition of leaving secret gifts such as flowers, treats, or toys for neighbors and friends to celebrate the arrival of spring.Some Mayday traditions include washing your face in the morning dew to beautify the skin and bring good luck. Doing that while barefoot can enhance the effect.

In Hawaii, Lei Day is observed by wearing or gifting the traditional floral necklace that accompanies the aloha greeting. It is also said that beekeepers traditionally move their bees on May 1st, while some farmers plant their turnips on that day. Maypoles are another customary way to celebrate May Day. A wooden pole can be erected to welcome in spring and rebirth. Trees are honored and sometimes used rather than a pole.

Trees are seen as a connection between earth and sky. A woven or braided pattern is created using colorful ribbons as participants grab hold of their ribbons and circle around the pole weaving in and out, over and under one another until the pole is fully covered and the end of the ribbon is reached. Flowers are used as decorations at the base or the top of the tree or pole.

There may be traditional songs associated with the inter-twining of people with their ribbons. Those on the inside circle lower their ribbon as those approaching in the opposite direction raise theirs resulting in a variety of patterns as the finished product.

Environmental activist Diane Wilson has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month, protesting Dow Chemical over plastic pellets she says are turning up in San Antonio Bay near Seadrift. Wilson, a longtime critic of industrial pollution along the Texas coast, says the small pellets, a raw material used to make plastic products — pose risks to the bay and surrounding communities.

“You are destroying your health, your bay system, your whole communities, and it’s very destructive,” Wilson said. “This bay does not belong to Dow … we’re trying to get them to zero discharge the plastic.” Wilson said “zero discharge” would mean no plastic pellets in area waterways. She argues reducing pellet pollution would also reduce the risk of illness.

Wilson has linked the pellets to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her next goal, Wilson said, is a meeting with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, where she plans to push for tighter regulations aimed at preventing pellet releases from plants in Texas.

“We are too polite, and we have to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘You’re not going to take our water, you’re not going to contaminate our bays, you’re not going to kill our communities,’” Wilson said. “We’ve drawn the line, then you hold that line. We need to be a little unreasonable, quite frankly.” Ultimately, Wilson said, her focus is holding chemical plants accountable for pollution and protecting the community.

Here’s something you probably haven’t considered: That “magic eraser” sponge under your sink might be quietly contributing to microplastic pollution every time you use it. Researchers publishing in the journal Environmental Science tested melamine sponges—those powerful little cleaners that can scrub just about anything without added chemicals—and what they found is concerning.

As the sponge wears down during normal use, it releases tiny plastic fibers that wash down your drain and into water systems. How many plastic fibers? A single sponge can release about 6.5 million microplastic fibers per gram of material used. Researchers estimate that assuming each sponge loses about 10 percent of its material during use, and based on sales from just one retailer, these sponges could be releasing over a trillion microplastic fibers globally every month.

As these fibers enter wastewater, they can pass through treatment plants and end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. From there, they get ingested by fish and other wildlife, potentially moving up the food chain and eventually reaching us. The study found that sponge density makes a difference—denser sponges hold up better and release fewer fibers. So what can you do?

Switch to natural cleaning materials that don’t contain plastic, or choose denser, more durable sponges that last longer. Better filtration at home or in wastewater systems could also help capture these particles before they reach the environment. It’s a reminder that pollution doesn’t always come from the obvious sources. Sometimes it’s hiding in everyday household products we use without a second thought.

International Dark Sky Week took place between April 13 and April 20 and communities around the world took notice. In Louisville, Kentucky Mayor Craig Greenberg partnered with the Louisville Audubon Society to launch Lights Out Louisville, a conservation program aimed at reducing light pollution and protecting migratory birds and other wildlife. The initiative tackles a problem most people don’t think about: artificial light at night attracts and disorients birds during migration, leading to fatal collisions with buildings and windows. As many as five billion birds die each year across the U.S. from these crashes (the second highest cause of death after CATS!)

Indiana sits directly beneath a major migration corridor—the Mississippi Flyway—where, according to Indiana Audubon, radar estimates show that several million birds may be flying over the state on peak migration nights. About 80% of migratory land birds travel at night while we’re asleep, many giving soft flight calls overhead that most of us never notice. Research shows that nocturnal songbirds like warblers, thrushes, vireos, and sparrows make up most collision victims. Unfortunately, 44% of bird collisions don’t happen against city skyscrapers—they happen at homes and low-rise buildings in rural and suburban areas.

But the impact of light pollution extends beyond birds. Right here in Monroe County, Sycamore Land Trust has documented how artificial light affects threatened species like the Indiana bat and the rare cypress firefly at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. According to Sycamore’s Education Director, light pollution disrupts the natural rhythms of pollinators and bats that rely on darkness for navigation and foraging. Studies show that little brown bat populations can be reduced by up to 75% when light is introduced to their habitat. For the Indiana bat, light pollution represents yet another threat to their already-limited habitat. Light pollution also affects plant pollination, leading to reduced plant reproductive success, altered flowering times, and decreased biodiversity with ripple effects throughout entire ecosystems.

According to Dark Sky International, 99% of the U.S. population lives under sky glow, and sadly, Indiana has no designated “dark sky” areas. However, preserves like Beanblossom Bottoms—nestled just far enough from Bloomington—can offer spectacular views of the night sky and provide crucial habitat for light-sensitive species.

Louisville Metro Government is leading by example, upgrading lighting at parks, city buildings, and library branches while training staff to reduce excess light during migration seasons. The city is also using national lighting standards in new projects and finding ways to retrofit existing lighting—an approach that saves energy costs while protecting wildlife. They ask residents and businesses to turn off non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during peak migration months—April and May in spring, and September and October in fall.

Similar “lights out” campaigns are gaining traction nationwide. Cities like Chicago participate in coordinated efforts during migration season, significantly reducing bird mortality. For communities like Bloomington, resources like Indiana Audubon’s Lights Out Indiana program and local conservation groups like Sycamore Land Trust show how cities can balance sustainability, wildlife protection, and community engagement. Light pollution isn’t just an issue for big cities. When neighborhoods and communities work together to keep skies dark, they protect entire ecosystems, from threatened bats and rare fireflies to the pollinators that sustain our native plants.

Enjoy the 2026 Junior Duck Stamp Competition Awards Ceremony at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 to 11 am. See the talented young person’s artwork that will be featured on the 2026 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
There will be a Welcome Weekend at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 am to 4 pm. The Village will be open for crafts and history. Step back in time as you explore the Pioneer Village.
Turtle Feeding will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 3rd, from 10:30 to 11 am. Watch the Red-Eared Slider hunt for fish at the Canyon Inn.
A Flora Field Day is scheduled for Monday, May 4th, from 9 to 11 am at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. This is an excellent way to work on your flora identification skills with a trained naturalist. Bring a copy of Newcomb’s Wildlfower Guide, bug spray and water bottle. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafielddays.
The Monthly Women’s Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, May 10th, beginning at 4 pm. This special Mother’s Day Hike will follow trails 4 and 7, meeting at the Donaldson’s Cave parking lot for a 2.5 mile hike.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………Carrie Albright
Headlines……………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report………………………………Gloria Chi
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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First held in 1970 and recently its 50 year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. Nathaniel Weinzapfel will interview Professor Landon Yoder about Indiana’s agricultural sector and Hoosier farmers and how they are preparing for climate change later in the program.

Environmental ReportsFighting The New EPA Against Greenhouse GasThe Environmental Defense Fund, along with the American Public Health Association and 15 other groups, is legally contesting the Trump administration’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding and greenhouse gas standards for vehicles, targeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its administrator, Lee Zeldin. The 2009 Endangerment Finding established that climate pollution is harmful and that the EPA has the duty to mitigate it. The administration argues, against Supreme Court rulings, that it lacks authority to act under the Clean Air Act. The repeal removes all vehicle greenhouse gas standards and threatens protections for power plants and fossil fuel production. This action could result in up to 58,000 premature deaths and increase asthma attacks by 37 million in the U.S., along with escalated costs for fuel and insurance. EDF President Fred Krupp emphasized the importance of challenging these actions in court, where evidence is crucial, to advocate for a safer, more prosperous future.

Save on Your Electric BillTo mitigate rising electric bills, consider several eco-friendly strategies. First, switch to a time-of-use rate plan from your utility provider, which charges less during low-demand periods, or explore demand-response programs that incentivize reduced electricity use during peak times. A home energy audit can help identify energy leaks, with many states and utilities offering this service at little to no cost. Additionally, heat pumps are an effective solution for both heating and cooling, with options available for renters. Insulating your attic is one of the most effective energy-saving measures, complemented by weatherizing to prevent air leaks, and using solar screens in sunny regions. Installing solar panels can significantly reduce electricity costs, averaging savings of $57,000 over 25 years, despite the initial investment typically being high, often supported by government incentives. Paying upfront can maximize savings.

Glyphosates & The U.S. Forest ServiceGlyphosate, a widely used herbicide introduced by Monsanto in 1974, is being sprayed extensively by the US Forest Service in clear-cut and fire-damaged forests. Known for its controversial nature, glyphosate is linked to serious health concerns, including potential carcinogenic effects as identified by the World Health Organization. The Forest Service defends its use, asserting glyphosate aids in the rapid recovery of commercially valuable conifer species by eliminating competition from native plants and shrubs. Public opposition has grown, primarily driven by fears about health risks connected to glyphosate, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and gut microbiome disruption. Despite a 2020 EPA report indicating significant harm to endangered species and habitats, the Forest Service plans to increase its glyphosate application, prioritizing cost-cutting measures over ecological management alternatives. Research highlights ongoing concerns regarding glyphosate’s lingering presence in the environment and human bodies, reinforcing calls for reevaluation of its use in national forests.

And now for some upcoming events:* Sycamore Land Trust will have an “Arbor Day Tree Giveaway” on
Saturday, April 25th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Bloomingfoods East.
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree. * Join Brown County Bluebird Club to build a Bluebird Box at
McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 25th, beginning
at 1 pm. You will build your box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. Please
register at b4bluebird@gmail.com. * Listen to Frog Songs at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, April
26th, beginning a 1 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to
learn about all the different frog calls. You can practice making
your own frog call. * Turtle Feeding is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park
on Sunday, April 26th, from 10:30 to 11 am. Meet in the Canyon
Inn to watch the Red-Eared Slider hunt for fish. * A Full Moon Hike is scheduled for Friday, May 1st, from 9 to
10:30 pm at Brown County State Park. Hike around Lake Ogle to
learn all the history and folklore of May’s Full Flower Moon.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Kade YoungHeadlines…EDF, Liz Galst of Green Living and Julianna DaileyFeature Report……………………………..Nathaniel WeinzapfelScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright speaks with Erin Freese Post’uma about the upcoming Little Green Thumbs program, that invites our community’s youngest gardeners into a hands-on, engaging experience with nature.

This story supports our report to you from last weeks EcoReport. Underscoring Indiana’s commitment to clean water, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted new data to the U.S. EPA this week, showing measurable improvements to the state’s rivers and streams.

As part of the report, IDEM reported 43,657 total miles of rivers and streams assessed through 2026, which, when adjusted for size, is more than any other state in the country. In addition Indiana reported 24.49 more miles of unimpaired rivers and streams compared to 2024.

“It is important to me that we steward Indiana’s natural resources responsibly,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “We have positioned Indiana as a national leader in developing a clear picture of water quality. By investing in transparent reporting and sound science, we will continue to focus resources where they’re needed most and make meaningful progress in restoring our waterways.”

Under the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to assess and report on the condition of their waters every two years. As part of this process, the ‘303(d) List’ identifies waterbodies that are not meeting one or more designated uses defined in Indiana’s water quality standards. A waterbody is considered impaired if its water quality is not sufficient to support its intended uses. Data is measured by miles listed as impaired or unimpaired.

“Indiana has shown a deliberate track record of assessing, protecting and working to restore our waterways,” said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. “With more than 62,000 miles of rivers and streams, our Office of Water Quality works every day to identify impairments and develop a plan for restoration. These improvements support safer recreation, healthier streams, and stronger local ecosystems across Indiana communities.”

Historically, Indiana assesses a significantly greater variety and higher ratio of waterbodies for impairments compared to other states. Despite being a smaller state in terms of land area, in 2024 Indiana was among the top two states in the country for total miles of rivers and stream data assessed for full body contact. Only Colorado (79,367 mi) provided more sampling data than Indiana (33,643 mi) according to U.S. EPA data.

The top causes of impairment were E. coli, biological impairment, and PCBs discovered in fish tissue. In most cases, improvements were driven by measured reductions in pollutants or by restored support for designated uses.

“Indiana has put a strong focus on ensuring we have a complete picture of water health across the state. Our sampling includes everything from rivers and lakes to small streams and farm ditches,” said Martha Clark Mettler, IDEM’s Assistant Commissioner of Water Quality. “While this may show more impaired waters on paper, Indiana’s commitment to detailed monitoring ensures that issues are identified, prioritized, and addressed; not overlooked.”

When a waterbody is listed as impaired, IDEM is required to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to assess causes for impairments, and pollution reduction measures to establish a pathway for the waterbody to meet water quality standards.

Indiana was also the nation’s leader in submissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of documented waterbody improvements in 2025. Last year, the U.S EPA published 13 water quality Success Stories, which detail restoration efforts that have led to documented water quality improvements, from Indiana. The next closest states had 10.

Success Stories are U.S. EPA-designated case studies that highlight measurable water quality improvements achieved through local partnerships and community-driven solutions in waters that didn’t meet environmental standards for contaminants such as bacteria, nutrients, or sediment due to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Nonpoint source pollution refers to water pollution that does not come from a single identifiable source.

To qualify as a Success Story, a waterbody must have:

Been previously considered impaired, meaning it was too polluted to support expected activities such as swimming, fishing, or hosting certain biological communities; and
Be partially or fully restored, show progress toward achieving water quality goals, or show other qualitative measures toward improvement. In this weeks feature learn how Bloomington’s littlest residents can dig in – literally – to the wonder that nature and gardening can hold.
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.
The White River Forestry Committee will host a wildflower hike in Bedford, Indiana on private property with one lasting from 10:30 am to Noon and another hike lasting from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on April 11th. If you are interested contact Amanda or Stephanie at 812-279-8117, ext. 3.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………Carrie Albright
Feature Report……………………….Carrie Albright
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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This week, hear Carrie Albright speak with Erin Freese Post’uma about the upcoming Little Green Thumbs program, that invites our community’s youngest gardeners into a hands-on, engaging experience with nature.

Environmental ReportsIndiana Department of Environmental ManagementThis report highlights the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) recent submission to the U.S. EPA, showcasing significant advancements in the quality of the state’s rivers and streams. IDEM assessed 43,657 miles of rivers and streams through 2026, exceeding that of any other state in the U.S. Additionally, 24.49 more miles of unimpaired waterways were reported compared to 2024. Governor Mike Braun emphasized Indiana’s commitment to responsible stewardship and effective water quality reporting. Under the Clean Water Act, states must evaluate and report on water conditions biannually, with the ‘303(d) List’ spotlighting impaired waterbodies based on the state’s water quality standards.

IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods noted Indiana’s consistent efforts in assessing and restoring the state’s waterways, focusing on over 62,000 miles across the state. Indiana ranked among the top two states for waterbodies assessed for full body contact, trailing only Colorado. Main impairment causes included E. coli, biological issues, and PCBs in fish tissue, with improvements attributed to reduced pollutants and restored water quality support.

Martha Clark Mettler, IDEM’s Assistant Commissioner of Water Quality, mentioned that comprehensive monitoring practices help ensure identified issues are adequately prioritized and addressed. When waterways are deemed impaired, IDEM establishes a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to analyze causes and develop pollution reduction measures. Notably, Indiana led the nation in documenting waterbody improvements in 2025, with 13 U.S. EPA-designated Success Stories illustrating effective local restoration efforts. For a waterbody to be classified as a Success Story, it must have previously been impaired and show measurable improvement towards water quality goals.

And now for some upcoming events:* 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. * The White River Forestry Committee will host a wildflower hike in Bedford, Indiana on private property with one lasting from 10:30 am to Noon and another hike lasting from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on April 11th. If you are interested contact Amanda or Stephanie at 812-279-8117, ext. 3 * 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 DaileyOn Air………………….…….Herb CaldwellHeadlines……….Carrie AlbrightFeature Report…………………Carrie AlbrightScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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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

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Another GRO with GLO segment from WFHB Youth Radio, Gloria Chi speaks with Baptiste Arribe, CEO and co-founder of The New Materialist, a biomaterials design studio based in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Environmental ReportsMIT Discovers Plastic Eating BacteriaScientists at MIT have uncovered that marine bacteria could be crucial in addressing plastic pollution. Over half of the plastic produced ends up in landfills or the environment, including oceans. Biodegradable plastics, derived from renewable resources like corn or traditional materials designed to decompose faster, have surfaced as a solution. This type of plastic breaks down when microorganisms consume it, transforming it into simpler substances absorbed by the environment. However, the rate of decomposition is heavily contingent on the local bacterial community; different microbes play distinct roles in the breakdown process. Lead researcher Marc Foster noted this study identifies specific bacteria responsible for the degradation stages. The research began with a biodegradable plastic used in shopping bags and food packaging. Foster emphasized that the microbial environment determines the lifespan of the plastic. Subsequent research aims to identify effective bacterial combinations for quicker breakdown and understand how enzymes interact with plastic particles. These findings, published in Environmental Science and Technology, represent a significant step towards potentially engineering microorganisms to accelerate plastic degradation or repurpose it. The ocean may already possess solutions, but scientists must learn to harness them effectively.

More Progress on PlasticsResearchers at the University of Waterloo have found a way to convert plastic waste into acetic acid (the main ingredient in vinegar) through a sunlight-powered process that produces no additional carbon emissions. It works on the kinds of plastics most commonly found in the real world: PVC, polyethylene, and even mixed plastic waste. The inspiration for this solution came from nature specifically a fungus known for breaking down some of the toughest material found in wood. This fungus uses enzymes that can break down complex carbon structures. The research team mimicked that process using an iron-based catalyst and when exposed to sunlight, that material creates a chain of chemical reactions that transform plastic polymers into acetic acid. For those curious about what researchers can do with the resulting acetic acid, that’s where this process is even more beneficial. Acetic acid isn’t just vinegar, it’s a major industrial ingredient used in adhesives, solvents, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals, being used in the millions of tons each year. By pulling it from waste plastic instead of fossil fuels, the process could offer both an environmental and an economic benefit. This cutting edge research is still at the laboratory stage with the goal of ultimately serving as a scalable, solar-driven recycling and environmental cleanup. Instead of treating plastic purely as waste, these researches are showing that it can be transformed into something useful.

Valpo Woman Works to Recognize IndianaA Valparaiso woman, Kathy Sipple, aims to have Indiana recognized for wildlife-friendly habitats, an effort to elevate the state’s environmental status. Historically, Indiana is not known for its environmental friendliness, with industrial pollution, brownfields, and poor rankings in various environmental metrics, placing it in the bottom 10% among all states. Sipple, who has already secured National Wildlife Federation recognition for the Northwest Indiana area—specifically Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Starke counties—now seeks to make Indiana the first state certified as a wildlife habitat. She emphasizes the potential pride in transforming Indiana’s reputation. The initiative, known as the Hoosier Habitats Challenge, began on March 7 at an Indiana Wildlife Federation conference, gaining early interest from participants. For a home to receive certification, it must meet specific criteria outlined by the National Wildlife Federation. Though native plants are encouraged, they are not necessary for certification. Sipple, who works part-time as a resiliency coordinator for Earth Charter Indiana, highlights urgent environmental issues, such as the implications of pesticide use and habitat loss on bird populations, along with Indiana’s serious water pollution problems, which pose significant challenges to achieving these goals.

And now for some upcoming events:* Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake program is planned for Saturday, March 28th, from 2 to 3 pm at the Brown County State Park Nature Center. Get up close and personal to learn about Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. There will be live animals during this program. * Learn about the Silly Spotted Salamander at McCormicks Creek State Park on Sunday, March 29th, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the Nature Center. Salamanders are on the move. Find out how weather causes them to march to vernal pools. * Conserving Hoosier Amphibians with Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st, from 5 to 9 pm at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Discover the amazing amphibians that call Indiana home, including the state endangered species like the crawfish frog. Learn all about conservation efforts. * Take a Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, April 3rd at 9 pm. Hike under the Full Pink Moon on Trails 1, 4, 2, and 5. Learn the history and lore of the Full Pink Moon. * 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.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Cynthia RobertsHeadlines……….Carrie Albright & Rich BenakFeature Report……………………………..Gloria ChiScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Madeline Hirschland about Electrify Indiana, a volunteer-driven not for profit organization in Bloomington, Indiana.

A three-year project is beginning in south-central Indiana to save the Cerulean Warbler. It is a little blue bird that weighs about 9 grams and lives in the hardwood forests of Brown County and parts of Monroe, Lawrence, Morgan and Bartholomew counties.It is not listed as federally endangered, but the species has lost 70% of its population in the last 50 years, mostly because of habitat loss.

Edward Oehlman, who works for the American Bird Conservancy is coordinating a national and international group to figure out how to bolster the warbler’s population. What is happening with the cerulean warbler is happening with all birds. More than 3 billion birds in the US and Canada have disappeared.

The Brown County hills area has been chosen for the project because it is the last remaining stronghold of breeding habitat for the warbler in Indiana. Demonstration sites are being created where researchers can document the life of cerulean warblers and also bring people to show them what’s needed to benefit the warblers.

Before the cerulean warblers get into their nesting season, researchers will put up mist nets in the warblers flying paths. This will allow the researchers to put small “backpacks” on the birds that will provide information as they migrate. The information collected from these small backpacks will provide key areas where the birds stop while migrating.

The cerulean warblers are hard to watch because they stay mostly in tree tops. The male is blue with a white neck and belly area. It has a thin blue necklace area around the neck. The female is mostly yellow and gray. The best way to see them is to watch them swoop down to catch insects and caterpillars far below.

A Westland, Michigan, company is providing what it calls an environmentally responsible way to cremate families’ beloved, deceased pets, with the nation’s first fully electric pet cremation system. EverGreene Pet Cremation of Westland’s all-electric cremation machine, is built in the Netherlands and shipped to the United States.

The facility was built to focus exclusively on companion animal aftercare, with a comfortable environment for families and veterinary partners navigating end-of-life arrangements. They offer private cremation options, with transparent tracking throughout the process. This way, a person knows that the ashes they receive are from their pet.

The 13 states that make up the western United States now have the chance to create a cheaper, more reliable and far cleaner electric system. That’s thanks to the September passage of California legislation. At present, the flow of electrons across the region is controlled by more than three dozen separate power authorities.

The new legislation, which passed with bipartisan, almost unanimous support, will enable these authorities to connect, creating a West-wide electricity market. A West-side grid could save consumers up to $1 billion a year while cutting climate pollution by as much as 39%, according to estimates from the California Energy Commission.

In previous years, the legislation stalled because stakeholders who supported the idea didn’t agree on the details. The Environmental Defense Fund brought to the table utilities, consumer advocates, public interest groups, transmission providers and others to address their concerns. “This was very much EDF taking a big swing and finding a way that worked,” said Michael Colvin, EDF’s California energy policy advocate.

The Indiana Forest Alliance has a brand new executive director. He is Jason Flickner who is from Indiana and went to school at IU. He previously worked as the director and waterkeeper for the Lower Ohio River Waterkeeper, a nonprofit to enforce the Clean Water Act along the Ohio River.

In the past he has been an IFA board member, volunteer and conservation director. He believes strongly in promoting the preservation of Indiana’s old-growth forest and now he wants to continue along in this same direction by expanding the Charles C. Deam Wilderness into the Hoosier National Forest and designate it as the Benjamin Harrison Recreation Area which will restrict timber harvest activities and more.

He wants to replicate Forests For Indy in cities and towns around Indiana and the nation, water quality monitoring data collection in hellbender salamander habitat in the Blue River watershed, Indiana bat population identification, and Ecoblitz planning and execution.

His goal right now is to connect forest health to public mental and physical health, expand eco-tourism in Indiana, promote endangered species awareness, and engage IFA with national and international environmental protection nonprofits and issues that involve indigenous tribes and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in environmental and nonprofit leadership.

Water is the defining element of our lives: we use it every day in our households, businesses, and industries. Water is required to generate power, operate technology, manufacture goods, grow food, wash dishes, do laundry, bathe, recreate, and drink. Yet despite its critical importance, many of us turn a blind eye on the longstanding issue of water pollution.

Hoosiers know that while Indiana’s water is drinkable, stepping into surface waters is another story. From muddied creeks to fish kills to closed beaches, water quality in Indiana has a tumultuous history. Luckily, the state has a relatively robust monitoring network, providing insights on the extent of water pollution.

It is no secret that Indiana’s water suffers heavily from pollution. Indeed, the most recent water quality assessment, conducted every two years as part of requirements under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA),revealed that 70 percent of assessed rivers and streams are considered unsafe for swimming or recreation in the state.

Additionally, Indiana’s groundwater tested positive for several pollutants at sampling locations throughout the state, including nitrogen, arsenic, pesticides, and herbicides. Those pollutants, along with many others that may remain unregulated or untested, come from a variety of sources which are deemed “high priority” due to their environmental risk.

According to IDEM, high priority pollutant sources that impair Indiana’s groundwater include:

Commercial fertilizer applications
Confined animal feeding operations
Animal manure applications
Landfills and underground storage tanks
Septic systems
Shallow (Class V) injection wells
Industrial facilities
Material spills
Salt storage and road salting

On a national scale, Indiana’s water pollution remains a problem. A report released in 2022, which analyzed water quality data, revealed that Indiana had the highest number of polluted rivers and streams in the nation—a total of 24,395 miles. Another report, released in 2020, ranked Indiana as the second state with the most toxic releases into our waterways.

With the new regulations, we will become the first state with the most toxic releases into our waterways. That’s something we should brag about!!!!In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Madeline Hirschland about Electrify Indiana, a volunteer-driven not for profit organization in Bloomington, Indiana.

Celebrate the Spring Equinox at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 21st, beginning at 1 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Get outside and enjoy a hike and put winter behind you.
An Ogle Lake Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 21st, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Hike Trail 7 around Ogle Lake and learn the history of the lake while learning about the animals that make the lake their home.
It’s mushroom time! Learn about Gilly Mushrooms at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 22nd, from noon to 12:30 pm in the Nature Center. Discover the different parts of a mushroom while creating art.
There will be an Insect Station at McCormick’s Creek and State Park on Friday, March 27th, from 2 to 4 pm in the Nature Center. Insects come in all shapes and sizes. Learn about these fascinating creatures and why they are so important.
Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake program is planned for Saturday, March 28th, from 2 to 3 pm at the Brown County State Park Nature Center. Get up close and personal to learn about Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. There will be live animals during this program.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………Preston Rogers
Headlines………………………………..Carol Kugler
Headlines…………….Environmental Defense Fund
Headlines……………………………..Julianna Dailey
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Part 2 of EcoReport’s Carrie Albright interview with Emily Winter, owner of Winter Blooms Flower Farm, about how she cares for the soil and water surrounding her flower farm and the role she takes in considering the future of the land.

Environmental ReportsBarneby Woods added to Sycamore Land TrustBarneby Woods in Owen County has become the ninth
Sycamore Land Trust preserve to receive the designation of
protection against future land use.
The 160-acre property was owned by Karl Barneby and Laura
Fredenhall of Terre Haute. “State dedication of Barneby Woods will add meaningful protection to a place that holds tremendous ecological value for southern Indiana,” said Alex Sienkiewicz, executive director of Sycamore Land Trust. The property has never been logged and it has a mature upland forest with beech trees that are approaching old-growth size, which is 12 inches at 4.5 feet above ground. There are four streams on the property which flow into ravines, with one having an 8-foot-tall waterfall. There are many sensitive plants and ferns as well as small earthsnakes, spotted salamanders and eastern box turtles. At this time, the Preserve is not open to the public to protect the sensitive natural area. Future plans may include the addition of trails, but no timeline has been established.

Trump Admin Rolling Back Regulation
The Trump administration announced on February 20th that it will roll back air regulations for power plants that limited mercury and hazardous air toxins, which he claims will boost energy. However, it will cause public health harm for America’s most vulnerable groups. The Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule from 2012, would reduce allowable mercury pollution from the coal plants by 70%; cut emissions of nickel, arsenic, lead and other toxic metals from coal plants by two-thirds; and result in health cost savings of $420 million through 2037, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Utilities had been phasing out again coal-fired generators, which are major sources of mercury and carbon emissions, but Trump has promised to reduce barriers to meet rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers. Trump declared an “energy emergency” in 2025 to justify moves to keep open aging coal plants. Sixty-eight coal plants have been granted exemptions. The EPA also recently announced it was repealing the “endangement findings,” which gave the agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and the White House power from coal plants for military use. Coal-firing power plants are among the largest sources of hazardous air pollution, including mercury, lead, arsenic and acid gases, as well as major sources of benzene, formaldehyde, dioxins and other organic hazardous air pollutants. Coal plants generate less than 20% of U.S. electricity, according to the Energy Infomation Administration. Indiana already has one of the worst records for air pollution.

Indiana Bill puts Wildlife Decisions with Homeland SecurityThe Indiana Natural Resource Commission (NRC) is responsible for designating nature preserves, setting camping fees, and guiding state law interpretation. Proposed House Bill 1003 aims to dissolve the NRC and other state boards, raising concerns among conservation advocates about reduced public involvement in decision-making processes. Dan Boritt, the executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, highlights the NRC’s role in gathering public feedback, emphasizing that its members are passionate residents who engage with Indiana’s natural resources. Stephanie Flittner, general counsel for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), states that while the DNR is neutral regarding the bill, they believe the NRC has become unnecessary since DNR now employs experts who make recommendations formerly carried out by the NRC. Ginger Murphy from the Indiana Parks Alliance points out that the NRC’s regular meetings provide transparency and bring together diverse expertise from citizen members and state agencies, enhancing decision-making for Indiana’s resources. Additionally, the bill proposes to abolish the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, transferring its responsibilities to the Department of Homeland Security, which raises concerns among architects about the loss of oversight by a varied group of experts familiar with complex building codes.

Another Invasive Species!I thought we were done with educating you about invasive
species, but one slipped through because it is new to Indiana.
It is kudzu. I grew up in Georgia where it grew everywhere.
My father battled it for the twelve years we lived there. I can
tell you, as a child, I loved it! It was the best vine for swinging in the trees. I became Tarzan. Kudzu is starting to grow now in Indiana. It is called the “vine that ate the south.” As it grows in an ecosystem, the plant coats once-vibrant and biodiverse forests in a monoculture carpet. If you have ever driven down to Florida, you have seen entire forests completely covered with vines that have large leaves and cast too much shade for native plants to survive underneath. The trees look like they have blankets on them. Kudzu is starting to take hold in southern Indiana, however, there is a small town outside Bloomington, heading north on old 37 that has it growing along a hillside. So, it is adapting to our weather. The best way to get rid of it is with herbicides, but even with herbicides, it comes back the following year. It is an ongoing battle, and you have to keep at it in order to control it. The Indiana DNR say they are starting to see native trees coming up in areas where they have continued the battle with kudzu. To quote, “It is rewarding to see the wins. However small they may be.”

And now for some upcoming events:* The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park is the Tornado Hike on Saturday, March 7th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Bring your dog as you learn about the May 16th, 2025 tornado that hit Brown County State Park * Learn about Karst Topography at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 8th, from Noon to 1 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to find out how water shaped the land. * A workshop on The Joy of Journaling is planned for Tuesday, March 10th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. Learn how to record your upcoming growing season in a garden journal so you will remember what works and what doesn’t work for next year. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. * Take a Winter Wander Hike to Combs Road in Norman, Indiana at Monroe Lake on Friday, March 13th, beginning at 1 pm. This is an off-trail hike with no known path to follow. Keep in mind, there are no restroom facilities. Register at tinyurl.com/winterwanderhikes. * The Sassafras Audubon Society is having a Woodcock Walk at Flatwoods County Park on Saturday, March 14th, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Experience the mesmerizing “sky dance” of these elusive birds as they perform their aerial courtship.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….…….Carrie AlbrightHeadlines……………..Carol Kugler, Julianna Daily & Rich BenakFeature Report……………………………..Carrie AlbrightScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this weeks episode, hear the inspiration, challenges, and beauty that fill the daily life of flower farmer, Emily Winter, of “Winter Blooms,” produced by Carrie Albright.

Environmental ReportsMore On Indiana’s Invasive SpeciesCallery Pear

Indiana’s report on invasive species highlights the Callery Pear, introduced in the early 1900s, which has become dominant due to cross-pollination with the more popular Bradford Pear. This species poses a threat to various ecosystems. Biologists urge residents to remove these trees to manage their spread. Other invasive species in Indiana include English Ivy, Canada thistle, white mulberry, burning bush, and autumn olive. Residents can seek help from the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management for managing these plants.

—Rich Benak

Ohio River Restoration Program ActIndiana Senator Todd Young and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman have introduced the bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act, aimed at protecting and restoring the Ohio River Basin. This act will establish an office within the EPA to coordinate efforts among states, local governments, tribal nations, and environmental groups. Key objectives include habitat restoration, farm conservation, invasive species management, and enhanced pollution prevention. The program also seeks to expand monitoring and data collection across the 14 involved states, while funding workforce development and job training in water protection. Supported by numerous environmental organizations, this legislation acknowledges the necessity of coordinated efforts for the waterways critical to southern Indiana communities.

—Carrie Albright

Our AI Use Has a CostIn 2026, discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) encompass its widespread presence, including its environmental impact. An analysis by Earth Day reveals that around 25 billion prompts are sent to ChatGPT daily, consuming energy equivalent to powering an LED bulb for two minutes per text prompt. Image creation requires about 2 watt hours, comparable to running a microwave for 10 seconds, while generating AI videos consumes enough energy to recharge a smartphone 90 times. Significant water usage is also noted; each 100-word AI prompt consumes approximately one bottle of water. Microsoft reportedly used 700,000 liters of fresh water just to train one version of ChatGPT. Data centers now consume over 4% of total U.S. electricity, with projections suggesting a rise to between 7 and 12% by 2028, and they use between 11 and 19 million liters of water daily for cooling, equivalent to the daily consumption of a town with 30,000 to 50,000 residents. While tech giants like Google and Microsoft claim AI could aid in climate crisis resolution by enhancing energy systems and reducing emissions, a report by environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, analyzes 154 such claims, finding that 74% are unproven and 36% lack evidence. The report emphasizes that generative AI systems, which require significantly more energy, are being adopted in place of traditional low-impact tools. The growing demand for AI fosters the extension of coal plants and concessions to the natural gas industry. Despite corporate influence on energy and water consumption associated with AI, individuals are urged to make informed decisions to conserve both resources through responsible AI usage.

—Carrie Albright

And now for some upcoming events:* Enjoy a Maple Syrup Made Easy class at the RCA Community Park in the large shelter on Saturday, February 28th, from 1 to 2pm. Learn how to make maple syrup during this hands-on workshop. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. * Take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, February 28th from 7 to 8 pm. Meet at the Olympic Pool Parking lot to learn the history and lore of the March Full Worm Moon. * There will be a Snake Rattles program at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 1st, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Learn about the snakes that have rattles and the one’s that don’t but still shake their tails. * The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park is the Tornado Hike on Saturday, March 7th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Bring your dog as you learn about the May 16th, 2025 tornado that hit Brown County State Park. * Learn about Karst Topography at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 8th, from Noon to 1 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to find out how water shaped the land.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna DaileyOn Air………………….………………Cynthia RobertsHeadlines……………………………..Carrie AlbrightHeadlines……………………………..Rich BenakFeature Report……………………………..Carrie AlbrightScript………………………………….Julianna DaileyEvents Calendar……………………..Julianna DaileyEngineer……………………………Rich Benak

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This is Eco Report for Friday, February 20th, 2026.

Coming up later in the program, Gloria Chi, known on WFHB as Glo With Flo, talks about the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference she attended. And here are your weekly environmental reports:

Asian Bush Honeysuckle: Invasive Species in Indiana

By Rich Benak

As we continue our lesson on invasive species in Indiana, we will now teach you about the Asian bush honeysuckle. The thing about honeysuckle is you can see it in the winter. The leaves stay green. That makes it easy to see. “Every single county has Asian bush honeysuckle within probably 200 feet of where you are sitting according to Ellen Jacquart, a retired botanist and president of Monroe County – Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS).

There are three species in the US: Tatarian honeysuckle from Russia, the Morrow’s honeysuckle from Japan and the Amur honeysuckle from China. We have the Amur honeysuckle.

The plant grows quickly and spreads large patches into the understory, crowds out native plants and small trees. You can combat the Amur honeysuckle by completely digging up the plant, roots and all. If you don’t, it comes back.

Another invasive species is the Oriental Bittersweet. It was brought to the US from the lowlands of Eastern Asia. It is a thick, snarling vine that produces bright yellow leaves and orange berries. People like to use them for holiday wreaths.

Birds and other wildlife eat the berries and spread the seeds, so now it is taking over our national and state parks, forest floors and natural areas.

Oriental Bittersweet like sunlight, so it tends to snake up into the trees. The vines can grow up to six inches in diameter and it can cut off a tree trunk’s ability to transport water internally. Once it gets into the treetops, it spreads far and wide and blocks out the sun.

This is another plant that must be completely dug up and destroyed. I have heard that some people simply cut the vine, which, of couse would kill the plant up in the trees, but the roots will continue to grow and the vine will come back.

Climate Report: Winters Are Getting Colder

By Caitlin Looby

Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.A new Climate Central analysis shows that winters across the United States are getting noticeably shorter, with 80% of 245 studied cities losing an average of nine winter days compared to the period from 1970–1997. The Great Lakes region—including Milwaukee—is among the fastest‑changing, experiencing warmer, wetter winters with less snow. Alaska saw the most dramatic shifts, with Juneau’s winter shortening by 62 days and Anchorage’s by 49.

Scientists note that winter research on the Great Lakes is difficult due to hazardous conditions, but multiple studies confirm rapid changes: winters have shrunk by more than two weeks, and Lakes Michigan and Huron no longer reliably form winter layers. Ice cover has steadily declined over the past 50 years, threatening the region’s $7 billion fishing industry, coastal infrastructure, and increasing the risk of harmful algal blooms.

The report emphasizes that climate change—driven largely by fossil fuel emissions—is the primary cause of these shifts. However, recent actions by the Trump administration, including the EPA’s repeal of its finding that greenhouse gases contribute to climate change and the omission of climate change from the latest State of the Great Lakes report, make monitoring these impacts more difficult.

Indianapolis Residents Push Back Against Data Center

By Carrie Albright

Photo courtesy of WFYIFor months, residents in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood on Indianapolis’ northeast side have pushed back against a proposed 14-acre data center from Metrobloks.

The project faces a key rezoning hearing on Thursday. As the date nears, community members are calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to intervene in the historically Black neighborhood’s latest development fight. T

hey argue the development could permanently reshape the neighborhood, which has long battled a history of pollution left behind by industrial development.”We don’t want any more closed-door deals,” said Shonna Majors, executive director of the Brightwood Community Center, who formerly worked for the city as a part of the Hogsett administration’s violence prevention initiative.

“We live here, we work here, we play here, we worship here,” Majors said during a press conference Tuesday at the Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation. But the Hogsett administration said they won’t be getting involved in rezoning issues.

Following the precedent set by previous administrations, this administration does not get involved in zoning decisions, spokesperson for Hogsett wrote in a statement. “Zoning is a highly technical process that involves multiple steps, reviews, and approvals from bodies like the Metropolitan Development Commission and in some cases the City-County Council.” Paula Brooks with the Hoosier Environmental Council disagreed.

She said the data center proposal is not just about land use. She points out that Hogsett also chairs Indy Economic Development, a city-affiliated nonprofit that helps shape large-scale development projects.

“This is not a zoning decision,” Brooks said. “This is a transformational industrial project, a heavy industrial project that will transform this neighborhood, and not for the better.”

Residents of the community say the proposal has reignited longstanding concerns about pollution in the area — including lead-contaminated soil — and fears that the project could bring additional burdens related to noise, water use and power demand.

So far, the rezoning requests submitted by Metrobloks to build the nearly 14-acre data center have not been heard in any public hearings with authority.

Federal EPA Repeals Endangerment Finding

By Carrie Albright

Photo courtesy of WBUR News.On February 12th, the EPA finalized one of the most consequential climate decisions in decades—repealing the endangerment finding. This is the legal foundation that has been used by the federal government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

EcoReport has shared about this pending decision over the last few months, hopeful that the outpouring of organizations and individuals arguing for this process to remain intact.

In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The EPA, using extensive scientific analysis, then concluded that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. That finding became the legal foundation for regulating emissions from vehicles, power plants, and factories, a core component of environmentally responsible decisionmaking at the national level.

By repealing the endangerment finding, the EPA removed both the scientific and legal basis requiring federal regulation of greenhouse gases.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called it “the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” claiming it will save Americans more than $1.3 trillion by eliminating emission standards for vehicles from model years 2012 through 2027 and beyond.

Yes, you heard that correctly—the head of the Environmental Protection Agency has announced that prioritizing manufacturing and finance outweighs human health and safety. The removal of the endangerment finding reveals the fundamental shift taking place in the EPA under this administration.

It is unsurprising that climate experts and public health groups are sounding alarms. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, emphasized that since 2009, the scientific evidence connecting greenhouse gas emissions to health impacts has only gotten stronger. Without the endangerment finding, regulating greenhouse gas emissions is no longer a legal requirement.

Multiple lawsuits have already been filed challenging the repeal, including from the Conservation Law Foundation, the American Lung Association, and other environmental advocacy groups. They argue the EPA cannot credibly claim that nearly two decades of scientific evidence is suddenly incorrect. This highly controversial decision is a major setback that will likely be fought in courts for years to come.

As Dr. Hayhoe articulates, “When foundational climate policies are repeatedly questioned, reversed or tied up in legal uncertainty, it becomes harder for families, businesses, and local governments to plan for the future. Stability matters. Predictability matters. Maintaining science‑based policies isn’t just prudent—it’s the reliable foundation we need to build a safer, healthier and more resilient nation.”

Winter Olympics Reduce Carbon Footprint

By Carrie Albright

If you’ve been enjoying the fun and games of the Winter Olympics in Italy right now, you’ve got another reason to cheer: Milano Cortina 2026 is being celebrated as a model for how major sporting events can reduce their environmental footprint.

Eighty-five percent of competition venues are existing or temporary structures—one of the highest reuse rates in Winter Olympics history. Instead of building new facilities that might sit empty afterward, a residual effect felt by many previous host cities, organizers retrofitted venues that had historically hosted winter events.
Almost all venues are powered by certified renewable electricity. The limited temporary generators run primarily on renewable biofuel.

The transport plan prioritizes trains and shuttles and targets 20 percent fewer cars compared to the 2006 Torino Olympics. Even the Olympic torch is powered by renewable bio-liquefied petroleum gas, and the medals are produced using recycled metal cast with renewable energy.

Snowmaking, which is incredibly energy and water intensive, is being kept to the minimum required for safe competition. High-efficiency systems use GPS monitoring to reduce unnecessary production, cutting electricity use by around 30 percent compared to traditional methods. No chemical additives are used, just water, air, and energy from renewable sources.

All of this is pretty impressive, but there is still room to improve how sustainably-oriented the Olympics can be. Eighty-eight Olympians and dozens of other elite athletes signed an open letter calling on the International Olympics Committee to ban fossil fuel companies from Olympic sponsorship.

As changing climate reshapes winter sports with shorter seasons, less reliable snow, and warming temperatures, the pressure is on to make these events sustainable. Milano Cortina is showing that venue reuse, renewable energy, and smarter resource management at this scale are possible.

Feature Report:

And now, lets listen to Gloria Chi as she reports on the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference she attended.

Upcoming Events:

A new Winter Hike Series hike will take place on Saturday, February 21st, from, 11 am to 1 pm at Brown County State Park. The Boulder In The Tree hike is one of the most popular hikes. You get to see a boulder in a tree and then you can see if you can figure out how it got there. This is a very rugged, 2 mile hike.

The 17th Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival will take place on Saturday, February 21st, beginning at 9 am at the Roy Clark Building in Humpfrey Park. This is a cultural, educational and wildlife conservation-oriented experience. See migrating cranes and waterfowl including the Spring migration of Sandhill Cranes.

Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.

You can a Maple Syrup Made Easy class at the RCA Community Park in the large shelter on Saturday, February 28th, from 1 to 2 pm. Learn how to make maple syrup during this hands-on workshop. Sign ups available at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

You can take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, February 28th from 7 to 8 pm. People are meeting at the Olympic Pool Parking lot to learn the history and lore of the March Full Worm Moon.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright, Rich Benak and Caitlyn Looby
Today’s news feature was produced by Gloria Chi.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.
Anchors are Preston Rodgers and Julianna Dailey.

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In this week’s Eco Report: Episode 1 of “Grow with Glo”, a new Youth Radio show produced by middle school student Gloria Chi – Sole Searching w/ Erin Smith – How Ocean Waste Becomes Art

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count! The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), February 13-16 connects bird lovers around the globe to observe and record data on more than 7,000 bird species. The GBBC is a joint project of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, Birds Canada and is sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. Visit www.birdcount.org to join the GBBC and become a citizen scientist. Stop by the store for everything you need to bring more birds to your backyard and make this year’s count your best yet.

Indiana’s Senate passed Senate Bill 277 which promises to streamline environmental regulations, but critics say it’s actually stripping away protections that keep Hoosiers safe. This bill would change much of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management-or IDEM’s-rule book, often referred to as Title 13. These changes would remove IDEM’s ability to set state environmental rules that are more strict than federal standards. They would also cut reporting requirements, and swap out the word “shall” for “may” in dozens of sections, which would turn mandatory actions into optional ones.

The Bloomington Environmental Commission invites artists of all ages to participate in the Eco-Heroes Art Contest, themed “Our Nature at Night.” This theme encourages exploration of nocturnal life in Bloomington, highlighting creatures like owls and bats and the impact of human activities at night. The contest seeks diverse formats for entries, including visual, written, and performance art. Participants can collaborate and must submit their work between March 17 and April 7. Winners will be celebrated at the Earth Day event. More information is available on the City of Bloomington’s Eco-Heroes page.

Last week in Bloomington, Gina McCarthy and Janet McCabe, former leaders in U.S. environmental policy, emphasized the importance of local communities in driving climate action despite federal setbacks. Speaking before an audience at IU’s Maurer School of Law, McCarthy, who played a key role in the Inflation Reduction Act, criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, labeling the administration’s actions as “enormously stupid” and “enormously embarrassing.” McCabe, a former EPA deputy administrator, joined McCarthy in highlighting the potential for impactful local efforts.

And now for some upcoming events:

The Eagles Over Monroe Live Bald Eagle Program at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake will take place on Saturday, February 14th, from 2 to 4 pm. Tickets are required.
Learn about the Hidden Caves at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 14th, at 1 pm. Meet in the Lakeview Activity Center to hike off-trail to visit Arthur’s Pocket and other karst features. The hike takes about 1 hour.
Enjoy a Growing Microgreens at Home Class on Wednesday, February 18th, at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Learn the basics of growing microgreens at home. You will receive a free tray to take home. Sign up at Bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
A new Winter Hike Series hike will take place on Saturday, February 21st, from, 11 am to 1 pm at Brown County State Park. The Boulder In The Tree hike is one of the most popular hikes. You get to see a boulder in a tree and then you can see if you can figure out how it got there. This is a very rugged, 2 mile hike.

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.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………Carrie Albright
Headlines……………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines……………………………..Ken Keffer
Feature Report……………………………..Gloria Chi
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Rich Benak

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In this week’s Eco Report an interview we played last week on Grow with Glo, a new Youth Radio show produced by middle school student Gloria Chi.

Indiana has rich biodiversity with thousands of species in unique habitats, but the ornamental plant trade, globalization and development have introduced new threats to these ecosystems. In 2020, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources implemented the Terrestrial Plant Rule banning the sale, gifting, barter, exchange, distribution, transportation or introduction of 44 invasive species, like autumn olive, wintercreeper and Japanese stilt grass. But the move came after many species have found a foothold in the state. And, unfortunately for landowners, many invasive species are also proving to be a nuisance in neighborhoods and urban areas.

The plants, which can rapidly take over gardens and front lawns, can be tricky to identify and expensive to remove. Here are five species to watch for and a few resources in case you find them. Tree of heaven: The tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is an aggressive, stinky plant that has found its way into many Indiana front lawns. As it spreads, it chemically attacks nearby species, hurts local bird populations and attracts spotted lanternflies — a highly invasive pest. Adding insult to injury, the whole plant smells like rotten peanut butter. “A lot of people have very good intentions and would like to get rid of invasive trees in their yard, but it costs real money. It’s not like digging out a little shrub,” said Ellen Jacquart, a retired botanist and president of Monroe County – Identify and Reduce Invasive Species (MC-IRIS). Scientists suggest a multifaceted attack against the trees.

When they’re small, manually digging them up year after year can help keep an area clear. But you’ll have to repeat the process as roots can persist in the soil and grow new trees. A mature tree of heaven is trickier to destroy. Chopping them down, injecting their bark with herbicide and spraying their stumps can prevent further growth and limit spread.

Wintercreeper: If you’re in the market for a mid-century style home right now but want to avoid purchasing a lawn full of wintercreeper, good luck. Wintercreeper was brought into the United States as an ornamental landscaping plant more than a century ago, and before its reputation soured, it was a darling of landscapers and homeowners” selected.

Indiana lawmakers are clearing the path for nuclear power to expand across the state. This week, the House Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications voted 7 to 3 to advance Senate Bill 258, which would dramatically roll back regulations on nuclear facilities. If it becomes law, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (or IDEM) would no longer be the ones issuing permits for constructing, operating, or expanding nuclear power plants and fuel processing facilities. The bill would eliminate requirements for public hearings on environmental effects and repeal rules designed to protect Hoosiers from radiation hazards.

But this begs the question, why now? Indiana currently has no operating nuclear plants. So far at least eight former coal plants have been identified as potential sites for small modular reactors, and a nuclear startup called First American Nuclear Company recently moved its headquarters to Indiana with plans to bring reactors online by 2032. Currently, about 10 percent of Indiana’s power comes from the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant just across the Michigan border along Lake Michigan.

For environmentally concerned residents, this raises critical questions: Is it possible this nuclear power could help Indiana transition away from coal and reduce carbon emissions? Or does removing environmental oversight and public input create unacceptable risks? Reducing the regulatory permitting process and allowing a more open stream of potential nuclear plants is a change Indiana could feel immediately. The bill will next be voted on by the House of Representatives. Concerned residents can contact our state representative before the vote. This decision will shape Indiana’s energy future and environmental protections for decades to come.

For our fashionista listeners of Eco Report, your closet has more power than you think. The fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The environmental toll of fast fashion is even more staggering. According to a 2019 Green America report, the fashion industry uses about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons for a pair of jeans, making it the second-largest consumer of water among all industries. Adding to that, textile dyeing is the world’s second-largest source of water pollution, since leftover dye is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers.

Then there’s the plastic problem. 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic clothing like polyester and those tiny, non-biodegradable particles that end up in our water and food chain. 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year, and the world now consumes 80 billion new clothing items annually—400% more than two decades ago. The production process itself is energy-intensive and toxic, relying on petroleum for synthetic fibers and releasing harmful chemicals. Cotton production requires heavy pesticide use that poses health risks to farmers.

But this isn’t a secret and the regulation of the fashion industry varies. French President Emmanuel Macron has signed a pact with 150 fashion brands to make the industry more sustainable, and the UN launched an Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. However, when UK members of parliament proposed regulations to address fast fashion’s environmental effects in 2019, ministers rejected the initiative.

What we know is that the average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year, and without stronger regulations, the power to change the industry largely sits with consumers. Bloomington has a variety of thrift and consignment shops, and even mending and repair groups that meet regularly. For those wanting to make a change in their own footprint, simple shifts like thrifting, clothing swaps, or just buying less can make a real difference.

In this week’s Eco Report an interview on Grow with Glo, a new Youth Radio show produced by middle school student Gloria Chi.

Enjoy a Who’s Here Forest Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, February 7th, from 10 am to Noon. Review the basics of animal tracking while you look for evidence of woodland creatures that are active. Register at bloomington.In.gov/parks.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will continue with a Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve hike on Saturday, February 7th, from 11 am to 1 pm. Meet at the Nature Center for a 2.5 mile hike to the largest nature preserve in the state with a unique story.
A Winter Tree ID Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, February 12th, at Spring Mill State Park from 6 to 8 pm. Meet in the Oak Room to learn how to distinguish different species of trees without their leaves. Samples will be available for you to examine.
The Eagles Over Monroe Live Bald Eagle Program at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake will take place on Saturday, February 14th, from 2 to 4 pm. Tickets are required.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines………………………………….Rich Benak
Feature Report……………………………..Gloria Chi
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this week’s Eco Report we celebrate the life and memory of one of the founders of Eco Report – Norman Holy. He was a true believer in protecting the environment. For this week’s feature we turn back to an interview with Norm Holy from February 2nd, 2018 as he speaks with Indiana Forest Alliance Conservation Director Rae Schnapp.

The Hoosier Environmental Council has made it even easier to stay in the loop on the 2026 Indiana General Assembly Session, where numerous environmental proposals and decisions are taking place. Bill Watch 2026 includes a list of noteworthy bills as well as expert analysis and what you can do to express your support for or opposition to these bills. Already the topics for 2026 span a range of issues such as air quality control, renewable energy regulation, and data center transparency. Bill Watch 2026 can be found on the Hoosier Environmental Council’s website.

Indiana is moving forward with a massive water project that could cost over a billion dollars to supply the LEAP tech district in Lebanon, Indiana. Citizens Energy Group will pipe 25 million gallons daily from Central Indiana sources like Eagle Creek Reservoir through 52 miles of new transmission lines, seven storage tanks, and expanded treatment plants. The major concern with this plan is that wastewater will flow back south into Eagle Creek, raising concerns among residents about contamination and transparency. Officials promise residential ratepayers won’t see higher bills. They assure residents that businesses in this tech district will take on these costs.

Unfortunately Eli Lilly is the only business to have actually broken ground there. To cover the gap until more companies move in, the state deposited $50 million from the Indiana Finance Authority, using bonds that typically support community water infrastructure, to reside in a trust for the cost coverage. Critics question whether funding a massive corporate tech park contradicts the program’s original purpose of supporting communities in need. This initiative is setting a precedent for how states prioritize water resources—especially when rural communities across Indiana still struggle with basic water quality, availability, and wastewater needs.

More than half the world’s economy depends on nature, yet forests, pollinators, and clean water are often excluded as factors in financial decision-making. But nature’s just gotten a team of accountants. Environmental economists are calculating nature’s actual contributions through natural capital accounting and the numbers are staggering: pollinators contribute $800 billion globally each year, mangrove forests prevent $65 billion in property damage annually, and a 2022 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report showed that birders alone spent over $107 billion in a single year.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that the endangered North Atlantic right whale generated $2.3 billion in sales for the whale-watching industry in a single year. Conservation groups often use these analyses to make the case for protection of plants and wildlife. And countries around the world are using these calculations to inform development decisions, while businesses increasingly face pressure to disclose biodiversity risks.

Although there are upsides to this approach, Indigenous leaders and some environmentalists argue that assigning dollar values to nature commodifies our relatives and sources of life, treating ecosystems as products rather than recognizing their intrinsic worth. Supporters insist that while it’s not perfect, speaking in financial terms gets decision-makers to actually pay attention and factor these natural considerations into the bottom-line equation. As one researcher put it, many of nature’s values only become apparent once they’re lost—and by then, the economic damage runs into trillions annually. This matters because how we value nature can fundamentally shape whether we protect or destroy it.

A federal judge ruled that a nearly-complete offshore wind farm off Rhode Island can resume construction, handing the industry a victory against the Trump administration’s efforts to shut it down. Revolution Wind was nearly 90% finished when the Trump administration halted it just before Christmas, citing national security concerns. The project’s attorney argued the delay costs more than $1.4 million daily, and specialized vessels had limited time to install remaining turbines. Judge Royce Lamberth questioned the government’s motives, especially after Trump called wind farms “losers” that lose money and kill birds.

This marks the second time a judge has overturned a stop-work order on this same project. Four other major offshore wind projects remain stalled, with hearings scheduled this week. Connecticut officials estimate the state could lose $500 million annually if the project were permanently blocked. These battles will shape America’s clean energy future and could determine whether billions already invested in offshore wind pay off or become stranded assets.

Meat’s on the menu at Tufts University, where—though a $2.1 million state grant—an innovation hub for lab-grown foods will open this year. The center will bring together scientists, food policymakers, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the development of “cellular agriculture”—meat grown from cells in bioreactors rather than produced from the traditional meat industry.

For years, meat production has been linked to antibiotic resistance, deforestation, and climate change, issues many vegetarians and vegans cite as reasons for their dietary lifestyles. Proponents say that cultivated (or lab-grown) meat could offer a solution to the rising global demand for meat—potentially reducing animal suffering without proposing an entire shift away from meat. Tufts already offers the world’s first undergraduate degree in cellular agriculture and this new hub will include lab equipment, a test kitchen, and an open-access bank where researchers can access cultured cells to develop products.

Despite all of this progress, the industry of lab-grown meat has seen a lot of resistance. It is banned in Florida and Alabama, and many consumers remain skeptical. From the environmental realities of expanded laboratories to the debate over hormones and growth factors in cultivated meat, this technology continues to drive questions about how to best treat our planet and its inhabitants.

A new all-volunteer not-for-profit organization called Electrify Indiana chaired by Madeline Hirschland, has started operating in Bloomington. The group will be handling the Energy Navigator program for the City of Bloomington. Between now and May 1st, teams of volunteers – especially high schoolers – will knock on 7,000 doors, half in low-income communities – to let our neighbors know about opportunities to cut their energy use and energy bills. The canvassers will invite residents to Show & Tells in people’s homes and presentations in public venues where our neighbors can hear more details on what they can do and the rebates that are available.

In this week’s feature we turn back time to an interview from February 2nd, 2018 where Correspondent Norm Holy speaks with Indiana Forest Alliance Conservation Director Rae Schnapp about the costs and value associated with Indiana State forests.

Take a Wildlife Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 24th, beginning at 10am. Meet in the Inn Lobby to venture down to the lake for a semi-rugged, 1-hour hike. You might get to see an otter, or a beaver and maybe, a bald eagle.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
Take a Historical Winter Wander through McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 31st, beginning at 2 pm. Meet the Naturalist by the Trailside Shelter to hike Trail 2 to the Quarry while learning the history of McCormick’s Creek State Park.
Enjoy a Full Snow Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, January 31st, from 7 to 8 pm. You will hike along the Salt Creek Trail as you learn about the February Full Snow Moon. The Trail is easy and about 2 miles long.
There will be Turtle Feeding at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, February 1st, from 10:30 to 11 am at the Canyon Inn. You will get to watch the Red-eared Slider hunt for fish.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………..Herb Caldwell
Headlines……………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines……………………………Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report……………………………Norm Holy
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this week’s feature, Eco-Report’s Carrie Albright speaks with multidisciplinary artists Nual Chindamanee and Maxwell Fertik about their art exhibit, mOrus which opens tonight at the Waldron Arts Center. This exhibit addresses the invasive mulberry tree through a series of artworks including woodworking, sculpture and papermaking.

Hundreds of Precious Plastic workshops worldwide convert waste into products and profits. Most used plastic winds up in landfills, the ocean, or the landscape, where it kills wildlife or degrades and puts toxins and microplastics into the environment. And plastic put in recycling bins often isn’t recycled— sometimes it’s shipped from rich countries to poor countries and surreptitiously burned as fuel, creating and spreading even more toxins. Some researchers characterize the global trade in plastic waste as a new form of colonialism.

The basic equipment that the Precious Plastic shops use— shredders, presses, extruders, injection molders— are all open-source designs that the global community builds, improves on, and shares, although some locations also use commercial equipment. Products that the shops make and sell range from buttons, combs, and flowerpots to bricks, beams, and large sheets used in furniture and construction.

A local shop, Peninsula Precious Plastics, was started by David Schick (the primary source for this piece) and his wife and son. It’s a happening place. Among other things, it’s where a local designer shreds prescription pill bottles and molds them into Cocoplum sunglasses frames, and where an 8th grader recently started turning broken, discarded pickleballs into dry-erase boards favored by her A.P. Environmental Sciences teacher. The location also collects plastic from and hosts groups from ServiceNow, which supports Precious Plastic shops located near its four main offices, as a way to give back to their communities.

The Peninsula shop’s setup includes several open-source machines, plus a commercial granulator, flatbed CNC, and a cold press that makes sheets smoother and uniform after they come out of the hot press. For safety (and convenience), they also have HEPA fume extractors, a downdraft table, masks, and a PlasTell spectroscope that identifies types of plastic without your having to test what temperatures they melt and smoke at. To minimize creating microplastics, they only use blades and planes to remove excess plastic, never files or sandpaper.

Precious Plastic’s origin story starts with Dutch industrial designer Dave Hakkens, who learned how little plastic is recycled, and that it’s only done at an industrial scale. He started trying to create smaller machines that anyone, anywhere could build in order to turn waste plastic into a useful and valuable resource, and some engineers joined the effort. They published and promoted their open-source designs, supported them with how-to information and online community tools, and Precious Plastic shops have been sprouting up ever since.

Last month, Hakkens announced the Precious Plastic v5 effort to expand in several ways, including by developing a plastic credits system similar to how carbon credits currently work. Backed by standards and a verification trust chain, such a market would let small plastic recyclers label their products with statements like “This product offsets 3.7 kg of new plastic” while earning additional income from foundations, government agencies, or companies that want to buy recycled plastic offsets. The v5 expansion also includes plans to research viable substitutes for plastic, such as mushroom-, seaweed-, and bamboo-based materials.

So, are you looking for a new source of income that’s creative, and hands-on with something other than a keyboard or a steering wheel? As one of the Dustin Hoffman character’s parents’ friends tells him in The Graduate (1967), I have one word for you: Plastics

Are you passionate about energy, efficiency, renewables, the environment, community action, or all of the above? Consider volunteering as an Energy Navigator with the City of Bloomington’s Bloomington Energy Works initiative. All adults and high school students are welcome to participate. Volunteer duties include educating Bloomington residents about energy saving incentives and the benefits of solar, electric appliances, sealing, and insulating.

Learn more and sign up to attend an orientation: https://bton.in/energy26

Contact: Shawn Miya (City of Bloomington Assistant Director of Sustainability) at sustain@bloomington.in.gov

Carrie Albright speaks with multidisciplinary artists Nual Chindamanee and Maxwell Fertik about their art exhibit, mOrus which opened on January 9, 2026 at the Waldron Arts Center. This exhibit addresses the invasive mulberry tree through a series of artworks including woodworking, sculpture and papermaking.

Winter’s Tea Time is scheduled at the Lower Cascades Park in the Waterfall Shelter on Saturday, January 10th, from 3 to 5 pm. Enjoy a spot of tea by the fire after a 1-mile hike through the park. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park begins with a Valley Ruins hike on Saturday, January 10th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. You will enjoy a 2-mile rugged hike to a derelict picnic shelter where you will learn more about the Abe Martin Lodge.
There will be a Small Garden Planning and Design class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Wednesday, January 14th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Learn the basics of crop planning and garden design Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
Learn about Animal Winter Evidence at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 17th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. You will learn about tracks, tree rubbings, and scat so you will know what animals are active. Meet at the Nature Center.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………….Preston Rogers
Headlines……………………………Cynthia Roberts
Feature Report………………………Carrie Albright
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In today’s edition of Eco Report, we’re looking back at several features produced in the year, 2025. That’s coming up next on Eco Report: a year in review.

Featured Segments:

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? 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.

Up next, on June 9th, 2025, the city of Bloomington posted a news release that explained an insect, named the Spotted Lanternfly, had been confirmed in Bartholomew County, about 50 miles from Bloomington. The insect, a non-native and invasive species, can feed on more than 70 plants, harming growth and health of plants. Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the city’s Urban Forester, Haskell Smith, to learn more about the insect and what Bloomington has been doing to mitigate risk.

And now – from Spring 2025 – WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reported on WINGS – Women in Nature Gaining Skills – which aims to increase female participation in outdoor activities. We turn to that archived report from Lionberger on today’s year-in-review edition of Eco Report.

Credits:

Today’s features were produced by Amelia Bucher, Katrine Bruner and Mackenzie Lionberger

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report. In today’s episode, we’re looking back at features from 2025 in our special Eco Report: year in review episode.

Up first, WFHB Environmental Correspondents Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about nozzles and herbicides and how farms manage weeds.

Up next, we turn to Correspondent Zero Roze, who recently sat down with Hud Mellencamp, Bloomington local and son of the famous rocker, about becoming the voice of ‘Saving the Hoosier’, a new documentary film on everyday people striving to protect the health and well-being of their communities, future generations and the land they love.

Credits:

Max Jancich, Ashton Harper and Zero Roze produced today’s featured interviews.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Coming up later, Eco-Report’s Carrie Albright speaks with Shannon Gayk from IU’s English Department about the Environmental Futures Initiative—a group bringing together artists, scientists, scholars, and the community to explore our relationship with nature.

And now for your environmental reports:

Indiana Coal Plant Closures in Limbo as Federal Emergency Powers and Coal Ash Extensions Loom

Two coal power plants in Indiana are scheduled to shut down in 2025. These retirements are part of broader trends to phase out older, inefficient coal units in favor of cleaner energy sources. But now, those closures may not be allowed to happen.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Energy has begun using emergency powers to keep coal plants running in the name of grid reliability, even when state utilities say they’re no longer needed. Governor Mike Braun has raised concerns about electricity demand and has signaled support for reviewing whether coal plants should stay online longer. Yet grid experts have failed to show clear evidence that these specific plants are needed to prevent blackouts.

Keeping these coal plants open means continued air pollution, climate pollution, and delayed environmental cleanup for Indiana communities.

While these concerns are enough to raise alarm bells, there’s another factor in play. At this same time, the EPA is considering whether to give one of these utilities more time to continue disposing of toxic coal ash. Coal ash is a toxic waste produced by coal plants. One utility is asking regulators for permission to delay cleanup and keep disposing of coal ash in unlined ponds for another five years, just in case the plant is forced to keep running. This practice is linked to contaminating groundwater with harmful heavy metals, like arsenic, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and, lead. Even low level exposure to these is linked to cancer, respiratory issues, and neurological problems. The EPA is considering granting these extensions through 2031, which would make it easier to keep operating a plant that was supposed to close.

This is a major decision involving federal agencies, state leadership, and utility companies that could affect Indiana’s public health, economy, and environment, and set a precedent for coal plant retirements nationwide. Emergency orders undermine utilities’ and states’ clean-energy plans and slow nationwide retirements of outdated fuel production.

The public comment period on the coal ash extension runs through early January 2026. Its outcome could influence how long coal plants can legally operate. Utilities discussions and state regulatory hearings about coal plant reliability and retirement planning will continue into early 2026.

Establishing an informed generation of future environmental stewards starts with a clear approach. Public school teacher and author Kimi Waite is making the case that if we’re serious about solving climate change, we need to start teaching environmental justice in elementary schools—and she’s already proven it works with kindergarteners.

Waite suggests that teaching environmental justice gives students the tools to understand how pollution and racism intersect in their own neighborhoods—and what they can do about it. She points to recent state-level policies to include climate change instruction for all K-12 students as a step in the right direction, but says it needs to go further by explicitly including justice and equity in these lessons.

The current administration has consistently dismantled environmental resources that teachers and students rely on. The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council was disbanded and the federal mapping tools that helped visualize connections between race, poverty, and pollution exposure were removed from the EPA website earlier this year. These are the sources educators rely on to incorporate environmental justice into conversations about weather, climate, and communities. When the author taught kindergarten in South Los Angeles, her five and six-year-old students used federal mapping tools to research air pollution in their own community. In math class, they created bar charts comparing pollution across neighborhoods of varying income levels. The lesson wasn’t just about science or math—it was about understanding systemic patterns and empowering young people to become what she calls “data detectives.”

Waite emphasizes that climate change can’t be taught without teaching about justice, because climate impacts hit marginalized communities hardest. This means weaving environmental justice across all subjects—art, social studies, math, science, even physical education—so students understand the root causes of the climate crisis, including systemic racism.

As districts figure out how to implement climate education requirements, the question isn’t just whether students learn about climate change—it’s whether they learn to see the connections between environmental harm and inequality, and whether they’re equipped to do something about it. Kimi Waite’s book on this topic, “Teaching Environmental Justice in the Elementary Classroom: Entry Points for Equity Across the K–5 Curriculum” will be published in February 2026.

For Pueblo Communities, Climate Resilience Begins With Language and Land

The Pueblo in New Mexico go a step beyond climate resilience with a practice of climate reverence. Jim E-note, makes the connection between Indigenous language and the ties to land as it seemingly speaks to him.

As quoted in Sierra’s winter magazine (2025) Enote states that language is (quote) “the breath of the wind, the timing of the snowmelt and the silence before the summer monsoons”(endQ)

Water issues are a grave concern nearly everywhere today, be it excess or scarcity! Drought has long been a serious concern in the Southwest U.S.—Enote relied on a tradition of the naming of locations within their territory to discover and recover a spring after a long-used natural spring in his native land ran dry. To him, as a Zuni farmer, he maintains that land and language are inseparable. Not only are expanding populations in cities in the Southwest depleting aquifers but historically there is evidence of extreme droughts that led to relocating ancient settlements to have water access.

Enote’s foundation, “Colorado Plateau,” finances native-led climate solutions in that desert region. It has resulted in greater unity among Pueblo tribes. Harmony among the native farmers and with nature is an encouraging outcome of listening to the land and those most able to interpret its meaning.

Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle National Weather and Climate Research Center

The climate community is in an uproar due to the most recent cuts from the Trump administration. It was just announced through X (formerly Twitter) that the administration is breaking up a 65-year-old research center in Colorado that’s been central to nearly every weather forecast and climate study in America.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (or NCAR) in Boulder has been studying weather and climate since 1960, and developed some of the more significant technology used in predicting weather patterns. NCAR developed the instrument dropped from planes into hurricanes to help predict where storms will hit and how strong they’ll be. The center also created weather models used to forecast tornadoes, floods, and severe storms.

Now the administration says it’s dismantling the center, accusing it of being “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.” They say vital functions like weather modeling will move somewhere else, but have not confirmed where or how this will take place. Scientists and lawmakers are deeply concerned by this announcement. Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy, called dismantling NCAR “like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.”

This decision seems to be targeting the Colorado state representatives, including the governor, who have refused to be complicit in other regulatory pressures, and these legislators are fighting back. They say that shutting down the facility would be deeply dangerous, cause massive job loss, and sacrifice America’s safety and standing in weather research globally. The ripples of this closure will compromise college and universities’ abilities to conduct climate research, and prevent NCAR from effectively monitoring air quality, anticipating droughts and extreme precipitation events, or accurately forecasting hurricane intensity.

NCAR works closely with federal partners like NOAA and NASA (both of which have received massive financial hits from the Trump administration over the last 12 months). NCA provides these institutions with scientific tools, computer models and data that help inform decisions regarding public safety, natural resources and environmental management. Dismantling NCAR will continue the degradation of climate research and community preparedness. As Antonio Busalacchi, the president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research says, this attack on NCAR is just another step in the Trump administration’s “attempts to cancel the freedom of scientific thought. … That should provide a shiver down the spine of every U.S. citizen.”

—Carrie Albright

Feature Report:

Bridging the arts and humanities with the natural world has long been a priority for our next interview guest, Shannon Gayk. Shannon is a medievalist and English professor at IU who has delved into the ways past societies responded to dramatic environmental upheaval—from cooling temperatures to plagues—using literature as a means for understanding. Today, she leads the Environmental Futures Initiative, fostering collaboration across arts and humanities, sciences, and local communities to deepen our attention to today’s changing world.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take A Winter Solstice Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, December 21st, beginning at 10 am. Enjoy a long 2.5 mile hike on a short day on Trail 3. Meet at the Twin Caves parking lot.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
Play Bird BINGO at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 27th, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Go to the Nature Center to see if you can spot some common backyard birds. Find a row on your sheet to earn a prize.
Make a Bird Treat at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, December 28th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to create a pinecone bird treat for your backyard feathered friends. The craft is nut free.
Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Brown County State Park on Thursday, January 1st, 2026, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Olympic Pool parking lot for a 2 mile hike. Enjoy hot chocolate at the end.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Cynthia Roberts, and Carrie Albright
Today’s news feature was produced by Carrie Albright.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.

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In this week’s feature, Eco-Report’s Carrie Albright speaks with Shannon Gayk from IU’s English Department about the Environmental Futures Initiative—a group bringing together artists, scientists, scholars, and the community to explore our relationship with nature.

The Nature Conservancy is working to improve water quality in the White River. The White River is the largest contributor of nitrogen and the second-largest contributor of phosphorus to the Wabash River, which is the largest contributor of nutrients to the Gulf of Mexico in the entire Mississippi River Basin. While that is not something to brag about, it gives us a lot of space and opportunity to make noticeable and measurable improvements. The Nature Conservancy is priotitizing federal dollars for farmers to put toward conservation practices in their farm fields that will help reduce erosion and runoff, ultimately improving water quality in the watershed.

Approximately 31% of the world’s population is expected to suffer from high to extremely high water stress by 2050. Water shortages are becoming a way of life. Climate change, overextraction for agriculture, pollution and land-use changes are fueling the trend. Most people on the planet are experiencing periods of drought. We have lost almost one-third of the world’s freshwater ecosystems and seen an 83% decline in freshwater species populations. Only a third of our world’s rivers remain free-flowing and wetlands are declining three times faster than forests. There is hope, we can restore and protect rivers, lakes and wetlands by working directly with local communities, indigenous leaders and all who depend on this critical resource.

Do you own a cat? If so, or not, here are some things you need to know. Cats are not picky eaters! Scientists reviewed more than 100 years of global studies and found that free-ranging felines, both domestic and feral, sample an astounding 2,084 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The findings highlight just how effective these popular pets are as invasive predators, and how much harm they can cause to native ecosystems. Cats are linked to the extinction of more than 60 species worldwide and pose a major threat to birds in North America. Species of conservation concern are not off the menu either. Cats hunt 347 of them, including bobwhite quail, little brown bats and green sea turtles. This is a good reason to keep pet cats indoors, where they live longer lives.

Here’s something to think about. The wealthiest 10% are driving the climate crisis. A new paper by researchers at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, published in Nature Climate Change, links emissions inequality to climate warming and extreme heat. They found that nearly two-thirds of global warming between 1990 and 2020 is attributable to the wealthiest 10% of the global population, while a fifth of warming was caused by the richest 1%, and 8% was caused by the richest 0.1%.

In 2019, the richest 10% included everyone earning more than $48,000 – below US national average of nearly $52,000 that year. The study showed that if the entire world population had emitted at the same level as this top 10%, the Earth would have warmed by 2.9 degrees Centigrade – an increase considered catastrophic by climate experts. If everyone lived like the top 1%, the temperature increase would have been an unthinkable 6.7 degrees Centigrade, while everyone emitting like the richest 0.1% would have led to a planet-killing 12.2 degrees Centigrade of warming.The paper provided a sobering demonstration that at our current population size, there really is no “space” for billionaires and that we need to drastically reduce consumption across the Global North, even among those not considered “wealthy” by US standards.

Salamanders boast some of the most whimsical and descriptive names in the animal kingdom, derived from a variety of sources including physical appearance, habitat, behavior, and even ancient mythology. These names often paint a vivid picture of the creature. Names like snot otter, lasagna lizard, Allegheny alligator and hellbender. Hellbender comes from the fact that it looks like a creature from hell and is bent on going back there – thus the name.

Even though they are quite large and can be up to two feet long they prefer to spend the day hiding under large flat rocks and do most of their hunting and feeding at night. Right now, these elusive salamanders are found only in the Blue River watershed, which stretches across Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison and Washington Counties. They are considered the world’s most threatened group of amphibians. The statistics are sobering, with about 60% of the world’s 760 salamander species facing a high risk of extinction.

The primary drivers of these declines are widespread habitat destruction and degradation, and, increasingly, climate change, which makes them “climate captives” unable to move far enough to escape extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.Purdue University, partnering with the DNR and The Nature Conservancy are leading an effort to breed the species in captivity and release them into the wild since they appear to be unable to naturally reproduce in the wild. The program is proving to be successful. Help the Hellbender efforts include educational programming for anyone interested in conservation.

Take a Winter Splendor Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Spring Mill Inn front patio for a hike around Spring Mill Lake on Trail 5 while enjoying the beauty of the season.
There will be a Geminids Meteor Shower and Telescope Viewing at Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, December 13th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Drop by to watch the night sky and see “shooting stars!”
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday until February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
Learn about Winter Camouflage at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, December 14th, from 11 am to 4 pm. During this short hike you will hike around the Nature Center on a scavenger hunt while you see how forest animals use camouflage to blend into their environment.
Learn about Beaver Dam Building at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, December 19th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. At the Nature Center you will help construct a beaver dam. Then you will put it to the test to see if it will withhold stream currents.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………….Julianna Dailey
Headlines……………..The Population Connection
Feature Report………………………Carrie Albright
Feature Report…………………….. Ashton Harper
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

This week, we hear from Hud Mellencamp on why he and his father, John Mellencamp, have joined forces with a grassroots movement of concerned citizens, environmental advocates, odd bedfellows and local officials to halt potentially destructive and harmful methods of land management in the public forests of the Hoosier state. That’s coming up later in the program.

Your Environmental Reports:

Pike Township Residents Push Back Against Proposed Data Center in Urban Forest

Another week, another data center controversy in Indiana. Residents of Pike Township have joined the chorus of Hoosier communities actively speaking out against a proposed data center that would replace what’s currently a lush urban forest.

According to WRTV, American Tower—which already owns property where a 1,000-foot-tall broadcast tower is located—is proposing a rezoning that would allow construction of a 20,000 square foot data center on the site. Members of Protect Pike Township warn that removing this large swath of trees and forested area would lead to increased flood risk and destroy an important barrier against air pollution. The added use of backup diesel-fueled generators raises concerns about emissions and corresponding air quality impacts.

This is yet another instance of Indiana becoming a prime location for data centers, with developers taking advantage of affordable property and underdeveloped areas. The proposed rezoning will be considered by the City-County Council next week.

More Indiana Counties Enact Data Center Moratoriums Amid Growing Local Concerns

Some Indiana counties are getting ahead of these fights with data center moratoriums. A White County, a community just north of Lafayette, became the latest Indiana region to resist data center development, approving a moratorium after months of public opposition and uncertainty surrounding a proposed project.

The decision means White, Marshall, and Putnam counties have all put the brakes on data center development while they figure out what these projects could mean for local water supplies, land use, and infrastructure. In White County specifically, the moratorium came after a developer asked to rezone nearly 300 acres near Wolcott—a request that kept getting delayed as public opposition mounted.

These interactions are creating real tension between local control and state economic policy. Indiana passed tax breaks in 2019 to attract data center companies, and state officials keep promoting these facilities as crucial for competing in the AI economy. But many rural communities aren’t convinced—they’re worried about whether their water systems and power grids can handle it.

In recent years, 80% of Indiana counties have blocked wind or solar energy projects. Now data centers are becoming the next battleground in the same fight: who gets to decide what kind of development happens in local communities?

For now, these moratoriums give counties breathing room to study the impacts before making permanent decisions. But as more communities push back, the threat of state legislators eventually stepping in to take away local authority remains a reality.

Massachusetts Moves Forward on Climate Education with New Funding and Advisory Council

Massachusetts took a significant step forward for climate education last week when a key legislative committee advanced three bills that would bring climate science into classrooms across the state.

Two bills, Senate Bill 391 and the identical House Bill 560, would establish a trust fund to support climate education, prioritizing underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by climate change. The state’s education commissioner, working with a new Climate Literacy Advisory Council, could use the fund to develop lesson materials, support teacher training, and help districts share best practices. Senate Bill 410 would add “climate science and climate solutions” to the list of topics the state board of education is allowed to include in their standards.

Massachusetts joins a handful of other states making headway to a more informed and prepared next generation, but Massachusetts is taking a slightly different approach by creating a dedicated fund and advisory council rather than just mandating the topics. The idea is to give teachers real resources and support, not just add more requirements without tools and training.
If passed, Massachusetts would join a small but growing number of states recognizing the significance of taking an interdisciplinary approach and prioritizing communities that need support most. The bills are with the respective House and Senate Ways and Means Committees.

Australia Passes Sweeping Environmental Reforms to Protect Nature and Economy

In a time when environmental protections seem under constant threat, Australia just delivered some genuinely hopeful news—and it shows that ambitious environmental reform is still possible when leaders choose to lead.

Australia’s parliament recently passed sweeping reforms to their Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, overhauling environmental laws that had long been criticized as outdated and lackluster. According to Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, these reforms prove that protecting nature and growing the economy don’t have to be opposing forces.

Minister Plibersek explained that Australia’s old system was actually failing on both fronts—the environment wasn’t being protected, biodiversity was in systemic decline, and the messy, slow approval process was undermining economic productivity. Australia simply couldn’t afford environmental planning decisions that were duplicative and based on incomplete information.

The reforms create clear national standards defining what environmental impacts are “unacceptable” and must be avoided. They establish an independent national EPA to build integrity into decision-making and reduce political interference. And crucially, they write into law something profound: that environmental protection and biodiversity conservation necessarily underpin everything else—the economy, jobs, public health—and therefore must have primacy.

Plibersek called these reforms “an unprecedented bequest to future generations” which may be the most important takeaway for those of us watching from across the world. When the political will exists, it’s possible to design systems that protect nature while supporting economic transition and job creation. Australia just proved that environmental protection and economic prosperity can reinforce each other.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Correspondent Zero Roze, who recently sat down with Hud Mellencamp, Bloomington local and son of the famous rocker, about becoming the voice of ‘Saving the Hoosier’, a new documentary film on everyday people striving to protect the health and well-being of their communities, future generations and the land they love.

And now for some upcoming events:

A Winter Weeds program is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 6th, from 2 to 3 pm. Learn how to identify plant remnants in the winter and try some wild winter edible teas.

Take a Winter Splendor Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Spring Mill Inn front patio for a hike around Spring Mill Lake on Trail 5 while enjoying the beauty of the season.

There will be a Geminids Meteor Shower and Telescope Viewing at Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, December 13th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Drop by to watch the night sky and see “shooting stars!”

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Branden Blewett and Rich Benak were today’s engineers.

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This Week On Eco Report:

The Full Interview with Bloomington’s Urban Greenspace Outreach Coordinator, Gillian Field
Environmental Reports: Burn it to build it
Julianna Dailey misses the Whip-poor-whil
Franklin Township says “No” to Google’s Zodiac
Hey EPA – Are Wetlands part of the Environment?
In Nature reminds us winter is coming
Some Upcoming Events to enjoy the weather while it’s still nice!

Midwest habitats depend on fire to survive and thrive.

Picture a dense forest choked and tangled with invasive shrubs and plants like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Hikers would need saws and loppers to clear a path. Meanwhile, native plants and tree saplings struggle to grow, starved for sunlight under layers of fallen leaves and branches. One spark could easily start a devastating wildfire.

Then a fire crew arrives to set a prescribed fire, or an intentional, carefully monitored burn. The fire moves across the forest floor, clearing away invasive shrubs and plants, as well as debris that could help wildfires to spread.

Months later, the transformation is striking. Charred ground gives way to fresh green shoots. Mature trees are mostly unscathed. Wildflower bloom, tree saplings stretch upward, and a variety of wildlife forages and nests. Fire acts as a reset button on prairies, wetlands and other ecosystems.

Storytime with Julie:

When I was growing up in Georgia along the Chatahoochee River, I would sometimes take a blanket and go out into the yard at night to sleep. We did not have airconditioning or fans, we just opened the windows. It would get really hot and sticky in the summer.

Summertime sounds during the summer in the south are a true serenade. While falling asleep I would hear the constant “Whip poor will! Whip poor will from this nocturnal bird. It would lull me to sleep.

I don’t think too many people, today, have had the opportunity to hear a Whip poor will. When you do hear one, you will definitely know. It is very distinctive.

They have declined significantly in the recent past, due mostly to habitat loss. In Indiana, we now know that prescribed fire creates habitat the whip-poor-will seeks out. It opens up the understory, making foraging for flying insects easier. It maintains the scattered brushy patches used for cover and provides the fallen logs that are often nesting locations.

I look forward to hearing the Whip-poor-will again,

—Julianna Dailey

Google 0 Indiana 1

Just last month, Franklin Township successfully stood its ground against Google’s proposed data center, ultimately leading the tech giant to remove its proposal. Fort Wayne now finds itself in a similar battle with Google who in Phase 2 of building a new $2B data center, also known as Project Zodiac, is being built on over 1400 acres of land.

In September, the Project Zodiac developers received a permit to fill in over two acres of protected wetlands where they are building. Last week, hundreds of residents took part in a public hearing hosted by IDEM on a request to allow an additional 140 diesel generators at the facility. Protesting parties claim that this new center will release 900 tons of pollution each year, potentially impacting quality life for nearby residents. Although Google suggests these generators are for emergency use only, members of the community took turn after turn speaking out about concerns for the environmental and health impacts of this facility.

IDEM continues to take comments on this issue. Residents opposed to data center development, especially those that directly compromise the existing and precious ecosystems, are encouraged to speak out. According to the Citizens Action Coalition, 30 similar data center projects are active across the state and at least eleven have already been withdrawn. Your voice matters, Indiana!

—Carrie Albright

Feature Interview

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Carrie Albright speaks with Gillian Field, Urban Green Space Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington. Field discusses environmental conservation efforts in the city and highlights the Adopt-a-Green-Space program, which invites residents to care for local parks with a one-year commitment, providing training and support.

In Nature reminds us that Winter brings the Falcon.

GET INVOLVED!

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org.

TOUCH GRASS!

And now for some upcoming events:

A Birding Trip to Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake will take place on Saturday, November 22nd, beginning at 9 am. You will be looking for Common Loons, Bonaparte’s Gulls, grebes and other waterfowl. Hopefully, you will get to see the Bald Eagle. Register at sas@sassafrasaudubon.org.
A Donaldson Cave Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, November 23rd, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to hike to the mouth of Donaldson Cave. Learn the history and all about karst topography.
Whooper Wednesday will take place every Wednesday beginning on November 19th and run through February 25th at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Dress for the weather.
There will be an Opt Outside Day at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, November 28th, from 11 am to Noon. Join the Naturalist for a Fire Tower Hike on a 1.4 mile hike through the woods to the fire tower.
Enjoy an Opt Outside Weekend at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, November 28th, beginning at 10 am. Take the All Nature Preserves Hike to visit all three of Spring Mill’s Nature Preserves and learn how each is unique. Meet in front of the Inn.

That’s all, folks

And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com.

This week’s headlines were written by Julianna Dailey, Carrie Albright and The Nature Conservancy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Carrie Albright
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.

View Details

This Week On Eco Report:

Part 2 of Carrie Albright’s interview with Bloomington’s Urban Greenspace Outreach Coordinator, Gillian Field
Six IN Orgs set to get $2 Million in grants
COP30 in Brazil
Rare Aurora Borealis Sightings
In Nature talks Wild Turkey And…
Notable Upcoming Events

And now for your environmental reports:
Indiana’s Recycling Market Development Board just awarded six Indiana organizations with $2 million in grant funding to expand recycling across the state, a decision expected to create 42 new jobs and prevent an additional 197,884 tons of materials from going into landfills annually.
The grant recipients aren’t just community recycling bins. They span themes of textile waste, food waste, and lumber production. Goodwill Industries of Michiana will receive over $300,000 to buy new equipment that will let them recycle more textiles and phase out 4 million plastic bags used by Goodwill shoppers. Greencycle in Marion County will dedicate over $450,000 to a wood waste grinder that will process more than 21,000 tons each year. And in LaPorte County, Nexus IN RNG received $500,000 to buy equipment that will divert 105,000 tons of organic waste—that’s food waste—from landfills each year, while also creating new jobs for this project.
The grant money comes from the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund, which is funded by a per-ton fee on solid waste disposed of at Indiana landfills. This means the fees we pay when trash goes to the landfill help fund programs that keep trash out of landfills in the first place. Indiana currently diverts about 19% of waste from landfills through recycling and composting, but the state’s goal is 50%. These grants are part of the effort to close that gap—turning waste into resources, creating jobs, and building what experts call a “circular economy” where materials get reused instead of buried.
—Carrie Albright

COP30

This week, thousands of diplomats and climate experts began gathering in Brazil—right at the edge of the Amazon rainforest—for COP30, the latest round of United Nations climate talks.
This conference takes place November 10-21 and is being called the Amazon COP or even the Nature COP—a moment for the world to see what’s at stake through Brazil’s eyes.
For the first time, more than 1,000 Indigenous representatives will have access to the main negotiation venue. Brazil is proposing something called the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which would financially reward countries for protecting forests rather than cutting them down. The Amazon covers 6.5 million square kilometers, holds 13% of known species on the planet, and stores between 150 and 200 billion tons of carbon—that’s equivalent to 15-20 years of global carbon emissions. But over 17% of the forest in Brazilian territory has already been cut down, and 31% is degraded. Scientists have warned that losing just 5% more could push the forest past a tipping point, irreversibly transforming it into a savanna and releasing 300 billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere, making it impossible to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate targets.
The conference will also focus on mobilizing $1.3 trillion a year in climate finance to help developing countries adapt to climate change. As one Brazilian climate leader put it, “Our window to prevent runaway climate change is closing fast. The next five years will determine the next hundred years. The world is looking to Brazil to show that a standing forest is worth more than one that’s cut down.”
The White House has confirmed that no high-level U.S. officials would be in attendance, likely due to Trump’s repeated insistence that human-caused climate change is a hoax.
Instead, California Governor Gavin Newsom and New Mexico’s Michelle Lujan Grisham have been the United States’ unofficial ambassadors. Whether COP30 becomes a turning point on climate progress or another round of unfulfilled promises will depend on whether world leaders choose action over politics, and implementation over negotiation.
—Carrie Albright

Aurora Borealis Shows Off

GRIFFY LAKE via FACEBOOK - Longtime Bloomington residents were stunned by a rare sighting on Tuesday evening—a glimpse of the incredible Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, dancing across our Midwest skies. The fantastical display of colors and lights was visible in Indiana and reached as far south as Florida with displays of green, red, and purple waves of light.
The sun is at the peak of its 11-year cycle, called solar maximum. The aurora occurred when the sun sent several bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections that reached Earth Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Forecasters explain that this created a severe geomagnetic storm and when those charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, they create these colorful light shows. Usually, you’d have to travel hundreds of miles north to see the aurora, but during strong storms like this one, they can stretch much farther south.
If you missed the display this week, you don’t need to book your ticket to the Arctic Circle just yet—we’re likely to see more of the aurora borealis over the next several months as the sun continues through this active phase. Nature’s light show might just be coming to our skies again soon.
—Carrie Albright

And now for some upcoming events:

The Sassafras Audubon’s Semi-Annual Ducks and Donuts event is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th, from 8 to 11 am at the Stillwater Marsh observation platform. Enjoy donuts and coffee as you look for ducks.

An Identitree hike is scheduled for Sunday, November 16th, from 3 to 3:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Join the naturalist at the Nature Center to hike to Echo Canyon to learn how to identify trees.
Make your own Animal Footprint Field Guide at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, November 21st, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Meet in the Nature Center with the naturalist to create your own animal tracks field guide.

A Birding Trip to Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake will take place on Saturday, November 22nd, beginning at 9 am. You will be looking for Common Loons, Bonaparte’s Gulls, grebes, and other waterfowl. Hopefully, you will get to see the Bald Eagle. Register at sas@sassafrasaudubon.org.

A Donaldson Cave Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, November 23rd, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to hike to the mouth of Donaldson Cave. Learn the history and all about karst topography.

EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com.

This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright
Today’s news feature was produced by Carrie Albright
Julianna Dailey assembled the script, which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.

View Details

Preston RogersAnd now for your environmental reports:
The U.S. Department of Energy just closed on a nearly $1.6 billion loan to Wabash Valley Resources for a fertilizer facility in West Terre Haute that would inject over 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually a mile below the earth’s surface —and local residents are speaking out. This type of carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing emissions in tanks, is touted as a win for reducing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Yet the pressurized CO2 stored in these underground tanks can escape leading to heavy metal contamination and potentially undrinkable water quality.
Wabash Valley Resources plans to use carbon capture and storage technology in its fertilizer production, one of the cheaper industries to take advantage of this process. Energy Secretary Chris Wright framed it as reducing America’s dependence on foreign fertilizer sources, saying the project relies on “American coal, American workers, and American innovation.”
Citizens Action Coalition Executive Director Kerwin Olson called the project “exceptionally dangerous and risky,” arguing that the extended Terre Haute community would be exposed to significant threats to their environment, health, and water should the tanks ever be compromised. He emphasized that this project will increase toxic emissions, CO2 emissions, and is a false solution to the issue of pollution. Yet the EPA issued permits early last year allowing Wabash Valley Resources to construct wells. In fact, in early August, the EPA found that the injection and monitoring wells would have “no significant impact” on the environment. Some supporters even argue that this development would economically benefit Hoosier farmers.
But this project highlights a fundamental question in climate policy: Is carbon capture a necessary means to reduce emissions, or is it a lifeline to fossil fuel companies who let polluters keep polluting while putting communities at risk? For residents near West Terre Haute, this is about their water, their land, and who gets to decide what happens in their backyards. With construction potentially beginning soon, this issue remains an active topic of concern.
—Carrie Albright

Julianna Dailey
As world leaders prepare to gather in Brazil next week for the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 30, a chorus of voices are issuing an urgent call for “courageous action to protect God’s creation and people. “ Those voices are a collection of U.S. Catholic bishops and relief organizations are issuing an urgent call for meaningful commitments to climate change mitigation. The leaders are urging countries to invest in resiliency efforts, commit to bold mitigation that reduces harmful emissions, pledge recovery initiatives for vulnerable communities, and provide transparent climate finance including debt relief. This faith-based call for climate justice emphasizes that climate action surpasses environmental or even economic issues. Course-correcting climate change is an imperative that connects caring for the planet with caring for the world’s most vulnerable communities. As COP30 convenes in the Amazon, home to Earth’s largest rainforest, the question is whether world leaders will match moral urgency with concrete commitments.
—Carrie Albright

Preston Rogers
New York continues to drive progress, becoming one of the first states to require that every public school student—from kindergarten through high school—learns climate science.
These climate science classes will cover what’s causing climate change, local and global impacts as well as conservation and solutions. These concepts can be taught as stand-alone courses or by weaving lessons into existing classes through an interdisciplinary approach. In the current school year, 561 districts enrolled more than 135,000 students in climate-related courses, but this new requirement sets lesson standards for everyone, no matter where you live or which school you attend.
This legislation joins similar policies in California, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey. Across the country, this shift considers what students need to thrive as adults—not just traditional academics, but tools to understand and address the environmental challenges they’ll inherit.
—Carrie Albright

Julianna Dailey
The nonprofit organization Climate Central has stepped in to rescue a critical climate tracking tool that the federal government abandoned earlier this year—a NOAA database that’s been documenting the United States’ costliest weather disasters for over four decades.
During just the first six months of 2025, there have been 14 separate weather and climate disasters in the U.S., costing over $101 billion, with the Los Angeles wildfires in January becoming the costliest wildfire event on record at over $60 billion. The average number of these extreme events has surged from about three annually during the 1980s to 19 events per year over the last decade making data collection essential in order to inform preparedness and response plans. Senior climate scientist Adam Smith, who led the project under NOAA for 15 years, will now maintain the database at Climate Central.
This database serves as a tool that communities, researchers, and even insurance companies use to understand escalating climate risks and build resilience. In a time when extreme weather is becoming our new normal, having reliable data to inform our decisions has never been more critical.
—Carrie Albright

Preston Rogers
And now, lets listen to Carrie Albright as she speaks with Gillian Field, Urban Green Space Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington.

Short’s Goldenrod

Julianna Dailey
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G.

Preston Rogers
And now for some upcoming events:
A Cold Blooded Buffet will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, November 8th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to learn about Indiana’s reptiles and how they survive.

Julianna Dailey
Learn about Stick Bugs at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, November 9th, from 3 to 4 pm. You don’t always notice them because they look like a stick. Meet in the Nature Center Exhibit Hall to see stick bugs.
26:56/ 27:11 (00:15)
Preston Rogers
Come to learn about the Wild Turkey at McComick’s Creek State Park on Friday, November 14th, at 2 pm in the Nature Center. Ben Franklin believed the wild turkey should have been our symbolic national bird. Make a Wild Turkey sun catcher.

Julianna Dailey
The Devil’s Backbone hikes have started again. These hikes are offered only from November through February. It’s a 3-mile rugged hike at Charlestown State Park from 1 to 3 pm on Friday, November 14th. It’s a fabulous hike, full of adventure. Register at JBeavin@dnr.IN.gov.

Preston Rogers
An Identitree hike is scheduled for Sunday, November 16th, from 3 to 3:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Join the naturalist at the Nature Center to hike to Echo Canyon to learn how to identify trees.

Julianna Dailey
And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com.

Preston Rogers
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright
Today’s news feature was produced by Carrie Albright
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.

Julianna Dailey
For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey.

Preston Rogers
And I am Preston Rogers

Julianna Dailey
And this is EcoReport. Thank you for listening, and please continue to take care of our Earth.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

In today’s feature report, we are looking at a growing threat to one of Monroe County’s most important natural resources. Invasive species are spreading through Monroe Lake, threatening native plants, animals, and the lake’s overall ecosystem. WFHB Environmental correspondent, Amelia Bucher has the story. That’s coming up later in the program.

And now for your environmental reports:

October is Leave the Leaves Month and as Bloomington’s trees turn shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown, you might ask, “what role do these leaves play in health of local plants, insects, and animals?” The National Wildlife Federation (or NWF) is urging residents to support the butterflies, lightning bugs, and songbirds that depend on fallen leaves for survival by foregoing the raking process this year.

“Refraining from clearing leaves from your lawn can also reduce large-scale organic gas emissions, too. According to the NWF, Americans dispose of over 35 million tons of yard waste annually, and leaves account for more than 13% of the country’s solid waste. In landfills, this organic matter releases methane gas—25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.”

Meanwhile, the layer of leaves that accumulate in your lawn each fall offers critical habitat to many species who “overwinter” in the protection of fallen leaves. Many moth and butterfly species don’t migrate, making Bloomington a necessary home for recurring sightings of these winged beauties. Lightning bug (or firefly) larvae rely on leaves for up to two years and bumblebee queens are known to hibernate through winter in this habitat, too. The vast majority of backyard birds—96 %—rely on butterfly and moth caterpillars as primary food for their babies during nesting season.

While a National Wildlife Federation survey found that 72% of people know fallen leaves benefit wildlife, only 25% actually leave the leaves. Often home- or property-owners are concerned about the appearance, turfgrass survival, or pests. But wildlife experts emphasize you don’t need to smother your lawn. Birds, insects, and reptiles benefit from smaller plots of natural leaf litter. You can leave specific areas of your lawn undisturbed to provide smaller habitats, or rake leaves from sidewalks, driveways, and grass into garden beds where they act as natural mulch.

The NWF offers tips and answers to frequently asked questions on their website, making it simple for residents to engage in lawn care that directly supports biodiversity right here in Bloomington.
—Carrie Albright

A federal judge ordered the U.S. Forest Service to temporarily halt a massive logging project in the Hoosier National Forest last week, ruling that the agency failed to adequately explain potential environmental impacts. The USFS Houston South Vegetation Management and Restoration Project involves clear-cutting 400 acres, logging an additional 4,000 acres, enacting prescribed burns on 13,500 acres, and constructing several miles of roads.

Chief Judge Tanya Pratt found this project lacked proper environmental analysis, particularly regarding Lake Monroe’s water quality and soil erosion. The Forest Service claimed that “Best Management Practices” would mitigate any harm, but the court determined that the studies they cited were either 30 years old or used metrics that “carry little to no weight” for measuring logging impacts within the affected counties. Judge Pratt wrote that the agency offered “only generalized assurances,” failing to provide actual analysis to satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act.

This marks the third lawsuit attempting to stop the logging since 2020, supported by parties including the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, Indiana Forest Alliance, Hoosier Environmental Council, and Friends of Lake Monroe. The project remains halted until the Forest Service provides proper environmental findings and meets with the judge to determine an appropriate remedy and timeline. This ruling sets a critical precedent that federal agencies can’t just rubber-stamp major environmental projects with outdated science and vague promises—they must demonstrate that their actions won’t harm the water, air, soil, and ecosystems Hoosiers throughout the state are working to protect.

—Carrie Albright

A state grant program is helping Indiana students discover the outdoors, a welcome reprieve amidst the rising transportation costs for field trips. The “Discover The Outdoors Field Trip Grant”, run by the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, provided grants to 68 schools across Indiana this year to visit state parks. Since the program launched in 2013, it’s awarded 345 grants totaling over $92,000. This funding means more than 30,000 Indiana kids have had the chance to experience outdoor education.

Westlane Middle School in Indianapolis has already taken 130 middle schoolers to Fort Harrison State Park. Because the state parks charge just one dollar per student for guided interpretive nature tours, schools can afford to bring more young people out into nature. Kevin Melrose, a seventh-grade teacher at Westlane, says getting kids outside is crucial for teaching Indiana history, ecology, and earth sciences—but without grant support, many schools simply can’t afford it.

During a recent Fort Harrison trip, students climbed over logs, waded through creeks, examined the mysteries of the tree canopy, and never stopped engaging with their natural surroundings. Park staff led guided hikes, teaching about different ecosystems and animals while incorporating lessons about the park’s history. The school’s parent-teacher association also helped fundraise to cover additional costs beyond the grant.

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year open in March at the DNR State Parks website. Teachers and parents interested in getting kids outdoors can find more information about the program and start planning now. Research confirms time and time again that exposure to nature has a positive impact on students. In fact, analysis by Stanford researchers verifies that environmental education promotes competence, confidence, and connection as well as knowledge gains across multiple subjects, including environmental issues, science, and mathematics. And as Melrose says, “The point of school is preparing them to be global learners, and the best way we can do that is to get them out on the globe.”

—Carrie Albright

On Monday, the Trump administration announced plans to eliminate over 2,000 positions at the Department of the Interior, targeting scientists who study water resources, endangered species, and toxic contamination like PFAS (pronounced P’-FAS). According to the court filing, the cuts will hit hardest at the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, and regional National Park Service offices. Meanwhile, EPA staff received another round of furlough notices as the agency’s funding dries up during the government shutdown.

Conservation groups identify this as the next stage of a broader campaign to eliminate environmental data collection. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has described this sequence of decisions as the largest rollback of environmental protections in U.S. history. President Trump recently stated the shutdown provides an opportunity to dismantle what he calls “Democrat programs” and “woke” environmental protections, despite the fact that major environmental laws and the EPA itself originated during Nixon’s presidency, a Republican administration.

The Interior Department manages national parks, wildlife refuges, and public lands while conducting critical environmental research. The EPA layoffs specifically target staff who enforce anti-pollution laws and protect drinking water. As these cuts move forward, communities will lose access to crucial scientific research on flooding, wildfires, water quality, and wildlife—data that has guided public safety decisions for decades. Without scientists monitoring water contamination, tracking endangered species, and researching the impacts of climate change, we’re moving through global environmental crises without guidance—losing not just data, but the ability to protect public health and respond to natural disasters before they become catastrophes.

—Carrie Albright

Feature Report:

Now lets listen to Amelia Bucher talk about the growing invasive species threat to Monroe Lake.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take a “Creepy Crawly Night Hike” on Saturday, October 25th, from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Ferguson Dog Park. Explore the wild after dark and uncover the world of creepy crawlies. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Fall-O-Ween will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, October 25th, from 9:30 am to 10 pm. Events are scheduled all day. Start off with the “Buck’s Dead and Breakfast” from 9:30 am to Noon. There will also be hayrides, pumpkin carving and Owl Prowls.

Join a naturalist on a “Hoot Goes There?” guided hike to listen for sounds from our “owl-some” feathered friends. Learn how to identify Indiana owls by their sounds at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, November 1st, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright,
Today’s news feature was produced by Amelia Bucher
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Engineer is Kade Young.

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This week on Eco Report: 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. 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.

And now for your environmental reports:

Indiana is doing its part to bring forests back to life:

The Nature Conservancy has been restoring Green’s Bluff, a natural area in Owen County threatened by development, and just this month, they secured an additional 83 acres. This means forest protection for the Raccoon Creek area of the forest and more habitats preserved for migrating songbirds. Many plants and animals need large, connected forests to survive. Once a fragmented woodlands, more than 68,000 trees now grow at Greens Bluff, including hardwood species like red oak, white oak, and walnut trees. Beyond planting, the Nature Conservancy has also added trails and created pollinator habitat at the preserve, and continues to pursue additional acreage to further consolidate forest protection at the site. Located about 15 minutes outside Bloomington, visitors can enjoy a trip to Greens Bluff Nature Preserve for a hike, to go birding, or to simply enjoy the changing colors of fall.
— Carrie Albright

Coral reef decline: Scientists say coral reefs have become the first major environmental system on Earth to pass a climate tipping point—a threshold where damage to the planet becomes self-perpetuating and potentially irreversible. This report from the University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute reveals that coral reefs have crossed the boundary where warming causes widespread, cascading collapse.

Warming oceans trigger bleaching events, where heat stress causes coral to expel the colorful algae that sustains it. If the stress continues, the coral dies completely. The International Coral Reef Initiative reported in April that an estimated 84 percent of the world’s coral reefs were under heat stress—the most extensive and intense mass bleaching event ever recorded. Coral reefs support about a quarter of all marine life and provide livelihoods for roughly a billion people worldwide.

Current global temperatures, about 1.4 degrees Celsius above preindustrial averages, are now just a fractions of a degree away from the worst-case scenario in which the coral simply cannot survive. However, there is still opportunity to slow these trends. Experts emphasize that slowing global warming by rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels and shifting towards renewable energy is now essential to preserve remaining coral populations and prevent additional ecosystem collapses.

— Carrie Albright

Here is more information on coral reefs. The planet just crossed its first climate tipping point. Coral reefs are now in irreversible decline due to ocean warming and acidification caused by climate change.

Without rapid climate action, experts warn that we’re on the brink of hitting other tipping points too, including the devastation of the Amazon rainforest, the collapse of vital ocean currents, and the loss of ice sheets.

The unfortunate fact is, world leaders are failing to act fast enough to avoid climate catastrophe. And some, including Donald Trump, are more focused on attacking climate science and ripping up all our climate progress to date.

That’s why COP30 — the world’s biggest climate talks — is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. In less than a month, decision-makers will meet in Belém, Brazil, to shape the course of climate action for years to come. 350.org and our partners are demanding COP30 deliver:

A rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, with no new oil, gas, or coal projects.

Reparations from wealthy countries to communities on the frontlines of climate loss and damage.

Indigenous, traditional, and frontline leadership at COP.

This year’s COP couldn’t be held in a more significant place. Belém is known as the gateway to the Amazon — and climate change and deforestation are pushing the Amazon ecosystem to the point of no return.

Now that we’ve passed the first tipping point — the collapse of coral reefs — we’re hurtling toward the next: the dieback of the Amazon, which is a critical carbon sink and will do devastating harm to the 100 million people who depend on the forest. We can’t let that happen.

— 350.org

In a remarkable triumph for marine conservation, green sea turtles have been removed from the endangered species list!

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced the reclassification to “least concern” status last week, marking one of the most significant marine species recoveries in recent decades.

Green sea turtles had been hunted to near-extinction for their meat, eggs, and shells. But in the 1970s, the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species banned commercial harvest and international trade of these animals. While these policies have vastly improved the population decline, sea turtles remain threatened by human presence: Accidents and injuries by boats and fishing and illness due to ocean pollution, especially plastics. But action has been taken to protect and restore green turtle populations. Around the world, individuals and organizations have driven local beach protection efforts, international collaboration between countries, and fishery innovations like turtle-friendly nets.

Florida has led much of the protection efforts in the U.S. through organizations like the Sea Turtle Conservancy which works to protect and improve sea turtle nesting grounds, and the Turtle Hospital which specializes rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sea turtles. Efforts like these along coasts worldwide have brought the green turtle population back to a level that no longer presents as “endangered.” The green turtle’s comeback offers proof that international cooperation and persistent effort can reverse biodiversity loss and restore hope for other endangered species.
— Carrie Albright

Our friends at Wild Birds Unlimited share with us on how to prevent window strikes and help save the song birds.

Here’s a harsh truth: colliding with windows can be fatal for birds. Even if they manage to fly away, they are not just “stunned,” birds are often seriously injured. Windows reflecting sky or greenery trick birds into thinking there’s a clear flight path, and juvenile birds (who are just figuring things out) are especially at risk.

Preventing window strikes is one way you can help Save the Song Birds. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can help birds recognize your windows as barriers, not passageways.

Feeder Placement: Place bird feeding stations within three feet of the window or beyond ten feet. Within three feet, birds fleeing the feeder area will not have built up enough speed to injure themselves if they strike the window. Beyond ten feet, birds will have enough time to spot and avoid the window.

Visual Cues: Apply deterrents to your windows (such as screens or decals) to help birds see the barrier and give them a chance to take action before any harm is done.

Install a Window Feeder: Use a window feeder to make birds more aware of the glass and so you have a front-row seat to watch your feathered visitors.
— Wild Birds Unlimited

One year after removing the last dam on the Klamath River in California and Oregon, ecosystems are improving!

You may recall one of our September EcoReports cited the Klamath River dam removal as one example of Indigenous communities guiding environmental practices. Well since the removal of the dam last year, scientists can now confirm that these waters and their fish populations, are returning to original numbers, exceeding expectations.

For over a century, dams on the Klamath River created reservoirs that acted as “heat batteries,” allowing water to absorb and retain excessive summer warmth, triggering harmful algal blooms that produce the toxin microcystin. Since removing the last dam from the Klamath River, water samples that previously showed 58% contamination with microcystin now show zero detectable levels in 82% of samples.

According to the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department Director Barry McCovey Jr., “the progress that we’ve made in just one year is pretty incredible. It provides us with a lot of hope for the future.”

Local tribal fishermen report that fish are returning earlier and in larger, healthier sizes than they have in over a century. The progress demonstrates the power of removing barriers to ecological recovery and offers hope for restoring other damaged river systems.
— Carrie Albright

Feature Report:

Now let’s listen to Amelia Bucher as she talks about the future of energy in the State of Indiana.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright, Wild Birds Unlimited, and 350.org.
Today’s feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
The script was assembled by Julianna Dailey, edited by the Eco Report team, and produced with upcoming events by Cynthia Roberts.
Engineering support from Rich Benak.

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, we hear part 3 of the Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.

An ambitious plastic treaty could have a positive, lasting impact on the environment and human health. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987 to phase out ozone-depleting aerosols, is a great example of what can be achieved.

The original Kyoto Protocol for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, on the other hand, was not ambitious enough. It had fewer signatories and its effectiveness varied between countries. The plastics treaty is at a similar crossroads.

This treaty is a unique opportunity. It could ensure harmful additives are disclosed, new materials are proven safe before use, and upstream measures — such as reducing production and simplifying plastic chemistry — are prioritised.

A promising draft treaty, circulated in December after two years of negotiations, was revised at the end of the first week of the summit, and then cut in half midway through the second week. All items of contention had been removed.

Words such as “target”, “chemicals”, “harmful” and “phase out” were absent. Article 19 — the one addressing human health — was deleted altogether. References to public awareness disappeared from the waste-management section.

Gone are plans to globally phase out specific products such as plastic bags and straws. So is the section on sustainable production and reduction targets. There is no mention of chemicals of concern, or transparency around additives. Even basic language about improving recycling rates, banning open burning and dumping, or encouraging behaviour change has been removed.

On a positive note, the revised draft still encourages innovation and research. But without safeguards, there’s a risk efforts will simply consist of finding loopholes to dodge penalties. We’ve seen this before too: replacing one banned chemical with another unregulated, equally harmful one.

In the absence of a strong treaty — at least for now — we shouldn’t underestimate the power and influence we have as consumers. Industry does respond to public demand. Just look at what happened with plastic microbeads.

These tiny pieces of plastic were once common in personal care products such as exfoliants, body scrubs and toothpastes. But when people started to reject products containing microbeads, recognising them as a source of microplastics, manufacturers took note.

Governments also stepped in. The Netherlands was the first country to ban them, soon followed by many others. Eventually, manufacturers phased plastic microbeads out of their product lines worldwide.

That shift was largely driven by popular pressure. It’s a small win, but a telling one — a reminder that our choices can make a difference.

Did you know some of the biggest sources of microplastics are synthetic textiles and tyres? Together they contribute more than 60% of primary microplastics. Microplastics are released not just when an item is discarded and decays in the oceans, but every time it’s worn or washed.

Seemingly small actions – such as buying fewer clothes, choosing natural fibres where possible, washing less often, and walking or cycling instead of driving – can make a difference if we all act collectively.

It’s also worth looking at other sources of microplastics in our surroundings, to limit exposure. Carpets are generally made of synthetic fibres that constantly shed microplastics. Exposure is significantly higher indoors, including inside cars – another reason to walk.

Australia is not a big producer of raw polymers from fossil fuels. That may be partly why our nation is part of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution by 2040.

However, Australians consume more single-use plastic per capita than most other countries – more than 50 kilograms per person, per year.

We don’t need to wait for a treaty to start curbing plastic pollution in our own lives. If we get serious about changing our ways, manufacturers may be forced to take notice.

Are you worried about effective environmental action? In 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to demand action to protect the environment for the first time. Some protested. Others built bike paths or planted trees.

Many now look back on that day — the very first Earth Day — as a pivotal moment for the modern environmental movement. Fifty-five years later, it’s again urgently necessary for people to speak up and contact their elected officials.

“The Trump administration’s unlawful power grab will take away protections for our drinking water and clean air,” according to Joanna Slaney, who leads the Environmental Defense Fund’s advocacy work. “The American people did not ask for these health protections to be taken away.”

Here are four things you can do to help protect the environment:

—Contact your member of Congress. Don’t let he onslaught of bad news wear you down. Elected leaders need to hear from you. Call them in DC – the Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121 – sign a petition or demand action by email.

–Speak Up! Are you outraged by the extreme nature of the Trump administration’s actions? That could mean attending a demonstration, visiting your Congressperson’s local office, or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. If you use social media, use your account to re-share fact-based information about clean energy and environmental protections.

–Get Involved locally. It’s critical to find local allies who can help you take action. Your political engagement matters.

–Donate regularly. Fund organizations that work to stabilize the climate and help people and nature thrive. The current administration is making it harder than ever, and reliable, ongoing support is very much needed.

Some of the most damaging droughts in recorded history have taken place over the last two years, according to a new report by the US National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

The drought events, fueled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, have led to more than 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa facing acute hunger. In Somalia, where an estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 due to drought-linked hunger, 4.4 million people faced crisis-level food insecurity in early 2025.

While the crisis is worst in Africa, other parts of the world are not spared. In the Mediterranean, water shortages negatively impacted domestic supplies, agriculture, and tourism, while the Amazon Basin saw record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 that led to mass die-offs of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands of people.

The 2023-2024 El Nino event created a perfect storm, which amplified already dire climate change impacts in areas affected by extreme warming, population pressure, and fragile infrastructure. As with all crises, the most vulnerable people, in particular women and children, faced the worst impacts, such as acute malnutrition and more forced child marriages due to families seeking dowries to survive.

Learn about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, October 11th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join NPR’s “Moment of Science” radio personality Don Glass for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
The Big Sit is taking place at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 12th, from 7 am to 7 pm. Test your ID skills at the annual Big Sit, which is a semi-competitive, international birding event that started in 1992. The challenge is to see how many birds you can identify in one day sitting in a 17 foot diameter circle. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.in.gov.
Take a Fall Colors Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Wednesday, October 15th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. A naturalist will share fun facts about Fall and the lake. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Do a Leaf Rubbing at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, October 16th, from 2 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn how to identify native trees and make creative art with them.
Enjoy a Haunted Village at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 18th, from 3:30 to 7:30 pm. A Costume Parade will take place at 3:30 pm at the campground and the Haunted Village opens at 7:30 pm.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines…………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………..Environmental Defense Fund
Headlines………………….Population Connection
Feature Report………………………… Max Jancich
Feature Report…………………….. Ashton Harper
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

In this week’s Eco Report feature, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk to Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit focused on e-waste recycling, to learn the broader story about recycling and misconceptions surrounding recycling.

The Trump administration just made a surprising decision to keep one of the Biden era’s strongest environmental rules intact. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the Superfund designation requiring polluters to pay for cleaning up toxic PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” will continue to be enforced.

The rule designates two specific PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law, meaning the companies that created PFAS contamination can be held legally responsible for cleaning it up, with price points into the billions. The decision keeps the burden of cleaning up this industrial pollution on the companies that created it, rather than taxpayers.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally and can accumulate in human bodies over decades. These chemicals have contaminated drinking water across the country, affecting millions of Americans. They’ve been linked to cancer, liver damage, and other dangerous health problems.

What makes this decision particularly notable is the contrast with the Trump administration’s broader approach to environmental regulation. This same EPA has delayed enforcement of drinking water limits and rescinded limits on other types of forever chemicals. The administration has also pulled back on other PFAS protections, such as withdrawing a proposed rule that would have limited PFAS in industrial wastewater discharges.

This decision to defend the Superfund designations stands in stark contrast to the administration’s broader deregulation agenda. But the practical effect is significant: this Superfund program addresses more than 800 hazardous substances and promotes safer industrial practices that secure protections for communities.

The environment had a major win last Monday, as Google abruptly withdrew its billion-dollar data center proposal for Franklin Township. This dramatic announcement happened just minutes before the Indianapolis City-County Council was scheduled to vote on the project. Since the 460-acre project was first proposed, residents have been raising concerns about the air pollution, noise, and higher electricity bills that would come from this massive facility.

This development would mean losing productive agricultural land forever, along with the natural habitat and carbon storage that farmland provides, and committing this community to an enterprise with known harmful effects.

But instead of simply sitting in worry, residents took action, attending public meetings and talking with representatives. By the time of the vote, seventeen city-county councilmembers had already publicly stated they would vote no to the rezoning. Rather than lose the vote publicly, Google pulled the plug on the entire proposal.

The lesson here is powerful: when communities unite against projects that threaten land, air quality, biodiversity, and local resources, they can win even against tech giants with billion-dollar budgets. When communities organize, their voices become impossible to ignore.

Tis the season for climate conversations! Leaders from around the world have been coming together to discuss climate strategies—From Climate Week NYC which kicked off recently, to the United Nations General Assembly on last Tuesday, to the UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP30, which takes place in Brazil this November.

Climate Week NYC successfully hosted over 1,000 events for climate stakeholders, including state and local community leaders, mayors, governors (not Indiana’s Mike Braun, however), corporate executives, and environmental advocates from around the world.

Although the U.S. has stepped back from federal climate action, the global perspective remains strong. Climate Week’s organizer Climate Group’s CEO Helen Clarkson notes that “the rest of the world is moving at this incredibly rapid pace, largely driven by China.” China’s manufacturing of renewable energy equipment and electric vehicles is driving down prices globally, leading other nations to move quickly to keep up with this clean technology development.

In a forceful speech at the U.N. General Assembly, Trump continued to spread misinformation and denial of the United States’s role in climate change. Despite this resistance, over 100 countries have come together in the past week to discuss solutions. Some of these nations are ravaged by hurricanes, droughts, famine, and disease, and the impact of climate change is visible in daily life.

Last Wednesday, U.N. member countries openly committed to their climate action plans. Major emitters divulged economy-wide targets to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and continue to push for further decarbonization. Other countries reiterated their commitment to renewable energy, preventing deforestation, and lowering methane emissions. This unified announcement of planet-centric changes signals a collaborative shift in global climate action. These talks are expected to continue at UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, in November.

There will be a “Be a Forester” Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, October 4th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter to learn how foresters are scientists that collect data about trees and their ecosystems.
A Weed Wrangle is scheduled for McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, October 4th, from 10 am to Noon. Join the Sweet Owen Woodland Network at the Deer Run Shelter to fight invasive species at the Peden Farm site.
Take a Hunter Moon Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, October 6th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. Learn the history and folklore about the glowing orange hunter moon. Sign up at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
Enjoy an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip at the Cartop State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, October 8th, beginning at 9 am. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake while paddling through backwaters, wetlands, and bays. Sign up by emailing jvance@dnr.in.gov.
The Big Sit is taking place at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 12th, from 7 am to 7 pm. Test your ID skills at the annual Big Sit, which is a semi-competitive, international birding event that started in 1992. The challenge is to see how many birds you can identify in one day sitting in a 17 foot diameter circle. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.in.gov.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Carrie Albright
Headlines…………………………….Carrie Albright
Feature Report………………………… Max Jancich
Feature Report…………………….. Ashton Harper
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Later, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk to Andrew King, the director of RecycleForce, an Indy-based non-profit which focuses on e-waste recycling.

And now for your environmental reports:

As the saga of climate reporting (and misreporting) continues, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine just released a study confirming, beyond scientific dispute, that human-created greenhouse gases poses current and future harm to our health and welfare. The National Academics undertook this report in response to the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to overturn the endangerment finding. These rules regulate climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry. Despite federal reports minimizing the negative effects of climate change, this research demonstrates that the opposite is the case. Major fossil fuel producers, also known as “carbon majors,” have been linked to the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the past years, confirming their role in the progression of climate change.

Feeling concerned about the changes being made to pollution regulation? The EPA is currently taking feedback on www.regulations.gov regarding the Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards.

—Carrie Albright

Scientists may have the knowledge, but they don’t always have the effective communication skills to drive an impact. Researchers at the University of Notre Dame reveal that while the conservation field has grown to include more diverse voices, disconnects and even overlaps in communication are undermining biodiversity protection efforts.

The solution isn’t getting everyone to agree; in fact, the Notre Dame team developed five practical principles for more productive disagreement. This guidance includes engaging with plural perspectives and recognizing unequal power relationships. The key insight is that conservation conversations work best when they happen in specific places where people share a stake in the outcome, and when power imbalances are directly addressed.

This matters because conservation is fundamentally about people and their choices, not just science. The research shows that addressing these communication gaps and power disparities—especially between the Global North and South—is essential for lasting environmental protection. The principles offer a roadmap for more effective dialogue in an increasingly polarized world, with implications that extend well beyond environmental issues.

—Carrie Albright

The sandhill crane, a wading bird under protected status in Indiana, is treasured for its tall, elegant profile, red-orange cap, and memorable bugle call. Once extirpated from (no longer found in) Ohio, things are looking up for this impressive bird. The Ohio DNR has recorded their reappearance over the past three decades, including a 4% increase in the observed sandhill crane population in 2025 alone. These birds are often found migrating through northern Indiana up to the tens of thousands and can be spotted at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area and southwest of Bloomington at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area.

—Carrie Albright

New Map Shows $29 Billion in Climate and Environment Grants Canceled or Frozen by Trump.

Regarded as the culmination of decades of organizing for environmental justice, the Biden Administration’s sweeping community grant programs were quickly terminated by President Trump.

Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows.

Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impact.

There have been few hurricanes this year due to factors like persistent wind shear, widespread sinking air in the atmosphere, and a larger-scale pattern of dry, stable air over the Atlantic. While sea surface temperatures remain warm enough, these conditions have thwarted the development and organization of tropical systems. However, with a upcoming cycle expected to shift and bring lower-pressure air back to the Atlantic, increased hurricane activity is forecast for late in the season.

—Norm Holy

International efforts to reach an agreement on reducing plastic pollution are disappointing. But we don’t need to wait for a treaty to make changes in our own lives.

Progress towards a legally binding global treaty on plastics pollution stalled and went into reverse this past week. The United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, ran overtime. It’s likely to conclude without an agreement.

This is an incredibly disappointing result. Members of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, were hoping for action to genuinely curb plastic pollution. Their priorities included considering the whole life cycle rather than just disposal, setting targets to reduce plastic production, and regulating the use of harmful additives to reduce risks to human health.
Unfortunately, vested interests hijacked the negotiations. Countries with major petrochemical producers resisted caps on virgin plastic production. We’ve seen this before. Legitimate scientific concerns about harm have been downplayed by powerful interests time and time again — with tobacco, PFAS, asbestos, and climate change.

When it comes to plastics — especially the micro- and nanoplastics now invading our bodies — awareness and early action could make all the difference. But we can still take action into our own hands as consumers, to minimise exposure and reduce waste. It we act together, we can also send a powerful message to the plastics manufacturing industry.

—Cynthia Roberts

Feature Report:

And now, you will hear snippets of EcoReport’s interview with Andrew King of RecycleForce. Coming soon, you’ll hear more from Andrew and our team in a broader story piece about recycling and misconceptions surrounding it.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take a Birding Trip to Riddle Point on Saturday, September 27th, from 8 to 10 am. Meet at Riddle Point on Lake Lemon to view fall migrants, including warblers and kinglets. Register at sas@sassafrasaudubon.org.
You can take a Paw-Paw Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 27th, beginning at 10 am. Learn about the Paw-paw understory tree and it’s fruit. Hike on the Mountain Bike Trail to hopefully sample some of the fruit.
Learn about Native Plants and Their Uses on Sunday, September 28th, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park. Explore the native flora of southern Indiana during a walk focused on identification of plants traditionally used for food, medicine and fiber. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take the Northfork Habitat Hike at the Northfork Waterbowl Resting Area at Monroe Lake on Monday, September 29th, beginning at 5:30 pm. Learn more about wildlife management at Monroe Lake. Sign up at tinyurl.com/northfork2025.
An Identitree class is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, October 3rd, from 11 to 11:30 am. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike to Echo Canyon and learn how to identify trees.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright, Cynthia Roberts and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Carrie Albright.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report. In today’s feature report, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider reports on National Moth Week, a citizen science project to study and record populations of moths.

And here’s your environmental reports:

There is a Kissing bugs warning from CDC. Native insects aren’t always adorable bumblebees or beautiful butterflies. The triatomine insect, or “kissing bug,” is native to Indiana but it’s been making recent news as a danger. The CDC has issued a warning about the recent cases of Chagas disease—a parasitic infection that, while not immediately dangerous, can be deadly if untreated.
Environmental leaders from across the Great Lakes region gathered in Toledo this week for a groundbreaking summit focused on restoring the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes system. The “Areas of Concern Cross-Agency Partnership Summit” brought together federal, state, and local officials to coordinate restoration efforts. These “areas of concern” are locations that have experienced significant environmental degradation. The summit took place in the Maumee area, Ohio’s largest area of concern which has seen significant investment aimed at transformation.
The timing of this summit highlights major restoration progress happening across the region. Following a successful cleanup, the EPA removed New York’s Rochester Embayment from the list of most polluted Great Lakes areas, Since the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began in 2010, the restoration program has already delisted 7 “areas of concern” and enhanced, protected, and restored nearly 530,000 acres of habitat, 13% of which are coastal wetlands.
Feeling the Heat? These fossil fuel giants are to blame, new study says. Climate change increased the probability and intensity of more than 200 heat waves across the globe over the last two decades, according to a newly published study.
New Map Shows $29 Billion in Climate and Environment Grants Canceled or Frozen by Trump
Regarded as the culmination of decades of organizing for environmental justice, the Biden Administration’s sweeping community grant programs were quickly terminated by President Trump.
Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows
Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impact.
The folks from Campbell’s soup company are in hot water after officials admit that they’ve been dumping water in the Maumee River for over 6 years, violating the Clean Water Act thousands of times. This isn’t just about soup production gone wrong—it’s about contaminated water that affects everyone downstream. The factory dumps its waste into the Maumee River, which flows directly into Lake Erie. Phosphorus from the wastewater feeds toxic algae blooms that can harm swimmers and contaminate drinking water with dangerous cyanobacteria—something residents of Monroe County and visitors to Lake Monroe are all too familiar with.
The actor and influential environmentalist, Robert Redford, has passed away. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Redford spent over fifty years advocating for public lands and protected waters in the West, protecting wildlife, pursuing environmental justice for Indigenous communities, and climate action. Redford was one of the early voices speaking out about climate change and the choices developers, communities, and governments can make in safeguarding the planet for future generations. Redford, a longtime resident of Utah, was 89.

Feature Report:

Up next, we have a feature on National Moth Week, where we learn more about the annual Citizen Science Initiative to document moths.

And now for some upcoming events:

An Exploring Mindfullness In The Garden workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, from 9 to 10:30 am at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Learn about mindfulness and how to deepen your gardening experience. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Take a Fall Equinox Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, September 21st, beginning at 10 am. Hike around Spring Mill Lake and enjoy the colorful trees and wild flowers. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.

Credits:
Last minute Spring Fund Drive pitch
This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and compiled our events calender.
Rich Benak is our engineer.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

On June 9th, 2025, the City of Bloomington posted a news release that explained an insect, named the Spotted Lanternfly, had been confirmed in Bartholomew County, about 50 miles from Bloomington. The insect, a non-native and invasive species, can feed on more than 70 plants, harming growth and health of plants. Correspondent Katrine Bruner spoke with the City’s Urban Forester, Haskell Smith, to learn more about the insect and what the City of Bloomington has been doing to mitigate risk. We will hear from her later in the program.

And now for your environmental reports:

If you were in Evansville on Tuesday evening, you may have caught one of the Open House meetings hosted by the Indiana Dept of Environmental Management, or IDEM. They are currently taking input from Hoosiers on the transition to a Materials Management Plan (MMP) which would replace the Solid Waste Management Plan currently in place. The goal of these open houses is to engage local residents and establish a clearer understanding of the updated priorities of this department. The previous plan focused more on traditional recycling and waste disposal, but the MMP will adopt a sustainable materials management approach that encourages better access to recycling, as well as organics management and waste reduction. This expanded plan will cover pre- and post-consumer recyclables, and other materials ranging from organics and wood to e-waste and demolition waste. The next open house meetings will take place in South Bend and Valparaiso.
Marine mammals will benefit from new import restrictions coming from the Trump administration due to seafood import bans, which affects over 40 countries. America imports about 80% of its seafood, giving it serious leverage over the global fishing industry. Although the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is admittedly positioned around improving America’s role as a seafood producer, legislators have acknowledged that this benefits wildlife, too. More than 650,000 whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals die from being accidentally caught and killed in fishing nets each year.
Indiana is welcoming a new insectivore: the nine-banded armadillo! Spotted in parts of southern Indiana since 2003, this armored visitor has been reported over 230 times. Similar to other tough-but tender shelled animals like the box turtle or hedgehog, these peculiar-looking critters tend to keep to themselves. It’s assumed that their migration has been due to the warming temperatures in North, South, and Central America, reduction in large predators, and human-made passageways bridging paths previously inaccessible to the nine-banded armadillo. These traditionally nocturnal animals spend their time digging with the dual purpose of creating burrows and find food such as insects, worms, and grubs. Biologists are still gathering data on the impact armadillos are having on Indiana as the populations slowly increase.
Last week we reported on a Department of Energy climate report that downplayed and even praised the effects of climate change. Well since then, the criticism has rolled up the ladder and the team of climate-skeptical scientists has since been dissolved. Although the initial report will remain in tact, a DOE spokesperson insists that they will entertain conversations about what is actually known and unknown about climate science, and “continue to engage in the debate in favor of a more science-based and less ideological conversation around climate science.” We hope to see a renewed report focused on the impacts of climate change and the opportunities for mitigating those effects.

Feature Report:

Andy Lavalley / Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAnd now, lets listen to Katrine Bruner as she talks with Haskell Smith, Bloomington’s City Urban Forester, about the Spotted Lanternfly.

And now for some upcoming events:

Enjoy Stargazing at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 13th, from 8 to 10 pm. Meet the park naturalist at Hoen Point for an evening of stargazing. A telescope will be available to view the fall constellations.
An Exploring Mindfullness In The Garden workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, from 9 to 10:30 am at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Learn about mindfulness and how to deepen your gardening experience. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright.
Today’s news feature was produced by Katrine Bruner.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and compiled our events calendar.
Rich Benak is our engineer.
Julianna Dailey and Carrie Albright are our anchors.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

In the third part of their interview, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper with Dr. Tommy Butts of Purdue University, transition from future weeding technology to monitoring agricultural runoff.

And now for your environmental reports:

With 70% of the Indiana’s rivers and streams unsafe for swimming, the Hoosier state has the worst water pollution problem in the nation. A comprehensive report from the Hoosier Environmental Council reveals that over 24,000 miles of Indiana waterways are polluted—more than any other state. These pollutants come from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, city stormwater, and emerging contaminants like poly-fluoro-alkyl substances and microplastics. PFAS chemicals were found in 100% of the fish sampled, while microplastics have been discovered in central Indiana’s White River.
Ground control, the young Earthlings of Terre Haute are becoming stars themselves! This group of youth ages 7–16 from Vigo County Schools is Nickelodeon’s latest feature in a series about young climate changemakers.
There is a Prairie catalog for restoring native species. Illinois has lost 99.9% of its native tallgrass prairie, but scientists have created a powerful new tool to help bring these vital ecosystems back. Prairies are environmental powerhouses. Their deep root systems, some reaching 8 feet down, store massive amounts of carbon, prevent soil erosion, and create incredibly resilient ecosystems that support hundreds of plant, insect, and animal species.
Researchers at the University of Illinois just launched RELIX, a database that catalogs plant species from 353 surviving prairie remnants across the Midwest. These remnants are akin to postage stamps—tiny patches of original grassland that survived because they couldn’t be farmed. Commercial seed mixes are often missing many native species and this database can change that. Now restoration projects can use seed mixes that truly match what grew here naturally, creating stronger, more diverse prairies that can better withstand droughts, floods, and invasive species.
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can proceed with terminating more than $16 billion in climate grants to nonprofit organizations. The grants, awarded under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to fight climate change, had been frozen by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin who cited concerns about fraud and misalignment with the agency’s updated priorities.
More than 85 climate scientists have issued a scathing rebuttal to a new Department of Energy report, calling it full of climate science misrepresentations and outright errors. The scientists found that Energy Secretary Chris Wright handpicked the team of five climate skeptics who cherry-picked their data and ignored critical climate impacts while writing this report. Environmental groups have sued the Trump administration, alleging the report was created illegally in secret with only one viewpoint represented.
Schools in Paris are creating greening opportunities for increased wilderness, right in their very own backyards. A groundbreaking study examined 16 schools in a large-scale initiative to renature Paris’s schoolyards from asphalt to green spaces by 2050. The study found that arthropod communities, like insects, spiders, and other small creatures, thrived in the green schoolyards at levels similar to nearby parks. These transformed urban spaces, originally designed as “cool islands,” also combat the urban heat island effect.
According to a recent study published in Nature, the effects of rampant carbon pollution have the potential to wreak havoc across India. And as sea levels continue to rise, a number of the country’s most prominent coastal cities are facing increased threats of flooding.
Trump Says America’s Oil Industry Is Cleaner Than Other Countries’. New Data Shows Massive Emissions From Texas Wells. The oil industry touts Texas as a success story in controlling climate-warming methane emissions. The state’s regulator, however, grants nearly every request to burn or vent gas into the atmosphere.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, in Part 3, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about future weed technology and monitoring agricultural runoff.

And now for some upcoming events:

An Arboretum Party in the Park sponsored by Bloomington Branches will celebrate Bryan Park which is officially Indiana’s first city park to earn accredited arboretum status. Celebrate on Saturday, September 6th, from 3 to 6 pm at Bryan Park.
Enjoy Arts, Blues, and BBQ at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 11 am to 6 pm. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live blues music while you enjoy fresh BBQ.
A Full Moon Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Hike around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of the Harvest Full Moon.
There will be a Live Snake Program at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 13th, beginning at 6:30 pm in the Activity Center Amphitheater. Learn how snakes experience the world through their senses and get to touch a snake.
Bug Fest takes place on Saturday, September 13th, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Karst Farm Park. Learn about insects, hands on and up close!

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Rich Benak is our engineer.

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In today’s feature report, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper, in Part 2, talk with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about herbicides and how farms manage weeds.

And now for your environmental reports:

The US Forest Service is taking steps to enact a controversial plan to harvest 38,000 acres of timber and initiate prescribed burns in Hoosier National Forest, to the protest of many local groups and even Indiana Governor Mike Braun.
In 2021, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) launched the Clean Community program in an effort to make our state a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable place to live. This year, Beech Grove was awarded Indiana’s first gold level status, a milestone for the state and a reflection of the Beech Grove community’s dedication.
The Trump administration is making significant cuts to our nation’s next-generation weather and climate monitoring system, and this affects communities across the country who depend on these tools for our safely related to air quality and ocean health.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (or CRIT) are taking a groundbreaking step that could reshape how we protect our waterways—they’re working to give the Colorado River the same legal rights as a person.
The Trump Administration Dismisses the Endangered Species List as ‘Hotel California.’ But There’s Far More to the Story. A small percentage of species protected by the law have ever recovered, but an even smaller fraction have gone extinct. With all the threats they face, including long-shrinking federal support, that’s an achievement, scientists note.
A towering wall of dust rolled through metro Phoenix, leaving thousands without power. A powerful storm kicked up a towering wall of dust that rolled through metro Phoenix on Monday, darkening the sky, blinding drivers, knocking out power and grounding flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, in Part 2, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about managing weeds on a big farm.

And now for some upcoming events:

A Nature’s Fireworks presentation is planned for Sunday, August 31st, from 3 to 4 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Naturalist Kaitlyn will meet you in the Nature Center to teach you about Indiana’s state insect.
There will be a Sssnake Talk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, September 1st from 2 to 2:45 pm. Slither to the Nature Center Ampitheater to learn about the longest snake of North America and the strongest snake in Indiana.
An Arboretum Party in the Park sponsored by Bloomington Branches will celebrate Bryan Park which is officially Indiana’s first city park to earn accredited arboretum status. Celebrate on Saturday, September 6th, from 3 to 6 pm at Bryan Park.
Enjoy Arts, Blues, and BBQ at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 11 am to 6 pm. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the live blues music while you enjoy fresh BBQ.
A Full Moon Hike is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 6th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Hike around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of the Harvest Full Moon.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Carrie Albright and Norm Holy.

Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.

Rich Benak is our engineer.

View Details

In today’s feature report, Max Jancich and Ashton Harper talk with Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University about nozzles and herbicides and how farms manage weeds.

And now for your environmental reports:

As rooftop solar gets hammered, virtual power plants offer a way forward.
Tribal Solar Projects Meet Different Fates in Wyoming After Trump Administration Kills Funding
Minneapolis-based Coffeewomple is one of the first U.S. roasters to use a commercial-scale electric coffee roaster, navigating higher costs for climate benefits.
In Appalachia, fracking is not the job creator the industry claims.
El Paso’s Heat Is Killing in Record Numbers. It May Only Get Worse.
The Third Rock From Another Sun Shows No Signs of Life So Far.
Environmental Groups Sue Over D.O.E. Report Downplaying Climate Change’
How Scientists Are Using Drones to Study Sperm Whales
While we all watch for the Monarch butterflies to return each summer, the future is not hopeful.
Water is very much on Hoosiers’ minds. From the unpopular 2021 legislation that stripped our critical wetlands of protection to the 2023 announcement of a proposed pipeline carrying water 35 miles from Tippecanoe County to the LEAP development in Lebanon, it’s top of mind for many.
Circumstances provide a rare opportunity. With few existing regulations, there’s a clean slate from which legislators can work. The pipeline idea, thankfully, is dead. We now have a chance to take the time necessary to fully understand Indiana’s water – how much is available, how clean it is and the locations that will need more in the future.
It’s the ideal time for the Braun administration and legislators to appoint a wide-ranging commission – representing all the diverse needs of Hoosiers – to spend the next two years understanding

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy: Joshua Clark/PURDUE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREAnd now, lets listen to Dr. Thomas Butts from Purdue University talk about managing weeds on a big farm.

And now for some upcoming events:

A Flying Bats presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about the only flying mammal in the world. Discover their special adaptations to fly while making a “flying bat” toy.
Learn about Twiggy Owl at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, August 24th from 3:30 to 4 pm in the Nature Center. Did you know barred owls have special feather patterns to help them blend-in with the forest? Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about Barred Owls.
There will be a Cordage Mini-Workshop at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, August 28th, beginning at 10:30 am. Learn about the types of plants that can be harvested to make cordage and the practical uses for it.
Take the Donaldson Cave Hike at Springmill State Park on Friday, August 29th, beginning at 10 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike on Trails 1 and 4 while you learn about George Donaldson and the Shawnee Cave system.
A Nature’s Fireworks presentation is planned for Sunday, August 31st, from 3 to 4 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Naturalist Kaitlyn will meet you in the Nature Center to teach you about Indiana’s state insect.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and The Nature Conservancy
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Ashton Harper is our engineer.
Anchors are Max Jancich and Julianna Dailey.

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In today’s feature report, we hear from Rachael Himsel of GUTSY Productions and Protect Our Woods about a recent timber sale in the Hoosier National Forest and Governor Braun’s letter to the Forest Service weighing in against logging in the Lake Monroe watershed.

And now for your environmental reports:

Ohio finally ends subsidies for two scandal-linked coal plants. Under the state’s infamous HB6 law, customers had to pay over half a billion dollars to keep the two 1950s-era plants running. A new law ends the subsidies this month.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who announced last month that he’s running for a third term in 2026, has been outspoken in challenging the Democratic Party to do as he does: loudly criticize the Trump administration on its reversal of some long-held policies and values.
Southern Europe is battling the worst wildfires in decades amid huge blazes. France has been suffering its largest wildfire in at least 50 years, according to disaster officials.
Warning: Be Wary of Imported Farmed Shrimp Shrimp may be one of the most popular seafood choices in the U.S., but imported farmed shrimp often come with a cocktail of health concerns.
Republican excitement for Wyoming Rare Earth mining contradicts the party’s disdain for renewables. Ramaco Resources’ Brook Mine could become the second rare earth extraction operation in the U.S., but the minerals face an uncertain domestic market under President Trump.
Manatee deaths in Florida, particularly in the Indian River Lagoon (near Melbourne), are once again raising concerns. While the state’s wildlife officials have declared an end to a previous
“Unusual Mortality Event” related to starvation, the lagoon’s health remains a worry, with continued reports of manatee deaths and ongoing environmental issues. So far this year, there are 477 deaths, already exceeding the total for 2024.
Ocean creatures, from blue crabs to blue whales, are primarily affected by plastic pollution in one of two ways: ingestion or entanglement. An animal might mistake plastic waste for food, and either chokes on it or the plastic clogs their digestive system. Sometimes, the plastic might trick the animal into believing it is full, and the animal starves.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zero Roze for his interview with Rachael Himsel of Protect Our Woods, a regional forest protection organization working to organize Hoosiers to impact government policy. Andy Mahler video on Saving the Hoosier National Forest: https://youtu.be/48r_ud-Z8sA?si=wPnlA1aZr4om65y1

And now for some upcoming events:

Attend a presentation on From Valley to Reservoir at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, August 16th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center on the Patio to learn about the difference between a natural lake and a reservoir and discover what was here before the water.
A Nature Booth on Geology will be set up at the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park on Sunday, August 17th, from 10 am to Noon. Look at fossils, geodes and other interesting rocks while you learn about the geologic processes found in Indiana’s bedrock.
The Citizen’s Climate Lobby will be meeting on Tuesday, August 19th, from 6 to 7:15 pm at the Meitus Strohm Office, which is located above the CVS at 121 E. Kirkwood.
An Old Woods Hike is planned for Spring Mill State Park on Friday, August 22nd, beginning at 10 am. Hike through the Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve to learn about old growth forests, history and the life of George Donaldson. Meet at the Twin Caves parking lot.
A Flying Bats presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about the only flying mammal in the world. Discover their special adaptations to fly while making a “flying bat” toy.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Ocean Conservancy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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In today’s feature report, we will listen to Part 3 with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich as he speaks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation. Olsen discussed prairie strips, a conservation practice that integrates prairie ecosystems into 10-20 percent of farmland to improve water quality and soil health.

And now for your environmental reports:

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced last Friday that it will begin shutting down, weeks after Congress canceled previously approved funding for the nation’s steward of public media access.
The cost of hurricanes, floods, and fires is increasing every year. In year 2000, FEMA spent $3.6 billion; adjusting for inflation, that’s $7 billion in today’s money. This year, FEMA budgeted $36 billion. Thus, the vast difference reflects a much greater cost of disasters nowadays. There’s no mystery as to why this has occurred – we are increasing our fossil fuel consumption. The President is also gutting pollution regulations and agencies protecting the environment. He’s firing expert scientists and replacing them with youngsters with little or no science background.
The E.P.A. said this week it would revoke its own ability to fight climate change. It’s the latest move in an extraordinary pivot away from science-based protections.
Earth’s Wetlands are disappearing and global efforts to save them are unraveling. More than 170 countries have gathered to save critical ecosystems. But the U.S. was a no-show for most of the summit and Russia said it will withdraw from the wetlands treaty.
Sweden, an early climate leader, is retreating from its environmental commitments, part of an EU trend. As the U.S. abandons international climate agreements, the EU is hesitating to lead. A once-admired Nordic nation’s backtracking on its climate goals offers clues as to why.
The Bureau of Land Management calls new Oil and Gas Rules ‘noncontroversial,’ exempts them from public comment. Environmentalists say the lack of public comment shows the administration’s disregard for maintaining public lands.
The potato is eaten throughout the globe, but the plant’s origins have remained obsure. Now scientists can, and the answer is: tomatoes. According to a study published last week, potatoes may have arisen nine million years ago through the combining of genetic material from Etuberosum, a group of potato-like plants from South America, and wild tomato plants. According to the study, this hybridization event led to the origin of the potato plant’s distinctive feature, the tuber, an underground structure that stores nutrients and, as humans eventually discovered, is edible.
Candidate Trump Promised Oil Executives a Windfall. Now, They’re Getting It. New tallies of the administration’s tax breaks and other incentives add up to tens of billions of dollars of benefits to the fossil fuel industry.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy of Sand County Foundation.And now, in Part 3, we turn to Max Jancich as he talks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation about prairie strips.

Upcoming Events:

The Uplands Network of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter is meeting at the MC-IRIS/Hoosier National Forest to partner for a weed wrangle in Bloomington, IN, on Saturday, August 9th, from 8 am to 12 Noon.
Take a Full Moon Night Paddle at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 9th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Experience the Sturgeon Full Moon and learn about the history and folklore of the Sturgeon Full Moon. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
There will be an Inching Along activity at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, August 10th, from 1 to 2 pm. Learn about the unique locomotion of inchworms while you make a caterpillar craft. Meet at the Activity Center.
Take a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Tuesday, August 12th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Hike Trail 7 to learn the history of the lake and all about the animals that make the lake their home.
Join a Beginner Birding class at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, August 15th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn basics on how to watch and identify birds. You will hike Trail 5 around the lake.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and edited by Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Ashton Harper is our engineer.

View Details

Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

In today’s feature report, we will listen to Part 2 with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich as he speaks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation. Olsen discussed prairie strips, a conservation practice that integrates prairie ecosystems into 10-20 percent of farmland to improve water quality and soil health.

And now for your environmental reports:

Indiana will no longer move forward with its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which means Indiana is no longer moving forward with its climate action plan. Now that both the federal and state governments aren’t leading climate efforts, the challenge of addressing climate change in Indiana mostly falls to local governments.
After the Trump administration announced it would cancel a $4.9 billion federal loan guarantee for the massive Grain Belt Express transmission project, developer Invenergy indicates the plan would move forward with private financing. This project has been underway for two decades. It would bring power from wind turbines in western Kansas to Indiana and all the way to the East Coast. It would strengthen the grid enormously.
The United Nations’ highest court last week told wealthy countries they must comply with their international commitments to curb pollution or risk having to pay compensation to nations hard hit by climate change.
There’s a sharp decline in staffing levels across the National Park System since January 2025. Since the Trump administration took office, the National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff, a staggering reduction that has left parks across the country scrambling to operate with bare-bones crews.
So far, 2025 has been a mixed bag for EV sales in the U.S. A record 607,089 EVs left the lot in the first six months of the year, Cox Automotive reports, but sales in the second quarter were still lower than in Quarter 2 2024.
Rising power demand and necessary upgrades to outdated grid infrastructure are increasing electric rates across the country, with little relief in sight. Power price increases are set to worsen for Ohio customers in the territory of grid operator PJM, where future prices jumped 22% in a recent capacity auction.
Norway just built a floating greenhouse that grows food, farms fish, and makes clean energy — all in the open ocean. Off the rugged fjords of Norway, a strange new structure drifts quietly on the waves. From afar, it resembles a massive water lily — its circular platforms blooming with green leaves, solar panels, and translucent domes. But this is no tourist attraction. It’s “Ocean Bloom,” Norway’s latest marine innovation: a self-sustaining floating farm that produces vegetables, fish, freshwater, and clean.
As you know, plastics are absolutely everywhere, and that’s bad news for human health. Plastics contain over 16,000 chemicals, many of which remain undisclosed, untested, and unproven to be safe for human health. As plastics shed microplastics, these chemicals leach into our food, air, and water, putting the health and safety of our families at risk.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy of Sand County Foundation.And now, in Part 2, we turn to Max Jancich as he talks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation about prairie strips.

And now for some upcoming events:

Enjoy a Fossil Discovery and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, August 2nd, from 10 to 11:30 am. Hike the rugged Trail 3 to scramble through rocks to learn about fossils and how the canyon was formed. Meet at the Canyon Inn.
Learn about Hungry, Hungry Fish at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, August 2nd, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Meet at the Deer Run Playground to discover what fish like to eat and make a fish clip.
Learn about Slimy Salamanders at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, August 3rd, from 3 to 4 pm in the Nature Center. Find out why salamanders are slimy and how it helps them survive.
Take a Creek Walk at Brown County State Park on Thursday, August 7th, from 3 to 4 pm. Meet at the Strahl Lake Parking lot to walk along the creek and learn how to identify clean and healthy water.
Take an Early Risers Bird Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Friday, August 8th, from 7:30 to 9 am. You will take a guided songbird hike while listening to the native songbirds. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and edited by Ashton Harper.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Max Jancich speaks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation. Olsen discussed prairie strips, a conservation practice that integrates prairie ecosystems into 10-20 percent of farmland to improve water quality and soil health.

And now for your environmental reports:

The quality of Lake Monroe for swimming as of July was: there is an alert level based on a cyanobacteria cell count less than 100,000 cells per milliliter of water. Don’t drink the water, shower after you swim. This affects Monroe Lake, both Fairfax Beach and Paynetown Beach.
In Bloomington, Indiana, the rainfall for January through April 2025 has been significantly above average, with April seeing the largest deviation. The year-to-date rainfall total is 42.99 inches, compared to a 30-year average of 28.70 inches. Specifically, January was below average, February through May were slightly above average. In June, the total rainfall averaged 10.5 inches, significantly exceeding the 30-year average of 5.3 inches. It appears there is a trend toward wetter summers.
Reports suggest that tariffs are expected to significantly impact grocery prices, particularly on imported goods.
We are Eating the Earth is a new book by Michael Grunwald. Humanity has cleared a land mass the size of Asia plus Europe to grow food, and our food system generates a third of our carbon emissions.
China has more wind and solar power capacity than both the United States and Europe combined. China has five times the wind and solar of the USA. Specifically, China is building wind and solar capacity at a rate that is nearly twice the rest of the world combined. The USA has lost the battle for leadership in green energy, and after the Trump administration, it appears we will be well behind China.
We are living in a time where we need to have access to the truth, such as provided by public television and radio. To ignore science costs money and lives. For example, CNN recently reported that the ocean circulation may stop during this century, resulting in catastrophic climate change, including the possibility of a new glacial period. This is not a new theory. It was introduced more than two decades ago. Circulation could possibly stop, but probably not a glacial period. Ocean currents transfer heat from equatorial regions to the poles. This role could, for example, be taken over by the jet stream, which has become wavier in recent years, perhaps in response to a weakening ocean circulation.

Feature Report:

Photo courtesy of Sand County Foundation.And now, we turn to Max Jancich as he talks with Greg Olsen, Field Projects Director at the Sand County Foundation about prairie strips.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take a Time In Nature Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, July 27th, beginning at 9 am. Hike the Mountain Bike Trail and see the features along the way. Meet at the Swimming Pool parking lot.
Gardening classes are offered through the Community Gardening program. The next class is Handling Your Harvest: Tips to Keep Your Harvest Fresh takes place on Wednesday, July 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Butler Park Community Gardens. Learn how to store and preserve your crops. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Make a Seed Bomb at the Seed Bomb Workshop on Thursday, July 31st, beginning at 1 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Summer flowers are starting to turn to seed, so you can now collect them for your garden next year. Meet at the Deer Run shelter.
Learn all about Geodes at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 31st, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Check out the examples of geodes; how to find them and how they are made.
Enjoy a Fossil Discover and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, August 2nd, from 10 to 11:30 am. Hike the rugged Trail 3 to scramble through rocks to learn about fossils and how the canyon was formed. Meet at the Canyon Inn.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Max Jancich and Ashton Harper
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young and Ashton Harper are our engineers.

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Coming up on today’s show, we will hear Part Two of Zero Roze’s interview with Gavin Everett of Community Culture Inc*, a new nonprofit organization creating a network of urban gardens and farm lots to bolster local food security.

And now for your environmental reports:

New research shows more extreme global warming impacts looming for the Northeast. One new study identifies a 17 percent increase in the destructive potential of the strongest Nor’easters, while another bolsters links between Arctic ice melt and dangerous blizzards.
Eighteen years ago, farmed oyster larvae began disappearing in mass die-offs, mystifying hatchery managers in the Pacific Northwest and threatening a thriving part of the region’s economy.
As the world warms, extreme rain is becoming even more extreme. Even in places, like Central Texas, with a long history of floods, human-caused warming is creating the conditions for more frequent and severe deluges. Those who deny climate change suffer the consequences. They had no sirens in Kerr County to warn of danger. The cost of installation was $50,000, considered too high.
Many lives would have been saved. The warning about the possibility of flash flooding had been given early enough by NOAA to have gotten people out of the danger area. Given that the nickname of the river is Flash Flood Alley, you wonder how in the world they could not have installed sirens years ago.
E.P.A. suspends 144 employees after they signed a letter criticizing Trump. The letter had accused the Trump administration of politicizing, dismantling and sidelining the agency.
How the G.O.P. bill will reshape America’s energy landscape. Here’s a rundown on the winners and losers in the legislation muscled through Congress. The bill would quickly phase out tax credits for wind and solar power, two of the fastest growing sources of electricity in the United States. Both industries could shrink but are unlikely to vanish, experts said.
Last week, we shared with you the research that is being done on how plastic affects our bodies. At this point, our bodies have plastic in every part of our body, including our brains. Here are some ways you can cut down on the use of plastic.
- Try to use less plastic. Since plastic sheds, you have the potential to have more of it in your home. Many of your clothes, kitchen utensils or cleaning supplies are all made with plastic. Look around and see what you can get rid of.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zero Roze and his conversation with Gavin Everett of Community Culture, a new organization working with local landowners, gardeners, farmers, volunteers and organizations in order to grow fresh, healthy produce wherever they get permission from a network of community partners.

And now for some upcoming events:

Learn about wildlife at the Wild About Wildlife Event at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, July 19th, from 10 am to 3:15 pm. Do a Slimy Sallies craft at 10 am; and then learn about Snakes at 11 am. From 1 to 2 learn how turtles protect themselves and end the day learning about Birds of Prey.
There will be a Mothing in Indiana program at Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 19th, from 8 to 10:30 pm. Lights will be set up with a white sheet so you can see the diversity of moths.
If you enjoy yoga, plan to attend the Woodland Yoga stretch at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, July 20th, from 10 to 11 am. Meet at the Centennial Shelter to practice yoga with DNR volunteer, Dinah.
Explore Monroe Lake during a Paddling Trip at the Pinegrove State Recreation Area on Tuesday, July 22nd beginning at 7 pm. Journey through the backwaters, wetlands and bays while you enjoy the beautiful views, wildlife and trees. You must have prior paddling experience. Sign up with jvance@dnr.in.gov.
The International Crane Foundation will be leading programs about Cranes at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Thursday, July 24th, from 10 to 11 am. You will learn about cranes and how to band and track cranes. Please register at 812-512-9159 or go to GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Frank Marshalek.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB correspondent Zero Roze interviews the founder of one of the newer nonprofits in Monroe County dedicated to local urban agriculture and healthy food as a human right. Stay tuned to learn more about their innovative model from Gavin Everett of Community Culture Inc.

In Indiana, the primary concern regarding air quality often revolves around particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less). These microscopic particles can pose health risks by irritating the lungs and potentially causing respiratory issues.

Communities in southern Indiana, particularly around the Ohio River Valley, have historically faced high PM2.5 concentrations due to the prevalence of coal-fired power plants in the region. Health effects: Exposure to PM2.5 from coal power plants has been linked to severe health outcomes, including:

Premature deaths
Respiratory problems like asthma attacks, bronchitis, and COPD
Cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes
Increased risk of lung cancer
Developmental issues in children

Mercury contamination: Power plants are also a significant source of mercury emissions, leading to fish consumption advisories in Indiana waterways. Ingesting mercury can cause neurological damage, especially in children. Information from 2018 indicates that Indiana was ranked 46th for air quality in the U.S. based on public exposure to particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5). This ranking was determined by the United Health Foundation, which measures average exposure to PM2.5.

The ranking of Ohio concerning 2.5 micron or PM2.5 reveals:

Columbus was ranked as the most polluted city in the US in 2023 for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), according to IQAir data, with a concentration of 13.9, which is significantly higher than the World Health Organization’s guideline of 5.
Other Ohio cities like Orrville and Grove City also had high PM2.5 levels, at 14.3.
Cleveland was listed as having a PM2.5 reading of 12.4 as its yearly average in 2020, placing it in the moderate ratings bracket and 1st place among cities ranked in Ohio that year.

Regarding PM2.5 (2.5 micron) pollution levels and rankings in Michigan:

The average PM2.5 concentration in Michigan is reported as 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter. This figure represents the average for the state. According to IQAir, the most polluted city in Michigan, based on the Air Quality Index, is Fraser, with an AQI of 74. While specific national rankings for Michigan’s PM2.5 levels are not explicitly mentioned in the provided search results, it’s important to note that the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor area ranks #6 nationally for year-round particle pollution.
Information regarding Kentucky’s 2.5 micron (PM2.5) pollution level and rankings is available. Kentucky’s current average PM2.5 level is 7, which is considered healthy and safe according to air quality standards. This level is 2.1 times lower than the WHO recommended guideline of 15. Statewide averages of PM2.5 data show a downward trend from 2001-2022.

Kentucky has a better air quality than Indiana. Why? Indiana has a higher population than Kentucky (2.5 million more) and is more industrialized. Kentucky also burns less coal than Indiana. In 2023, Kentucky burned 21,000 thousand tons of coal, which accounted for 5.0% of the total U.S. coal consumption for that year.

Coal was the source for about 68% of Kentucky’s utility-scale electricity net generation, making it the third-largest share among the states. In 2023, Indiana was the second-largest coal consumer in the United States, consuming approximately 26 million tons of coal. Most of this coal was used for electric power generation, with about 21 million tons consumed in this sector. Making coke accounts for most of the rest of the coal burned.

Armed with bags, gloves, litter pickers and a strong sense of purpose, around 12,000 men, women and children got to work cleaning Britain’s streets, green spaces and beaches as part of a nationwide Great Plastic Pick Up during a weekend in early May. Critics argue that public cleanups do not address the root causes of this pollution.

Cleaning a beach is not turning the tide, they say, because the tide will just come in again, depositing more plastic cups, bottles, straws, bags and discarded fishing equipment. What we need to do, they argue, is reduce unnecessary plastic at source, design less harmful products and develop better recycling processes.

However, there is compelling evidence that cleanup campaigns, like the Great Plastic Pick Up, do make a difference and not just in the short term. Every piece of trash that is taken away to be recycled or deposited in a landfill means there is one less dangerous item for birds, turtles or whales to swallow. Cleanups also restore these creatures’ habitats.

Beach cleanups also serve to educate. When volunteers see just how much plastic is deposited on our shores, they are often inspired to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, and, crucially, to spread the word to others.

Speaking of plastic: Scientific research is beginning to reveal the effects that microplastics may be having on our bodies — organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, altered immune responses, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and more. People are asking how they can reduce their exposure to microplastics. In the guide we will talk about next, there are tips to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from microplastics.

Microplastics are smaller than a grain of rice, which is what makes them so easy to unknowingly ingest.Some plastics, like the pellets used to make products (also called nurdles), are manufactured at this size, and can end up washing down the drain or being spilled into waterways. From there, marine animals like fish and shellfish can ingest the plastic, which gets into our bodies when we eat seafood.

Other microplastics are the result of larger plastics breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces. Most plastics never really go away. They just degrade into bits of plastic that continue to pollute our environment and potentially threaten our health. Plastic food and beverage containers, clothing made with plastic materials, and flame-retardant furniture can all directly expose us to microplastics, which get swallowed when we drink from a plastic container, absorbed through our skin, or even breathed in the air.

In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB correspondent Zero Roze and his conversation with Gavin Everett of Community Culture, a new organization working with local landowners, gardeners, farmers, volunteers and organizations in order to grow fresh produce wherever it is possible and permitted by building a network of community partners.

Take a Herp Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, July 12th, from 6 to 8 pm. Hunt for native amphibians and reptiles. Learn how to find frogs, snakes and salamanders and discover their roles in nature. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Learn about the Symbols of Indiana at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, July 13th, at 11 am. Find out about the State Stone, the State Song and much more. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
Have a Ribbiting Conversation at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, July 14th, from 3 to 4 pm. Learn native frog and toad calls in a fun musical program at the Nature Center.
Take the Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Wednesday, July 16th, from 9 to 10:30 am. Hike Trail 7 around Lake Ogle while you learn about the history and animals that make the lake their home.
There will be a Moth Night at Winslow Woods Park on Friday, July 18th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. You will learn how to attract moths and observe them with a white sheet and light. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Headlines…………………………..Frank Marshalek
Feature Report…………………………… Zero Roze
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Today on the program, we have award winning screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, whose film ‘Hoosiers’, about a small town basketball team winning the Indiana state championship, has been honored as the best sports film of all time. He speaks with us today about preserving our state’s natural heritage.

And now for your environmental reports:

For decades, utilities disposed of coal ash — the hazardous substance left after burning coal for energy — by dumping it in unlined ponds and landfills. Kentucky has 68 coal ash dumpsites.
Kentucky is one of the nation’s top coal ash-generating states, ranking fourth in ash production in 2020.
In Illinois, the number of active and inactive coal ash ponds in 2025 is not explicitly stated in the provided search results, but the total is approximately 70. The state has regulations and ongoing efforts to address coal ash disposal and environmental impact.
In 2025, Michigan is seeing both the continued environmental challenge of coal ash and innovative solutions for its remediation. While some coal plants are facing closure and coal ash is being removed and repurposed, others are being kept open by federal orders, leading to concerns about pollution and grid reliability.
Ohio has a significant issue with coal ash disposal, ranking as one of the top coal ash-generating states and facing widespread groundwater contamination from its coal ash ponds and landfills.
Heavy rains this April flooded parts of central and southern Indiana. Fortunately, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management said it didn’t receive any reports of damage to the state’s coal ash ponds.
Indiana is home to more than 73 million cubic yards of coal ash stored on at least 16 sites that lack a liner. There are about 65 coal ash ponds with liners according to data compiled by Earthjustice in 2022 based on companies’ own reporting required under federal rules. For the ponds without liners, that’s the equivalent of more than 22,000 Olympic swimming pools.
A recent pact between North Dakota and the Trump administration shows how coal-friendly states could enshrine lax standards and block future federal enforcement on toxic coal ash pollution.
North Dakota earned preliminary approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last month to regulate coal ash — a byproduct of burning coal — at the state instead of federal level. Indiana environmentalists fear that their state will follow the same path.
Picking a state outside the Midwest reveals a different mentality. In New York, there are 12 known coal ash dumpsites, with at least 8 regulated coal ash disposal sites and 4 legacy ponds and inactive landfills. The exact number may be higher, as utilities were not required to report all such sites. The EPA issued a new rule in 2024 requiring power plants to clean up their toxic coal ash.

Feature Report:

And now, we have Correspondent Zero Roze and his interview with acclaimed screenwriter Angelo Pizzo about his efforts to aid forest protection and a benefit concert happening tomorrow in Paoli, over in Orange County Indiana.

Attention citizens! Did you know that you are part owner of thousands of acres of forest land in Indiana?The Hoosier National Forest belongs to all of us. And you can learn more about this public resource while participating in an auction, attending a benefit concert and while partaking of food from the Lost River Co-op and Cafe in Paoli on Saturday, June 28th. That’s tomorrow!For a chance to receive a complimentary ticket to the Tim Grimm concert in Paoli, just email us at: ecoreportextra@gmail.com. And now for some upcoming events:

Plan to attend the Tim Grimm Protect Our Woods Concert at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 110 NE 1st Street in Paoli, Indiana, on Saturday, June 28th beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are available from WFHB radio and more information here.
There will be a Night Sky Viewing at the Ferguson Dog Park on Saturday, June 28th, from 9 to 10:45 pm. Join members of the Indiana Astronomical Society to view the planets and stars through a variety of telescopes. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Step Into a Summer Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, June 28th, beginning at 11 am. This will be a multi-trail hike on Trails 1, 2 and 4. It is a moderate 1 hour hike.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

View Details

In this week’s edition of Eco Report, we learn about a new documentary film being produced about environmental issues and forest protection in our neck of the woods. Producer Rachael Himsel speaks with Correspondent Zero Roze about her new film, ‘Saving the Hoosier’.

The cost of electricity is rising across the country, forcing Americans to pay more on their monthly bills and squeezing manufacturers and small businesses that rely on cheap power. And some of President Trump’s policies risk making things worse, despite his promises to slash energy prices, companies and researchers say.

This week, the Senate is taking up Mr. Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, which has already passed the House. In its current form, that bill would abruptly end most of the Biden-era federal tax credits for low-carbon sources of electricity like wind, solar, batteries and geothermal power. Repealing those credits could increase the average family’s energy bill by as much as $400 per year within a decade, according to several studies published this year.

Indiana wind projects can be a source of revenue through taxes, land leases, and economic development agreements. The latest figures reveal that in 2023, the industry generated $23 million in state and local tax payments. The revenue helps fund areas including schools, hospitals and local businesses, contributing to the overall economic health of the areas. Rural landowners are also benefitting from an additional stream of revenue, sharing in $22 million in annual land lease payments in 2023.

Clean energy manufacturers and advocates say they’re perplexed how the repeal of tax credits in President Donald Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” will keep their domestic production lines humming across the United States, particularly in states that elected him to the Oval Office.

While some Republicans have labeled the billions in tax credits a “green new scam,” statistics reviewed by States Newsroom show the jobs and benefits would boost predominantly GOP-leaning states and congressional districts. Now the industry is already slowing amid Trump’s back-and-forth tariff policy and mixed messaging on energy and manufacturing.

Two Northwest Indiana activism groups joined other environmental groups in sending a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in objection to an air monitoring permit recently approved for Cleveland-Cliffs’ Indiana Harbor facility.

The petition alleges that a permit recently issued to Cleveland-Cliffs from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management falls “significantly short of basic provisions, including failure to include monitoring, testing and recordkeeping” to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act.

“If this permit is approved as is, the Cleveland-Cliffs facilities (at Indiana Harbor in East Chicago) will likely release harmful emissions into the air…” Ellis Walton, associate attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said in a Monday news release. “The communities of East Chicago and Gary suffer many environmental injustices already and shouldn’t be forced to bear even more harms from local industry.”

In 2025, Michigan saw significant progress in solar power development, with new utility-scale projects being built and existing initiatives expanding. The state also saw increased focus on brownfield sites for solar energy.

Michigan is making strides in incorporating solar power into its energy mix, with goals to increase renewable energy sources and phase out coal-fired power plants. The state has seen significant growth in solar capacity, and incentives are available to help homeowners and businesses adopt solar technology.

Currently, Michigan’s electricity is made up of 1.25 percent solar energy, enough to power over 230,000 homes. Michigan’s solar industry employs 4,000 citizens through its 223 solar companies. The solar industry has invested $1.7 billion in the state.

In 2025, Iowa is expected to generate 65% of its electricity from renewable sources, placing it as the state with the highest percentage of renewable energy production in the US. Specifically, wind energy contributes 80.1% of Iowa’s electricity production

The Texas Legislature ended its biennial session without passing a slew of bills that could have killed the state’s booming solar and battery sector, and by extension, the ability to keep the Texas grid running amid extreme weather and surging demand for electricity.

It did pass a law that could strengthen the state’s electricity reliability by encouraging the construction of more microgrids — combinations of small-scale gas-fired power, solar, and batteries that can be built quickly. Last week, Texas lawmakers authorized a long-awaited $1.8 billion fund to support microgrid deployment at hospitals, nursing homes, water treatment plants, police and fire stations, and other critical facilities across the state.

Take an Explore Monroe Paddling Trip on Northfork Salt Creek at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, June 25th, beginning at 7 pm. Enjoy beautiful views, hidden wildlife, aquatic plants and much more. You need to be experienced at paddling. Sign up with jvance@dnr.in.gov.
Learn about Wolf Cave Creatures at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, June 27th, from 10 to 10:45 am. Stop by the Wolf Cave to learn about the creatures that live with no sunlight.
Do you like to Frog gig? The Annual Frog Gigging Night is on Saturday, June 21st, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area beginning at 8 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center for a safety briefing then you will car pool to the site. You must register for this event at eplumier@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-512-9159.
Take a Strawberry Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, June 11th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Hike to the highest point in Owen County as you learn fact and fiction about the Strawberry Full Moon.
Learn about Aquatic Wildlife of the Waterfall at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, June 23rd, from 3 to 4 pm. Drop by the waterfall to learn all about aquatic wildlife.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………… Zero Roze
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, we’re looking at a growing threat to one of Monroe County’s most important natural resources. Invasive species are spreading through Monroe Lake, threatening native plants, animals, and the lake’s overall ecosystem. WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher has the story.

Up next – WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger reports on WINGS – Women in Nature Gaining Skills – which aims to increase female participation in outdoor activities. We turn to Lionberger for more.

Credits:

Today’s show was produced by Amelia Bucher, Mackenzie Lionberger and Kade Young.

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In this week’s edition, an interview with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington, a social impact organization aiming to grow and sustainably manage the urban forest.

Climate change is significantly impacting Canadian wildfires, making them more frequent, intense, and prolonged. This is due to factors like increased temperatures, reduced precipitation, and earlier snowmelt, which dry out vegetation and create conditions more conducive to fire. As a result, Canada has experienced record-breaking wildfire seasons, with more than 200 uncontrolled fires currently. Every year the fire-line advances eastward and could reach Hudson Bay within a few years, Plus that, with higher temperatures, there is less likelihood of winters cold enough to kill the pine beetle.

Approximately eight million tons of cod were caught between 1647 and 1750, a period encompassing 25 to 40 cod generations. The factory trawlers took the same amount in 15 years. The industry collapsed entirely in the early 1990s owing to overfishing and debatably, greed, lack of foresight and poor local administration. The fishery was closed in 1992, but recovery looked doubtful for decades. Finally, the cod are coming back and this year there has been modest production. Needless to say, Newfoundlanders are overjoyed.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a controversial Utah railway project that critics say erodes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a bedrock of environmental law for the past half century. The case centered on a proposed 88-mile railway that would connect the oil fields of northeastern Utah to a national rail network that runs along the Colorado River and on to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

The waxy crude oil is currently transported by truck over narrow mountain passes. Project proponents said shipping the fossil fuel by rail—as many as 10 trains daily—would be quicker and revitalize the local economy by quadrupling the Uinta Basin’s oil production. ICN previously reported, Environmental groups and Eagle County, Colorado, opposed the railway project. They cited the potential for derailments and spills into the Colorado River, the drinking water supply for 40 million people.

Opponents were also concerned about increased air pollution in the Uinta Basin, where oil fields emit high levels of methane, a potent planet-warming greenhouse gas, as well as volatile organic compounds, some of which have been linked to increased risks of cancer. Gulf Coast communities would also be harmed by air pollution when the crude oil was refined, opponents argued. The increased oil production and associated emissions would also drive climate change and its disastrous global effects: hurricanes, floods, droughts and extreme heat.

I guess you have heard – Red Dye No. 3 is out! That bright red cherry on top of your ice cream sundae? The pink frosting on your kid’s birthday cake? For decades in the U.S., these have been made with a synthetic dye that is linked to thyroid cancer. But that’s about to change. In the past days of the Biden administration, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced a long-overdue ban on Red Dye No. 3.

The decision marks a major win for science-backed regulation and decades of advocacy. It comes after more than 30 years of pressure to eliminate the dye from food and drugs. Responsibility for enforcing the ban now falls to Trump administration Health and Human Services Secretary Rober F. Kennedy, Jr. The U.S. now joins other nations that have already restricted or banned Red Dye No. 3 in food.

A massive cloud of dust that has traveled thousands of miles from the Sahara Desert is expected to reach Florida as early as the afternoon of June 4 before spreading through the Gulf Coast and Southeast later in the week, forecasters said. Most of the dust, which is thought to be about 2,000 miles wide from west to east and 750 miles long from north to south, will remain high in the atmosphere and have little effect on air quality and health for most people, according to AccuWeather. Floridians could start to see hazy skies or colorful sunrises and sunsets midweek.

“This is the biggest Saharan dust plume that we’ve seen so far this year. It is very common to see large plumes of Saharan dust coming across the Atlantic toward the United States in June and July,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. “Many people will notice more colorful Saharan dust, while a natural phenomenon, can exacerbate algal blooms in Florida, impacting manatees and other marine life. The dust’s iron content can fertilize the water, leading to increased algal growth, including red tides, which are harmful to the environment and can cause respiratory issues in humans. This can also negatively impact manatees by reducing their primary food source, seagrass.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher).

Here are other implications of this forecast. It implies ocean temperatures will be high. Indeed, some areas of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean are already in the mid-80s. With ocean temperatures this high, it’s a virtual guarantee there will be a bleaching of the few remaining coral reefs this summer.

In 2025, Indiana is forecast to add over 1 gigawatt (GW) of utility-scale solar capacity, contributing to a national total of 32.5 GW. This growth is part of a broader trend of increased solar power adoption in the U.S., with utility-scale solar expected to be a major source of new electricity generation capacity.

In 2025, Indiana’s wind power industry is projected to experience growth, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory predicting potential wind capacity reaching nearly 40,000 MW by 2030. This growth is supported by a new pipeline of wind projects in development or construction. Indiana is expected to add more than 1 GW of new solar capacity in 2025.

In this week’s edition, an interview with Ava Hartman, the Executive Director of Canopy Bloomington, a social impact organization aiming to grow and sustainably manage the urban forest.

Free Fishing is available at all state park public waters on Saturday, June 7th and Sunday, June 8th, all day. Take this opportunity to learn how to fish.
Learn about Extinct and Endangered Animals at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 8th from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet in the Nature Center to listen to a presentation about extinct, extirpated and endangered animals.
Explore Monroe Lake during a Monroe Paddling Trip at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Area on Sunday, June 8th, beginning at 7 pm. Explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake as you journey through backwaters, wetlands and more. Register with Jvance@dnr.IN.gov.
Take a Strawberry Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, June 11th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Hike to the highest point in Owen County as you learn fact and fiction about the Strawberry Full Moon.
Take a 2-hour Pollinator Habitat Workshop at Rogers Family Park on Saturday, June 14th, from 9 to 11 am. Learn how to restore pollinator habitat. Please register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………Frank Marshalek
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Headlines…………………………….Julianna Dailey
Feature Report……………………….. Ava Hartman
Feature Report………………………Julianna Dailey
Feature Report………………………… Kade Young
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this week’s edition, WFHB News speaks with Bryan Fyalkowski, manager of marketing and development for Bloomington Transit, about BLink Microtransit – a free downtown shuttle service that will launch on Monday, June 2nd. Also, we hear from Debbie Kelley, the “pollinator lady.” Hear about local efforts to restore pollinator habitats in south central Indiana.

Migrating birds are the ultimate endurance athletes. Some migratory songbirds weigh no more than a few ounces but fly nonstop across oceans to find food in the winter and nesting sites in the summer. There are more than 300 bird species – including birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds – that migrate through the Midwest.

They follow the Mississippi Flyway, a superhighway in the sky that broadly traces the Mississippi River, extending north to Canada and south to Central and South America. The flyway encompasses many important Midwest habitats, including the restored bottomland forests along the lower Wabash River in southwestern Indiana and the prairies of Kankakee Sands.

During migration, birds depend on suitable habitats to rest and refuel, just as we need to rest and fill up on long hikes or road trips. North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, much of that due to habitat loss. By helping to protect and restore vital pit stops along the flyway – in the Midwest and throughout the Americas – we are providing birds and other wildlife with a needed lifeline.

The southwest corner *of Indiana,* where the Wabash and Ohio rivers flow together, contains perhaps the widest array of habitats in the entire state. Here you will find cypress swamps, oak barrens and oxbow lakes in the big river floodplains, creating a home for many rare plants and animals, as well as providing critical stopover sites for migratory birds.

From a few critically endangered whooping cranes to hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese, the increasing numbers of birds delight birdwatchers, hunters and those of us who just enjoy hearing a warbler’s song outside our window. These birds, and hundreds of other species, are responding to the many conservation efforts to protect and restore area habitat. They also represent the quality of habitat that remains to be protected in southwest Indiana.

Using cutting edge mapping tools to prioritize potential restoration sites, The Nature Conservancy is transforming altered landscapes back to functioning floodplain habitat. Ultimately, greater numbers of migratory birds will utilize the area during their long journeys.

As a part of the larger Mississippi River basin, the Wabash River and its tributaries are a top conservation priority. The Nature Conservancy is focusing on water quality and quantity concerns and are working to reduce the impacts of intensive land use and address habitat loss.

Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, now powers its more than 400 city-owned buildings – including firehouses, libraries and two major airports – using renewable energy. The shift is expected to slash the Windy City’s carbon emissions by 290,000 metric tons annually, the equivalent of the pollution from 62,000 cars. “Chicago’s efforst are a model for other state and city officials,” says EDF energy policy specialist Curt Stokes. Most of Chicago’s power comes from a massive solar array in central Illinois. Built over the last two years, the solar project created hundreds of new jobs in the state.

Part of the city’s successful transition to clean energy is owed to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021, an Illinois law. The act aims to reduce climate pollution while creatinf a clean-energy workforce. Chicago got serious about transitioning to 100% renewable energy during the first Trump administration, when advocates began calling for local climate action in the absence of federal leadership.

“We have a responsibility to lead through climate action that benefits the people and the planer,” says Angela Tovar, Chicago’s chief sustainability officer. “By moving to renewable energy for city operations, we’re moving closer to our goal of making all energy consumed in Chicago renewable by 2035, and ultimately to a more sustainable future for all.”

A group of young people are suing the Trump Administration for prioritizing the use of fossil fuels — and driving up planet-warming emissions. The suit was filed Thursday morning in a Montana federal court. The plaintiffs are twenty-two young people from across the country – including ten of the youth plaintiffs in Montana’s climate case. The state supreme court ruled in their favor last year.

They are now suing over a suite of President Trump’s policies. That includes directives to promote fossil fuel development, exempt coal plants from having to filter toxic air pollution, stop all wind energy development, and defund scientific research on climate change. Trump says the U.S. needs to boost domestic energy production and limit regulations on the industry.

Livingston student Eva Lighthiser is the lead plaintiff- and one of the sixteen young people that sued the state of Montana. “We as young people are inheriting this future that is very uncertain and it is quite scary for us, and we are doing the best that we can to protect and preserve a safe future for ourselves. And I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” Lighthiser said.

She says the Trump administration’s actions will worsen climate change and the harms her generation faces as a result. She says these changes violate her, and the other plaintiff’s rights to life and liberty under the US Constitution. Julia Olson is one of the lawyers on the case, and the head of the nonprofit law firm Our Children’s Trust that’s brought these youth-led climate cases.

“The pollution from fossil fuels, in and of itself, is a danger, but it is truly threatening the life support system that these plaintiffs need to live and grow healthy,” Olson said. They are asking the court to block the Trump policies, and reinstate climate change information and monitoring across government sites. The case was filed Thursday morning at federal court in Butte.

Take the Fire Tower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Meet DNR Intern Marshall in front of the Canyon Inn to begin your summit to the top of the historical CCC built fire tower. The hike is 1.4 miles long.
Learn all about the Timber Rattlesnake during the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 3 to 4 pm. Get up close to look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. Learn its history and how venom works.
Join the naturalist for a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 1st, from 9 to 10:30 am. Hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle and hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make it their home.
Learn all about Feathers at the Naturalist Station in the Nature Center at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, June 2nd, from 2 to 4 pm. You will learn that birds have 6 different types of feathers and how they are designed.
The popular Flora Field Day at Salt Creek State Recreation Area on Monroe Lake is planned for Wednesday, June 4th, from 9 to 11 am. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist using an ID key. Bring water, bug spray and a wildflower guide. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafielddays.

Credits:

On Air……………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………..Frank Marshalek
Headlines……..The Environmental Defense Fund
Headlines………The Nature Conservancy-Indiana
Headlines……………………………Julianna Dailey
Feature Report…………………….. Ella Cummings
Feature Report……………………Chad Carruthers
Feature Report………………………… Kade Young
Script…………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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This is Eco Report for May 23rd, 2025.

In today’s feature report, WFHB News speaks with Shelby Drake, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator, about how getting out in nature can have benefits on one’s mental well being.

And now for your environmental reports:

The New York Times reports when the Trump administration declared two weeks ago that it would largely disregard the economic cost of climate change as it sets policies and regulations, it was just the latest step in a multipronged effort to erase global warming from the American agenda.
ENSO stands for “El Niño/Southern Oscillation,” a pattern of changes in the temperature of the ocean surface and atmospheric circulation of the tropical Pacific region. La Niña means the surface water is warmer than usual along coastal Central and South America.
Bobcats, Indiana’s only remaining native wild cat, were nearly wiped out in the mid-1900s due to unregulated hunting, trapping, and habitat loss. They were added to the state’s endangered species list in 1969 and remained there until 2005. Since then, bobcats have been recovering and are now commonly found in southern and west-central Indiana, with sightings recorded in nearly every county.
Facing the continued collapse of Chinook salmon, officials today shut down California’s commercial salmon fishing season for an unprecedented third year in a row.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to WFHB Correspondents Benedict Jones and Elyse Perry to learn how nature helps with mental health.

The American Psychological Association reported in 2024 that 41 percent of teens with the highest rate of social media use said they had poor to very poor mental health. | Photo by Benedict JonesAnd now for some upcoming events:

A Hop to the Quarry event will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 24th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join Jessica at the Trailside Shelter to learn about frogs in the quarry. The hike is about 1-mile long.
Enjoy a Fossil Discovery and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, May 26th, from 2 to 4 pm. Join Naturalist Jessica on a rugged hike on Trail 3 as you scramble over rocks and through the creek learning about fossils older then dinosaurs.
Participate in a Snake Chat at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, May 30th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. You will get to see live snakes up close and touch, as you learn about snakes. Meet in the Activity Center.
Take the Fire Tower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Meet DNR Intern Marshall in front of the Canyon Inn to begin your summit to the top of the historical CCC built fire tower. The hike is 1.4 miles long.
Learn all about the Timber Rattlesnake during the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 31st, from 3 to 4 pm. Get up close to look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake. Learn its history and how venom works.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall attended and captured audio from the Save Our Forest rally on May 15th. The rally protested against the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that could lead to logging in the Hoosier National Forest. Crandall featured speakers and music performances from the event.

In Indiana, ash trees are facing a serious threat from the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that has decimated many ash trees in the state. While the EAB has significantly reduced ash tree populations, some ash trees have shown resistance and are able to survive or even kill the EAB larvae. Additionally, researchers are studying ash trees that have survived EAB infestations to understand their resilience and potential for future survival.

Factors Affecting Ash Tree Survival are: EAB is the primary threat to ash trees in Indiana, as it can kill mature trees within 6-10 years of an infestation.

Resistance: Some ash trees, particularly blue ash and white ash, are more resistant to EAB than others, and some have even been found to actively kill EAB larvae.

Canopy Thinning: Infested ash trees with over 30% canopy thinning are unlikely to survive even with treatment.

Treatment: Insecticide treatments can be effective in saving EAB-infested ash trees, especially when the infestation is detected early and the tree has less than 50% canopy thinning.

Firewood Management: It’s crucial to avoid moving firewood from EAB-infested areas to protect ash trees in other locations.

The ash tree may be genetically diverse enough to survive.

Did you know that manatees are related to elephants? Manatees are large aquatic mammals, and sometimes they’re referred to as “sea cows.” They’re very large averaging 10 feet long and 1,200 pounds! But don’t let their size fool you: manatees are actually incredibly graceful creatures. They also play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Manatees eat a LOT of sea grass.

By doing so, they keep the grass short, which helps maintain the health of the sea grass beds. While manatees don’t have any true natural predators, they have still become endangered. There are three manatee species worldwide – West Indian, West African, and Amazonian. All three are listed as vulnerable to extinction. So what has caused manatees to become endangered? There are two major threats: loss of habitat and collisions with boats and ships.

As new developments are built along waterways, natural nesting areas are destroyed. Sewage, manure, and fertilizer run-off enters the water and causes algal blooms. Some of this algae is toxic and can kill manatees if they eat it. Because manatees feed on sea grass, and sea grass needs sunlight and shallow water to grow, manatees spend most of their time in shallow water. This often leaves them with little room to dive away from oncoming boats, which can lead to deadly collisions.

What can be done to help protect endangered species like the manatees? The first step is always an informed public. In some areas, local governments have adopted slow-speed zones in known manatee habitat areas. In the state of Florida a free Manatee Alert mobile app is available. Looking long-term, the future is uncertain. As the oceans rise and cover the Everglades, more area of sea grass may develop. As the oceans warm, we should expect manatees may move north to Georgia. It’s even conceivable manatees will eventually appear in Chesapeake Bay.

Gov. Mike Braun warned that Indiana needs swift solutions for its bevy of water and energy “challenges” to support the state’s expanding manufacturing sector. The Republican governor gave candid remarks at a fireside chat at the 2025 Indianapolis Investment Forum held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He touted Indiana as “the biggest manufacturing state in the country” and hoped for the Hoosier State “to be on the leading edge of the new base load.” Currently, though, “we clearly don’t have enough electricity.”

“Right now, Indiana has all kinds of opportunities that straddle AI and technology. We’ve got the biggest two issues, probably in the state, that have come out of nowhere — the availability of water and electricity,” Braun said. “Neither one of those was on the horizon. But if you’re going to tap into that new technology, you’ve got to have it.” Utilities based in Indiana currently produce just 20 gigawatts of electricity, Braun emphasized. A single data center could consume 5% of that total capacity.

Indiana is already home to more than four dozen data centers — powerhouses for the AI boom. Citizens Action Coalition, a utility-focused customer advocacy group, has tracked nearly 30 more energy-demanding facilities that have been proposed across the state. What the governor did not address includes the time required to build a nuclear facility. Since there are no existing commercial plants, the time for construction could be several years. If new power is needed, nuclear seems high risk.

The time to install is short for installation of both wind and solar capacity. Also, these two approaches are the least expensive to build. Indiana has a bias against wind and solar, which seems partially based on various conspiracies. Also, people cite bird-kill against wind, which is not anywhere near the problem they portray. Wind ranks number ten in killing birds. The governor should have mentioned that tariffs on Chinese wind and solar are likely to revitalize domestic production.

Indiana does not have a water problem – Lake Michigan and the Ohio River can readily fulfill the need.

In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall captured audio from the Save Our Forest rally on May 15th. The rally protested against the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that could lead to logging in the Hoosier National Forest. Crandall featured speakers and music performances from the event.

There will be a Bluebird Box Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 17th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will join the Brown County Bluebird Club to build a bluebird box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. You must pre-register at b4bluebird@gmail.com.
Learn about Slithering Snakes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 18th, from 3:30 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn about snakes and even touch one – if you dare!
Enjoy a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 23rd, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join the naturalist to walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to feel and smell the wildflowers.
Celebrate World Turtle Day on Friday, May 23rd, from 3:30 to 5 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Learn how to identify some of Indiana’s common and not-so-common turtles. Six species of Indiana turtles are on the state endangered species list. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Hop to the Quarry event will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 24th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join Jessica at the Trailside Shelter to learn about frogs in the quarry. The hike is about 1-mile long.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………….. Christy Crandall
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall traveled to the “Save Our Forests” rally in Bedford, where she recorded speakers at the rally.

Both President Trump and Gov. Mike Braun signed executive orders aimed at reviving the U.S. coal industry; it’s a move that will hurt the environment and health of Hoosiers. Braun directed state agencies to roll back climate change policies and consider extending the use of burning coal for power generation. Another order prevents state agencies from factoring the “social cost” of greenhouse gas emissions into what they do. Those costs put dollar amounts to the damages caused by climate change — like hospitalizations from asthma or property damage from flooding. Trump’s executive orders allow coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates.

He also placed aggressive tariffs on renewable energy. Trump’s policies will raise monthly energy bills for Hoosiers. On average, renewable energy costs 20 percent less than coal for the same energy output. The least expensive way to generate power is by wind turbines. Coal use has been linked to decreased life expectancy. In ranking by states, Indiana is 40 (75 years), Hawaii is best (80.7 years). Utah is the only red state in the top ten. Hoosiers pay high rates for power from coal, and their reward is a lower life expectancy.

Indiana Public Radio reports that Gov. Mike Braun signed two executive orders that focus on the state’s natural resources. One aims to develop a new market for Indiana’s toxic coal ash waste, while the other would further research of water resources in the state. Some of the very metals that make coal ash toxic also make it valuable. Things like lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel can be used to make batteries, smart phones and wind turbines. Braun’s executive order would create a council to lead efforts to mine the state’s coal ash waste.In a statement, the governor said the U.S. can’t depend on China for rare earth elements and that Indiana has an opportunity to “power the modern economy.”

Indra Frank serves as the Hoosier Environmental Council’s coal ash advisor. She said it would be good to see Indiana’s millions of tons of coal ash put to good use. But Frank had concerns about what would happen after those metals are extracted. “The rare earth minerals Governor Braun is proposing to recover out of coal ash are a minor fraction of the ash, so once those minerals are recovered, most of the coal ash will be leftover and will need to be disposed of responsibly,” Frank said. “Currently, the majority of Indiana’s coal ash is contaminating groundwater and it is stored in the floodplain, where it poses a spill risk,” Frank said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule last fall that stands to have a chilling effect on the emissions of a class of climate-warming super-pollutants. The rule sets new leak prevention requirements for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and will require the use of reclaimed HFC’s for servicing several major categories of existing equipment, such as supermarket refrigeration systems. The action builds on petitions to the EPA filed by NRDC and their allies, and will provide nearly $7 billion in net climate benefits to society cumulatively through 2050.

A report from the EPA released before Trump took office finds that fuel efficiency for cars and pickup trucks has reached an all-time high, while carbon emissions are at a record low. Kathy Harris, director of clean vehicles at NRDC said, “With record sales of cleaner vehicles, drivers saving money on fuel costs, and dramatic reductions in the air pollution harming our lungs, it is clear that we should be fighting any attempt by the oil industry and its allies to derail this hard-won progress.”

Do you have food items on your shelves that have the words, “Sell By?” Those words really confuse grocery shoppers and a lot of food is thrown out because it is so confusing. These “sell by” dates are used by stores for stock rotation for when a product is no longer safe to eat. California just became the first state to ban the use of consumer-facing “sell by” dates. Soon California will use a “use by” label to communicate product safety and “best if used by”.

It is shocking to learn that approximately 40 percent of the food grown and produced in the United States is never eaten. One way to lessen the impact is to change the wording on the packaging. Food waste is a complicated issue but hopefully, this small change will have an impact. Each year the average American spends $788 on food that is never eaten. By diverting this good food from landfills, we can help feed 13.5 percent of households in the US that lack access to nutritious food and by also tackling the climate crises because decaying food in landfills produces significant amounts of methane, a climate super pollutant.

In this week’s edition, WFHB Correspondent Christy Crandall traveled to the “Save Our Forests” rally in Bedford, where she recorded speakers at the rally.

A Full Flower Moon Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 10th, beginning at 9 pm. Experience the natural world come to life as you hike under May’s Full Flower Moon. This is a 2-mile hike on Trail 4.
Take a Morel Mushroom Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, May 11th, from 9 to 10 am. You will enjoy a guided hike at Strahl Lake as you learn how to spot morel mushrooms.
Enjoy a Full Moon Night Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, May 12th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Experience an evening of peace and serenity on Griffy Lake during the Full Flower Moon. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
There will be a Bluebird Box Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, May 17th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will join the Brown County Bluebird Club to build a bluebird box at the Pine Bluff Shelter. You must pre-register at b4bluebird@gmail.com.
Learn about Slithering Snakes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 18th, from 3:30 to 4 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn about snakes and even touch one – if you dare!

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Herb Caldwell
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………. Christy Crandall
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this edition of Eco Report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher discusses coal in Indiana with Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club in Indiana.

The nay-sayers often chide those who believe in climate change that cows are the big contributor to warming. Indeed, methane from all sources causes about 30 percent of the global warming. The skeptics imply that the only (unacceptable) solution is to eliminate cattle, which, of course, will never happen. WTIU, on Aptil 14, reported a very simple solution: feed seaweed to cattle and most of the methane from cows goes away. The seaweed contains an enzyme that inhibits methane format. It takes very little seaweed to effectuate the change. The cattle are fed hay and only 0.5 percent seaweed. The beef has been on the market for two years, with no side effects.

The New York Times reports the Trump administration is set to cancel tens of millions of dollars in grants to scientists studying environmental hazards faced by children in rural America, among other health issues, according to internal emails written by senior officials at the Environmental Protection Agency. The planned cancellation of the research grants, which were awarded to scientists outside the agency, comes as President Trump continues to dismantle some of the E.P.A.’s core functions. The grants are designed to address a range of issues, including improving the health of children in rural America who have been exposed to pesticides from agriculture and other pollution; reducing exposure to wildfire smoke; and preventing “forever chemicals” from contaminating the food supply.

In this edition of Eco Report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher discusses coal in Indiana with Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director of the Sierra Club in Indiana.

Take a Growing Plants from Seed class at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 26th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the Nature Center program room. Learn how to propagate native plant seeds.
A Friendship Bracelet Making class is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, from 1 to 3 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Meet in the Nature Center to learn how to make friendship bracelets.
There will be a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 2nd, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to enjoy all the wildflowers in bloom.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In today’s edition, we hear Part 2 from Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters on legislative developments and our state ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.

And now for your environmental reports:

What are options for farmers if tariffs limit sales abroad? One option is to burn fuels containing greater amounts of ethanol. We should expect the beating of that drum soon. But there is a problem. The engine has to be designed to burn ethanol. Brazil is the only country routinely using pure ethanol as fuel.
New York Times reports how tariffs could upend the transition to cleaner energy. The levies are expected to drive up costs for U.S. companies that rely on renewable energy technology from abroad and scramble supply chains worldwide.
Donald Trump’s executive orders aim to force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates by invoking an outdated wartime law that allows the Department of Energy to compel power plants to temporarily remain operational. Donald Trump attempted a similar strategy during his first administration, but failed. Nearly 100 coal plants retired or announced retirements during Trump’s first term.
An endangered Galápagos Tortoise is a first-time mother at 100 years of age. Mommy, a Western Santa Cruz tortoise, recently welcomed four hatchlings at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she has lived since 1932.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Correspondent Zero Roze for his interview in Part 2 with Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters.

And now for some upcoming events:

A Woodcock Walk is scheduled at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, April 19th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. This evening excursion will, hopefully, allow you to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the sky dance. Register with Ethan Plumier at 812-512-9159 or go to GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov to register.
Take an Earth Week Wildflower Walk at Winslow Woods Park on Saturday, April 19th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Discover the beauty of this urban forest in springtime. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, April 20th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn about plants that grow in acidic and rocky soil.
A Growing Plants from Seed class will take place at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 26th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Nature Center program room. Learn how to propagate native plant seeds.
A Friendship Bracelet Making class is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, from 1 to 3 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Meet in the Nature Center to learn how to make friendship bracelets.
Play credits music. Countdown and cue anchor.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Rose
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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In this edition of Eco Report, Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters discusses legislative developments and Indiana ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.

Scented products like wax melts and flame-free candles may seem harmless, but research shows they can release air pollutants into homes, offices and schools. Nusrat Jung is an assistant professor at the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Purdue University.

She and her team conduct emission tests to understand the impact of fragrance products on indoor environments. Jung says that while people may enjoy the scent of fragrances such as wax melts, they could be putting themselves at-risk of air pollutants.

Jung explained that through extensive testing, her team found that flame-free candles are not pollutant free. Jung says that she wants to better understand the negative impacts of inhaling these types of aerosols.

Jung and her colleagues conducted an air pollution experiment at Purdue’s test house. If you have concerns about air quality – alternatives are available, such as unscented products or natural, plant-based alternatives.

Furthermore, good ventilation or using an air purifier can help remove pollutants. All in all, Jung says that more research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of exposure to flame-free candles.

WTIU NEWS reports President Trump told American farmers to “bear with me” regarding new tariffs, but Indiana’s Corn Growers Association and Soybean Alliance are asking the state’s congressional delegation to intervene.

During his address to Congress, Trump said new tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China will “be great for the American farmer.” He also said America’s ag products are superior to imported ones, and that farmers are going to have a “field day” selling in their home market.

On Wednesday, the Indiana’s Corn Growers Association and Soybean Alliance released a statement asking for a “swift resolution” to the issue.

“As Indiana’s soybean and corn farmers begin to prepare for the spring planting season, they are closely watching lower bushel prices and higher input costs,” Brian Warpup, chair of the ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee, said in a statement. “This year’s crop was already shaping up to be a challenge, but with the added complication of increased tariffs, farmers fear that fewer exports will lead to higher stocks and even lower bushel prices.”

In this edition of Eco Report, Delaney Barber-Kwon of Indiana Conservation Voters discusses legislative developments and Indiana ranking fiftieth in the nation for environmental quality.

Take an Earth Week Wildflower Walk at Winslow Woods Park on Saturday, April 19th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Discover the beauty of this urban forest in springtime. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Experience the magic of nature on a Full Pink Moon Night Hike on Saturday, April 12th, from 8:30 to 10 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Walk through tranquil woods to listen to the beauty of the night by moonlight. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
A Salt Creek Wildflowers Hike beginning at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office at Monroe Lake will take place on Wednesday, April 16th, beginning at 1 pm. You will get to see the unusual white-blooming form of Virginia Bluebells. The hike is 2 hours long. Sign up at tinyurl.com/scwildflowers2025.
A Woodcock Walk is scheduled at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, April 19th, from 7:30 to 9 pm. This evening excursion will, hopefully, allow you to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the sky dance. Register with Ethan Plumier at 812-512-9159 or go to GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov to register.
Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, April 20th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Meet the Naturalist at the Centennial Shelter to hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn about plants that grow in acidic and rocky soil.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Dr. Norma Kreilein, a long-time, multi-published advocate for stricter environmental policies and enforcement that protect children’s health in Part 4, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” Learn what that means.

According to the New York Times, as President Trump works to blunt the growth of wind and solar power and expand fossil fuel production in the United States, the renewable energy industry is making a new pitch: You need us. Wind and solar developers are increasingly pointing out that America’s demand for electricity is soaring, driven by a boom in data centers, and it’s proving difficult to build enough new gas plants to supply all the extra power that the nation needs.

Wind, solar and battery storage are relatively quick and cheap to construct. That could help avert energy shortages and keep prices low, an argument that renewable energy firms are making to policymakers. These are tough times, politically, for the renewable energy industry. Mr. Trump has been a blistering critic of wind turbines for years and openly promotes fossil fuels like oil and gas, riding into office on a promise to “drill, baby, drill.” He has halted federal approvals for wind farms, placed a moratorium on large solar arrays on public lands and frozen billions of dollars in spending for battery factories and electric grid upgrades.

The New York Times reports that the Environmental Protection Agency said that it was canceling $20 billion in grants for climate and clean energy programs that have been frozen for weeks, a move that was labeled illegal by nonprofit groups that were supposed to receive the funds. The money has been caught in an escalating controversy involving the E.P.A., the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Citibank, where the funds are being held and are now frozen, prompting lawsuits from three nonprofit groups.

The grants were issued to a total of eight nonprofit organizations through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which received $27 billion in funding from Congress through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. But since taking office, Lee Zeldin, the E.P.A.’s administrator, has tried to claw back the money, saying they were part of a “scheme” and citing as evidence a hidden-camera video from Project Veritas, a conservative group known for using covert recordings to embarrass its political opponents.

For most U.S. homes, heat pumps are a no-brainer: They can lower energy bills and eventually pay for themselves all while slashing carbon emissions. But the economics don’t work in favor of heat pumps for every home — and particularly not for those in states that have high electricity prices relative to those of fossil gas. Adjusting the structure of customer electricity rates could turn the tables, according to a report out recently from the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

The ratio of average electricity prices to gas prices (both measured in dollars per kilowatt-hour) is known as the “spark gap” — and it’s one of the biggest hurdles to nationwide electrification. A heat pump that is two to three times as efficient as a gas furnace can cancel out a spark gap of two to three, ensuring energy bills don’t rise with the switch to electric heat. But in some states, the gulf is so big that heat pumps can’t close it under the existing rate structures.

According to modeling, the winter discount alone can save Minnesota customers in single-family homes on average more than $350 annually once they swap a gas furnace for a heat pump. Combining the winter discount with existing time-of-use rates or simulated demand-charge rates (given in the study) can further reduce annual bills by another $70.

Several companies in the heating/cooling business in Bloomington offer heat pumps. There are various ways they may be set up. Getting the right plan willl save you several hundred dollars each year. A rate design that bases charges on when electricity is used. Known as “time-of-use,” this structure charges more for power consumed during periods of peak demand and less for power consumed at other times, or “off-peak,” coinciding with heat pumps’ prime time. Another plan is called “demand-base rate”.

Stronger rules to protect families from toxic air pollution are “firmly rooted in law,” making them harder to unravel, according to the Environmental Defense Fund lawyers who worked on the standards. In September, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that will provide families with much-needed health protections from some of the most toxic air pollution emitted by industrial facilities, including petro-chemical plants — pollution that causes cancer, brain damage in children and early deaths.

The rule helps close a loophole from rollbacks created during the first Trump administration that allowed large facilities to be reclassified as smaller pollution sources and legally increase the amount they polluted. “The first Trump administration was marked by unprecedented threats to bedrock clean air protections,” said EDF senior attorney Noha Haggag. “This was a loophole that worked against the spirit of the law. EPA’s action helps restore vital protections that limit toxic air pollution,” says Haggag.

“It helps people across the country breathe easier, and helps address a reckless loophole that enabled increases in industrial air toxic pollution.”EDF was actively involved in challenging that rollback during the first Trump administration and in urging the EPA to close the loophole and protect the people and communities at risk. It remains to be seen as to what will happen with the new Trump administration.

A new Hat Trick! The Supreme Court has rejected three separate attempts by the fossil fuel industry and its allies to block federal rules to rein in the industry’s dangerous air pollution. The Natural Resources Defense Council intervened in each of the lawsuits. The rules aim to cut leaks of the climate super-pollutant methane from the oil and gas sector, reduce carbon pollution from power plants, and curb the toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants linked to asthma, heart attacks, and other serious health harms.

Learn about the Silly Spotted Salamander at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, March 30th, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Salamanders are on their way to pools this time of year to breed. Learn how the weather causes their movement. The program takes place in the Nature Center.
A Step Into Spring Hike is planned for Saturday, March 29th, at 10 am at Spring Mill State Park. As you hike, search for signs of spring along Trail 4. This is a 2-mile, rugged hike.
Take an Animal Foolery class at Leonard Spring Nature Park on Saturday, April 5th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Discover the clever tricks animals use to outsmart predators and even us. Sign up at Bloomington.in.gov/parks.
There will be an Astronomy thru the Scope event at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, April 5th, from 9 to 9:45 pm. Drop by to look thru the telescope to see the moon and two planets – Mars and Jupiter. Meet at the Fairfax State Recreation Area.
Take a 90-minute mini-workshop on how to use a map and compass at the Paynetown Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, April 6th, beginning at 2 pm. You will cover basic techniques and then test your skills. Contact jvance at dnr.in.gov to register.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization in Part 2, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?

This story is based on a commentary by John Ketsenberger, Director of Government Relations at The Nature Conservancy. Hoosiers overwhelmingly support protecting Indiana’s water supply and ensuring it’s available to everyone well into the future, according to a recent survey commissioned by The Nature Conservancy. A full 95% of Hoosiers agree that water is a public resource that should be protected.

Around 80% believe Indiana should have a comprehensive policy to manage its water resources, and 81% said protecting Indiana’s water and other natural resources is “important to (their) voting decisions in state elections.” Bellwether Research surveyed 800 registered voters in Indiana in mid-November. Forty percent said they were Republican and 22% Democrat, while the rest said they were independent. The survey has a 3% margin of error.

This is important because it represents voters across the spectrum and provides a clear window into Hoosiers’ thinking about water and natural resources. This is especially significant as the General Assembly convenes, and water is an issue on the minds of legislators. Several water-related bills have been filed and more are expected. They run the gamut from protecting withdrawals to establishing new regulations.

It’s the ideal time for the Braun administration and legislators to appoint a wide-ranging commission — representing all the diverse needs of Hoosiers — to spend the next two years understanding our water resources and how best to protect them for the future. The charge should include a comprehensive agenda of policies and legislation to ensure our future is rich with abundant clean water for everyone.

This is a reasonable approach, like what Ohio has done in recent years. The H2Ohio program was enacted after a study and has since spent billions of dollars on the state’s water future. Texas likewise just approved more than $2 billion for new water projects in water districts across that state. Texas first enacted its comprehensive water program in 1957.

Indiana would be wise to take the time to learn from Texas and others how to manage our most precious resource, but we still need more information. The Indiana Finance Authority recently released its latest regional water study, this one for north-central Indiana, which found there’s plenty of water, but it’s not distributed evenly across the area.

Hoosiers also recognize wetlands play an important role in our water system. Seventy-three percent said they support restoring protections for wetlands that were repealed by the General Assembly in 2021, including 48% who strongly support it. And 83% support incentives for residential and commercial developers who protect wetlands as part of their planned developments. This is good news, but there are large portions of the state that still need similar study, and this proposal would allow time for that to happen.

WFYI reports that Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) has been tapped to head up Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources. He said he intends to help carry out Gov. Mike Braun’s agenda to “look for efficiencies” in rulemaking. For more than a decade, Morrison has served House District 42 — which represents Parke and Vermillion counties as well as parts of Vigo, Fountain and Clay counties. He also served as a member of the House environmental affairs and natural resources committees.

Morrison said he plans to use his position to make regulations more efficient at the DNR, along with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Utility Regulatory Commission. “Working as a team to help move forward that economic development and make it easier for businesses to grow, move in — that’s what our goal is,” he said.

Morrison has sponsored bills in the past to significantly reduce protections for the state’s wetlands — which benefitted home developers. He also supported bills to allow industries to capture their carbon emissions and store them underground. He’s also co-authored other environment-related bills — including some that support mine reclamation in the state and a bill that requires utilities to note coal plant closures in their long-term plans. That bill originally would have prevented utilities from closing coal plants until the state comes up with a statewide energy plan.

Congress is set to vote on a repeal of Biden administration climate regulations. Two bills scheduled this week would roll back rules to limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations and efficiency standards for water heaters. They would also bar similar rules in the future.

Congress is scheduled to vote on two bills this week that would roll back climate regulations issued in the final months of the Biden administration. The agencies that implemented the rules, which limit methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and set efficiency standards for water heaters, expected them to prevent tens of millions of tons of climate pollution in coming decades if left in place.

Indiana has been experiencing La Niña conditions, which are expected to continue from February–into April 2025. La Niña is a phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation La Niña typically brings more precipitation to the Midwest. In Indiana, NOAA predicts above-average precipitation from February to April. The models predict that La Niña conditions will transition to neutral in byApril 2025.

In this week’s feature report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization in Part 2, about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?

A Nature Break will take place at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, March 15th, from 10 to 11:30 am. There will be stories about wetlands and exploration of what is happening in the wetlands. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
A Bird Beak Lab is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 15th, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Since birds do not have hands or teeth, we will find out how they eat. Their beaks have adapted to allow them to be specialists in their fields.
A Music Program on Frog Calls will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, March 21st, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Different frog calls will be played in this fun musical program. Celebrate National Frog Day!
On Saturday, March 22nd, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will host a free community reading of ‘A Sand County Almanac,’ by the famed conservationist Aldo Leopold. The event takes place in the Visitors Center from 9 to 10 am.
Participate in a Wildflower Seed Bombs activity on Saturday, March 22nd, from 1 to 2 pm at Winslow Woods Park. You will sow wildflower seeds to enrich the local landscapes and foster biodiversity. Sign up at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………….Zero Roze
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer…………………………….Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate, and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?

As reported by NPR, national parks across the U.S. are bearing down on an uncertain season, as federal layoffs and staffing shortages threaten many of the services they provide for their millions of annual visitors, from reservations to cleanup to education. The National Park Service laid off some 1,000 employees on Feb. 14, just weeks before the start of the busy season in many of the country’s 63 national parks.

The layoffs, which targeted probationary workers, are part of a broader effort by President Trump and adviser Elon Musk to downsize the federal workforce. NPS officials have testified that the agency was already understaffed — the number of full-time employees dropped by about 15% between 2011 and 2022, forcing some visitor facilities to close or limit their hours.

A bit of welcome news came later that week when the Trump administration gave the NPS permission to fill temporary seasonal positions that had been paused due to the federal hiring freeze. The agency is allowed to fill a total of 7,700 positions — higher than the three-year average of 6,350 — according to a memo obtained by NPR. “Now that’s really good news,” said Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers and a retired superintendent of Shenandoah National Park.

“However, it’s not without problems, because at this sort of late date and the hiring timetable, I think there’s going to be some difficulty getting some of those positions on board in the parks before the summer season hits.” Between the paperwork, background checks, training regimens and housing searches, experts worry many seasonal positions won’t get filled — in general, let alone by summertime. Busy season varies between parks, though generally runs May through September in colder areas and can start as soon as March in warmer parts of the country.

The influx of seasonal workers can more than double the number of park staff in a typical year, Wade said. And their absence will surely be felt by visitors, since they perform such critical functions. The South Bend Times says the only national park in Indiana, the Indiana Dunes National Park, is at risk of being tarnished this year. Here’s what we know about the local impact of President Donald Trump’s aim to slash 5% to 10% of the federal workforce nationwide, including at national parks across the U.S.

Work to restore natural habitats in the Indiana Dunes could seize up or diminish this year. Visitor areas could look shabby or unkempt, Betsy Maher, executive director of the advocacy group Save the Dunes, says. And, ironically, the cost-saving layoffs by Trump and Elon Musk could reduce the number of employees who collect entrance fees. Those fees were enough to support $1.86 million in park projects last year, Maher says.

A story by WFIU concerns a bill before the legislature about invasive plants. An Indiana fund to help landowners reduce water pollution could also be used to get rid of invasive plants. A Senate bill to allow this, SB 211, was passed by a committee last week. The Clean Water Indiana Program usually provides matching dollars to help farmers and landowners implement practices like cover cropping and no-till agriculture — to keep the soil from eroding and getting into local waterways.

But those who support the bill say more funding is desperately needed to tackle the problem of invasive plants on private land. Among other things, they can crowd out native plants and reduce species diversity. Ray Chattin is with the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management or SICIM. “It’s not whether we’re going to see a dramatic increase in the number of plant and animal species that will become threatened, endangered, or face extinction — but how many,” he said.

Advocates say invasive plants also threaten Indiana’s hardwood lumber, agriculture and tourism industries. Ray Moistner is the executive director of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association. He said invasive plants like tree of heaven, garlic mustard and multiflora rose can cover the ground and block sunlight from reaching other plants.

“The survival of tree seedlings is a necessary component because today’s seedlings mature to become tomorrow’s viable timber,” Moistner said. The bill doesn’t give additional money to Clean Water Indiana to tackle invasive species — only the authority to use the program’s funds.

It hasn’t taken long for Trump to circumvent laws and log national forests. According to the New York Times, Trump moves to increase logging in National Forests. The president wants to circumvent environmental regulations to expand timber production, something sought by homebuilders and the construction industry. On Saturday, Mr. Trump directed federal agencies to examine ways to bypass endangered species protections and other environmental regulations to ramp up timber production across 280 million acres of national forests and other public lands.

The move appears aimed at increasing domestic supply as the president considers tariffs on timber imports from Canada, Germany, Brazil and elsewhere. Environmental groups say increased logging would decimate American forests, pollute air and water and devastate wildlife habitats. And because trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, cutting them down releases it back into the atmosphere, adding to global warming.

“Trump’s order will unleash the chain saws and bulldozers on our federal forests,” said Randi Spivak, the public lands policy director for the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. “Clearcutting these beautiful places will increase fire risk, drive species to extinction, pollute our rivers and streams, and destroy world-class recreation sites,” she said.

Mr. Trump called for the convening of a committee of high-level officials nicknamed the God Squad because it can override the landmark Endangered Species Act so that development or other projects can proceed even if they might result in an extinction. The committee has rarely been convened since it was created, in 1978, through an amendment to the endangered species law to allow for action during emergencies like hurricanes and wildfires.

Mr. Trump also directed the agriculture and interior secretaries, as well as other officials, to look for ways to streamline regulations and reduce costs for timber production and forest management.

In this week’s feature report, Julianna Dailey interviews Mark Nowotarski, an environmental and climate advocate, and other members of the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life organization about Indiana being considered a “sacrifice zone.” What does that mean?

A Fire Building class at the Lower Cascades Park will take place on Saturday, March 8th from 2:30 to 1 pm. Learn the skills needed to build and maintain a roaring campfire. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Spring Exploration Hike is planned for Wednesday, March 12th, beginning at 2 pm at Miller Ridge at Monroe Lake. This is an off-trail hike through lesser-known, backcountry areas around the lake. There will be no restroom facilities. Register at tinyurl.com/exp-03-12-2025.
A Full Worm Moon Hike is scheduled for Friday, March 14th, beginning at 8:30 pm at Spring Mill State Park. The natural world will come to life as you hike under the Full Moon. Information will be shared about the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon.
A Nature Break will take place at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, March 15th, from 10 to 11:30 am. There will be stories about wetlands and exploration of what is happening in the wetlands. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
A Bird Beak Lab is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 15th, from 2 to 2:45 pm in the Nature Center. Since birds do not have hands or teeth, we will find out how they eat. Their beaks have adapted to allow them to be specialists in their fields.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cybthia Roberts
Headlines………………………………….Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………….Julianna Dailey
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, part four of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, about legislation being proposed in the State Capitol.

IDS reports Bloomington may dissolve its Climate Action and Resilience committee, committee members and City Council members Matt Flaherty and Hopi Stosberg said. Flaherty, the committee chair, said the council will take up a single resolution regarding changes related to committees in the coming weeks. “That resolution will include the proposed sunsetting of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee in favor of directing climate-related policy work into other channels and activity streams (both existing and new)” he said in an email to the Indiana Daily Student.

In a time when lawmakers are walking back climate action initiatives on a national scale, the city of Bloomington is planning to potentially “sunset” its climate action committee, which the city founded in 2020. Stosberg said the proposal to sunset the program is not motivated by the changed political climate. “It might be strange, the city council (getting) rid of their climate action committee,” she said. “What’s going on with that? But the real reason is really that it’s not needed.”

Artist and climate awareness activist Carol Rhodes takes the proposed plans as “cautionary.” Rhodes is the founder of Bloomington based nonprofit Artists for Climate Awareness. “Re-delegating the responsibilities of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee to other departments who will operate under the directive of the existing Climate Action Plan can be fiscally and operationally sensible,” Rhodes said.

The committee was formed in 2020 to focus on the city’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community resilience. Connecting dots between the city’s climate action to economic, so, or just not necessary anymore.” In April 2021, the city adopted its climate action plan with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, which is below 2018 emissions levels, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Formaldehyde, the chemical of choice for undertakers and embalmers, is also used in products like furniture and clothes. But it can also cause cancer and severe respiratory problems. So, in 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency began a new effort to regulate it. The chemicals industry fought back with an intensity that astonished even seasoned agency officials. Its campaign was led by Lynn Dekleva, then a lobbyist at the American Chemistry Council, an industry group that spends millions of dollars on government lobbying.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Dekleva is now at the E.P.A. in a crucial job: She runs an office that has the authority to approve new chemicals for use. Earlier she spent 32 years at Dupont, the chemical maker, before joining the E.P.A. in the first Trump administration.

Her most recent employer, the chemicals lobbying group, has made reversing the Environmental Protection Agency’s course on formaldehyde a priority and is pushing to abolish a program under which the agency assess the risks of chemicals to human health. In recent weeks it has urged the agency to discard its work on formaldehyde entirely and start from scratch in assessing the risks.

The American Chemistry Council is also seeking to change the agency’s approval process for new chemicals and speed up E.P.A.’s safety reviews. That review process is a key part of Dr. Dekelva’s purview at the agency.

The New York Times reports the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are preparing an unusual legislative maneuver in an effort to eliminate one of the country’s most ambitious climate policies, an order that was designed to shift the auto industry toward electric cars. They plan to vote to overturn a California ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in that state by 2035. To do it, they intend to use the Congressional Review Act, a 1996 law that permits lawmakers to reverse recently-adopted regulations with a simple majority vote.

But the California ban is not a federal regulation, it’s a different animal. It’s the result of a waiver that was granted by the Biden administration under the 1970 Clean Air Act, something that has been done more than a hundred times over the years by administrations of both parties. And it is not subject to congressional review, according to a 2023 decision by the Government Accountability Office. Environmental groups and California officials say the Republican plan to try to kill the waiver with a congressional vote would be illegal.

Inside Climate Change reports federal funding to Pennsylvania for climate-related and other programs will be restored, Gov. Josh Shapiro said, reversing a Trump administration freeze after lawsuits by Pennsylvania and almost two dozen other states. Shapiro sued the Trump administration Feb. 13 in federal court over the funding freeze, arguing that it had illegally halted or subjected to an unspecified review $2.1 billion in federal funds that had been committed to Pennsylvania after being approved by Congress.

The frozen funds included money for remediating Pennsylvania’s many abandoned mines, for helping the state reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and for reducing energy costs for homeowners. The freeze also prompted separate legal action by 22 other states and the District of Columbia, leading a federal judge in Rhode Island to order the administration to lift its spending ban.

Indiana is one of the states funded for cleanup of a Superfund site. The Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination site is in Indianapolis, Indiana. The groundwater has been affected by an approximately 4,500 foot long by 1,500-foot wide plume contaminated with chlorinated solvents. The location is near the intersection of East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive and Keystone Avenue.

In this week’s feature report, Zero Roze in part four of his interview with David Van Gilder on bills being considered by the state legislature in the 2025 legislative session. The full interview is available online as an Eco Report EXTRA at wfhb.org.

Unleash your creativity by crafting your own miniature terrarium in the Do It Yourself Ecosystems workshop on Saturday, March 1st, at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center from 5 to 7 pm. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A class on Mammal Furs is being offered at Brown County State Park at the Nature Center on Saturday, March 1st, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Different animals use their fur for camouflage, protection and keeping warm. You can touch real animal furs!
The next Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series is scheduled for Saturday, March 1st, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. This is the Brown County Dog Hike that is a social walk with your dog. The hike takes place on Trail 7 around Ogle Lake and is about 1 1/2 miles long. Your dog must be on a leash.
An Echo Canyon Geology Hike is scheduled at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, March 7th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Hike the newly built Echo Canyon Trail to learn the geological process that created McCormick’s Creek. Begin at the Nature Center.
Take a Fire Building class at the Lower Cascades Park on Saturday, March 8th from 2:30 to 1 pm. Learn the skills needed to build and maintain a roaring campfire. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………..Kade Young
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, Part Three of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, about legislation being proposed in the State Capitol.

The New York Times has indicated that Trump has canceled publication of an important assessment of the environment. The draft was almost ready for submission, due in less than a month. More than 150 scientists and other experts had collectively spent thousands of hours working on the report, a first-of-its-kind assessment of nature across the United States.

But President Trump ended the effort, started under the Biden administration, by executive order. So, on Jan. 30, the project’s director, an environmental scientist named Phil Levin, sent an email telling members of his team that their work had been discontinued. But it wasn’t the only email he sent that day. “This work is too important to die,” Dr. Levin wrote in a separate email to the report’s authors, this one from his personal account. “The country needs what we are producing.”

Now key experts who worked on the report, called the National Nature Assessment, are figuring out how to finish and publish it outside the government, according to interviews with nine of the leading authors. “There’s an amazingly unanimous broad consensus that we ought to carry on with the work,” said Howard Frumkin, a professor emeritus of environmental science at the University of Washington School of Public Health who was leading a chapter on nature’s effects on human health and well-being.

The study was intended to measure how the nation’s lands, water and wildlife are faring, how they are expected to change, and what that means for people. Most of the 12 chapters were written by teams of a dozen or so specialists. While some were federal employees, a vast majority of the authors came from outside government — academia, nonprofit groups and the private sector — and they were already volunteering their time. Most or all the teams were expecting to continue their work, the authors said.

The first completed draft had been due Feb. 11. When the researchers were told the project had been canceled, some had almost finished their chapters and were simply polishing. Others had been racing against the deadline.

Inside Climate News reports President Donald Trump’s freeze on federal funding shows little sign of thawing for climate, energy and environmental justice programs. Despite two federal court orders directing the administration to resume distributing federal grants and loans, at least $19 billion in Environmental Protection Agency funding to thousands of state and local governments and nonprofits remained on hold as of Feb. 14, said environmental and legal advocates who are tracking the issue.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has vowed to seek return of an additional $20 billion the agency invested last year in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program, calling for a Department of Justice investigation into what he characterized as a “scheme … purposefully designed to obligate all of the money in a rush job with reduced oversight.”

Environmental advocates said Zeldin was unfairly smearing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, or “green bank,” program, on which EPA worked for more than a year with the Treasury Department to design a standard financial agent. Critics believe the Trump administration, thwarted last week in its effort to get an appeals court to reinstate its sweeping government-wide freeze on federal funding, is resorting to a new tactic—labeling individual programs as nefarious or fraudulent. Although that approach has met with some success—a federal judge last week allowed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to freeze $80 million in funding from a migrant shelter program in New York—legal experts said courts will be looking for specifics and evidence, not broad assertions that programs are improper.

“They cannot challenge an entire program based on charges of fraud and waste,” said Jillian Blanchard, a vice president of the nonprofit Lawyers for Good Government. “If they had actual concerns about fraud or waste, they would need to follow clear procedures and protocols in the regulations, going grant by grant to address this, but that’s not what’s happening here. They are challenging entire programs whole cloth without evidence.

The bad news is piling up for climate science. According to The New York Times, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one of the world’s leading climate science agencies, has been ordered to identify grants related to global warming and other topics targeted by President Trump’s executive orders, raising fears that those grants are at risk of being canceled.

The instructions were issued last week at the direction of the Commerce Department, which includes NOAA, according to a copy of the document viewed by The New York Times. NOAA staff members were given a list of all “active financial assistant awards” at NOAA and told to identify which of those grants could be “potentially impacted” by one of Mr. Trump’s orders.

One of the directives in question, signed by Mr. Trump the day he took office, is aimed at demolishing federal government programs that address climate change. Based on that order, NOAA staff members have been told to search their existing grants for terms that include “climate science,” “climate crisis,” “clean energy,” “environmental quality” and “pollution.”

According to Inside Indiana Business, Duke Energy Indiana filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission asking for approval to build two new natural gas-fired units with upgraded transmission lines costing an estimated $3.3 billion at its existing Cayuga Generating Station in Vermillion County. The Plainfield-based utility said the project will coincide with the retirement of the almost 60-year-old coal-fired units at Cayuga—the oldest of Duke’s Indiana coal plants—and once complete would add 470 megawatts in capacity compared with the coal units.

Customers will see a rate increase of about 5.4% between 2026 and 2031 if Duke receives approval to add to electricity rates over time rather than at once. Duke said adding the rates gradually will reduce financing costs, saving about $812 million over the life of the new plant. In its filing, Duke said the first of the incremental rate increases would be about $1.87 for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours.

Goose Pond says Avian influenza has long been present in Indiana. This year, we are seeing an increase in cases of avian influenza across the state, including at Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area. As a result, you will see more sick and dead cranes and waterfowl throughout the property. Although the risk to humans is low, we urge visitors to avoid contact with sick or dead birds. The Marsh Madness event was held February 14-15. Originally the event was held the first weekend of March, but with climate change it has moved to earlier dates.

In this week’s feature report, Part Three of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, on bills being considered by the state legislature in the 2025 legislative session. The full interview available online as an Eco Report EXTRA at WFHB.org.

The RCA Community Park will host a Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop on Saturday, February 22nd from Noon to 1 pm. In this hands-on workshop you will learn tree identification, equipment, sap collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp area on Saturday, February 22nd, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a rugged, 1.5 mile hike to see the old foundations of the buildings, then you will hike to Deserter’s Cave. Dress for the weather.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until this February 26th. Beginning at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am, you can walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
Unleash your creativity by crafting your own miniature terrarium in the Do It Yourself Ecosystems workshop on Saturday, March 1st, at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center from 5 to 7 pm. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A class on Mammal Furs is being offered at Brown County State Park at the Nature Center on Saturday, March 1st, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Different animals use their fur for camouflage, protection and keeping warm. You can touch real animal furs!

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Emilia Martinez, periodista especializada en política internacional, nos habla de cómo es percibida la política americana en México y del auge de las redes sociales.

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Host Zero Roze sits down with Kerwin Olson, Executive Director of Citizens Action Coalition, to discuss the state of affairs with Energy and Environmental Policy in the 2025 Legislative Session of the Indiana General Assembly.

They discuss impacts on the democratic process, the dynamics between local, state and federal control of resources, energy infrastructure and investment, the importance of efficiency, renewables, responsive government, citizen advocacy, political accountability and upgrades to the systems of providing utilities, electricity, and empowering communities to build in resilience and to shape their responses to climate change and other threats to health, security and well being.To learn more about the 2025 legislative agenda in Indiana and the work of Citizens Action Coalition, click here.

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In this edition of Eco Report, Part Two of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, about legislation being proposed in the State Capitol.

Indiana Forest Alliance and other leaders in the environmental movement are rejoicing over a bold move by Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who asked the United States Forest Service to withdraw the Buffalo Springs Project, a proposed plan to log and burn nearly 20,000 acres of The Hoosier National Forest, and instead focus on updating the long overdue Hoosier National Forest Management Plan.

Braun’s letter to the USFS comes after years of opposition to this project from not only environmental groups such as IFA, Heartwood and others, but also from local governments such as Orange and Crawford county commissioners and Paoli Town Council which each unanimously passed resolutions opposing the project.

The Center for Biological Diversity reports Trump’s “Extinction Committee” will now be led by an oil industry person eager to plunder public lands. Animals like polar bears, whooping cranes, and lesser prairie chickens could pay a steep price. The anti-nature agenda of the new administration must be blocked, and the Center for Biological Diversity is already in court to do it.

On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order resurrecting a committee — nicknamed the God Squad — that hasn’t met in decades. Its purpose is to decide which species live or die — so that corporations can drill, mine and log the public lands that sustain the wild legacy belonging to all of us.Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department and a cheerleader for Big Oil, will also chair that committee, which can overrule the Endangered Species Act. It will meet at least four times a year, and we know what to expect from those meetings: illegal workarounds so more oil wells can be built in the homes of rare and vulnerable animals and plants.

Species whose habitat is melting away because of a warming planet, like polar bears, will be further stressed. Far-ranging creatures like whooping cranes — and animals like lesser prairie chickens who depend on areas Trump’s industry buddies want to develop — will have nowhere to hide. The administration is wasting no time pursuing its scorched-earth agenda. It’s hunting for ways to pick apart the Endangered Species Act, the most powerful tool we’ve got to save imperiled wildlife.

Mere minutes after Trump was sworn in, the Center went to court to expose the undemocratic workings of Elon Musk and his workers. We’re now bearing witness to an assault on the laws and policies that have kept people and wildlife safe for over half a century. And that was just the first salvo in our resistance fight. This danger is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

According to the New York Times, Trump Is freezing money for clean energy. Red states have the most to lose. About 80 percent of manufacturing investments spurred by a Biden-era climate law have flowed to Republican districts. Efforts to stop federal payments are already causing pain. In less than three weeks, President Trump has thrown the U.S. clean energy industry into chaos, with much of the economic damage hitting Republican states and districts.

In a quest to eliminate any funding linked to climate change, the Trump administration has frozen federal grants for everything from battery factories to electric school buses and issued executive orders that have halted federal approvals for wind and solar projects. Mr. Trump and Republicans in Congress are also working to repeal the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which is projected to pour hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade into low-carbon energy technologies through tax credits, loans and grants.

So far, Republican-voting communities have benefited the most from that law. In the nearly three years since it was passed, private companies chasing the law’s tax breaks have announced plans to spend $165.8 billion to build factories that make solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and more, according to new data from Atlas Public Policy, a research firm. Roughly 80 percent of those investments are in Republican congressional districts, where they are creating a once-in-a-generation manufacturing boom.

Do you have trees in your yard? Did you plant one recently? That’s wonderful! Believe it or not, that tree is doing a whole lot of good for you and the environment. Maybe you planted your tree to shade your porch or to put bird feeders outside your window. For whatever reason, that tree is providing profound layers of good for you and everyone. It provides cooling shade that helps lower the city temperatures by as much as 10 degrees.

It gives you cleaner air by filtering airborne pollutants that float through the air. Your tree takes in about 1,000 gallons of rainwater per year, which helps keep your yard from flooding. Your tree also provides food and shelter for wildlife, including birds, pollinators, and small animals. And, best of all, it improves the mental health of your community and it promotes physical activity. There is nothing better than walking among the trees. It just makes you feel good.

The Flint Water Crisis is finally coming to an end. Ten years after their fight to clean drinking water began, the fed-up residents of Flint, Michigan, are optimistic that the end may finally be near. In March, a federal court found the City of Flint in contempt for failing to meet certain milestones in its lead-pipe replacement program. Now, the State of Michigan has finally stepped in and is committed to finishing the remaining work by August of 2025.

Under the settlement reached in 2017 by Flint residents represented by attorneys from the Natural Resouces Defense Council and the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, the city was supposed to finish replacing lead service lines and restoring residents’ properties by January 2020, a deadline that was extended in 2022 because of the pandemic. As of now, there are still about 1,900 homes that require repairs to fix damage caused by lead pipes and the city has still failed to check for lead service in hundreds of homes. The people of Flint, Michigan are staying hopeful and vigilant.

In this week’s feature report, Part Two of an interview with David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council, on bills being considered by the state legislature in the 2025 legislative session. The full interview available online as an Eco Report EXTRA at WFHB.org.

On February 14th and 15th, Friends of Goose Pond will present the 16th Annual Marsh Madness Festival which celebrates the spring migration of sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and other waterfowl. The event takes place at the Roy Clark Building in the Linton City Park.
The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place beginning today through Monday, February 17th. Participants spend time in their own backyard observing and counting as many birds as they can find and report their findings.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Beginning at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, February 19th, you can walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting a Field Trip to Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, February 22nd. Carpooling will take place around the property starting at 9 am from the Goose Pond Visitor Center.
The RCA Community Park will host a Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop on Saturday, February 22nd from Noon to 1 pm. In this hands-on workshop you will learn tree identification, equipment, sap collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Robert Schull
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Today, we have two broadcast to share with you. First, you will hear from WFHB Correspondent Mackenzie Lionberger as she reports on WINGS – Women in Nature Gaining Skills – which aims to increase female participation in outdoor activities. Then, we hear about new laws being proposed in this year’s legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly from our guest, David Van Gilder, Senior Policy and Legal Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council.

And now for your environmental reports:

The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports water is very much on Hoosiers’ minds. From the unpopular legislation from four years ago that stripped our critical wetlands of protection to the 2023 announcement of a proposed pipeline carrying water 35 miles from Tippecanoe County to the LEAP development in Lebanon, it’s at the top of the mind for many.
According to internal guidelines obtained and reviewed by various sources including Politico, The Hill and The Guardian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun removing references to climate change on its webpages and sites, including the U.S. Forest Service website.
The Indiana General Assembly is meeting and one of the bills being considered is HB 1447. Our representative, Matt Pierce, is a sponsor. It requires the department of natural resources, before January 1, 2026, to designate at least one undivided area comprising at least 10% of each state forest as an old forest area. It provides that, wherever possible, the size of a designated old forest area must be at least 500 acres.

Feature Report:

And now, lets listen to MacKenzie Lionberger as she tells us about WINGS.

And now, we turn to Zero Roze for Part One of his interview with David Van Gilder of the Hoosier Environmental Council or H.E.C., known as “heck”, regarding bills that they are supportive of, are neutral on -or actively opposing becoming law. The full interview will be posted online as an Eco Report EXTRA.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take a Self-Guided Bald Eagle Drive Tour during the Eagles Over Monroe event on Saturday, February 8th, and Sunday, February 9th, all day. Consult the on-line map for best locations and times. Go to bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, February 12th, to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
Take a Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, February 14th, which is Valentine’s Day, beginning at 8 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to hike under the full moon while you learn the history and folk-lore of the Full Snow Moon.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news features were produced by Kade Young and Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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In this edition of Eco Report, we hear Part Three of an Eco Report EXTRA, an extended interview with Andy Mahler of Heartwood and Protect Our Woods on their new lawsuit against the Forest Service.

The Hill reports President Trump’s pick for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is Lee Zeldin. Lee Michael Zeldin (born1980) is an American attorney, politician, and officer in the United States Army Reserve. A member of the Republican Party, he represented New York’s 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023. In April 2021, Zeldin announced his candidacy for governor of New York in 2022. He defeated three challengers in the Republican primary, becoming the nominee of the Republican Party and the Conservative Party. Zeldin lost the election to incumbent governor Kathy Hochul.

In April 2018, Zeldin said he did not support the Paris Agreement in its form. He expressed concern about “other countries that are contributing to very adverse impacts on our climate but not having the level of responsibility that they need to have in stepping up and making a positive change in their own countries”. During Donald Trump’s first presidency, Zeldin was a Trump ally.

He prominently defended Trump during his first impeachment hearings concerning the Trump–Ukraine scandal. During his gubernatorial campaign in 2021, he pledged to reverse New York state ́s 2015 ban on hydraulic fracturing. In 2022, he voted against the Inflation Reduction Act. During his confirmation hearing for EPA Director, Zeldin stated that climate change is a real issue and needs to be addressed.

However, he actually appears poised to be able to carry out the significant level of climate and environmental deregulation Trump has indicated he plans to pursue after a Thursday hearing moved him toward his likely confirmation. During the confirmation hearing, Zeldin declined to say whether he believed the EPA had a responsibility to regulate climate change under the law.

According to the Live Science portal**, Chinese scientists plan to construct a giant solar power station in space approximately 0.6 miles wide. The installation is tasked with transmitting uninterrupted energy to Earth in the form of microwave waves. Placing the individual elements in geostationary orbit has been dubbed the “another Three Gorges Dam project above the Earth.”

The existing Three Gorges Dam, located in central China on the Yangtze River, is considered the world’s largest hydropower project, delivering 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. One NASA scientist noted that the mass of water in the fully filled dam could lengthen the duration of a day on Earth by 0.06 microseconds.

Long Lehao, the chief specialist for Long March rockets, was quoted by Live Science as acknowledging that the new initiative will have significance comparable to moving the Three Gorges Dam to an orbit at an altitude of 22,000 miles above Earth. During a lecture organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Long emphasized that the energy collected over a year could equal the total amount of oil extracted from our planet.

The New York Times reports that during the first Trump administration, Virginia Burkett, a senior government scientist, felt like she had a target on her back. She fought attempts by Trump officials to eliminate climate research programs while also rejecting their requests that she alter the nation’s premiere report on how global warming affects every region of the country.

But Dr. Burkett says she paid a price. In a whistle-blower complaint, she said the Trump administration retaliated by demoting her and removing her as chair of the committee overseeing the report. Her experience was part of a broad assault on science across the federal government during the first Trump administration. Other scientists were also demoted or reassigned, projects were disrupted and scientists were pressured to delete their research or were blocked from publicizing it.

In the end, hundreds of scientists and experts in environmental policy left the government. One senior government official, who works in science and spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation by the Trump administration, said career employees had started building a firewall four years ago. “We’ve been preparing since Day 1” of the Biden administration to better protect science and scientists, the official said.

Steps taken include the creation and expansion of scientific integrity policies at many federal agencies that detail how government scientists should conduct and publish research, what to do if political appointees try to block that work, and outline the penalties for violations. Scientific integrity officers have been newly installed at several agencies to enforce the policies. And new union contracts carry consequences for political appointees who retaliate against scientists for following the policies.

Scientists have long posited that rising temperatures may be weakening the jet stream, which is formed by the collision of cold, Arctic air with warm, southerly air. With climate change, the Arctic is warming faster than the lower latitudes, narrowing the difference in temperature. As a result, the jet stream may be growing slower and wavier, allowing warm air from the tropics to flow north and become trapped over Europe, Asia, and North America, fueling severe heat and intense wildfires.

In the winter we are seeing bouts of frigid weather, as arctic air moves south. The effect comes with the wavier jet stream. With a more wavy jet stream there is more area for the transfer of heat from the equatorial region to the polar region. We also see warm areas moving north in the Pacific and driving the arctic air mass south into the Midwest. There are days when Bloomington is colder than Anchorage, Alaska.

Earth.org reports that Donald Trump deliberately withheld disaster aid to states he deemed politically hostile and will do so again now that he is our new President, former White House advisers have said.

Mark Harvey, Trump’s former senior director for resilience policy, said that Trump initially refused to approve disaster aid in 2018 after deadly wildfires devastated California, historically a democratic-leaning state. The then-president only agreed after Harvey showed him that some heavily damaged counties had numerous Republican supporters.

“We went as far as looking up how many votes he got in those impacted areas … to show him these are people who voted for you,” said Harvey. “There’s no empathy for the survivors. It is all about getting your photo-op, right? Disaster theater to make him look good.”

According to E&E News, Trump’s disaster aid approval was heavily politicized in two other occasions: Hurricane Maria, which killed more than 3,000 people across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in 2017 and Hurricane Michael, which caused massive damage in Florida – a red state – a year later. Trump has already been critical of the way California has handled the fire crisis. Gov. Gavin Newsom has invited Trump to come to California to see the damage for himself.

In this week’s feature report, Zero Roze delivers Part Three of his discussion with forest protector and long time environmental activist Andy Mahler. The full interview is available on our website as an Eco Report EXTRA, which can be found online at WFHB.org.

Enjoy a Squirrel Appreciation Day Hike at the RCA Community Park on Saturday, January 25th, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Learn all about squirrels and explore the important role they play in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with The Lake That Never Was Hike on Saturday, January 25th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Learn about Taylor Hollow Lake that was started but never finished. This hike is a fan favorite that is 2.5 miles long, very rugged and you will cross creeks. Dress for the weather and terrain.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, January 29th, to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
Attend a Bird Beak Lab at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, January 31st, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Since birds do not have hands or teeth, find out how they use their beaks to eat, build their nests, and how they adapt to their environment. Meet in the Nature Center.
Play Bird Bingo at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, February 1st, from 10 to 10:30 am. Help the Naturalist fill the bird feeders at the Nature Center, then play bingo to learn easy bird identification.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

On today’s broadcast, we hear Part Two of a conversation between Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze and Andy Mahler of Heartwood and Protect Our Woods on efforts to stop logging and burning in the publicly owned forests of Indiana.

And now for your environmental reports:

Congress fails to pass Deam Expansion Legislation. Despite thousands of emails and calls to Indiana’s congressional delegation, Congress has adjourned without passing The Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness Establishment Act. The legislation was one of many public lands bills that had bipartisan support in the Senate but failed to make it past the finish line due to partisan gridlock between the House and Senate over the Continuing Resolution.
The New York Times reports that insurers are deserting homeowners as climate shocks worsen. Without insurance, it’s impossible to get a mortgage; without a mortgage, most Americans can’t buy a home.
As WFHB has reported earlier, China is rapidly installing wind and solar capacity. This week we’ll add more detail, especially about the largest, by far, solar farm. The largest solar farm on the globe spans 200,000 acres of desert. The area is no longer known for its dust storms, thanks to the panels, and offers the added benefit of growing more vegetation. Area goat farmers are invited to graze their herds to keep the grass short.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports a new, quietly-released study showed that small nuclear reactors could present “substantial opportunities” for Indiana to meet its energy demands, and identified eight current or former coal sites across the state that could serve as coal-to-nuclear opportunities.

Feature Report:

And now we turn to Zero Roze for Part Two of his discussion with Andy Mahler, forest protector and long time environmental activist organizing opposition to plans of the Forest Service to log and burn public land.

And now for some upcoming events:

Brown County State Park continues their Winter Hike Series with a Boulder In A Tree Hike on Saturday, January 18th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a 2-mile round trip and is quite rugged. Learn about the boulder in the tree and how it got there. Dress for the weather.
Become an Animal CSI at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, January 19th beginning at 2 pm. Learn common animal footprints and then put your skills to the test. Use the footprint clues to investigate how animals interact with each other.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, January 22nd, to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
The next Winter Exploration Hike will take place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 22nd, beginning at 2 pm. These hikes are off-trail into lesser-known back country. There is no pre-determined route and no restrooms. Sign up at tinyurl.com/exp-01-22-2025.
Enjoy a Squirrel Appreciation Day Hike at the RCA Community Park on Saturday, January 25th, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Learn all about squirrels and explore the important role they play in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by myself, Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.

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In this edition of Eco Report, we hear from Andy Mahler, Forest and Water Protector from Orange County about a new lawsuit against the Forest Service for violating their own policy guidelines by circumventing public procedures under the pretense of salvage logging after some tornado damage.

Inside Climate Change reports one of the most common critiques of policies that encourage the adoption of rooftop solar is that the benefits go mostly to affluent households. But as solar grows in popularity across the country, it also is expanding its reach across income levels. The median income for a household that installed rooftop solar in 2023 was $115,000, down from $141,000 for households that installed solar in 2010, according to the 2024 edition of an annual report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The progress is clear, but gradual. The $115,000 figure from 2023 is just $1,000 less than in 2022. The long-term trend is that the median income for a household with rooftop solar is getting closer almost every year to that of the median income for owner-occupied households. “Solar has gotten cheaper, and so that has made it more accessible to a broader swath of the population,” said Galen Barbose, a research scientist at the lab and co-author of the report. Apparently no study of income by Hoosier buyers is available. Because of state regulations, Indiana is often ranked worst for installation of rooftop solar.

EcoWatch says birding is a much bigger industry than you knew. In 2022, around 96 million people in the U.S. closely observed, photographed or tried to identify birds in the wild—activities known broadly as birding. For context, that means more than 35 percent of the country’s population aged 16 and over are birders. It turns out this staggeringly popular hobby adds up, according to a November report from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The report found that birders in 2022 spent an estimated $107.6 billion on expenses related to their pursuits—from buying equipment like binoculars to travel costs for visiting bird hotspots.

That’s almost six times the total revenue generated by the National Football League that year. This report shows that birding is a boon for local economies, a trend that can be seen around the world as the avian pastime continues to pick up steam and offers a sustainable revenue source for rural communities. But birders aren’t just chipping in financially; these hobbyists provide crucial data for scientists as climate change pummels global bird populations.

We can expect barriers to solar and wind during Trump’s term. Most other countries slacked off on developing planet-friendly power sources during his earlier presidency, so we are likely to see the same over the next four years. China, however, is setting its own course. China is now building capacity in wind and solar that is four times what the US is planning.

Wind and solar now account for 37 percent of the total power capacity in China, an 8% increase from 2022, and widely expected to surpass coal capacity, which is 39 percent of the total right now, in 2024. The USA generates 11 percent of its power from wind and 5 percent from solar sources. Indiana generates 11 percent of its power from wind and 2 percent from solar sources.

According to the New York Times an ocean heat wave wiped out half of common murres around Alaska. About four million common murres were killed by a domino effect of ecosystem changes, and the population is showing no signs of recovery, according to new research. The first evidence was the feathered bodies washing up on Alaskan beaches. They were common murres, sleek black-and-white seabirds that typically spend months at a time away from land. But in 2015 and 2016, officials tallied 62,000 emaciated corpses from California to Alaska.

Since then, scientists have been piecing together what happened to the birds, along with other species in the northeast Pacific that suddenly died or disappeared. It became clear that the culprit was a record-breaking marine heat wave, a mass of warm water that would come to be known as the Blob. New findings on its effect on murres, published in the journal Science, are a stark sign of the perils facing ecosystems in a warming world.

According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s 2024 Arctic Report Card, tundra in the Arctic is becoming a net source of carbon dioxide, rather than the climate-beneficial carbon sink it has been for millennia. This year was the second warmest in the Arctic, based on data dating back to 1900, the report said.

“The Arctic continues to warm at a faster rate than the global average. The 2024 Arctic Report Card highlights record-breaking and near-record-breaking observations that demonstrate dramatic change, including Arctic tundra transformation from carbon sink to carbon source, declines of previously large inland caribou herds, and increasing winter precipitation,” NOAA said. “Adaptation is increasingly necessary and Indigenous knowledge and community-led research programs are essential to understand and respond to rapid Arctic changes.”

2024 was the warmest year over the 300,000 years of human existence. Global warming hit 1.63 C. With accelerating warming and likely vastly greater CO2 during the Trump years, we seem to be on a course to pass the 2.0 C warming within a few years.

The assault on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge resumes even before Trump takes office. The Biden administration will offer oil and gas drilling leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at a sale on Jan. 9. The auction will make 400,000 acres available to drillers, the minimum required by a law that mandated the sale. ANWR is a 19 million-acre refuge for species including polar bears and caribou. The wild landscape lacks roads and public facilities, but its 1.6 million-acre coastal area along the Beaufort Sea is estimated to have up to 11.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil.

The last time an auction like this was held, just days before Trump left office in 2021, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was sold off for only $25 an acre. The requirement of the sale is founded in a law passed during Trump’s first term. The 2017 Tax Act required the Bureau of Land Management to offer two lease sales in the Coastal Plain within seven years of enactment. During Trump’s first term, the first lease sale was held and resulted in nine leases being issued.

In January 2021, President Biden issued an order directing the Interior Department to review the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. As a result of the deficiencies found during that review, in June 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued a ruling which suspended all activities related to implementing the Leasing Program. Of the nine leases sold during the previous Administration’s sale, two were canceled and refunded at the request of the lessees and the remaining seven were canceled by the Department due to multiple legal deficiencies in the underlying record.

In this week’s feature report we hear part one of a conversation between Zero Roze and Andy Mahler of the Heartwood network of forest protection groups and the organization Protect Our Woods.

Take the Kelp Village Hike during the Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park on Saturday, January 4th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Explore the old Kelp Village site on this 1.5 mile hike while you learn the history of the area.
Enjoy Hike and Seek with your pre-school children at the RCA Community Park on Tuesday, January 7th, from 10 to 11 am. Explore nature on this gentle-paced hike.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am Wednesday, January 8th, to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
Learn about Winter Weeds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, January 10th at 2 pm. You will find out how to identify the weeds on your lawn, what there benefit is, and whether you want to keep them or get rid of them.
Visit the Caves of Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 11th, at 1 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 1 hour hike to learn the significance the cave’s played in the 2015 dredging of the lake.

Credits:

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Andy Mahler of Heartwood and Protect Our Woods on coming to terms with his Cancer diagnosis, the scope of life, consciousness and meaning, and centering on one’s own inner goodness and working to make things better. See the second audio player below for the songs.

Click to view slideshow.The play bar below contains two songs performed in the studio by Andy Mahler. Tap the play button at the top to hear Part 2 of the interview.

https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Songs.mp3This is an Eco Report EXTRA, with host Zero Roze

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Andy Mahler of Heartwood and Protect Our Woods on threats to Public Forests, the water and the wildlife therein, a new lawsuit against the Forest Service for circumventing procedures and expediting logging despite public input processes and oppositional research on the impacts of proposed burning and logging.

Click to view slideshow.The play bar below contains two songs performed in the studio by Andy Mahler. Tap the play button at the top to hear Part 1 of the interview.

https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Songs.mp3This is an Eco Report EXTRA, with host Zero Roze

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In this week’s feature report, Nathaniel Weinzapfel talks about how climate change will affect Indiana farmers.

According to new data from Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 will be the planet’s warmest ever recorded, as well as the first above the 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature threshold set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. The European Union’s climate monitor found that the planet’s average surface temperature for November was 1.62 degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial average. With 11 months of data for 2024 now available, scientists have said that the global average temperature for the year is projected to be 1.60 degrees Celsius, which would break the record of 1.48 degrees Celsius set last year, reported The Guardian.

Nobel Laureates urge the Senate to turn down Kennedy’s nomination to head health, according to the New York Times. More than 75 Nobel Prize winners have signed a letter urging senators not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The letter, obtained by The New York Times, marks the first time in recent memory that Nobel laureates have banded together against a Cabinet choice, according to Richard Roberts, winner of the 1993 Nobel in Physiology or Medicine, who helped draft the letter.

The group tries to stay out of politics whenever possible, he said. But the confirmation of Mr. Kennedy, a staunch critic of mainstream medicine who has been hostile to the scientists and agencies he would oversee, is a threat that the Nobel laureates could not ignore, Dr. Roberts said. “These political attacks on science are very damaging,” he said. “You have to stand up and protect it.”

Indiana Business News reports an Indianapolis-based developer has broken ground on a $110 million mixed-use project in Kokomo, Indiana, just a few blocks south of the $7.5 billion battery facilities under development by a joint venture between car maker Stellantis NV and Samsung SDI. The project, known as The Hub District, is expected to consist of town houses, retail space, a hotel and more than 500 apartments on a 26-acre site. The project, which has received extensive city support, is being led by Premier Hospitality, which has developed multiple hotel and residential properties across central Indiana.

The Hub will include 28 townhomes with up to five bedrooms and two-car garages, a 120-room Hyatt Studio Hotel, 66,000 square feet of retail and outdoor space, and a 504-unit apartment complex. It will also offer walking paths that connect directly to the battery facilities that are now under construction. The U.S. Department of Energy said it has committed up to $7.5 million in loans for the electric vehicle battery plants, which are expected to employ at least 2,800 people after they fully open in 2027. The plants are expected to produce enough batteries to supply about 670,000 vehicles per year.

Inside Climate News reports around the country, nonprofits and other community organizations were hoping their climate projects would receive funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, which has $3 billion to spend on environmental justice community grants through Sept. 30, 2026. But the Biden administration has only been able to award about half the money so far, and experts say the unspent 50 percent will most likely be clawed back by President-elect Donald Trump—a blow to communities of color and poor rural communities that had long waited for help like this.

Among the threatened initiatives is the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, which dedicated $600 million in block grants for projects aimed at tackling climate and environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities. The money has been hailed by advocates as one of the most important federal investments ever made in closing the nation’s long-standing socioeconomic and racial gaps.

The Associated Press reports the EPA hails ‘revitalized’ enforcement efforts as Biden administration heads into exit. The Environmental Protection Agency enhanced enforcement efforts this year, doubling financial penalties issued to polluters and issuing the first-ever arrest for a climate change-related crime, the agency said in a report Thursday. The EPA said it concluded more than 1,850 civil cases, a 3.4% increase over 2023, and charged 121 criminal defendants, a 17.6% increase over the previous year.

The “revitalized enforcement and compliance efforts” resulted in the reduction or elimination of more than 225 million pounds of pollution in overburdened communities, the agency said in its final report on Biden-era enforcement actions before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The agency said it issued $1.7 billion in fines and penalties, more than double the 2023 total and the highest level in seven years.

Bolstered by 300 new employees hired since last year, the enforcement program focused on “21st century environmental challenges,” including climate change, environmental justice and chemical waste, said David Uhlmann, EPA’s assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. More than half the agency’s inspections and settlements involved poor and disadvantaged communities long scarred by pollution, reflecting the Biden administration’s emphasis on environmental justice issues.

The New York Times reports that widespread adoption of heat pumps could prevent thousands of premature deaths and save billions on energy bills, according to a new analysis. Electric heat pumps, the most affordable and energy efficient way to heat and cool homes, continue to outsell gas furnaces nationwide. They can also reduce outdoor pollution and, as a result, save lives, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

The study, by Rewiring America, a nonprofit group that promotes electrification, calculated that if every American household got rid of furnaces, hot water heaters and clothes dryers powered by oil or gas and replaced them with heat pumps and electric appliances, annual greenhouse gas emissions could drop by about 400 million metric tons. Fine airborne particulate matter and other air pollutants could decrease by 300,000 tons, the equivalent of taking 40 million cars off the road.

Roughly two-thirds of the country’s households burn fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane and fuel oil for heat, hot water and drying clothes, releasing nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the air. While a transition to electric appliances could shave $60 billion off people’s annual energy bills, it could also deliver important health rewards, researchers found. It could prevent 3,400 fewer premature deaths per year, 1,300 fewer hospital visits and 220,000 fewer asthma attacks, all of which amounted to about$40 billion in benefits, according to the study.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature report, Nathaniel Weinzapfel talks about how climate change will affect Indiana farmers.

Photo Courtesy of the Indy Star.* There will be a Winter Solstice Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 21st, beginning at 1 pm. Meet at the Twin Caves parking lot for a long, rugged 2.5 mile hike on the shortest day of the year on Trail 3. * Learn about otters on the Otter Spotter Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, December 22nd, beginning at 10 am. Hike around the lake to search for the ever-exciting otters at play. * Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane. * There will be a Winter Animal Evidence presentation at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, December 27th, from 2 to 3 pm. Learn how to identify animal remnants in the winter with the Naturalist in the Nature Center Auditorium. * A Naturalist Booth about Mammals of Brown County State Park is scheduled for Saturday, December 28th, from 3 to 4 pm. Meet in the lobby of the Abe Martin Lodge to learn about the park’s furry residents.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report………………Naathaniel Weinzapfel
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Today in our feature report from Zero Roze, we hear Part Four of his conversation with Jeff Stant and Paul Rothrock about their new EcoBlitz book put out by the IU Press, and the importance of preserving our regional biodiversity as evidenced by years of biological surveys in the Indiana back country.

And now for your environmental reports:

The journal Nature reports researchers in central Mexico have planted a forest of firs. Now they’re hoping the imperilled Eastern monarch butterflies will come.
Almost 1,000 oyamel firs have been transplanted to a mountain in Michoacán, where they are growing at elevations beyond what was considered the species’ upper limit. If the trees survive over the next few decades, they could help to shield the migratory eastern population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), which spend the winter roosting in oyamel fir forests, from the impacts of climate change.

—-Norm Holy

The New York Times reports there’s a warning from a California marine heat wave. An extreme heat wave off California’s coast seemed like an anomaly 10 years ago. But as the ocean warms, the catastrophe may be a glimpse of the future.

—Norm Holy

E&E News reports that Republican control of Congress next year could spell trouble — or even doom — for a Department of Energy office that has doled out billions to stand up clean energy projects across the country.

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now, we go to Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze and his discussion with Jeff Stant, Executive Director of Indiana Forest Alliance, and Paul Rothrock of the IU Herbarium. The full interview is available online as an Eco Report EXTRA and can be found on our website: WFHB (dot) O-R-G.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team and produced the upcoming events.
Kade Young is our engineer.
For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey.

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In this edition of Eco Report, we hear Part 3 of a discussion on the “EcoBlitz” book release from IU Press and we learn more about how the Indiana back country is actually quite biodiverse, as evidenced by biological surveys facilitated by the Indiana Forest Alliance.

The New York Times reports oil companies are walking back from green energy. As leaders gather for a global climate summit, investors are rewarding oil giants like Exxon Mobil that did not embrace wind and solar. When oil and gas companies made ambitious commitments four years ago to curb emissions and transition to renewable energy, their businesses were in free fall. Demand for the fuels was drying up as the pandemic took hold. Prices plunged. And large Western oil companies were hemorrhaging money, with losses topping $100 billion, according to the energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

Renewable energy, it seemed to many companies and investors at the time, was not just cleaner — it was a better business than oil and gas. “Investors were focused on what I would say was the prevailing narrative around it’s all moving to wind and solar,” Darren Woods, Exxon Mobil’s chief executive, said in an interview with The New York Times. Last week at a United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. “I had a lot of pressure to get into the wind and solar business,” he added. Mr. Woods resisted, reasoning that Exxon did not have expertise in those areas. Instead, the company invested in areas like hydrogen and lithium extraction that are more akin to its traditional business.

Wall Street has rewarded the company for those bets. The company’s stock price has climbed more than 70 percent since the end of 2019, lifting its market valuation to a record of nearly $560 billion in October, though it has since fallen to about $524 billion. The American oil giant’s performance stands in contrast with BP and Shell, oil and gas companies based in London that embraced wind, solar and other technologies like electric-vehicle charging. BP’s stock has fallen around 19 percent in that time, based on trading in London, while Shell’s has climbed about 15 percent.

The market’s renewed acceptance of fossil fuels underscores one of the core challenges of curbing global emissions: Climate change poses risks that compound over decades. Scientists say every fraction of a degree of warming caused by fossil fuels brings greater risks from deadly heat waves, wildfires, drought, storms and species extinction. But investors are focused on making money over months and years. Investors making immediate money propels the energy structure. This certainly will not change over the next four years. During this time warming will exceed 2 degrees Celsius. We venture on into new territory. Expect some events that are not anticipated. When ocean levels rise by 6 feet will there be a re-evaluation?

According to The New York Times, what Trump’s victory means for climate change is not clear. President-elect Donald J. Trump promised to delete the fight against climate change. It has taken a body blow with the election of Donald J. Trump, who calls global warming a “scam” and has promised to erase federal efforts to reduce the pollution that is heating the planet. Mr. Trump told a jubilant crowd Wednesday that the United States, which signed a global agreement last year to transition away from fossil fuels, will instead amp up oil production even beyond current record levels. “We have more liquid gold than any country in the world,” said the president-elect, who won with substantial financial support from the oil and gas industry. “More than Saudi Arabia. We have more than Russia.”

But Mr. Trump’s zeal to repeal the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark climate law that is pouring more than $390 billion into electric vehicles, batteries and other clean energy technology, will quickly face a political test. Roughly 80 percent of the money spent so far has flowed to Republican congressional districts, where lawmakers and business leaders want to protect that investment and the jobs they bring. Funded by federal legislation and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Indiana will receive approximately $182 million to assist Hoosiers in reducing the cost of energy by improving the energy efficiency of their homes through qualified energy efficiency upgrades, retrofits, and high-efficiency appliances. This allocation to Indiana is less than 0.1 percent of the 390 billion. Was our legislature sleeping, or opposed to seeking major funding?

Across the country, voters elected new members to Congress who have promoted climate action at the state level and could prevent environmental laws from being weakened under Republican leadership. It seems likely that these new congress persons will fail. The 2024 election will likely result in a setback for climate action. Climate advocates in Congress now must work to ward off the worst attempts to weaken the country’s bedrock environmental laws and gut recently passed climate actions from the Biden administration.

There will be immense challenges. There will be more drilling leases with even fewer pollution restrictions. We should expect a lower air quality and a shorter life expectancy in Indiana. There may be attempts to drill in national parks. Trump has said in the past that he would like to sell off the national parks. Trump may try to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Trump may try to resurrect the “Pebble Mine” project, which would likely end the salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The only reason the Pebble Mine project was stopped was because Donald Trump Junior said it would ruin his favorite fishing spot. Trump will certainly gut the EPA of its scientists, and replace a few of them with young people who have no scientific background.

Saudi Arabia is a ‘Wrecking Ball’ in Global Climate Talks, according to the New York Times. Despite endorsing a transition away from fossil fuels last year, Saudi officials have since worked to undermine it in at least five U.N. forums, diplomats said. As United Nations climate talks enter their final week in Azerbaijan and G20 leaders gather in Brazil, diplomats from Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, are working to foil any agreement that renews a pledge to transition away from fossil fuels, negotiators said.

“Maybe they’ve been emboldened by Trump’s victory, but they are acting with abandon here,” said Alden Meyer, senior associate with E3G, a London-based climate research organization, who was at the talks in Azerbaijan. “They’re just being a wrecking ball.” Negotiators say it’s part of a yearlong campaign by Saudi Arabia to stymie an agreement made last year by 200 nations to move away from oil, gas and coal, the burning of which is dangerously heating the planet.

Saudi Arabia was one of the signatories to that deal, but has been working ever since to bury that pledge and make sure it’s not repeated in any new global agreements, according to five diplomats who requested anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations. The election of Donald J. Trump has cast a pall over the climate negotiations in Azerbaijan, known as COP29. Mr. Trump has promised to withdraw the United States from the global fight against climate change and increase the American production of fossil fuels, which is already at record levels. That may be emboldening Saudi officials at the current climate talks, analysts say. On Saturday, Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, the chairman of the board at Saudi Aramco, the state petroleum company, sat ringside with Mr. Trump at a U.F.C. fight in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

China’s soaring emissions are upending climate politics, according to the New York Times. For many years, wealthy places like the United States and Europe have had the biggest historical responsibility for global warming and have been tasked with taking the lead in stopping it. China’s astonishing rise is upending that dynamic. Over the past three decades, China has built more than 1,000 coal-fired power plants as its economy has grown more than 40-fold. The country has become by far the largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.

The United States has still pumped more total planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere since the 19th century, in part because the country has been burning coal, oil and natural gas for longer. But China is quickly catching up. Last year, China for the first time passed Europe as the second-largest historical emitter, according to an analysis published by Carbon Brief, a climate research site. When humans burn fossil fuels or cut down forests, the resulting carbon dioxide typically lingers in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, heating the planet all the while.

That’s why historical emissions are often used as a gauge of responsibility for global warming. China, for its part, has promised that its emissions will peak this decade and then start falling. The country is installing more wind turbines and solar panels than all other nations combined and leads the world in electric vehicle sales. But even with China’s shift to low-carbon energy, the Carbon Brief analysis found, the nation’s historical emissions are projected to approach those of the United States in the coming years.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature report we hear Part 3 of a discussion on the “EcoBlitz” book release from IU Press and we learn more about how the Indiana back country is actually quite biodiverse, as evidenced by biological surveys facilitated by the Indiana Forest Alliance. The full interview is available as an Eco Report EXTRA, found online at WFHB.org.

Learn about the Earth’s Most Venomous Snakes at Brown County State Park on Saturday, December 7th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Join the naturalist at the Nature Center for a presentation about snakes and their venom.
Learn about rocks and minerals in Indiana at a Mine Your Craft program at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, December 8th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to create a pixel art mineral or rock block.
Whooper Wednesday’s will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area every Wednesday until February 26th. Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 8 am to walk around the property to see if you can spot the endangered Whooping Crane.
You can take a Wolf Cave Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, December 13th from 2 to 3:30 pm. Learn all about the impact the tornado had on Wolf Cave. The cave is wet, damp and narrow. Bring a flashlight.
Take a Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 14th, from 7 to 7:30 pm. Experience the park at night and learn the history and folk lore of the full moon. The December Full Moon is called the Full Cold Moon!

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Frank Marshalek
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this edition of Eco Report, we hear Part 2 of a conversation between Jeff Stant of Indiana Forest Alliance, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze, and Paul Rothrock of the IU Herbarium about a new book entitled EcoBlitz, An Indiana Forest Expedition, now available from Indiana University Press.

EcoWatch reports Canada announced a plan to slash oil and gas emissions 35% by 2030. The Canadian government has issued a draft of new regulations for greenhouse gas emissions produced by oil and gas. The rules would limit Canada’s emissions to 35 percent below 2019 levels by 2030. Most fossil fuels coming from Canada are produced in the oil sands of Alberta, with the United States as the largest importer. “We’re asking the oil and gas sector to invest their record profits into pollution cutting projects,” Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, told a news conference, as The New York Times reported. “Every sector must do its part. Oil and gas companies are no exception.”

Guilbeault said profits from the oil and gas sector reached roughly $48 billion in 2022, reported Reuters. “Canadians and their communities bear the brunt and pay the costs from increased extreme weather events due to climate change — costs that are reflected in the price of groceries, insurance, and local taxes. They understand that all sectors must do their fair share to decrease pollution and address climate change,” the press release said. The oil and gas sector is the largest contributor to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, making up 31 percent in 2022, according to the newest National Inventory Report. Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer in the world, as well as the fifth-largest gas producer. As oil and gas demand peaks and starts to decline, the highest demand will be for fuels that are extracted while producing the lowest levels of pollution.

The New York Times reports that Trump wants to kill the electric vehicle tax credit. President-elect Donald J. Trump wants Congress to repeal a $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit. Doing so would hurt American automakers. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is exploring a series of steps to make it more difficult for electric vehicles to be competitive with gasoline-powered ones, culminating with the elimination of a $7,500 tax credit for people who buy E.V.s, according to three people with direct knowledge of the plans.

Harold G. Hamm, an oil billionaire, has been discussing the $7,500 credit with the Trump transition team. Mr. Hamm is the founder and chairman of Continental Resources, one of the country’s largest independent oil companies. The growth of electric vehicles poses a threat to the oil and gas industry. According to the International Energy Agency, the global rollout of electric vehicles could reduce oil demand by nearly six million barrels a day by 2030. The electric vehicle tax credit is disliked by another Trump associate, Elon Musk, who owns Tesla. He said in July that getting rid of the tax credit would hurt Ford, GM and other competitors to Tesla.

Mr. Trump cannot unilaterally eliminate the electric vehicle tax credits. That’s because they are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Mr. Biden signed into law in 2022. Congress would have to amend it or pass a new law to erase the credits. According to the International Monetary Fund, fossil-fuel subsidies surged to a record $7 trillion worldwide last year as governments supported consumers and businesses during the global spike in energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the economic recovery from the pandemic.

As the world struggles to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and parts of Asia, Europe and the United States swelter in extreme heat, subsidies for oil, coal and natural gas are costing the equivalent of 7.1 percent of global gross domestic product. That’s more than governments spend annually on education (4.3 percent of global income) and about two thirds of what they spend on healthcare (10.9 percent). This shows the stranglehold fossil fuels have on energy.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature report we hear Part 2 in a series of excerpts from a discussion between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze, Jeff Stant, Executive Director of the Indiana Forest Alliance, and Paul Rothrock of the IU Herbarium. The full interview is available as an Eco Report EXTRA, found online at WFHB.org.

A Turkey Tale is scheduled for Saturday, November 23rd, from 2 to 2:30 pm at Spring Mill State Park. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn the story of Indiana’s Wild Turkey and make a craft for Thanksgiving.
Learn about Slimy Salamanders at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, November 24th, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Why are Salamanders so slimy and how do they hibernate? Stop by the Nature Center to learn how they survive.
Opt Outside Day which means Free Admission at Brown County State Park on Friday, November 29th. Take a break from Black Friday and visit your favorite Indiana State Park. All State Park’s are free on November 29th.
The 22nd Annual Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, November 30th, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Showers Common. The event is free. Shop for locally grown farm products and arts and fine crafts created by local artisans.
Make a Bird Treat at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, December 1st, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn at the Nature Center to create a pine cone bird treat for your back yard.

Credits:

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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In this edition, Paul Rothrock and Jeff Stant of Indiana Forest Alliance joins Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze to discuss historic legislation to conserve Indiana forests and wildlands currently moving through the US Congress.

Now that we know who will be the next governor of Indiana, we can paint a picture of his past decisions and plans. We should not expect a govenor who will protect Indiana’s environment. The League of Conservation Voters Scorecard lists a lifetime score of 6 percent for Mike Braun, meaning he almost always votes against the environment.

On Fossil Fuels

We will examine Braun’s environmental record. Sen. Mike Braun asked the state’s powerful utility regulator to reject a coal plant’s proposed conversion to natural gas. In a letter to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Braun said he supports an “all of the above” approach to energy, including fossil fuels and renewable energy. But, he continued, “Indiana needs more energy to support the grid. While new energy will almost certainly need to come from non-coal sources, I am concerned that taking offline legacy sources of energy too quickly will have lasting implications that cannot be reversed.” The letter was published last week, as part of the case’s docket. AES Indiana filed a verified petition in March to transition two units at its Petersburg Generating Station from coal to gas. Braun acknowledged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules set limits and deadlines for coal-powered electricity generation. But, those mandates are tied up in court.

“While the final outcome is unknown, if these rules prevail as-written, coal generated plants would not be forced into retirement or co-generation until 2032,” Braun wrote, adding that AES Indiana has started its transition “well in advance.” He noted that Indiana’s energy demand has grown, and is expected to rise as the state brings power-sucking economic development projects online. “This project for which AES petitions includes significant ratepayer investment, shutters a working and compliant facility, and does not bring additive energy to the grid,” Braun wrote.He urged commissioners to deny the conversion, and encouraged collaboration with policymakers to preserve coal’s role — “the most reliable baseload fuel” — while “looking to the future.” He said a solution would enable Indiana to power future economic development projects while maintaining certainty for electricity customers.The implications of this action are clear. Braun is not swayed by switching to a cheaper form of fossil fuel that is also less polluting.

On Forests

On the matter of deforestation, Braun has shown interest in preservation. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the FOREST Act to the United States Senate. It was also introduced in the House of Representatives. First introduced in October 2021, the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act would make it illegal for companies to import products of illegal deforestation, as defined by countries’ rules and regulations. Deforestation is a leading driver of climate change, displacement of people, and decimation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Global commodities such as soy, cattle, timber, cacao, and palm oil tend to be produced by clearing large swaths of land in forest countries. Up to 66% of agricultural land conversion in these countries is illegal. Many see the FOREST Act as “a critical step in tackling global deforestation and forest degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss while promoting good governance and leveling the playing field for responsible businesses at home and abroad.”

In a related legislative proposal, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Braun (R-IN) and Bob Casey (D-PA) announced the introduction of the Rural Forest Markets Act in the Senate. The American Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and Bipartisan Policy Center Action issued the following statements in support of the legislation: “We need our forests for clean air, clean water, wildlife and outdoor recreation—and for removing and storing atmospheric carbon that contributes to climate change,” said Alix Murdoch, Senior Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservancy. “With families owning nearly 40% of the forestland in the United States, it’s important that they can keep their forests healthy and in the family. This proposed legislation would help do so, at very little cost to the government. It’s a win for family forest owners and all of society.”

But during his short tenure as a state lawmaker, Braun worked to reduce taxes and regulations on an industry in which he holds a significant personal financial interest — a connection that raises ethical concerns, critics say. Braun owns more than 5,000 acres of timber land in southern Indiana valued at more than $5 million. He harvests the trees on that land for hardwood, yielding tens of thousands of dollars in income each year. At the same time, he successfully pushed legislation at the Statehouse that provided millions of dollars in tax breaks for the timber industry and cut regulatory costs for hauling logs. He also tried unsuccessfully to put new limits on logging in state forests, potentially forcing more logging onto private timber lands like his.

On Air Pollution

Senator Mike Braun released the following statement on President Biden’s proposed new emissions standards, which intend to make 2/3 of all new passenger cars and 1⁄4 of all trucks sold in the U.S. electric by 2032. “President Biden and his EPA are proposing unrealistic emissions standards to try to push the public further than they are willing to go. This plan is totally disconnected by the reality of our supply chain and energy infrastructure, and will result in the U.S. depending even more on China for raw rare earth minerals that the Biden administration doesn’t allow to be mined here. I ran a shipping and logistics business for 37 years, so I know this kind of overbearing government overreach will make everything more expensive.” We can draw a few conclusions from this action. Braun makes no mention of removing all the subsidies going to the oil business. There is no sense of an equal playing field. Transitioning to electric will require legislation designed to stimulate sales, such as a monetary award to the buyer.

On Wetlands

We have been unable to find any mention of wetlands in actions by Governor-elect Braun. Legislators owning construction companies have successfully reduced the acres of protected wetlands by half in recent years. Wetlands are very productive in preserving the environment.

On Rural Development

Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Braun on Friday a week ago, released a policy plan intended to benefit farmers and rural residents — highlighting ideas for tax relief, economic development and more. Braun’s proposals are directed at the current system of farming. To ease the financial pain, the group proposed capping annual increases in farm property tax bills to 3% and tweaking the base rate formula used to value agricultural land. The formula changes would include a higher maximum capitalization rate, removal of federal payments from operating income calculations and reviewing input costs for accuracy. The organization also suggested creating a tax-advantaged “farm savings account,” and a tax credit for young and beginning farmers.

On Green Energy

There is no mention of installing wind turbines or solar panels. Typically the power company pays the farmer $5,000 per year per turbine. Each turbine takes up about one acre. Wind and solar power can bring major monetary rewards to rural communities. Solar is cheaper than coal. Braun has been an advocate of carbon credits. An example is a farmer grows a cover crop in the winter. This action removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The problem is this action cannot begin to address the growth in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The conclusion is that Braun is unlikely to do anything that will advance Indiana in the protection of the environment.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature report, Paul Rothrock and Jeff Stant of Indiana Forest Alliance joins Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze to discuss historic legislation to conserve Indiana forests and wildlands currently moving through the US Congress.

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.

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Paul Rothrock & Jeff Stant speak with Environment Correspondent Zero Roze about a new book on Indiana Forest Alliance’s collaboration with Citizen Scientists and volunteers to document biodiversity in Indiana’s wild backlands and old growth forests, logging and burning by the United States Forest Sevice in the Hoosier National Forest and legislation moving through the US Congress to expand the Deam Wilderness Area. Paul Rothrock is Associate Curator Emeritus of the IU Herbarium and Jeff Stant is Executive Director of Indiana Forest Alliance.

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In this edition, Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze speaks with State Senator Shelli Yoder about the good and bad ecological impacts of state government policy.

And now for your environmental reports:

Free electricity, anyone? Britain Tries new tricks to green its grid. A New York Times article explains. A utility sends phone alerts when wind power is cheap. It’s among several experiments to redefine how people value electricity.

Were Heathcliff to roam the blustery moors around Wuthering Heights today, he might be interrupted by a ping on his cellphone saying something like this: The wind is raging, so power is cheap. It’s a good time to plug in the car.

OK. So the 18th-century literary occupants of these windswept hills received no such pings. But Martin and Laura Bradley do. They live in Halifax, an old mill town below the wuthering, or windy, heights of West Yorkshire. And when a squall kicks up, producing a surplus of electricity from wind turbines on the moor, their phones light up with a notification, like one that informed them of a 50 percent discount one Saturday in October.

The Bradleys plugged in their electric Kia, started a load of laundry and set to work on their most delectable energy-guzzling project: the Christmas fruitcake, which is made weeks in advance of the holidays. “As this takes four hours to cook in my electric oven, this is the perfect timing!” Laura Bradley said.

The phone alerts to the Bradleys and thousands of other people are part of Britain’s ambitious plan to shift the nation’s electricity system away from burning fossil fuels altogether by decade’s end. That would be five years faster than the United States, and a full decade ahead of the European Union, effectively making it the most ambitious target of any major industrialized economy.

—-Norm Holy

Oil interests gave more than $75 million to Trump PACs, according to The New York Times. Oil moguls are big donors to Donald Trump. But so are engineering firms, hedge fund managers, shipbuilders and others that profit from fossil fuels, far more than has been previously known, according to a new analysis of federal campaign data.

The total amount of money flowing to Mr. Trump and his allies from donors with links to fossil fuels is more than five times greater than initially estimated, according to an analysis by the environmental group Climate Power. It comes from mine operators, shipbuilders, engineering firms, hedge funds and little-known oil producers.

That is just the campaign cash that can be found in public records; donations made to nonprofits such as 501(c)(4) organizations, also known as dark money, are usually not publicly disclosed.
“It’s important to start by looking at this systematically and structurally,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who is investigating oil industry campaign donations.

Mr. Whitehouse referred to an analysis by the International Monetary Fund that found American fossil fuel companies receive $700 billion of subsidies each year, when accounting for federal tax breaks and undercharging of environmental costs. He was not surprised by the contributions from oil interests to Mr. Trump.

“To protect a $700 billion subsidy, what is the amount that would be economically reasonable to spend in its defense?” Mr. Whitehouse asked.

Mr. Trump’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. He has promised the oil and gas industry unfettered access to drilling on public lands and in federal waters, reducing his energy platform to “DRILL, BABY, DRILL.”

At an April 11 dinner with oil executives at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s private club in Florida, he asked them to donate $1 billion to his campaign, saying they would save far more than that in avoided taxes and legal fees after he repealed environmental regulations, according to several attendees who requested anonymity to discuss a private event.

There is little chance that our country will switch to renewable energy as long as fossil-fuel interests take more “welfare” than all the rest of society.

—Norm Holy

The flooding in eastern Spain, already the deadliest disaster in the country’s recent history, is a foretaste of the extreme storms that the region can expect to see more of as humans continue heating up the planet, scientists said this week. This was reported by The New York Times.

Because warmer air holds more moisture, the likelihood of severe downpours rises with every extra ounce of carbon dioxide that people put into the atmosphere by burning coal, oil and gas for energy.

The storms that caused this week’s deluges were of a type that is familiar to the region each fall. But global warming is helping such storms pack a bigger punch, scientists said, in a warning to local officials about the increasing urgency of flood preparedness.

In the town of Chiva, west of the city of Valencia, nearly 20 inches of rain fell in eight hours on Tuesday, Spain’s meteorological agency said. That’s what the area normally receives in a year.
“We know that extreme rainfall is becoming more extreme and more frequent,” said Andreas Prein, a professor of weather and climate modeling at the Swiss university ETH Zurich. “And we know that our infrastructure is aging and outdated. But being proactive about that is extremely difficult.”

In basic terms, eastern Spain was flooded this week because of a cutoff low: an area of low pressure that breaks away from the jet stream, the fast-moving current of wind that meanders west to east across the globe’s temperate regions.

When a cutoff low forms in the Gulf of Cádiz off southern Spain, it produces winds that blow warm, moist air from above the Mediterranean Sea toward the country’s eastern coast. This moisture-laden air hits the mountains and is pushed skyward, condensing into clouds that dump rain onto coastal areas including the province of Valencia.

Normally the jet stream would whisk such weather systems away relatively quickly. But because cutoff lows are detached from those winds, they can linger in place, blasting the same places with rain for days and days.

The warm water of the Mediterranean added to this week’s rainfall totals in Spain, said Rosana Nieto Ferreira, a professor of atmospheric science at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.
When water at the sea surface is warm, more of it evaporates, providing more moisture to fuel downpours. The Mediterranean has been abnormally hot in recent months, reaching its highest temperatures on record in August.

This week’s storms in Spain also produced large hail and tornadoes, an indication of how much energy was present in the low-level air that was sent aloft, said Dr. Prein.

“That’s something you don’t see very often,” he said. “For me, this is exactly what I would expect from climate change.”

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now we turn to a discussion between Zero Roze and State Senator Shelli Yoder about ways to improve the quality of life for Hoosiers and others around the world by advancing environmental legislation in the Indiana General Assembly.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Roze
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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In this edition of Eco Report, Madison Stratton speaks with several community members about food security and the benefits of local food pantries and other food sources.

In a press release, the United States Department of Energy announced a $428 million in grant funding for the building and expansion of green energy manufacturing in communities where coal mines have recently been decommissioned. The 14 projects in 15 United States coal communities were chosen by DoE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and will help accelerate domestic manufacturing of clean energy, a press release from DoE said.

“The transition to America’s clean energy future is being shaped by communities filled with the valuable talent and experience that comes from powering our country for decades,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm in the press release. “By leveraging the know-how and skillset of the former coal workforce, we are strengthening our national security while helping advance forward-facing technologies and revitalize communities across the nation.”

Led by small- to medium-sized businesses, the projects will address crucial vulnerabilities in the country’s energy supply chain. Five of the projects selected will be in or near disadvantaged communities. Each of the projects will include a benefits plan developed to maximize heath, environmental and economic benefits. “These are communities that powered America for literally decades, and this administration, the Biden-Harris administration, believes they’re exactly the right folks in the right communities to lead the clean energy transition for decades to come,” David Turk, deputy U.S. energy secretary, told reporters during a call, as Reuters reported.

The projects span a dozen states — including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Texas and Utah — and will leverage more than $500 million in investments by the private sector, while creating 1,900-plus jobs. “These investments from the Biden-Harris Administration – catalyzing even more in private sector investment – will lift up these energy communities by creating good-paying union jobs, enhancing our supply chains,” said Ali Zaidi, White House national climate advisor.

For the past two years, numerous colleagues at Johns Hopkins University have been busy implementing a $25 million, 5-year project called the Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative, or BSEC, for short. It draws on the expertise of scientists, academics, researchers, climate modeling specialists and other experts from Hopkins, Pennsylvania State University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, among others.

The initiative is part of a larger $66 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop “Urban Integrated Field Laboratories” in three U.S. cities—Baltimore, Chicago and Port Arthur-Beaumont, Texas —through collaborations between universities, government entities and nonprofit affiliates. The Biden administration’s goal: a net-zero economy by 2050. The challenge before the BSEC researchers is to figure out how atmospheric, climatic and environmental factors interact across Baltimore and come up with equitable climate adaptation strategies. This would allow Baltimore, and cities like it, to withstand pressures from climate change, while prioritizing investments in historically underserved communities.

Since they received the grant in 2022, the researchers have installed weather instruments in over 30 locations across the city, which allow the team to quantify, for example, the temperature variations between neighborhoods with little tree canopy and those with better tree cover and more green spaces. The hope is the data will help create more precise models applicable to other cities with similar urban features. This sounds a lot like the work of the Resiliency Institute at IU.

One of the reasons fish farms are a vital part of protein production is that fish are efficient in converting feed to flesh. On average, farmed fish require 1.2 lb of feed to gain 1 lb of body mass, compared with 1.7 lbs for poultry and 6.8 lbs for cattle. Through a comprehensive understanding of the specific nutritional needs, Atlantic salmon is currently the most efficient animal to produce, with the lowest feed requirement.

According to available data, the United States consumes approximately 450,000 tons of farmed salmon annually, with around two-thirds of the total salmon consumption. Much of our salmon is imported from Norway and Chile. Salmon farms in the USA are located in Maine, Washington, or Alaska. There aren’t enough wild salmon to satisfy the market. The wild salmon must be carefully protected because overfishing and warming oceans have decimated all populations. For example, the salmon fishery in California is closed. As the oceans warm, the salmon move toward the poles.

Norwegian salmon grown in fish farms has a typical feed: a dry granulated feed. It contains about 70% of plant ingredients and 30% of marine raw materials such as fishmeal and fish oil. Each granule contains essential nutrients for salmon: fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Proteins and fats are found in fishmeal and fish oil, as well as in vegetable protein and vegetable oils. The content of carbohydrates in fish feed is provided by wheat and corn. In addition, fish feeds contain vitamins and minerals, as well as impurities, such as antioxidants.

Fishmeal is typically composed of krill, herring, sand eels, anchovies, or mackerel. Wild salmon get its lovely rose color from eating krill and shrimp. Farmed salmon, because they eat pellets, is grey. To make it more appetizing to consumers, farmers add dyes to their feed. Large salmon farms also use high levels of antibiotics to treat bacteria that cause lesions and hemorrhaging in infected fish. Infections are a constant problem, because a typical cage may contain 20,000 fish. Overuse of antibiotics is a constant issue.

The salmon outlook is not good. The rivers on the west cost of the USA may soon be too warm for salmon runs. Salmon may be valuable enough that the majority could be raised indoors. Salmon are raised in Albany, Indiana. The farm is capable of raising 1,200 metric tons of salmon each year. The first harvest of conventional Atlantic salmon commenced at the end of June 2020 and the first harvest of our genetically engineered salmon started in Q2 of 2021.

With the Earth at its most degraded point in recorded history, and humans making insufficient efforts to prevent the destruction of ecosystems, a growing number of scientists, lawyers and activists are proposing a potential solution that challenges more than 350 years of global governance. The idea is to get countries and civil society to sign onto a declaration that recognizes Antarctica and its surrounding Southern Ocean as its own autonomous legal entity, similar to a sovereign country. Along with that status comes the right of Antarctica to participate in decision making that affects it, like the United Nations conferences on climate and biodiversity.

Advocates with the group Antarctic Rights unveiled a draft declaration that would do just that. The document also says the continent possesses inherent rights to exist and continue its natural cycles “free of human disruptions.” Thursday’s event took place on the sidelines of the 16th gathering of parties to the U.N. Convention of Biological Diversity being held in Colombia. Earth’s average temperature has exceeded 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Monitored wildlife populations have decreased by 73 percent in the last 50 years. Roughly one million animal and plant species are on the brink of extinction. And humans have cleared trees from an area of land roughly the size of two United States. It’s time we saved some of the few remaining resources.

Inside Climate Change writes that climate disasters only slightly shift the political needle. Researchers tracking the social and political impacts of storms, floods and heat waves say their effects are often transient and short-lived. Even amid what seems like a never-ending series of deadly and destructive climate extremes across the country, including heat waves in the Southwest, wildfires in California and hurricanes and flooding in the Southeast, social and political scientists say climate is still not a major issue for U.S. voters. Despite the deaths and destruction that Hurricanes Milton and Helene inflicted on North Carolina and Florida just a month before Election Day, the storms are unlikely to swing many votes, the researchers report.

“I watched for many years the hypothesis that hurricanes or other events would move the needle on public opinion, but saw little evidence of response to individual events,” said Lawrence Hamilton, a professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire who researches public views of science, the environment, climate change and human-environment interactions. He said there was a slow upward trend in climate awareness and response through 2020 that may have been interrupted by the COVID pandemic, but he said the data suggests that single extreme events did not have much of an effect on voters.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature, Madison Stratton speaks with several community members about food security and the benefits of local food pantries and other food sources.

An Invasive Plant Awareness Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd, from 10 am to noon at the Lower Cascades Park. You will weed wrangle invasive species and learn about healthier wildlife habitat. Gloves and tools will be provided. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Participate in an Archaeology Site Prep during a Volunteer Workday at Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, November 2nd, beginning at 1 pm. You will be clearing brush and small trees from the remnants of a foundation from th 1800’s, preparing the site for future mapping. Sign up at tinyurl.com/archday-volunteer-2024.
A Preserve-a-Preserve Weed Wrangle is coming up on Tuesday, November 5th, from 10 am to Noon at the Porter West Preserve in Monroe County. Learn about invasive plant management techniques. Sign up at the Sycamore Land Trust website.
A Whooper Wednesday will take place beginning on Wednesday, November 6th and running through Wednesday, February 26th, at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet at the Visitors Center at 8 am to walk around the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane.
Want to learn how to make sauerkraut? Then take Introduction to Fermentation: Sauerkraut on Wednesday, November 6th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Banneker Community Center. Learn how to transform cabbage into sauerkraut at this hands-on class. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

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In this edition we hear from Hank Duncan about the Bloomington’s ongoing efforts to improve bikeabilty and alternative transit options.

As we enter the colder months of the year, national meteorologists are getting a clearer picture of what winter might look like. This winter was originally thought to be dominated by the La Niña phenomenon. But now, the Climate Prediction Center believes it will be a “weak and a short duration La Niña” – if it appears at all. In an update issued Thursday, the Climate Prediction Center lowered its chances of a La Niña occurring this fall and winter. The odds it forms by November are now at 60%. Conditions are looking less favorable for a strong La Niña, the agency added. A weaker La Niña means we’re less likely to see La Niña’s typical impacts: cold, wetter weather up north and dry, warmer weather down south.

In the absence of La Niña or its counterpart, El Niño, conditions are “ENSO-neutral.” When that happens, “the crystal ball is even blurrier than usual,” said Michelle L’Heureux, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist with the Climate Prediction Center. “ENSO-neutral effectively means that conditions across Tropical Pacific are closer to average, so there isn’t a big disruption in the atmospheric circulation that is offered by El Niño or La Niña.” Given these uncertainties, the forecast issued October 17 suggests the winter in Indiana will be slightly warmer and wetter.

USA Facts reports that as of 2022, residential solar panels generated 37 million megawatt-hours, meaning residential solar panels generated enough electricity to power 3.4 million homes in 2022. Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources in the US, according to the Department of Energy. The US had about 3.9 million photovoltaic solar power systems installed at residences at the end of 2022, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. That number has grown by an average of 37% per year since Congress passed a federal tax credit for solar power in 2005.

In 2022, Congress passed additional tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act to help more Americans invest in rooftop solar installation. A small percentage of all homes (2.7%) had solar panels installed by the end of 2022. Overall, residential solar generates a small fraction of total US energy, making up less than 1% of all electricity production in 2022. This number is surprisingly low in view of the low cost of generating electricity. Indiana solar is more expensive because of barriers placed by the legislature. The barriers serve to favor the coal industry.

The New York Times has a story of how climate disasters are making mobile homes a huge risk. Millions of Americans, many poor and vulnerable, live in mobile and manufactured homes. When catastrophe strikes, they’re often on their own. Mobile homes built before 1976 were typically not required to meet any type of building code. That year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development set the first building standards for mobile homes, and it has since updated them several times. Prefabricated houses built after that year are called manufactured homes. Across the United States, there are 1.3 million mobile homes built before 1976, according to data compiled by the Urban Institute, and they are generally considered unsafe in a disaster. In the North Carolina counties hit by Helene, there were 19,000 of these aging mobile homes. In the Tampa area, there were about 50,000. It is unclear how many were destroyed by the storms.

In Manatee County, at the Bradenton Tropical Palms mobile park, many of the homes predate 1976. Three days after Milton, David Kraus was examining the damage to two of his homes, both of which were built in 1969 and had lost their roofs. He estimates repairs will cost up to $20,000 per home, neither of which was insured. “I’m tired of hurricanes,” said Mr. Kraus, 76, who plans to resettle in Alabama. The manufactured home industry maintains that homes built under modern federal standards are as safe as conventional structures if they are correctly installed, though experts say proper installation isn’t guaranteed. Taking no chances before Milton hit, officials in the Tampa Bay area ordered people in all manufactured homes, regardless of when they were built, to evacuate.

Inside Climate News reports the inaugural tribal energy summit and critical minerals and sovereignty take center stage. Panelists hopeful for tribal control of mineral decisions on their lands warned that a history of theft and deceptive business practices could repeat if Indigenous concerns are not prioritized in the energy transition. “Critical minerals are Indian minerals,” said Daniel Cardenas, a member of the Hammawi Band of the Pit River Tribe of California, at the Tribal Energy Summit held last week at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. “The energy transition must go through Indian country to be successful. That’s a huge opportunity and a huge responsibility as well.”

More than 60 percent of the cobalt and lithium, and nearly 90 percent of the nickel and copper for clean energy technologies like solar panels and batteries “lie either underneath Indian reservations or within 35 miles of one,” said Cardenas, the chief executive officer of both the American Indian Infrastructure Association and the National Tribal Energy Association. Those facts highlighted the importance of this first summit, which focused on how tribal communities can profit from and participate in the boom of new energy development.

Historically, the posture from energy companies and the federal government toward tribes with valuable natural resources often has been predatory, some tribal attendees noted. Troy Eid, a lawyer who has mediated energy disputes between tribes and corporations, cited the example of Peabody Energy, a coal company that paid royalties to the Navajo Nation that were 10 times lower than the market price of the coal the company was mining on the reservation for most of the second half of the 20th century.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature Zero Roze speaks with the City’s Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator, Hank Duncan, on developments fostering accessibility, walkability, alternative transit and local bikefrastructure.

Learn about Toad Warts and Adder Tongues at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, October 26th, beginning at 2 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to see and learn how these creatures use poison and venom to protect themselves.
Take a Fall Color Hike on the Friends’ Trail at Brown County State Park on Sunday, October 27th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. You will meet on Weedpatch Hill, the highest point in the park for a guided hike to enjoy the Autumn colors.
Enjoy a Fossil Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, November 1st, from 3 to 4:30 pm. Meet at the Canyon Inn to learn about ancient sea creature skeletons that were left behind in the limestone. You will be scrambling over rocks.
An Invasive Plant Awareness Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd, from 10 am to noon at the Lower Cascades Park. You will weed wrangle invasive species and learn about healthier wildlife habitat. Gloves and tools will be provided. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Participate in an Archaeology Site Prep during a Volunteer Workday at Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, November 2nd, beginning at 1 pm. You will be clearing brush and small trees from the remnants of a foundation from th 1800’s, preparing the site for future mapping. Sign up at tinyurl.com/archday-volunteer-2024.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………..Robert Shull
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report………………………….Robert Schull
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this edition, Robert Shull interviews Charlie Laughlin who runs Commercial Services for Heating and Cooling, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of geo-thermal heat pumps.

The Indiana Capitol Chronicle reports Indiana utilities earn a collective ‘C’ grade on clean energy goals. One Indiana utility company earned top marks and another pair nabbed no points in a national clean energy assessment. The six Hoosier utilities featured averaged a 44% — a “C” grade. The Sierra Club, a California-based environmental advocacy group, annually examines 50 parent companies owning half the country’s fossil fuel generation.

“‘The Dirty Truth’ report is a snapshot in time. It’s looking at what is being planned right now over the next 10 years by these utility companies,” said Robyn Skuya-Boss, director of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club. They hope the report will push change among utilities — and specifically for low-scorer Duke Energy Indiana. “We want to see Duke do better, and we want to see Duke really show us and customers who want clean, affordable and reliable energy that they are taking those concerns seriously and … moving forward with those plans over the next five years,” Skuya-Boss said.

The study metrics are based on goals set by President Joe Biden. He wants the country to get 80% of its energy from emissions-free sources by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The organization evaluated utilities’ renewable energy transition plans based on their commitments to retire coal-powered generation by 2030, build no new natural gas plants through 2035 and add enough renewable energy to replace their fossil fuel generation by 2035.

The Sierra Club gave Duke Energy Indiana its worst score since the report launched in 2021. The utility serves much of the state. Duke earned 13% in 2021, 27% in 2022 and 26% in 2023 — but nothing this year. The company plans to convert two units at its coal-powered Gibson Station to also run on natural gas; that would delay the plant’s retirement by three years, until 2038, WFYI reported. Duke would additionally wait to bring on most of its renewable energy until well into the 2030s, per its 20-year plan.

Duke Energy Indiana spokeswoman Angeline Protogere said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules will let utilities co-fire units with coal and natural gas until 2038. “We’re still reducing emissions, but we’re also managing costs for customers,” she wrote via email. “Our statewide plan is a balance of choices ranging from co-firing existing resources, to replacing some aging units with more efficient energy, to adding renewable power to our system.”

Skuya-Boss criticized the company for continuing to invest in coal, saying Gibson lost almost $56 million last year. That number is according to the Sierra Club, which cites public data. “I don’t know very many companies that, when they’re operating at a loss, then get to come back and say, ‘Hey, we want a $400 million-plus increase over current rates for putting more money into these plants,” Skuya-Boss said. “It’s a bad choice that, you know, customers really can’t afford.”

Given that Iowa gets 70 percent of its power from wind/solar and intends to convert entirely by 2030, it’s clear there are no barriers to converting entirely to wind/solar. Indiana’s slow pace is simply because management at power companies are too lazy to make any effort to modernize. Ever more damaging hurricanes are no reason to make any effort.

Energy News Network reports a midwest study finds solar farms don’t hurt property values — and they may even boost them. Loyola University research looked at property values surrounding dozens of large Midwest solar farms and found a slightly positive effect, likely tied to their broader economic benefits in communities. A newly published study examining property values near dozens of large Midwest solar farms has found no significant negative impact — and even a slight positive effect — from the projects, according to the data.

Loyola University researcher Gilbert Michaud has attended scores of community meetings about proposed solar projects across the Midwest. In past research, he quantified that property values were the most common concern brought up in local hearings about proposed utility-scale solar. And while solar arrays may have an aesthetic impact, property values are influenced by a wide range of other factors, such as the quality of schools and the local economy.

“I’ve observed a lot of the negative comments framed as ‘I think’ or ‘I saw something on social media,’” said Michaud, an assistant professor of environmental policy at the School of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago. So he sought to “elevate the discussion from ‘I think, I think, I think,’” by injecting it with some hard data. His latest study, published in the journal Solar Compass, looked at property values surrounding 70 utility-scale solar projects in the Midwest and found they actually had a minor positive effect — increasing values 0.5% to 2%.

“While the impact itself — of a few thousand dollars — might not be incredibly meaningful,” said Michaud, “clearly these projects drive economic development in rural communities, through jobs, tax contributions, etcetera, which in turn increase residential property values.”

The New York Times reports Biden now requires that lead drinking-water pipes to be replaced nationwide. The “historic” rule aims to eliminate a major source of lead poisoning and comes a decade after a drinking-water crisis in Flint, Mich. Marking the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Mich., President Biden on Tuesday gave water utilities 10 more years to replace virtually every lead pipe in the country, imposing the strictest limits to date on a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous to infants and children.

The president, surrounded by yellow waterworks trucks and speaking to workers at the Department of Public Works field office in Milwaukee, described the new regulation as an overdue environmental justice breakthrough for disadvantaged communities that he said had “borne the brunt of lead poisoning for damn too long.”

The new rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, sets the most aggressive restrictions on lead in drinking water since federal standards were first set decades ago. Utilities will be required to take stock of their lead pipes and replace them over the next 10 years, a policy that four states — Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Rhode Island — have in place already. It replaces less-stringent regulations, adopted during the Trump administration, on lead in drinking water.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature, Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull interviews Charlie Laughlin who runs Commercial Services for Heating and Cooling, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of geo-thermal heat pumps.

Enjoy Collecting Colors at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, October 19th, from 11 am to Noon. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn on an easy hike to learn how to identify trees by their leaves. You will end your hike to make a leaf craft.
An Autumn Colors Sunset Hike is planned for Saturday, October 19th, from 5 to 7 pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. The hike takes place during the “golden hour” when the sun approaches the horizon as it sets, and lights up the world in warm shades of yellow, orange and red. The views with surrounding trees is breathtaking.
A Forestry Open House will take place at Morgan-Monroe State Forest and Yellowwood State Forest on Thursday, October 24th, from 4 to 7 pm at the Morgan-Monroe State Forest Office. You will learn about the forest, recreation and facility management. Questions and comments will follow.
A program on Into Darkness will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, October 25th, from 2 to 3 pm. You will learn all about the creatures that dwell in a world of total darkness in Spring Mill’s caves.
Make a Halloween Sand Candle at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, October 25th, from 2:30 to 4 pm. You will get to create and decorate your own mold in the sand to make your special Halloween Sand Candle.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………..Zero Roze
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report………………………….Robert Schull
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze speaks with Robyn Skuya-Boss of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club about how energy companies in Indiana are dragging their feet when it comes to phasing out the use of fossil fuels responsible for destabilizing the earth’s climate.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Hurricane Helene was a historic storm. Climate change likely made it worse. The storm’s enormous rainfall totals and rapid increase in intensity both reflect the influence of global warming, scientists say. The full scope of the damage Helene left behind is still coming into focus, but the storm already ranks as one of the most destructive in U.S. history. More than 160 people have been confirmed dead, with hundreds still missing, as responders sort through the wreckage.

Damage caused by the storm could be $160 billion, according to estimates from AccuWeather. While the Atlantic Basin has produced hurricanes for millennia, Helene exhibited traits scientists say are becoming more common as human activity warms the planet. As bad as Helene was, Trump has focused on the aftermath. According to CNN, Trump wrote in a social media post on Thursday that Biden and Harris “are universally being given POOR GRADES for the way that they are handling the Hurricane, especially in North Carolina.”

That wasn’t even close to accurate. Though the Biden administration’s response had certainly received criticism, it had also been praised by various state and local leaders — including the Republican governors of some of the affected states and the Democratic governor of North Carolina, plus local leaders including the Democratic mayor of the hard-hit North Carolina city of Asheville.

It is obvious that Trump would not focus on the fact that he and Republicans have fought against doing things that would counter climate change. Republicans have completely caved to oil and coal interests. Even today, the Indiana legislature does not allow any report or speech to mention “climate change”. They refuse to address legislation which would move Indiana’s economy toward a greener position.

Indiana advertises that it is “business friendly”, which, in part, means that firms that cannot get approval in other states because they would exceed pollution standards, are welcome to locate in Indiana. Trump’s response to the devastation of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico reveals how concerned he was about rapid recovery.

The effects of the hurricane — the worst storm to strike the island in over 80 years — caused as much as $94 billion in damages. Trump’s response: he gave the contract to repair the electrical grid to Whitefish Energy in Montana. At the time Whitefish Energy employed two people. Trump’s other solution was to pass out paper towels.

The New York Times reported that Helene knocked out a key facility for monitoring the global climate. The National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville, N.C., gathered data from around the world to help track Earth’s warming. Among the many pieces of critical infrastructure that Hurricane Helene knocked offline in Asheville, N.C., was a key federal office for monitoring the global climate.

Work is underway to get the facility running again, but the outage is likely to delay some agencies’ monthly updates on global warming and other climate indicators. The data center at the National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, remained shut down, according to John Bateman, a NOAA spokesman. The building that houses the facility had power but not water, and its network service provider still was not operational.

The National Centers for Environmental Information have headquarters in Asheville and three other main offices around the country. The tools and data they provide are used by farmers, fishermen, businesses, insurers, investors and other organizations. The centers also play a critical role in tracking the global climate: They sweep together information from weather agencies worldwide and make the data easily accessible to researchers. Trump promises to end NOAA when he is re-elected, which would, among many other things, mean hurricanes would hit without warning.

Americans continue to move into areas that are prone to catastrophes. The country’s vast population shift has left more people exposed to the risk of natural hazards and dangerous heat at a time when climate change is amplifying many weather extremes. A New York Times analysis shows the dynamic in new detail:

• Florida, which regularly gets raked by Atlantic hurricanes, gained millions of new residents between 2000 and 2023.

• Phoenix has been one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities for years. It’s also one of the hottest, registering 100 straight days with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit this year.

• The fire-prone foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada have seen an influx of people even as wildfires in the region become more frequent and severe.

• East Texas metro areas, like Houston, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, have ballooned in recent decades despite each being at high risk for multiple hazards, a fact brought into stark relief this year when Hurricane Beryl knocked out power in Houston during a heat wave.

“The more that people are moving into areas exposed to hazards,” said Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia’s Climate School, “the more that these hazards can turn into disasters of larger and larger scale.” In some places, population growth and development have already made disasters worse and more costly, leading to widespread damage and destruction, major stress on infrastructure and soaring losses for insurers and individuals alike.

Yet studies show people continue to flock to many “hazard hotspots.” Americans’ decisions about where to move are largely motivated by economic concerns and lifestyle preferences, experts said, rather than potential for catastrophe. Some move seeking better job prospects and a cheaper cost of living; others are lured by sunnier climates and scenic views.

Feature ReportIn this week’s feature,Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze sat down with the Chapter Director of the Sierra Club to discuss ‘the Dirty Truth’, a new report card which gave Duke Energy an ‘F’ for failing to take Climate Change seriously and deciding to delay our transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Enjoy an October Big Day Hike at Touch the Earth Natural Area in Bartholomew County on Saturday, October 12th, from 9 to 11 am. Sycamore Land Trust in partnership with the Indiana Audubon Society and the Indiana Land Protection Alliance will lead you on a morning of fall birding. Please register at the Sycamore Land Trust web site.
Enjoy an Owl Hoot at Brown County State Park on Saturday, October 12th, from 7 to 8 pm. Are you curious about Indiana’s native owls? Meet at Lake Strahl to learn about owls, hear their sounds and hopefully, see one!
The Big Sit will take place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 13th, from 7 am to 7 pm. This is a semi-competitive international birding event. The challenge is to see how many birds you can identify while staying within a 17-foot diameter circle.
Take a Guided Hike at the Sam Shine Foundation Preserve at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, October 16th, from 10 am to Noon. You will learn about the 814 contiguous acres and the frontage along Beanblossom Creek as well as Conservation Easements. There will be no restroom facilities.
Enjoy a Harvest Moon Night Hike on Wednesday, October 16th, from 8 to 9:30 pm at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Discover the magic that comes alive in the woods at night during a guided hike. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

Later in the program, Janek Schaller talks with Clarence Boone, the Coordinator of the Bloomington City Farmers Markets, and Indiana legislators about the connection between local farmers and the community and the future of agriculture.

And now for your environmental reports:

According to the New York Times, advances are being made to reduce bat losses from the fungus causing the white-nose syndrome. The fungus is native to Europe. It doesn’t harm bats there because their immune systems keep it in check. It’s unclear how the fungus reached the United States; a traveler may have carried a spore of it on a shoe to North America, where bats lack immunity and have proved to be dangerously vulnerable.
Scientists have found that Earth may soon pass another planetary boundary, meaning it could be operating outside of the safe limits for seven of the nine defined planetary boundaries.
The Planetary Health Check report, prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), is a new assessment that determines the state of the planetary boundaries. For its first edition, the report found that Earth is near the boundary for ocean acidification.
The AP reports that Britain’s last coal-fired power plant closed on Monday, ending 142 years of coal-generated electricity in the nation that sparked the Industrial Revolution.
The Ratcliffe-on-Soar station in central England is finishing its final shift at midnight after more than half a century of turning coal into power. The U.K. government hailed the closure as a milestone in efforts to generate all of Britain’s energy from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, the main source for power generation is natural gas. The UK will have to hustle to convert to wind and solar.

Feature Report:

And now, let’s listen to Janek Schaller talk with local Indiana farmers, Farmers Market vendors and Indiana legislators about the attitudes on agriculture in Indiana.

And now, some upcoming events:

Search for Eagles at the Autumn Birdwatching event on Saturday, October 5th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. You will be discovering the hobby of birding while looking for bald eagles. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

Meet at the Lower Cascades Park for a Nature RX Walk on Sunday, October 6th, at 8 am. Learn about native habitat while listening to bird songs and enjoying nature. You can decrease your anxiety, lower stress and cortizol and much more. Nature is good for you!

A Climate Action Workshop on Tree Planting and Maintenance for Storm Resilience is planned for Wednesday, October 9th, from Noon to 12:45 pm on Zoom. Learn how to choose the right place, identifying defects, pruning and much more. To sign up, go to bloomington.in.gov/sustainability/climate-action-workshops.

Take your dog on a Howl At The Moon walk at Switchyard Park on Friday, October 11th, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. It is a glow-in-the dark walk using glow sticks as you loop through the park.
Enjoy an October Big Day Hike at Touch the Earth Natural Area in Bartholomew County on Saturday, October 12th, from 9 to 11 am. Sycamore Land Trust in partnership with the Indiana Audubon Society and the Indiana Land Protection Alliance will lead you on a morning of fall birding. Please register at the Sycamore Land Trust web site.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Janek Schaller.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

View Details

In this week’s feature report, Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance on protecting Indiana forests from burning and logging.

Inside Climate Change reports new figures on the cost of solar power. They say your roof isn’t getting any bigger, but the amount of electricity that can be produced by solar panels up there has grown by a lot compared to a generation ago. New figures from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory show how much: The median size of a residential solar system grew from 2.4 kilowatts in 2000 to 7.4 kilowatts in 2023. Size, in this case, refers to the generating capacity of a solar system, not its surface area.

The tripling of median size, despite the surface area of a typical roof not changing much, is a boon for consumers and the grid. Lawrence Berkeley Lab published a trove of data last week as part of the annual “Tracking the Sun” report on customer-owned solar. The report, which looks at data from 2023, shows a continuation of major trends like the growth of panel efficiency, a drop in prices and an increase in solar systems that are paired with battery storage. To get a better sense of progress, it helps to take a longer view.

I asked Galen Barbose, a staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Lab and co-author of the report, which long-term trends he finds the most striking. He pointed to the growth in system size. “Customers are able to meet more of their load and save more on their bills,” he said. The increase in system size is closely related to improvements in solar panel efficiency, a measure of how much of the solar radiation shining on a panel’s surface is converted to electricity. Last year, more than 90 percent of solar panels had efficiency of at least 20 percent, which is remarkable considering that no residential panels had that level of efficiency as recently as 2011, according to the report.

The rapid shift follows technological change, such as the development of “TOPCon” solar panels, which have a mix of materials that achieve greater efficiency with minimal increase in costs. Even as residential solar prices continue to decline, the United States has high prices relative to peers. Prices in Australia, for example, have fallen to less than $1 per watt. Energy analysts have asked why there is such a large gap between the United States and Australia.

Inside Climate Change reports 28 million acres of Alaska public lands are protected from oil drilling. This is a reversal of Trump policy. After years of review, the U.S. Department of the Interior finalized a decision to retain protections for 28 million acres of public lands in Alaska. The fate of these areas was previously in flux following a Trump-era effort to open them up to development, including oil and gas extraction. On Tuesday, the Interior deemed this attempt “unlawful” because it was not informed by appropriate environmental assessments and input from local Alaska Native peoples, who depend on the land for food and water.

“Tribal consultation must be treated as a requirement—not an option—when the federal government is making decisions that could irrevocably affect Tribal communities,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. “Continuing these essential protections, which have been in place for decades, will ensure continued access and use of these public lands now and in the future.” While many tribal and environmental groups lauded the decision, prominent elected officials in Alaska have opposed these protections, citing the potential for extractive activities to boost the state’s jobs and economy. During Trump’s presidency, he never sought or accepted tribal advice.

Indiana Public Radio at Ball State reports that Equity Alliance identifies locations for EV chargers in Black communities, says the state fails to do so. For two years now, an equity alliance has said Indiana should do more to place electric vehicle charging stations in Black communities. Now the alliance has chosen its own preferred locations for the federally-funded chargers in its Indiana Electric Vehicle Charging Neighbor-Hood Green Book.

The book is a nod to the segregation-era guidebook that listed safe places to stop for Black travelers. It lists 38 locations in under served communities that could host EV chargers that qualify for federal grants through the Biden administration. Jorden Giger co-founded Black Lives Matter of South Bend and is part of the Indiana Alliance for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Economic Opportunities Development.

He said when Indiana first hosted meetings on EV chargers for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, many of them weren’t in areas that were accessible to Black Hoosiers — and a few were in cities the Alliance considers sundown towns. “We want to be able to drive through the state and charge in places that are safe and friendly to us and our families,” Giger said. While the state’s picks for EV charging locations so far are primarily gas stations right off the highway, the Alliance’s choices are mostly churches less than 5 miles away.

Feature ReportEnvironmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance on protecting Indiana forests from burning and logging.

An Aquatic Wonders event is planned for Saturday, September 28th, from 7 to 8 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Learn about the worlds that exist but are hard to see. You will hike to the waterfall to look for tiny insects. You will wear rubber boots because you will be in the water.
Take a Stillwater Levee Walk at the Northfork at Monroe Lake on Sunday, September 29th, beginning at 9:30 am. You will explore the crops planted for wildlife food, check nesting boxes, and learn about seasonal flooding. Sign up at tinyurl.com/stillwater2024.
Learn about Urban Greenspaces on Monday, September 30th, at 4 pm at Wild Birds Unlimited. Find out how to protect native habitats in your neighborhood.
The Community Gardening Program is offering a class on Wildflower Seed Soiree on Thursday, October 3rd, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park. Walk through the park to collect native wildflower seeds. You will learn best practices for seed collection and storage as you collect your seeds. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Meet at the Lower Cascades Park for a Nature RX Walk on Saturday, October 6th, at 8 am. Learn about native habitat while listening to bird songs and enjoying nature. You can decrease your anxiety, lower stress and cortizol and much more. Nature is good for you!

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………..Frank Marshalek
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………..Zero Roze
Script…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Coming up later in this Fall Fund Drive episode, Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update on forest protection efforts from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance.

And now for your environmental reports:

Fracking is an issue in the national election. Trump is all in; Harris has not been clear where she stands. Let us briefly review pros and cons of fracking.

Fracking (also known as hydraulic fracturing) is a well stimulation technique involving the fracturing of formations in bedrock by a pressurized liquid. The process involves the high-pressure injection of “fracking fluid” (primarily water, containing sand suspended with the aid of thickening agents) into a wellbore to create cracks in the deep-rock formations through which natural gas, petroleum, and brine will flow more freely. Hydraulic fracturing produces fractures in the rock formation that stimulate the flow of natural gas or oil, increasing the volumes that can be recovered.

Hydraulic fracturing began as an experiment in 1947, and the first commercially successful application followed in 1949. As of 2012, 2.5 million “frac jobs” had been performed worldwide on oil and gas wells, over one million of those within the U.S. A 2015 Harvard Business School/Boston Consulting Group analysis estimates that shale development created roughly 2.7 million U.S. jobs in the first decade of the shale revolution.

A 2013 study, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, projected fracking will create a total of 3.5 million U.S. jobs by 2035. Drilling and hydraulic fracturing have made the United States a major crude oil exporter but leakage of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has dramatically increased. Methane is the second-most contributor to global warming. Increased oil and gas production from the decade-long fracking boom has led to lower prices for consumers, with near-record lows of the share of household income going to energy expenditures.

Hydraulic fracturing is highly controversial. Its proponents advocate the economic benefits of more extensively accessible hydrocarbons, as well as replacing coal with natural gas, which burns more cleanly and emits less carbon dioxide (CO2), and energy independence. Opponents of fracking argue that these
are outweighed by the environmental impacts, which include groundwater and surface water contamination, noise and air pollution, and the triggering of earthquakes, along with the resulting hazards to public health and the environment. Adherence to regulation and safety procedures are required to avoid further negative impacts.

The scale of methane leakage associated with hydraulic fracturing is uncertain, and there is some evidence that leakage may cancel out any greenhouse gas emissions benefit of natural gas relative to other fossil fuels.

Indiana has a history of oil and gas production, particularly in the southwestern part of the state, where hydraulic fracturing is used to enhance production from older wells and access tight formations. While the scale of fracking in Indiana is relatively small, it plays a role in the state’s energy industry.

—Norm Holy

According to CNBC, artificial intelligence (AI) could drive a natural gas boom as power companies face surging electricity demand.

Natural gas producers are planning for a significant spike in demand over the next decade, as artificial intelligence drives a surge in electricity consumption that renewables may struggle to meet alone.

After a decade of flat power growth in the U.S., electricity demand is forecast to grow as much as 20% by 2030, according to a Wells Fargo analysis published in April. Power companies are moving to quickly secure energy as the rise of AI coincides with the expansion of domestic semiconductor and battery manufacturing as well as the electrification of the nation’s vehicle fleet.

AI data centers alone are expected to add about 323 terawatt hours of electricity demand in the U.S. by 2030, according to Wells Fargo. The forecast power demand from AI alone is seven times greater than New York City’s current annual electricity onsumption of 48 terawatt hours. Goldman Sachs projects that data centers will represent 8% of total U.S. electricity consumption by the end of the decade.

Surging electricity loads will require an energy source that can jump into the breach and meet spiking demand during conditions when renewables are not generating enough power. The natural gas industry is betting gas will serve as the preferred choice.

In Indiana, renewables account for just ten percent of our power generation, putting our state in the lowest third of all states. In the legislature, there remains substantial opposition to anything but coal. However, one major project has snuck through.

According to Inside Indiana Business, Mammoth Solar is involved in a project in Northwest Indiana which is expected to be the largest solar project in the United States. Over 2.8 million panels will generate more than 1 gigawatt of power. The first 400 MW phase was completed in July 2024.

The country’s largest solar farm is being built on 13,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties. It is largely rural farmland with a total combined population of about 35,000. A new initiative with landowners will make those fields look more like what locals are
accustomed to: full of crops and animals.

Doral Renewables, the Pennsylvania-based company behind the Mammoth Solar project, has plans to expand the use of the solar farm to benefit locals and support their environmentally motivated values. Through the dual-land-use project, the company is partnering with local landowners to tend to livestock and cultivate crops on the same acres as the solar panels. Called agrivoltaics, the company wants to act as innovators in the country’s growing solar market, doubling the use of the land and inviting researchers to study its impact.

“We consider the sun as another harvest, another crop,” said Ed Baptista, director of development of agrivoltaics & green hydrogen for Doral. “When you analyze the economics of what we are getting or the farmers are getting with our solar project, it’s far
more of than that they are having right now with a standard crops production.”

As solar energy gains momentum in Indiana and across the country, the $1.5 billion Mammoth Solar project is one of the most ambitious: generating 1.6 gigawatts of power, which is enough to power 275,000 homes. Mammoth Solar is being completed in three phases broken down into north, south and central plots of land. The second phase kicked off in November 2022. Throughout the project, about 800 people were hired and about 250 remain operating the panels. About 70% of employment was locally sourced.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zero Roze and Steven Stewart for the latest on IFA’s forest protection initiatives.

An Identitree experience will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 21st, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn in front of the Nature Center to take a short hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail to learn how to identify trees.
There will be a World Rivers Day Cleanup at Switchyard Park on Sunday, September 22nd from 10 am to Noon. You can help clear debris and invasive species along Clear Creek. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Sense the Night Hike is planned for Friday, September 27th, beginning at 8 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. You will step into the “shoes” of a nocturnal animal and learn how they fully experience and thrive in the dark! Hike is limited to 25 people so sign-up IN PERSON at the Campground Gatehouse between 3 and 7:30 pm on September 27th.
Play credits music. Countdown and cue anchor.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zero Rose.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.

View Details

In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.

The New York Times reports solar farms have a superpower beyond clean energy. The sites fight climate change and can help with another global crisis: the collapse of nature. But so far, efforts to nurture wildlife habitat have been spotty. The sun’s clean energy is a powerful weapon in the battle against climate change. But the sites that capture that energy take up land that wildlife needs to survive and thrive. Solar farms could blanket millions of acres in the United States over the coming decades.

So developers, operators, biologists and environmentalists are teaming up with an innovative strategy. “We have to address both challenges at the same exact time,” said Rebecca Hernandez, a professor of ecology at the University of California, Davis, whose research focuses on how to do just that. Insects, those small animals that play a mighty role in supporting life on Earth, are facing alarming declines. Solar farms can offer them food and shelter by providing a diverse mix of native plants.

Such plants can also decrease erosion, nourish the soil and store planet-warming carbon. They can also attract insects that improve pollination of nearby crops. The question is, if you build it, will they come? So far the answer is a resounding yes, if you grow the right plants. In a study published late last year, researchers found that insect abundance had tripled over five years on test plots at two Minnesota solar sites.

The abundance of native bees grew twentyfold. The results come amid a global decline of wildlife that leaders are struggling to address. Some of the most well-known insect species are in trouble: Later this year, the federal government is expected to rule on whether to place monarch butterflies on the Endangered Species List. North American birds, for their part, are down almost 30 percent since 1970.

But at the site in Minnesota, called Anoka County Solar, acoustic monitoring has documented 73 species of birds, presumably attracted by the buffet of seeds and insects. Some even built nests in the structures supporting the panels. In Indiana one of the chief complaints about solar is that good farmland for corn is being wasted on solar. They see the open spaces as wasted. Yet, there is no complaint about homeowners mowing 3 acres of lawn which supports zero wildlife.

According to two new reports from Bloomberg, the global clean energy transition has reached significant milestones and is poised to continue at its current pace. Last year for the first time more than 40 percent of the planet’s electricity was generated by zero-carbon sources, of which 14 percent were from solar and wind. Hydroelectric and nuclear are very important means of zero-carbon energy production.

In 2023, nearly 91 percent of net power capacity additions worldwide were from solar and wind, compared with six percent from fossil fuels, the lowest level ever. “We have seen a step-change in renewable energy compared to a few years before. There’s now no question this is the largest source of new power generation, wherever you go.” said Sofia Maia, lead author of Power Transition Trends 2024.

The first half of this year brought $313 billion in new renewable energy investment, which was comparable to the same period in 2023. Renewables made up almost a third of power generation worldwide in 2023, up five percent year-on-year. According to the reports, hydropower made up 14.7 percent, solar and wind a record 13.9 percent and nuclear 9.4 percent. Findings from the reports, both published by BNEF — the 2H 2024 Renewable Energy Investment Tracker and Power Transition Trends 2024 — indicated that momentum toward green energy has accelerated.

China continued to dominate new renewables investments. In the first six months of 2024, the United States was the world’s second largest market and has seen a 63 percent increase in half-annual investment levels since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. During the same period, Pakistan jumped from being the 14th-largest new solar investment market last year to the fifth-largest in 2024. Indiana gets 10 percent of its power from wind and solar.

Take a Full Moon Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, September 14th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Meet at the Canyon inn to hike to the highest point in Owen County to learn fact and fiction as you enjoy the Full Harvest Moon.
Take a Night Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Tuesday, September 17th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Enjoy the peace and serenity during the Full Moon. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
There will be a World Rivers Day Cleanup at Switchyard Park on Sunday, September 22nd from 10 am to Noon. You can help clear debris and invasive species along Clear Creek. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this week’s feature report, we hear an interview by Janek Schaller with Lindsey Levine, who is with Sycamore Land Trust, and David VanGilden, with the Hoosier Environmental Council, about the Kirtland’s snake.

The New York Times reports a feel-good story about a very old whale. How the world’s oldest humpback whale has survived is a mystery. Old Timer, a male first photographed in 1972, was spotted last month near Alaska, enduring in the Pacific Ocean while some other humpbacks have struggled in a changing environment. A humpback whale’s tail is as unique as a fingerprint.

The lobes, or flukes, at the end of the tail have scalloped edges that vary from whale to whale; the undersides feature distinct black-and-white patterns that mark a whale for life. When Adam A. Pack, a marine mammal researcher at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, was photographing whales in Alaska’s Frederick Sound in July, he instantly recognized the flukes of an old friend.

Emphasis on old. The tail — mostly black, with a wash of white speckles near the edge — belongs to a whale named Old Timer. First spotted in 1972, Old Timer is now a male of at least 53 years, making him “the oldest known humpback whale in the world,” said Dr. Pack, who is also the co-founder and president of The Dolphin Institute. Humpback whale populations, once severely depleted by commercial whaling, have rebounded in recent decades. But the animals are threatened by ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear and climate change.

And Dr. Pack had worried about Old Timer: The last time he had seen the whale, in 2015, was in the middle of a record-breaking, years-long heat wave. Scores of seabirds and marine mammals, including humpback whales, died. But after nine years, he saw with his own eyes that Old Timer had survived. “It was heartwarming, because I realized it wasn’t just the old whales who were perishing,” Dr. Pack said. “Some of them were resilient.”

Historically, tracking the whereabouts of the whales has been done the hard way: by scientists using their own eyes to compare new fluke photos with old ones. But future studies of Old Timer and other humpbacks of all ages are set to be accelerated with artificial intelligence. And Dr. Pack hopes it will help him learn how, and why, some whales can withstand tough conditions.

The New York Times reports on the continuing story of the ‘demise’ of the Great Barrier Reef within a generation. A new study found that temperatures in the Coral Sea have reached their highest levels in at least four centuries. This generation will probably see the demise of the Great Barrier Reef unless humanity acts with far more urgency to rein in climate change, according to scientists in Australia who released new research on heat in the surrounding ocean.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is often called the largest living structure on Earth. The study, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, found that recent extreme temperatures in the Coral Sea are at their highest in at least 400 years, as far back as their analysis could reach. It included modeling that showed what has been driving those extremes: Greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans burning fossil fuels and destroying natural places that store carbon, like forests. We’ve known this for decades, but we never take actions to halt the trend.

“The heat extremes are occurring too often for those corals to effectively adapt and evolve,” said Ben Henley, a paleoclimatologist at the University of Melbourne and an author of the new study. “If we don’t divert from our current course, our generation will likely witness the demise of one of Earth’s great natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef.” The study’s scientific prose put it this way: “The existential threat to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem from anthropogenic climate change is now realized.”

Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s environment minister, said in a statement that the government understood its responsibility to act on climate change and safeguard the reef. She pointed to a recent law that calls for a 43 percent reduction of emissions by 2030 and to $1.2 billion in measures to protect the reef. All coral reefs are in danger from global warming, scientists say. Too much heat causes coral to bleach, meaning they lose the symbiotic algae they need to survive. If conditions don’t improve quickly enough, the coral die.

The new research comes as the world’s reefs are in the grips of the most widespread bleaching event on record. From January 2023 to this August, 74 percent of the ocean’s reef area has experienced bleaching-level heat stress, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch. The previous record, which occurred between 2014 and 2017, was 65.7 percent.

Coral reefs support an estimated quarter of marine species, protect coasts from storms and underpin activities like fishing and tourism. Their economic value has been estimated at $2.7 trillion a year. What is not part of the study is the effect of rising oceans. Ocean levels could be up to 10 feet higher by 2100. This rise could be achieved even if only the Thwaites glacier on Antarctica breaks loose.

That release will raise ocean levels by 2 feet. Then other glaciers in the area are likely to drop into the ocean, bringing the potential of a 10 foot rise. The point is that coral reefs around the globe may die from receiving too little sunshine. The rising water temperatures and sea levels appears to doom essentially all corals throughout the world.

Do you recycle plastic? Do you feel like you are wasting your time recycling plastic? Actually, you probably are. Less that 9% of plastics produced have ever been recycled, and less than 1% has been recycled more than once. Most plastic are burned, dumped in landfills, or littering our neighborhoods and waterways. Here are the five reasons plastic recycling fails:

Reason 1: Plastic waste is too widespread to collect. Single-use plastics can be thought of as trillions of pieces of plastic confetti spewed from retail and fast-food stores. It’s impossible to collect all the small pieces.

Reason 2: Mixed plastic waste cannot be recycled together. It would be functionally impossible to sort the trillions of pieces of consumer plastic waste produced each year.

Reason 3: Plastic recycling is wasteful, polluting, and a fire hazard. The reprocessing of plastic makes toxic waste, and it’s been shown to be hazardous to workers. Plastic is highly flammable, which can cause fires at the recycling facilities, which release toxins into the air.

Reason 4: Recycled plastic has huge toxicity risks. Plastics are not inert like metal and glass. The may contain toxic additives or absorb contaminants like pesticides or motor oil.

Reason 5: Plastic recycling is not economical. It is expensive to collect, sort, truck, and safely reprocess. New plastic competes with recycled plastc, and it’s far cheaper to produce.

We are now at a decision point on single-use plastics and packaging. You, personally, can cut down on the use of plastic. We have a planet to save!

Microplastics are widespread in the environment, and it’s difficult to avoid exposure. We are just beginning to understand how microplastics can affect our health. Until we have more scientific evidence, the best thing we can do is reduce our exposure to plastics, especially heated plastics. The advice for us is do not reheat food in plastic containers; reheat instead on a regular plate or bowl.

Reheating in a styrofoam container risks a melting/volitalization of polystrene. Particles we cannot see are emitted and likely to mix with the food. We don’t yet know the effects of microplastics in the human brain. Some laboratory experiments suggest microplastics increase brain inflammation and cell damage, alter gene expression and change brain structure.

Various plastic chemicals could also leach out of the microplastics into the body. These include the famous hormone-disrupting chemicals known as BPAs, which are plasticizers used to make the plastics more moldable.

In this week’s feature report, we hear an interview by Janek Schaller with Lindsey Levine, who is with Sycamore Land Trust, and David VanGilden, with the Hoosier Environmental Council, about the Kirtland’s snake.

A program about deer, called Oh Deer! will take place at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 7th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Examine real bones and teeth from a White-Tailed Deer and learn about the appearance of their tracks.
The Friends of Lake Monroe are having a Pontoon Tour to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Monroe Lake on Tuesday, September 10th, from 5 to 7 pm. Join Jill Vance, Interpretive Naturalist for Monroe Lake to learn about the lake. Register at https://www.friendsoflakemonroe.org/events-page.
Enjoy a Wolf Cave Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, September 13th, from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Learn how the tornado impacted Wolf Cave. The hike is 2.8 miles long. Bring a flashlight.
Take a Full Harvest Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 14th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Experience the park at night while you learn the history and folk lore of the Full Harvest Moon.
Enjoy a Monroe Water Treatment Plant Tour to help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Monroe Lake on Sunday, September 8th, from 10 to 11:45 am. Learn where your water comes from and the treatment process that turns water from Monroe Lake into our drinking water. Sign up at friendsofmonroe.org/events-page.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Janek Schaller
Headlines………………..Norm Holy & Julianna Dailey
Feature Report…………………………..Janek Schaller
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

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Later in the program we will listen to an interview by Robert Shull with Nancy White, who is the Master Gardener and is the coordinator of volunteer gardeners who tend the Wonder Garden located next to Wonder Lab.

Feeling the humidity? A culprit may include the corn plant. Each corn plant sucks 2.5 cups of water from the ground per day. Almost all this water evaporates. Overall, the Weather Channel said that 32 trillion gallons evaporate from the Corn Belt each year. This brings us our very high dew points and high humidity. At least the evaporation keeps the temperature under 100 F. Now that the corn crop is mature and beginning to turn brown, our days should begin to be less humid.
Where are all the hurricanes? The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expected at least 17 and up to 25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes this season. These were the highest numbers forecast by NOAA for any May outlook. Now it appears there will be far fewer storms. What happened?
As reported by the New York Times, a judge blocked the E.P.A. from using Civil Rights Law in a pollution case. The decision is a setback for a Biden administration strategy for protecting minority communities with numerous polluting industries nearby.
Inside Climate Change reports that thousands of disaster survivors are urging the Department of Justice to investigate fossil fuel companies for climate crimes. The action follows a growing trend of lawsuits and legislation aimed at making oil, gas, coal and petrochemical companies pay for their damage to the atmosphere.

Next, Nancy White will talk about how she and about 20 volunteers descend upon the garden at Wonder Lab and care for the enormous variety of plants and the quaint pathways. The interview promotes the garden and the Master Gardeners program.

And now, some upcoming events:

There will be an Owl Prowl at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 31st, from 9 to 10:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center for an easy 1-mile hike on Trail 5 to look for some resident barred owls. It is a black-out hike, so bring a red flashlight only.
Learn about Rugged Plants at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1st, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Meet the naturalist at the Centennial Shelter for a short hike on the new Echo Canyon Trail. Discover how acidic soil makes this area home to rare plants.
The popular Flora Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Cutright State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray and water. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafield-sep2024.
Do you like to Journal? Then plan to join the Naturalist Jess at the Trailside Shelter for Nature Journaling at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, September 6th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Hike to the quarry where you can sketch and learn about the animals and plants you observe.
A program about deer, called Oh Deer! will take place at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, September 7th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Examine real bones and teeth from a White-Tailed Deer and learn about the appearance of their tracks.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Robert Shull.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part IV of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

Inside Climate News reports Harris stirs hope for a new chapter in climate action. Although expected to follow in Biden’s pragmatic footsteps, her record as a prosecutor and voice for justice has environmentalists looking to the future. Although President Joe Biden already has cemented an unmatched legacy of climate change action, Vice President Kamala Harris raised the bar the moment that she entered the presidential race on July 21st.

Those who care about the climate are now considering new possibilities based on Harris’ past actions: What would she do to hold Big Oil accountable? How could she push climate policy further, especially to address historic injustice? Would she be able to advance international cooperation, building on the progress made in her travels to Africa and Asia as vice president?

A new candidate has invigorated the climate movement—with some groups that have never before endorsed presidential candidates declaring support for Harris soon after Biden passed her the torch. They point to her history as a former California attorney general who took on oil companies, the environmental justice work she has focused on in the Biden administration and the historic nature of her candidacy as a woman of color. Her appeal only increased when she selected her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who implemented a $2 billion climate spending program in the state and signed a law to make the state carbon-free by 2040.

How close are the planet’s climate tipping points? Earth’s warming could trigger sweeping changes in the natural world that would be hard, if not impossible, to reverse. Right now, every moment of every day, we humans are reconfiguring Earth’s climate bit by bit. Hotter summers and wetter storms. Higher seas and fiercer wildfires. The steady, upward turn of the dial on a host of threats to our homes, our societies and the environment around us.

According to the New York Times, we might also be changing the climate in an even bigger way. For the past two decades, scientists have been raising alarms about great systems in the natural world that warming, caused by carbon emissions, might be pushing toward collapse. These systems are so vast that they can stay somewhat in balance even as temperatures rise. But only to a point. Once we warm the planet beyond certain levels, this balance might be lost, scientists say. The effects would be sweeping and hard to reverse. Not like the turning of a dial, but the flipping of a switch. One that wouldn’t be easily flipped back.

The most significant way we could cross a tipping point would be for the ice on Antarctica to melt. The Antarctic Ice Sheet has around 60% of the world’s total fresh water, equivalent to a 240 foot rise in global sea level. Many West Antarctic glaciers flow out to sea, which means their undersides are exposed to constant bathing by ocean currents. As the water warms, these floating ice shelves melt and weaken from below, particularly where they sit on the seafloor. Like a dancer holding a difficult pose, the shelf starts to lose its footing.

With less floating ice to hold it back, more ice from the continent’s interior would slide into the ocean. Eventually, the ice at the water’s edge might fail to support its own weight and crack into pieces. Antarctica was ice free around 34 million years ago. How close today’s ice is to suffering the same fate is something scientists are still trying to figure out. One thing that would cause a total melt would be a rise in CO2 in the atmosphere to 700 ppm. We are at 428 this year.

“If you think about the future of the world’s coastlines, 50 percent of the story is going to be the melt of Antarctica,” said David Holland, a New York University scientist who studies polar regions. And yet, he said, when it comes to understanding how the continent’s ice might break apart, “we are at Day Zero.” The release of Thwaites Glacier is something that is expected this century, leading to a rapid rise of oceans by two feet.

A common criticism from fossil fuel interests is that wind turbines kill eagles and other birds. Indeed, they do kill birds, but wind turbines rank #10 in bird kill. The number one killer is easily cats. Cats kill 10,000 times more birds than wind turbines. Yet, those who oppose wind turbines keep pounding out the theme that wind turbines are an issue.

Wind turbines do kill an eagle occasionally. One golden eagle was killed near Montpellier, France in 2023. The exact location of the turbine is unclear from the report, but there is a river that passes through the city. Wind turbines should not be located near water, because of the danger to eagles. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the country’s efforts in developing renewable energy sources, like wind turbines. “We need a massive acceleration…I want us to go at least twice as fast for renewable energy projects,” Macron said, during a speech in September, 2023.

“Our neighbors often managed to do more, better and, above all, faster.” According to the Associated Press, Macron previously called for France to increase its renewable energy sources to 23 percent by 2020, but it failed. The French president also previously called for the country to create 50 new wind farms by 2050. There are no reported deaths via wind turbines of eagles in Indiana.

The New York Times reports that parts of Canada’s Boreal Forest are burning faster than they can regrow. The delicate balance of one of the planet’s largest natural systems for storing carbon depends on the humble black spruce tree. The dead black spruce looked like a collection of giant burned matchsticks standing tall above the gray landscape as far as Jennifer Baltzer could see. But here, at the edge of one of the largest areas of scorched forest that scientists have ever documented in Canada, what caught Dr. Baltzer’s attention was closer to the ground. The spruce seedlings were gone.

Dr. Baltzer, a professor of forest ecology, was a few hundred miles below the Arctic Circle, where for over a decade she has studied the health of the black spruce and the boreal forests. It was a scorching late spring morning, and she and three of her students from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, were in the Northwest Territories to document what could grow from the ashes of the record-breaking fire season that had ravaged the forest almost a year earlier. “Wow, it’s kind of crazy in here,” Dr. Baltzer said as she inspected the blackened landscape. She had never seen trees burn this soon after a previous fire.

More frequent, bigger wildfires, fueled by climate change, are a formidable challenge to the black spruce, a species that has dominated these landscapes for thousands of years. Their gradual decline, now accelerated by last year’s fire season, is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that the new age of wildfires aren’t just overwhelming people with the smoke and destructive blazes now raging across North America — they are overwhelming nature, too.

The dwindling number of black spruce trees, scientists say, is deeply transforming an ecosystem that is one of Earth’s biggest storage systems for planet-warming carbon dioxide, a crucial tool to keep the atmosphere from warming even more than it already has. Concerning climate change, there are associated effects that exacerbate the carbon dioxide issue. The warmer temperatures open new forest regions to the pine beetle. The warmer temperatures also melt permafrost, which releases CO2. Thus the forests we count on to absorb CO2 are disappearing.

In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part IV of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

Did you know that not all fur is the same? Learn about Mammal Furs at Brown County State Park on Saturday, August 24th, from 11 am to Noon. The fur can be used for camouflage, protection and keeping warm. Meet at the Nature Center and get to touch real animal furs.
A Feelin’ Foxy program is planned for Saturday, August 24th, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Meet at the Campground Playgroud to learn about Fox Squirrels, what they look like and their unique lifestyles.
Learn about Butterfly Feeders at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Monday, August 26th, from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at the Nature Center to learn how to attract butterflies to your yard – plus, you will make a Butterfly Feeder to take home.
Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 28th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
Take a Fungi Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Friday, August 30th, beginning at 7 pm. Join a guided hike to learn all about fungi. You will learn about the common mushrooms in the area, how to identify them and their role in our environment.

Credits:

On Air……………………………………Janek Schaller
On Air…………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

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In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part III of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

The New York Times reports where and how Americans are taking advantage of Clean Energy Tax Credits. Americans claimed more than $8 billion in climate-friendly tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act last year, according to new data released by the Treasury Department, a “significant” number that is higher than initially expected, officials said.

The bulk of the money, more than $6 billion, helped households install rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines and other renewable energy systems. These credits were most popular in sunny states, including much of the Southwest and Florida, the data shows. Indiana did not take advantage of this program. A related program helped Americans improve the energy efficiency of their homes .

They installed electric heat pumps or boilers, added insulation, replacing windowed and other upgrades. These were most popular in the Northeast and Midwest. Indiana did use a very small part of this program.More than 3.4 million households claimed at least one of the subsidies last year, adding up to more than $8 billion in total savings, according to the Treasury analysis. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation initially suggested the credits would cost $2.4 billion in their first year and around $4 billion in subsequent years.

The credit for solar panels was especially popular, the Treasury data shows, with more than 750,000 American households claiming it last year. A credit for heat pumps, meanwhile, was claimed on more than 260,000 tax returns. Some households may have claimed both.There was no effort by Indiana’s government to promote these programs. Since the term “climate change” is not allowed by our Legislature in any discussion or report, it comes as no surprise.

Atmospheric methane is the second leading contributor to global warming. It is responsible for about 30 percent of global warming. The concentration of atmospheric methane is increasing due to methane emissions. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Methane’s radioative forcing of climate is direct, and it is the second largest contributor to human-caused climate forcing. The global warming potential for methane is about 84 times the impact of carbon dioxide.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (around 1750) the methane concentration in the atmosphere has increased by about 160%, and this increase is almost entirely caused by human activities. By 2019, global methane concentrations had risen from 722 parts per billion in pre-industrial times to 1866 ppb. This is the highest value in at least 800,000 years.

Any process that results in the production of methane and its release into the atmosphere can be considered a “source”. The known sources of methane are predominantly located near the Earth’s surface.

Two main processes that are responsible for methane production include microorganisms anaerobically converting organic compounds into methane, which are widespread in aquatic ecosystems, and ruminant animals. Other natural sources include melting permafrost, wetlands, plants, and methane clathrates (methane trapped in ice at the bottom of the ocean).

Most of the low-cost opportunities for cutting methane emissions are found in the extractive industries, for example fixing leaks in gas pipes, curbing flares from oil wells and coal mines, or installing technologies to capture methane for sale or later use. Other sources of methane have no possibility of control: the melting of permafrost is an example. Since 60 percent of Russia is on permafrost, when this melts it will release methane for centuries.

The New York Times reports how a crisis for vultures led to a human disaster: half a million deaths. The birds were accidentally poisoned in India. New research on what happened next shows how wildlife collapse can be deadly for people.

To say that vultures are underappreciated would be putting it mildly. With their diet of carrion and their featherless heads, the birds are often viewed with disgust. But they have long provided a critical cleaning service by devouring the dead. Now, economists have put an excruciating figure on just how vital they can be: The sudden near-disappearance of vultures in India about two decades ago led to more than half a million excess human deaths over five years, according to a forthcoming study in the American Economic Review.

Rotting livestock carcasses, no longer picked to the bones by vultures, polluted waterways and fed an increase in feral dogs, which can carry rabies. It was “a really huge negative sanitation shock,” said Anant Sudarshan, one of the study’s authors and an economics professor at the University of Warwick in England.

The findings reveal the unintended consequences that can occur from the collapse of wildlife, especially animals known as keystone species for the outsize roles they play in their ecosystems. This is a recent area of study by economists. Another connection was found in Wisconsin, where researchers found that the presence of wolves reduced vehicle collisions with deer by about a 25 percent, creating an economic benefit that was 63 times greater than the cost of wolves killing livestock.

The Olympic Games held in Paris had temperatures much higher than historic levels. Over the last 100 years, the average temperatures are 5.5 degrees F higher. It was a concern for several contests held outdoors. Many viewers were celebrating the beauty of the venues for many activities. To have contests in view of the Eiffel Tower and many other historic locations was a special treat. There are many who would vote to have Paris do the summer games all the time.

The 2028 Games will be in Los Angeles during July. What happens if temperatures are like they were this year, many days over 100 degrees F? Perhaps they will shift the dates to cooler portions of the year. The other potential problem is smoke from fires in the surrounding mountains. There may come a time when both summer and winter games will be held in Norway or Sweden. The Alps are likely to be snow-free by 2050.

In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part III of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

Have fun at a Bug Catching Contest at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 12 to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 30-minute contest. Nets and cans are available. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded.
Take a Full Sturgeon Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 8:30 to 9:45 pm. Experience the natural world coming to life as you hike under August’s Full Sturgeon Moon. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7.
Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 21st, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
Enjoy a Fossil and Geology Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, August 23rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Take this rugged hike on the newly reopened Trail 3. You will scramble through rocks in the creek to learn about fossils. Meet at the Canyon Inn.
Learn all about Virgin Timber at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, August 23rd, from 3 to 4 pm. Hike through Donaldson Woods Nature Preserve and experience the hush and calm of an old growth forest and learn the history of forestry in Indiana.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part II of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

The following was a Letter to the Editor in the Herald-Times on Sunday, August 3rd. We are sharing it with you with permission from the author.

Are we leaving the cost of climate change to our great-great-grandchildren? We homo sapiens, throughout our 300,000 years of existence, have never experienced carbon dioxide levels as high as they are today. Until 1840, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere varied between 180-280 parts per million (PPM). In 1860, it was about 288 ppm.

Since then, the concentration has increased every year to today, where it is now about 428 ppm. Humans have never experienced a climate as warm as it is today. And it is going to get much hotter. Every year, at least 200 billion tons of ice on Antarctica and Greenland melt. We do not fear this warming, or the rising ocean levels. We continue on the same course set during the last century.

We love our fossil fuels and are willing to live with relocating cities such as Miami; Fort Myers, Florida; Tampa; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; Washington, DC; New York City; and Boston to higher ground. All, so we can mine and burn more coal, because the good news is we will leave the cost to our great-great grandchildren.

According to the New York Times, Tim Walz has championed climate as governor. Kamala Harris’s V.P. pick, known for his folksy persona and rural Midwestern roots, has elevated the issue of climate change in his state. Over the course of his two terms in office, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota has quietly emerged as one of the nation’s most forceful advocates for tackling climate change.

Governor Walz, who has been tapped by Vice President Kamala Harris as her running mate, most recently made national headlines for labeling the Republican ticket “weird.” But back in St. Paul, Mr. Walz has been increasingly focused on the threats posed by climate change to his state and has been enacting ambitious policies designed to slash the use of the fossil fuels that are dangerously heating the planet.

Most notably, in 2023, Mr. Walz signed a law requiring Minnesota to generate all of its electricity from wind, solar and other carbon-free sources by 2040, eliminating the climate-warming pollution generated by coal and gas-fired power plants. That law came in the midst of a legislative session in which Minnesota Democrats, working with Governor Walz, pushed through nearly 40 other climate initiatives. In June, he signed a law designed to speed up the implementation of the 2040 clean power mandate, by streamlining the permitting of renewable electricity projects.

Inside Climate News reports electric vehicles strain the automaker-big oil alliance. In the clean car battle, the oil industry leans on friends—including Donald Trump—to keep gasoline transport alive, while carmakers steer toward an EV future.

Since the dawn of U.S. environmental law more than half a century ago, America has tried to reconcile its love of the automobile with its hope for a liveable future. And whether the battle was over the smog that choked cities, the toxic lead that poisoned millions or the carbon dioxide that is heating the planet, two of the nation’s most powerful industries were at the forefront of the effort to shape U.S. auto policy: the companies that made the vehicles and the businesses that fueled them.

Now, the electric car has touched off what might be the ultimate lobbying battle for both the auto and oil industries. Carmakers are seeking to slow the pace of the Biden administration’s drive for cleaner vehicles. Oil companies are seeking to bring it to a halt.

No voice has amplified the Big Oil message more loudly than former President Donald Trump, who at a fundraiser in April explicitly pledged to help the industry in exchange for its members sending $1 billion to his campaign, The Washington Post first reported. Trump blasts President Joe Biden’s EV-friendly policy at nearly every public appearance, including after his conviction in New York on charges of falsifying business records, when amid grievances about the judicial system, he stated: “They want to stop you from having cars.”

In this seeming non sequitur, Trump was merely reiterating one of the major themes of his bid to regain the presidency. Echoing the oil industry’s own language, he has framed his candidacy as its best hope for undoing U.S. policy to spur adoption of EVs.

To cut greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. passenger vehicles in half by 2032—as Biden’s rules call for—automakers are expected to rely on the electric drive technology into which they’ve already poured billions of dollars, spurred by subsidies at home and competition abroad. “The future is electric,” said John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, appearing at the rollout of the regulations in March.

But the American Petroleum Institute and its sister group, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Association, have declared battle against that EV future. Although the oil industry still rakes in huge profits and global fuel demand keeps rising, that’s not a guarantee the status quo will continue.

EVs have opened a divide between the auto industry and the oil industry, in the view of David Kieve, a former adviser to Biden who now heads EDF Action, the political advocacy partner of the Environmental Defense Fund. Kieve was in the audience when the Environmental Protection Agency announced the new vehicle pollution standards in Washington.

To those who understand the threat from climate change, this debate is akin to arguing over the deck chairs on the Titanic. If the US were serious about halting climate change, we would be buying 10 million EVs this year, shuttering coal-fired plants, installing wind and solar for a million Hoosiers every year, and strengthening the power grid. Indiana is doing none of this.

In this week’s feature report, we continue with Part II of an episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. In this four-part series, WFHB looks into trees in Monroe County – what trees we have, what benefits they provide, and which trees to root for and which to root out.

Do you want to learn more about the Perseids Meteor Shower? Plan to attend Predicting the Perseids at Brown County State Park on Saturday, August 10th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Learn what the Perseids are, where they come from, when to see them and much more!
Have fun at a Bug Catching Contest at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 17th, from 12 to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 30-minute contest. Nets and cans are available. First, Second and Third place prizes will be awarded.
A Wild Wednesday will take place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, August 14th, from 10 to 11 am. Take a short hike to learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and much more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray!
Take a Quarry Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, August 16th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Trailside Shelter to begin Trail 2 to the Quarry. Learn about how the stone was used to create some of Indiana’s buildings and how it was transported.
An Ants On The March presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about ant anatomy, search for live ants in the ground and make an ant craft. Meet at the Campground Playground.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………..Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this week’s feature report, part one of a four part series about trees in Monroe County from Deep Dive, WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate. This week’s episode covers what trees we have in Monroe County, what benefits they provide, which trees to root for, and which to root out!

Indiana University reports the important job of monitoring the health of Indiana’s public lakes has been entrusted by a state agency to Indiana University’s Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs for 35 years. In the process, many student interns have participated in this task, collected vital data and subsequently applied the knowledge and skills they gained to professional roles across the country. The Indiana Clean Lakes Program, a water monitoring and education program, started in 1989 in partnership with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Quality. The program is administered through a grant to the O’Neill School, and the school’s Limnology Lab, which studies bodies of fresh water, leads the monitoring efforts.

“Our resources are invaluable. We all need water; it’s essential. If we don’t monitor the lakes then we don’t know the impact we’re having,” said Sarah Powers, the Limnology Lab director since 2022. “Not only is there a public health benefit, but also it’s an opportunity to educate about water ecosystems.” IU is one of just a handful of universities to perform lake water testing for a statewide monitoring program, Powers said. Each summer the lab typically has six interns that collect and analyze samples from 80 lakes statewide. The lab also uses citizen volunteers that it trains to collect multiple samples from an additional 50 or more lakes to provide a broader data profile of lake status across the state. “It’s amazing and fantastic that the state has entrusted such an important goal to us, and that we can utilize this program as a way to train the next generation to understand how the monitoring process works,” said Powers, a former summer intern herself.

The federal Clean Water Act requires states to report on the trophic status — or biological productivity — and trends of all public lakes in Indiana, and requires states to report on the status of how lakes and reservoirs are meeting designated uses, said Barry Sneed, Indiana Department of Environmental Management public information officer. Because of the equipment and staffing required for the monitoring, it wouldn’t be feasible for IDEM alone to monitor the same number of lakes. IU’s efforts supplement the department’s river and stream monitoring and help spread communication and awareness through their education and outreach efforts and volunteer monitoring.

Inside Climate Change reports that for Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley, studies show an even graver risk from toxic gases. Levels of ethylene oxide more than 1,000 times higher than what’s considered safe—and far greater than previous estimates—were identified by researchers at John Hopkins. According to the researchers, those chemicals are present in Cancer Alley at rates that are far higher than previously believed. Using state-of-the-art mobile air monitors, environmental engineers identified plumes of the toxic gas ethylene oxide at the fence line of facilities that in some cases were more than 1,000 times higher than what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers an “acceptable risk.”

The research team’s findings, published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, noted that the EPA’s acceptable threshold for long-term exposure to ethylene oxide is 10.9 parts per trillion. But researchers found an average exposure level nearly three times that amount, 31.4 parts per trillion, when they tested the air across Cancer Alley. The bleak nickname refers to the 85-mile stretch of land from New Orleans to Baton Rouge that is home to roughly 200 petrochemical plants and some of the highest rates of cancer in the nation. Cook uses ethylene oxide to sterilize its products. The sterilization facility is in Ellettsville near the recycling center. WFIU reported that in 2016, according to the EPA National Air Toxics Assessment, the likelihood of getting cancer in Ellettsville over the course of a lifetime — from air pollution alone — was about 50 in 1 million in 2014. That’s higher than the national average and was higher than any other area of the state that year except perhaps Cleveland Cliffs steel mill in Portage.

WFHB has contacted Cook about their recent experience. Their response is quoted. “We take our ethylene oxide emissions and controls seriously. We have rigorous standards to ensure our emissions are well below any regulatory requirements and are regularly recognized as industry-leading in our emissions control and worker safety protocols. Our current usage of ethylene oxide is safe and we have remained well below our permit allowances dating back to when they were implemented. Our permit allotment is 18,000 pounds per year. Our emissions for 2022 were 6.94 pounds for the entire year. We’ve worked diligently to lead the industry with our state-of-the-art system. We’re proud to say that many of the EPA’s most recent changes to ethylene oxide capture and reporting have already been implemented at Cook, including updated scrubbing technology. We’re currently undertaking a significant investment to ensure we meet and exceed all of EPA’s newest ruling. The biggest area of change in EPA’s new ruling is to implement continuous monitoring of certain metrics. To comply with continuous monitoring, we have invested in additional technology and are developing additional processes. Once these changes are fully implemented, we will continuously reevaluate and improve as technology for ethylene oxide capture and control evolves.”

Apparently no study of cancer rates in Ellettsville has been performed. The cancer rate in Monroe County is among the lowest in the state. The most common types of cancer caused by ethylene oxide are lymphoma and leukemia.

The Center for Biological Diversity reports that in Florida, more than 100 manatees under a year old have already died this year, on pace to nearly double the annual average. And because not all manatees who perish are discovered, the real number is probably even higher. The Center for Biological Diversity is pushing to restore full protection to manatees under the Endangered Species Act. The past few years have been catastrophic for these gentle animals. Nearly 20% of the population has been lost. Sadly, while the total deaths per year have gone down, nearly 1 in 3 manatees who have died this year were less than a year old. Scientists aren’t yet sure what is driving the die-off of these calves.

It’s possible that the increase is attributable to a reproductive rebound following the years-long mortality event. It’s also possible that years of malnutrition are exacting their price. In many waters pollution-fueled algae severely choked the seagrass that manatees depend on for food. Biologists have warned about the long-lasting effects of starvation across generations of manatees: Malnourished mothers may be giving birth to weaker calves, whose fates could be sealed at a very early age. What’s clear is that manatees’ future isn’t secure — and that they urgently need greater protection. This news comes on the heels of a mass die-off that began in 2021, when more than 1,000 manatees perished, making it the deadliest year on record.

In this week’s feature report, part one of a four part series about trees in Monroe County from Deep Dive, WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate. This week’s episode covers what trees we have in Monroe County, what benefits they provide, which trees to root for, and which to root out!

Learn all about insects during a Garden Insects: Friends or Foe presentation on Saturday, August 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Butler Park Community Garden. Learn how to attract beneficial insects and reduce the harmful ones. Sign up at Bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A Flora Field Day at the North Fork Check Station at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your flora identification skill with a naturalist. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray, hat and water. Sign up at tineurl.com/florafield-aug2024.
Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, August 7th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
Take a Woodpecker ID Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, August 8th, from 8 to 9:30 am. Meet at the Trailside Shelter to hike Trail 2. See how the fallen trees have led to an increase in woodpeckers in the tornado impact area.
An Ants On The March presentation is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, from 10 to 11:30 am at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. Learn about ant anatomy, search for live ants in the ground and make an ant craft. Meet at the Campground Playground.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………….Jack Lewis
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report……………………………..Kade Young
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. Also, The City of Bloomington launched a community heat survey to address extreme heat challenges in the community caused by climate change. The survey will close on August 1st. Up next, WFHB News spoke with Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City Shawn Miya.

And now for your environmental reports:

In a company announcement, Doral Renewables, a clean energy project developer, is anticipating commercial operation of its 400-MW Mammoth North Solar project, the first phase of the 1.3-GW Mammoth Solar complex in Indiana. Mammoth North is estimated to generate 400 MW of energy and spreads over 4,500 acres in Starke County in northwest Indiana. The Mammoth North Solar project will soon be the largest operating solar installation in Indiana and can provide sustainable energy to 75,000 households annually.

What’s really interesting is that more than 1,500 sheep serve as the project’s vegetation management in the complex, an operation run by a local farmer.

—-Norm Holy

Solar Power World reports that an Ohio solar company is replenishing Northern Bobwhite quail habitat by planting native grass. Indiana should take note because there are few areas with quail remaining in our state.

The business case for pollinator-friendly solar projects is solid, but to a conservationists, the environmental benefits are even more important. Ross County, where the Paint Valley solar project is located, is one of a few small pockets in Ohio where Northern Bobwhite quail still live. The species has experienced an 81% population decline over the past 50 years as grasslands vanish due to issues like climate change and heavy farming.

Even though the solar array is new, a few quail are already appearing.

—Norm Holy

As reported by the New York Times, the E.P.A. announced $4.3 Billion in funding for 25 climate projects. States, tribes, local governments and territories sent in proposals aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.3 billion in funding on July 22 for 25 new projects proposed by states, tribes, local governments and territories to tackle climate change. The funding could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 971 million metric tons by 2050, or roughly the emissions of five million homes over 25 years, according to the agency.
Among the jurisdictions that will get funding, Nebraska will receive $307 million to reduce agricultural waste and enhance energy efficiency in homes and buildings.

Pennsylvania will get $396 million to reduce industrial pollution and create about 6,000 jobs.

“This is a truly exciting day for Lincoln and for Nebraska and for other cities and states all across the country who are working so hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and leave a better, brighter future for our children,” said Leirion Gaylor Baird, the mayor of Lincoln, Neb., in a call on Friday. Ms. Baird said the funds could reduce Lincoln’s greenhouse gas emissions by 77 percent by 2050.

Other regions that received money included Southern California to decarbonize freight vehicles; Michigan and tribal partners to adopt new renewable energy projects; Atlantic coastal states to sequester carbon through wetland preservation; Alaska to replace residential oil-burning systems with heat pumps; and the Nez Percé Tribe to retrofit homes.
Indiana did not receive any funding from this program.

—Norm Holy

The AP reports that on a tiny Caribbean island, hundreds of people are preparing to pack up and move to escape the rising waters threatening to engulf their already precarious homes.
Surrounded by idyllic clear waters formed by coral reefs, the densely populated island of Carti Sugtupu off Panama’s north coast has barely an inch to spare with houses crammed together. The 2,000 residents live off fishing, the harvesting of starchy crops like cassava and plantain, traditional textile production and a bit of tourism.

It is not an easy life, with intense heat and a lack of public services adding to the discomfort of overcrowded conditions on an island the size of five football fields.

And now, climate change-induced sea level rise is threatening to make life even more difficult. With homes already flooded on a regular basis, experts say the sea will engulf Carti Sugtupu and dozens of neighboring islands in the Guna Yala region by the end of the century. They are moving to a new housing development on the Panamanian mainland.

Forty-nine of the isles are populated, and rest just a few feet (less than one meter) above sea level. The Caribbean Sea has risen about a foot over the last 100 years. It is expected to rise an additional 2-10 feet by 2100. The big number depends on the Thwaites glacier dropping into to the ocean, which is highly probable.

More than 400 islands in Maryland and Virginia have disappeared from modern navigational maps of the Chesapeake Bay due to erosion, a process accelerated by storms and sea level rise. The Tangier Islands, the last inhabited Chesapeake islands off the Virginia coast, have lost two-thirds of their land mass since 1850 and are expected to be uninhabitable within 50 years. The islands are disappearing due to the combined forces of geology and climate change, with the crust under the Chesapeake Bay sinking and sea levels rising.

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

WFHB News Correspondent Madison Stratton speaks with non-profit organizations and local advocates about the importance of “shopping local” and addressing food insecurity issues in the community. (Photo courtesy of Bloomingfoods).And now, we will listen to Madison Stratton as she shares with us on how to lower food insecurity in Bloomington.

Plus, you will hear Assistant Director of Sustainability for the city, Shawn Miya, talk about the survey to address extreme heat in the city.

And now, some upcoming events:

Learn about insects during an Insect Black Lighting experience on Saturday, July 27th, from 6 to 8 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. You will learn the science of black lighting and how insects are drawn to the illuminated canvas.

Come to the Nature Center at Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 27th, from 3 to 4 pm for an up close and personal look at Indiana’s most venomous and most misunderstood snake at the Timber! Understanding the Timber Rattlesnake presentation. Learn about venom, and how it works. The presentation includes feeding the snake a live mouse.

A Wild Wednesday will take place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, July 31st, from 10 to 11 am. Take a short hike to learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and much more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray!

Enjoy a Salt Creek Covered Bridges: Self-Guided Boat Tour on Thursday, August 1st. You can celebrate Monroe Lake’s 60th Anniversary using an online guide that will include the history, photos and navigational assistance. Go to https://tinyurl.com/btown-fb to register and get the online guide.

Learn all about insects during a Garden Insects: Friends or Foe presentation on Saturday, August 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Butler Park Community Garden. Learn how to attract beneficial insects and reduce the harmful ones. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature on food insecurity was produced by Madison Stratton. The feature on extreme heat was produced by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

View Details

In this week’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species.

The New York Times reports at the Republican National Convention, climate change isn’t a problem. As the event opens with a focus on energy, former President Trump and other leaders are calling for more oil, gas and coal development. The United States is experiencing scorching new levels of heat fueled by climate change this summer, with dozens of people dying in the West, millions sweating under heat advisories and nearly three-quarters of Americans saying the government must prioritize global warming.

But as the Republican Party opens its national convention in Milwaukee with a prime-time focus on energy on Monday night, the party has no plan to address climate change. While some Republicans no longer deny the overwhelming scientific consensus that the planet is warming because of human activity, party leaders do not see it as a problem that needs to be addressed.

“I don’t know that there is a Republican approach to climate change as an organizing issue,” said Thomas J. Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative research group focused on energy. “I don’t think President Trump sees reducing greenhouse gases, using the government to do so, as an imperative.”

When former President Donald J. Trump mentions climate change at all, it is mockingly. “Can you imagine, this guy says global warming is the greatest threat to our country?” Mr. Trump said, referring to President Biden as he addressed a rally in Chesapeake, Va., last month, the hottest June in recorded history across the globe. “Global warming is fine. In fact, I heard it was going to be very warm today. It’s fine.” He went on to dismiss the scientific evidence that melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are causing seas to rise, threatening coastal communities around the world.

“The ocean will rise, maybe, and it may go down, also,” Mr. Trump said. “But it may rise one eighth of an inch in the next 497 years, they say, one eighth, which gives you a little bit more waterfront property if you’re lucky enough to own.” In fact, sea levels are estimated to rise as much as 33 inches by the end of the century, according to top scientists. And if the Antarctic ice sheet collapses, experts said global sea levels could rise by more than 10 feet.

The situation in Indiana is all in on neglecting climate change. The Legislature refuses to discuss it or allow “climate change” to appear in any report. IndyStar says Indiana is the worst state for rooftop solar because Duke has worked vigorously to make it unattractive from a financial point of view.

The New York Times reports a study finds small streams, recently stripped of protections, are a big deal. Half of the water flowing through regional river basins starts in so-called ephemeral streams. Last year, the Supreme Court curtailed federal protections for these waterways. Last year, the Supreme Court sharply restricted the federal government’s ability to limit pollution in small streams that sit dry for much of the year and fill up only after rainfall or snowmelt.

Now, a new study finds that those bodies, so-called ephemeral streams, are significantly more important to the nation’s waterways than often appreciated. The research, published last Thursday in the journal Science, says Environmentalists favor broad protections, arguing that these other bodies of water are important; homebuilders, some industry groups and conservatives oppose what they see as regulatory overreach.

In May 2023, the Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to restrict the scope of the Clean Water Act, with the majority ruling that the law should apply only to “relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water,” as well as to wetlands that have “a continuous surface connection” to those waters. That ruling effectively ended federal protections for up to 4.9 million miles of streams that flow only when it rains, according to officials at the E.P.A., which announced in August that it would follow the court’s guidance.

These temporary streams are often overlooked since they may look like unremarkable dry ditches for much of the year, said Jud Harvey, a senior research hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey, who wrote a separate commentary on the Science study. “But when it rains,” he said, “these streams convey a substantial amount of water” that ends up in rivers and lakes. Because so much water passes through these streams, the study notes, it matters greatly whether or not they are polluted.

Sediments or excess phosphorus from fertilizer run off on farms could accumulate in dry channels until a heavy rainstorm picks up the pollutants and washes them into larger waterways. The study did not try to quantify how much pollution was actually passing through those streams. That is a subject for future research. But it’s clear these streams have a large influence on water quality. These ephemeral streams were removed from protection in Indiana by the Legislature in bills sponsored by contractors among the legislators.

In this week’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze and Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance.

An Earth Connection Film Festival will take place tomorrow, Saturday, July 20th, from 9 am to 7 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. There are four program films scheduled for the day. These short films blend science and the arts to address the climate crises through storytelling.
Enjoy a weekend at Spring Mill State Park during the Virgil “Gus” Grissom Days on Saturday, July 20th, and Sunday, July 21st from 9 am to 10 pm. The weekend will have great astronomy programming, building rockets, games and looking at artifacts not from this world.
Take a look at the Full Buck Moon during a Full Moon Hike at Ogle Lake in Brown County State Park on Saturday, July 20th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. You will hike Trail 7 around Lake Ogle which is about 1.2 miles long.
Wild Wednesdays will continue every Wednesday until August 28th, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area from 10 am to 11 am. On Wednesday, July 24th, you will take a short hike which will teach you about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more. Bring bug spray!
Learn about insects during an Insect Black Lighting experience on Saturday, July 27th, from 6 to 8 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. You will learn the science of black lighting and how insects are drawn to the illuminated canvas.

Credits:

On Air…………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………………Robert Shull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report……………………………….Zero Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton take a look at Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Four for a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.

EcoWatch reports the Olympics in Paris this summer could be the hottest on record, according to a new report: Rings of Fire: Heat Risks at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Leading athletes warn the heat could result in athletes collapsing or even dying while participating in events.

Mike Tipton, a human and applied physiology professor at the United Kingdom’s University of Portsmouth, and Dr. Jo Corbett, deputy associate dean for research and innovation in the university’s science and health department, worked with former Olympians and climate scientists to put together the report.

“A warming planet will present an additional challenge to athletes, which can adversely impact on their performance and diminish the sporting spectacle of the Olympic Games. Hotter conditions also increase the potential for heat illness amongst all individuals exposed to high thermal stress, including officials and spectators, as well as athletes,” Corbett said in a press release from University of Portsmouth.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the past 12 months were the hottest on record. As human-driven climate change has led to an entire year of record-breaking monthly temperatures across the globe, athletes in the Games could face serious health risks.

—-Norm Holy

Lake Mead is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States. It is located in the states of Nevada and Arizona, 24 miles east of Las Vegas. It is the largest reservoir in the US in terms of water capacity. Lake Mead provides water to the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada as well as some of Mexico, providing sustenance to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland.

At maximum capacity, Lake Mead has a surface elevation of 1,229 feet above sea level. The lake has remained below full capacity since 1983 owing to drought and increased water demand.
As reported by Newsweek, Lake Mead’s projections are improving following two consecutive wet winters, with zero risk of falling below 1,000 feet before 2028, new Bureau of Reclamation figures show.

The figures, released on May 29, show the Nevada-Arizona reservoir’s five-year outlook much improved. The projections are updated three times a year and show a range of scenarios that influence potential water use cuts based on varying reservoir levels.

The five-year projections are even more important as the 2007 Colorado River interim guidelines are set to expire in 2026. Alongside this, two groups of Colorado River states continue to debate how to manage the ongoing water scarcity crisis, including the operational strategies for reservoir releases.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to release a two-year projection in mid-June that will determine whether Nevada needs to implement further water usage cuts. Last year, Nevada had to reduce its Colorado River allotment by an additional 4,000 acre-feet based on June’s projection.

While the latest projections offer some hope for improved conditions at Lake Mead, the broader context of climate variability and interstate water politics suggests that significant challenges remain. The upcoming two-year projection will be a critical indicator for southern Nevada, potentially influencing water management decisions for the near future.

—Norm Holy

Indiana Forest Alliance needs your help to convince the Indiana Division of Forestry (DoF) and Governor Eric Holcomb to designate the Backcountry Area of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests as a High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF), safe from logging where old growth conditions can return.

An HCVF designation is the only way to ensure this section of forest will ever return to the old growth condition.

The Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests Backcountry Area is one of the last areas over 2,000 acres in the state forests that can be set aside to return to the old growth condition. This is due to the excessive logging that DoF has undertaken in our state forests over the last two decades.

On top of this, the DoF recently lifted the moratorium on logging in Yellowwood and Morgan Monroe State Forests which was implemented in 2018. Most of Yellowwood and Morgan Monroe State Forests were logged before this moratorium – except for the Backcountry Area . This means the area is in imminent danger of being logged next, and never returning to old growth condition.

Under the HCVF review process, the State Forester has up to 60 days from the date of the Committee recommendation to make a final decision. No decision has been made to date. We need a massive outpouring of support from the broader conservation community to persuade John Seifert and Governor Eric Holcomb to accept the HCVF2 proposal and set aside this 2,380 acre area as the only large refuge of rich, diverse, older forest habitat in our state forest system.
—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now, let’s listen to Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton take a look at Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org.

And now, some upcoming events:

There will be a Kayak Outing at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, July 13th, from 9 am to Noon. Goose Pond staff will lead a guided kayak tour of the wetland, pointing out various species of plants and animals. Meet at the Thousand Islands Boat Ramp. Please register to attend and bring your own kayak, lifejacket and paddles.
Learn the differences between amphibians at the Frog vs. Toad presentation on Sunday, July 14th, from 1 to 3 pm at Springmill State Park. Meet at the back patio of the Lake View Activity Center. You will get to meet one of the animals!
Paint A Turtle at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, July 17th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. NO, you will not actually paint a turtle, but you will join Naturalist Jess at the Nature Center to paint a still life of Indiana’s native Painted Turtle. You will be watching a turtle as you paint.
Enjoy a Mindfullness Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, July 19th, from 10 to 11:30 am. Join the naturalist in the Village Parking Lot for a mindful hike to the mouth of Donaldson Cave.
An Earth Connection Film Festival will take place on Saturday, July 20th, from 9 am to 7 pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington. There are four program films scheduled for the day. These short films blend science and the arts to address the climate crises through storytelling.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Noelle Herbusky-Schneider, Kade Young, Madison Stratton and Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.

View Details

In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Two of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.

The New York Times reports new ‘detective work’ on butterfly declines reveals a prime suspect. Agricultural insecticides were a key factor, according to a study focused on the Midwest, though researchers emphasized the importance of climate change and habitat loss. What’s driving ominous declines in insects? Primary concerns are butterflies and bees. While a growing body of research shows decreases in many insect populations, it has been hard for scientists to disentangle the possible causes. Are insects suffering from habitat loss as natural areas are plowed and paved? Is climate change doing them in? What about pesticides?

The latest insight comes from a study on butterflies in the Midwest, published on Thursday in the journal PLOS ONE. Its results don’t discount the serious effects of climate change and habitat loss on butterflies and other insects, but they indicate that agricultural insecticides exerted the biggest impact on the size and diversity of butterfly populations in the Midwest during the study period, 1998 to 2014. Especially detrimental, the researchers found, was a class of widely used insecticides called neonicotinoids that are absorbed into the tissues of plants.

“It’s a story about unintended consequences,” said Scott Swinton, a professor of agricultural economics at Michigan State University and one of the study’s authors. “In developing technologies that were very effective at controlling soybean aphid and certain other agricultural pests, non-target species that we care about, butterflies in particular, have been harmed.”

Farmers in Indiana widely use neonicotinoids on corn and soybeans. This type of pesticide is banned in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. In the EU, neonicotinoids have had restrictions placed on their use, which are as follows: the use in bee-attractive crops (including corn, oilseed rape and sunflower) is prohibited, with the exception of uses in greenhouses.

The attack by the emerald ash borer on ash trees has been underway for more than a decade. Now a question is whether any ash trees will survive. A report from Penn State University has the answer: barely. “Lingering ash.” That’s what the U.S. Forest Service calls the relatively few green and white ash trees that survive the emerald ash borer onslaught. Those trees do not survive by accident, and that may save the species, according to Penn State researchers, who conducted a six-year study of ash decline and mortality.

The research shows some ash trees have varying degrees of resistance to the strangely beautiful, invasive beetle from Asia. The study is unique because it took place at a plantation of ash trees planted on Penn State’s University Park campus in the mid-1970s. “We found that genetic variation exists in trees from around the country, and through time — especially as the emerald ash borer population collapses because host trees are rapidly disappearing — the resistance that we observed will likely ensure the survival of the species,” said Kim Steiner, professor of forest biology, College of Agricultural Sciences.

This little-known ash plantation off Porter Road near Penn State’s Swine Research Facility — the largest collection of green ash germplasm in one location in the world — may play a role in saving the species. “We began measuring the decline in 2012, shortly after emerald ash borers arrived in the plantation, and we measured it every year through 2017,” said Steiner. “The effect of the insect was devastating. As of August of this year, only 13 trees remained of the 1,762 that were alive when the emerald ash borer arrived.”

The fact that some trees survived longer means there are heritable genetic differences among trees from different populations and seed parents, Steiner added. “For the first time, this study demonstrated that there is genetic variation that could be captured in a breeding program to improve resistance to emerald ash borer in both white ash and green ash species,” he said.

According to the Sierra Club, Duke Energy, the largest electric utility in the state, filed a case with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s (IURC) requesting to raise residential customers’ bills an additional 19% by 2026. If approved, Duke would use its customers’ money to keep its massively polluting Gibson and Edwardsport coal-burning power plants open.

Extensive evidence in Duke’s previous rate hike case, filed in 2019, showed the Edwardsport coal gasification plant loses money the majority of the time it operates. EcoReport concludes basically this plant has been a boondoggle since inception because Duke could not master the design and operation of the plant. They were amateurs trying to use a process that required experts. EcoReport aired stories years ago, calling for Duke to bring in experts from South Africa.

That nation used the very process as part of the way they made gasoline while there was an embargo on importing gasoline during apartheid. Based on public data, Duke’s Gibson plant lost an estimated $55.6 million in energy market revenues last year, making Gibson the “losingest” coal-burning power plant in an electric wholesale market anywhere in the country in 2023. “For over a decade, Duke has unfairly put the burden on customers’ pocketbooks to prop up its money-losing Edwardsport and Gibson plants.

Instead of investing in clean and affordable renewable energy, Duke energy chose to waste billions of our hard earned dollars,” said Robyn Skuya-Boss, Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club Director. “Regulators at the IURC can’t keep allowing Duke to put our money into polluting resources; we need to see investments in clean energy that benefit our communities.”

Across the state, Duke is the largest utility polluter, and furthest behind in building clean energy. The monopoly utility’s Gibson plant in Southwest Indiana was identified by the Center for Public Integrity as a Super Polluter, one of the worst toxic and greenhouse gas emitters in the nation. Burning coal at this plant alone contributes to 78 premature deaths annually.

Duke’s Gibson plant has become an even worse investment for ratepayers since the company’s last rate case filing because its electric generation is uncompetitive in today’s grid. In 2023, Gibson had its lowest output ever. Nonetheless, due to low market prices and rocketing coal costs, Duke operated Gibson far more often than warranted, at a steep cost to consumers.

Sierra Club will further scrutinize the filing, which contains thousands of pages, and will be encouraging community members to speak out against the rate hike by submitting public comments to regulators over the coming months. There was a public meeting recently on Duke’s proposal. Our reporting on this meeting is separate from this review. In the information note sent to community activists, there was important information which is repeated here. EcoReport has not independently evaluated the recommendations.

RCU has been running a Follow the Money Campaign on three state house seats with voters partly in Monroe County. Not one of them is voting for consumers or the environment. Citizens Action Coalition indicates Rep. Peggy Mayfield in H60 and Rep. Bob Heaton H46 and Rep. Dave Hall H62 are the legislators of relevance. It’s become clear we will never get voters back into the driver’s seat until we re-balance our General Assembly.

EcoReport will add that Rep. Heaton was involved in making Indiana the worst state for rooftop solar, according to IndyStar. RCU says you have a choice this fall. These are the candidates who deserve your time and your treasure: Michelle Higgs for H60; Kurtis Cummings, H46; and Thomas Horrocks, H62.

In this week’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part Two of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.

A program on boater safety, Canoe Find It? is scheduled for Saturday, June 29th, at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve from 4 to 6 pm. After discussing boater safety, you will head to the water to practice paddling techniques. A scavenger hunt will allow you to practice as well as have fun. There is a prize! Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
A presentation on Feathered Fledglings is taking place on Tuesday, July 2nd, from 2 to 2:30 pm at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Learn about a bird’s life cycle and when it is okay to help a fledgling. Meet at the Nature Center.
Wild Wednesday’s at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will continue on Wednesday, July 3rd, from 10 to 11 am. Take short hikes outside the Visitor Center and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters and more.
Learn about American’s Bird – the Bald Eagle at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 4th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. Find out why they are extra-special and get tips on where to find them. Meet at the Activity Center Patio.
Learn about Nature’s Fireworks – the Firefly at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 4th, beginning at 8 pm. Discover how these light shows are used by fireflies to attract a mate or a meal. Meet at the Activity Center.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air………………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Feature Report……………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

As Eco Report has cited many times, and Inside Climate Change now reports, new research finds most of the world’s largest marine protected areas have inadequate protections. In a setback to efforts to conserve 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, a third of the world’s largest protected areas allow destructive practices like mining and commercial fishing, while others are “paper parks” with no formal conservation measures. The study, conducted by an international group of researchers spearheaded by the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington, focused on the largest 100 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the world, which together encompass over 7 percent of the world’s ocean area.

“There are 18,000 MPAs, but a hundred of them make up 90 percent of the area,” said Beth Pike, director of the Marine Protection Atlas and the study’s lead author. “These are the big needle movers.” Pike and her colleagues found only a third of these MPAs’ total expanse to be under high or full protection—just 2.6 percent of the global ocean footprint. They found another third of these MPAs’ territories allowed for destructive activities, such as mining and industrial fishing, making them inherently incompatible with conservation.

Additionally, another quarter of the protected area they analyzed were deemed “paper parks,” meaning that while these ocean spaces had been officially proposed or designated as MPAs, they had yet to implement any subsequent conservation measures.Having fully protected marine areas is the most important and lowest cost approach to saving life in the oceans. The simple way of protecting these areas is to monitor the position of all commercial fishing boats in the same way that all aircraft are monitored. If a boat enters a protected area, the boat is seized when it goes to port. So why isn’t this done? Fishermen want to cheat, and government officials are interested in taking a bribe to allow illegal boats to fish their territorial waters.

Over the past few legislative sessions, the amount of protected wetlands has been reduced by half. The legislation was crafted by contractors in the legislature seeking cheap land. The story about the most recent effort to seize wetland comes from Mirror Indy, written by Enrique Saenz, familiar to our listeners from his days working for the Resilience Institute. A controversial plan to build a 200-acre retail development along the Indianapolis border with Greenwood is on hold after a state agency denied the developer’s permit application.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management denied Indianapolis-based Gershman Partners’ application to destroy a quarter acre of Class III wetlands, categorized as being the highest quality wetlands by state law, in order to build a $174-million development that would include several warehouses and a hotel. Mirror Indy first reported how the plan — which also would destroy dozens of acres of other wetlands — drew opposition from many Franklin Township residents due to the effect wetland destruction would have on flooding and wildlife.

The agency said it denied the permit for multiple reasons, including that the developers failed to demonstrate that there were no reasonable alternatives to destroying the wetlands and that there were plenty of already-built warehouses the company could buy instead of building new ones. Gershman Partners, which did not immediately respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment, could appeal the decision by June 12 or submit a new plan. For now, some Franklin Township residents are cautiously cheering the agency’s decision.

The development plan, proposed by Gershman and Citimark Management, included the destruction of 45 acres of wetland in all, but the quarter acre of high quality wetlands appeared to be the sticking point. Class III wetlands have unique protections in the state that are not given to any other type of wetland. As a result, developers must apply for a permit to disturb or destroy them. Gershman had proposed to purchase roughly $49,000 in mitigation credits, which would pay the state to replant the wetlands somewher in the Upper White River Service Area, a 2,700 square-mile are stretching across 16 counties.

According to the nonprofit Hoosier Environment Council, there would be “almost no chance” that the replacement would be build in the watershed where the wetlands currently are, the Pleasant Run Creek watershed.The Indiana Department of Environmental Management also said it based its decision on Greshman Partners’ submission of two sets of plans for the warehouses which differed on the number of warehouses that would be built and the effect they would have on the wetlands.

And, according to IDEM’s permit denial, the agency drew key information it sued for its decision from a public hearing held April 9, which the developers did not attend. Heldman with IDEM, said the developer’s absence from the hearing made her believe they had no intention of altering their plans and is glad the agency denied their application. “I was elated that the community’s voice was heard,” Heldman said. “I think that the number of people that showed up and expressed concern and legitimate reasoning and facts is exactly what was needed. I think that was pivotal to this decision.”

According to the New York Times, Polar bears in the southern Hudson Bay could go extinct as early as the 2030s because the sea ice that helps them hunt for food is thinning, a new study suggests. “We’ve known that the loss of Arctic sea ice would spell disaster for polar bears, so this might be the first subpopulation that disappears,” said Julienne Stroeve, the lead author of the study, which was published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.

Last month, the eastern half of Hudson Bay, home to the world’s most-studied polar bears, went ice free a month earlier than usual. Polar bears are used to an ice-free season of about four months when they rely on fat reserves until ice reforms and they can hunt blubber-rich seals from the floes. But the presence of sea ice doesn’t guarantee the bears will be able to hunt; it needs to be thick enough to support them. The minimum thickness of ice to support a polar bear is about 4 inches. However, when chasing a seal, 4 inches is not enough.

The ice-free season is now about a month longer than what polar bears are habituated to. Studies show that when the ice-free period extends to six months, even the hardiest Hudson Bay bears, generally healthy adult males, will struggle to survive. Polar bears are what is known as an indicator species, meaning they predict the health and viability of the broader Arctic ecosystem. The concurrent loss of sea ice with depletion in snow cover significantly affects their preferred diet of ringed seals, which have a hard time keeping pups alive in their birthing dens if snow levels drop below 12 inches.

Given that little is being done to halt climate change, our present course will likely mean open water in Hudson Bay for most of the year. If the carbon dioxide level reaches 500 ppm, there will be almost no ice in the Arctic. It would seem that polar bears will have little chance of surviving outside of zoos.

CBS News reports that 2023 was an exceptional year for forest fires, marking a turning point in the history of forest fires in Quebec and Canada. The fires numbered well above the annual average of 480 fires over the last ten years. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the worst on record, with 6,551 fires scorching nearly 46 million acres, from the West Coast to the Atlantic provinces and the far north. The impact on the environment, particularly air quality, in both Canada and the United States was profound. As predicted, 2024 is shaping up to be another devastating wildfire season, and disaster and climate experts have a pretty good idea of why.

Most of the fires now ravaging Canada have actually been burning since last fire season, having smoldered slowly during the winter under the snowpack. Scientists say these blazes, sometimes called zombie fires, are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change. Studies have linked the overwinter fires to ongoing drought conditions amid the increasingly hot, dry springs Canada has experienced in recent years. Scientists say less precipitation and warmer winter temperatures mean fires can keep burning in the dense layers of vegetation under the snowpack.

Sonja Leverkus, an ecosystem scientist in British Columbia who also works as a firefighter, told CBS News that the northeast of the Canadian province has so many wildfires at the moment “because we are in a severe drought for a third year in a row.” She said the parched conditions were likely to make things worse before they get any better. Another factor for Canadian forests is predation by the pine beetle. The “findings”, published in the journal Global Change Biology, show the beetle’s typical 40-day brooding period accelerated to 30 days when they were exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide, the driving force behind human-caused climate change.

Rashaduz Zaman, lead author and a PhD candidate in forest biology and management at the University of Alberta, said the results show that as the climate changes, insects like the mountain pine beetle are adapting at a time trees are becoming more vulnerable to things like drought. Since the early 1990s, the mountain pine beetle has attacked about 40 million acres of forest, including half of the total volume of commercial lodgepole pine in British Columbia, according to Natural Resources Canada. Warmer winters and drier summers allowed the beetle to extend well beyond its traditional range in the boreal forests of B.C.

In this weeks feature, WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kade Young and Madison Stratton investigate Indiana’s efforts to rollback protections for wetlands. This is Part One of a four-part series that previously aired on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate.

Cave River Valley Day will take place at Cave River Valley Natural Area which is part of Spring Mill State Park, on Saturday, June 22nd, from 10 am to 4 pm. Multiple hikes will take place all day. There are no restrooms, so plan accordingly. Please wear waterproof shoes, bring water and bug spray. You must pre-register at sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
A Nocturnal Pollinator Party at McCormick’s Creek State Park is planned for Saturday, June, 22nd, from 10 to 10:45 pm. Meet at the Nature Center Ampitheater to learn the many ways you can attract nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats to your home.
Learn about Fireflies at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, June 23rd, from 10 to 10:45 pm. Hike to the Fire Tower to catch fireflies and learn about their communication. Meet at the Canyon Inn.
Meet the Mustelids at Brown County State Park on Wednesday, June 26th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Learn interesting facts and information about this mischievous group of mammals. So what is a Mustelid? Come and find out. Meet at the Nature Center.
A program on boater safety, Canoe Find It? is scheduled for Saturday, June 29th, at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve from 4 to 6 pm. After discussing boater safety, you will head to the water to practice paddling techniques. A scavenger hunt will allow you to practice as well as have fun. There is a prize! Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………….Julianna Dailey
On Air…………………………………….Robert Schull
Headlines……………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………….Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Feature Report…………………………….Kade Young
Feature Report……………………..Madison Stratton
Feature Report……………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………………Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………..Branden Blewett

View Details

In this week’s Eco Report feature, Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana, will be talking about the Duke Energy Rate Increase Case.

The New York Times reports the Biden administration on Friday tightened vehicle fuel mileage standards, part of its strategy to transform the American auto market into one that is dominated by electric vehicles that do not emit the pollution that is heating the planet. The new mileage standards announced by the Transportation Department are among several regulations the administration is using to prod carmakers to produce more electric vehicles.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency issued strict new limits on tailpipe pollution that are designed to ensure that the majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States are all-electric or hybrids by 2032, up from 7.6 percent last year. In addition to the regulations, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, championed by President Biden, provides tax credits for buyers of new and used electric vehicles, along with incentives for charging stations and grants and loans for manufacturers.

The push for more EVs comes as the world’s leading climate experts say that retiring the internal combustion engine is critical to staving off the most deadly effects of global warming. Thus far, the shift to EVs is going slowly, and several manufacturers are laying off employees.

Ospreys are primarily found along streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs where they forage for fish. The osprey’s main prey is fish. This bird is the only raptor to plunge into the water for prey. Usually, the osprey will hover 30 – 100 feet above the water watching for fish. When a fish is spotted, the osprey dives feet first into the water and is often momentarily under the surface of the water. Once capturing the fish, the osprey leaves the water, shakes the water from its feathers and positions the fish in its talons so that the fish’s head faces forward. This decreases wind resistance as the osprey flies.

Ospreys are reported to be able to carry up to 2.25 pounds, but most fish are in the 0.5 lb. range and are 5-15″ in length. They occasionally eat rodents, birds, small vertebrates and crustaceans. To feed their young, adult ospreys tear off small pieces of fish when the chicks are very young and adjust size as they get older. A brood of three chicks requires nearly two pounds of fish daily. From 1930 to 1975, osprey nesting was only noted in four counties in Indiana: Morgan, Parke, Porter and Posey. The use of DDT had virtually wiped out osprey elsewhere in the state. At the beginning of the 21st century, osprey populations in the Midwest had been growing slowly, but nests were widely scattered.

Reintroductions enhanced local and regional populations. From 2003 to 2006, DFW wildlife biologists obtained 96 young ospreys from nests in coastal areas of Virginia and raised and released them at four locations in Indiana: Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area, and Patoka Lake. Each site received eight birds in June of three consecutive years. Birds were held for one to five weeks and released from mid-June to mid-July. Locally obtained fish (primarily gizzard shad, carp, white sucker and yellow perch) were provided at release sites as late as early September. As a result of this effort and the installation of nesting platforms in a partnership between the Indiana DNR and private groups and individuals, Indiana’s osprey population has shown steady growth.

Several nest sites were erected a few years ago at Lake Monroe and the osprey are doing well. No nesting sites have been built at Lake Lemon. Osprey visit the lake every spring, but move on to waters with nesting sites. In 2018, after more than 3 years of at least 50 nest territories, the Osprey was down-listed from state endangered to special concern. In 2020, over 100 Osprey nests were found in Indiana.

The New York Times reports that when President Biden signed the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, it was expected to set off a boom in renewable energy, with hefty tax breaks that would make solar and wind power cheaper than fossil fuels. So far, however, that dream has only come partly true. Solar panel installations are indeed soaring to record highs in the United States, as are batteries that can store energy for later. But wind power has struggled, both on land and in the ocean.

The country is now adding less wind capacity each year than before the law was passed. Some factors behind the wind industry’s recent slowdown may be temporary, such as snarled supply chains. But wind power is also more vulnerable than solar power to many of the biggest logistical hurdles that hinder energy projects today: a lack of transmission lines, a lengthy permitting process and a growing backlash against new projects in many communities.

If wind power continues to stagnate, that could make the fight against global warming much harder, experts say. Many plans for quickly shifting the country away from fossil fuels envision a large expansion of both solar and wind, because the two sources generate electricity at different hours and can complement each other. A boom in solar power alone, which runs only in daytime, isn’t enough.

In a disconcerting update from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency revealed that bleaching has affected nearly two-thirds of the world’s coral reefs due to significant heat stress in just the past year. As of now, an alarming 60.5% of coral reefs globally have been impacted by this phenomenon, and unfortunately, this percentage is on the rise. This mass bleaching is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend exacerbated by climate change and a recent El Niño event, which have collectively driven ocean temperatures to unprecedented highs.

We are seeing ocean temperatures that are very extreme in nature, expressed Derek Manzello, coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. Coral bleaching occurs when corals, under stress, expel the symbiotic algae residing in their tissues — algae that provide essential nutrients through photosynthesis. This expulsion turns the corals pale and greatly heightens their vulnerability to starvation and disease.

Furthermore, the gravity of the current situation is underscored by historical comparisons. The last major global bleaching event, spanning from 2014 to 2017, affected 56.1% of the world’s reefs, while earlier events in 1998 and 2010 impacted 20% and 35% of reefs, respectively. Although the current event has impacted a broader area, Derek Manzello notes that the 2014-2017 episode remains the most severe on record, owing to its duration and intensity. However, the ongoing 2023-2024 event may soon exceed it in severity.

The Caribbean reefs have been particularly hard-hit, with a staggering 99.7% of the Atlantic basin’s reefs experiencing bleaching-level heat stress in the past year. The Atlantic Ocean has been off the charts, Manzello highlighted. A recent study indicated severe coral mortality, ranging between 50% and 93%, in areas like Huatulco, Oaxaca, along the Mexican Pacific. The situation appears grim as we approach the summer, with heat stress already accumulating in the Southern Caribbean.

Alarmingly, the thresholds for bleaching have been crossed much earlier in the year than ever before. This is alarming because this has never happened so early in the year before, Manzello warns. It may be futile to attempt to save existing coral reefs. Perhaps the better approach is to develop new corals that thrive in high temperature waters. Coral reefs thrived long ago, when temperatures were far higher. The fossil corals on Lake Champlain are the oldest known, dating back to 480 million years ago.

In this weeks feature, Robyn Skuya-Boss, Chapter Director with the Sierra Club in Indiana, will be talking about the Duke Energy Rate Increase Case.

Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will be having a Name that Adaptation/Wetland in a Bag on Saturday, June 15th, from 11 am to Noon. A representative from the International Crane Foundation will be leading programs on Saturdays this summer. Learn all about Cranes and how they have adapted to survive. Register at GoosepondFWA@dnr.IN.gov or call 812-512-9159.
Make a Bumble Bee Bath at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, June 16th, from 10 to 11 am in the Nature Center. Because it is hard for bees to find water when they are pollinating, they drink dew droplets off flower petals. Your bumble bee water dish will help support our pollinators.
Visit the lobby at the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park on Tuesday, June 18th, from 3 to 4 pm to learn and meet some of Indiana’s resident snakes. Learn their behaviors and habits and pet one, if you want to.
Join Naturalist Kaitlyn to learn about the one and only True Flying Mammals, known as bats, at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, June 20th, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. Learn about our native bats and their ecological importance. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter.
Don’t forget to attend the Duke Energy Rate Increase meeting on Thursday, June 20th, at 6 pm in the Olcott Young Room of the Monroe Convention Center. Make your voice heard.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………………Robert Schull
Headlines…………………………………..Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………….Zyro Roze
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………..Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

View Details

In this week’s Eco Report feature, part two of ‘Local Food Sovereignty Amidst Global Challenges’ from Eco Report EXTRA – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.

While the Indiana Legislature and the power companies are doing all they can to kill solar, other regions of the country are seeing benefits to solar. One of those unexpected places is the New England states because they don’t have much sun in the winter. But the expansion of rooftop solar in New England is keeping the lights on during winter, surprising the region’s grid operator and challenging long-standing assumptions that the growth of renewable energy could destabilize the power system.

Officials at ISO New England, which oversees the six-state power market, concluded after months of research that the region’s power grid has been strengthened by cold-weather sunlight, an unanticipated finding that adds fuel to a growing debate over the impact that renewable energy has on the nation’s labyrinth of power plants and transmission lines. The findings stand to alter regulators’ view of rooftop solar, which many had seen as a small and unpredictable source of energy.

The influx of solar has paved the way for the retirement of one of New England’s dirtiest power plants. Mystic Generating Station, the third-largest power plant in the region, is slated to close next summer. New England electric customers have been paying a subsidy in recent years to keep the 1,413 megawatt gas plant from shutting down. The subsidy was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2018 at the request of ISO New England, which at the time said the plant was needed to shore up the region’s electric grid. But when the grid operator testified at a FERC meeting in Maine last week, it said Mystic isn’t needed to prevent blackouts across the region. Rooftop solar is one reason why.

New England relies on natural gas for about half of its power generation. That can be a problem in winter, when much of the region’s limited pipeline capacity is dedicated to natural gas for heating homes and other buildings. That led New England to turn to oil as a backup source of power generation. Many gas plants in the region have installed large oil tanks that can be tapped when gas prices spike, but oil’s highcarbon content contributes to climate change. Rooftop solar conserves the region’s oil supplies. ISO New England estimates that every 700 MW of solar capacity reduces oil consumption by 7 to 10 million gallons or gas demand by 1 to 1.5 billion cubic feet. The grid operator said it had around 5,400 MW of solar online at the end of last year. The vast majority of that is on rooftops.

Reuters reports that giant blue-grey sei whales that vanished from Argentina’s Patagonian coast a century ago due to hunting are starting to flourish once again, demonstrating how species can recover when measures to protect them are put in place. In the 1920s and 1930s regular whaling ships along the shores of Argentina, and beyond, saw populations dwindle. In the last 50 years, global bans on commercial whaling have helped populations of sei and others revive.

“They disappeared because they were hunted, they did not become extinct but were so reduced that no one saw them,” said Mariano Coscarella, biologist and researcher in marine ecosystems at the Argentine state science body. Coscarella added that it had taken decades for numbers to recover enough that the whales had again been sighted, which only started to happen again in recent years. “In this case it took over 80 years,” Coscarella said. “They breed every 2 or 3 years and so it took almost 100 years for them to have appreciable numbers for people to realize they were there.”

The team last month worked to fit some sei whales with satellite trackers to map their migration patterns, with funding from the National Geographic’s Pristine Seas project. They recorded footage of them from boats, drones and below water. “We can consider this a success of conservation on a global scale,” Coscarella said, adding that the global moratorium on whaling was critical to numbers improving. He warned that countries pulling out of this agreement would jeopardize the recovery.

The success with sei whales is consistent with the viability of the right whale population in the Southern Hemisphere. The right whale population is about 3,500 animals. The right whale population in the Northern Hemisphere is only about 350 animals. The northern right whale may be extinct by 2100.

The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection says that mangroves are one of Florida’s true natives. They thrive in salty environments because they can obtain freshwater from saltwater. Some secrete excess salt through their leaves, while others block absorption of salt at their roots. Mangroves are important in limiting coastal erosion during hurricanes. Florida’s estimated 600,000 acres of mangrove forests contribute to the overall health of the state’s southern coastal zone and beyond. This ecosystem traps and cycles various organic materials, chemical elements and important nutrients.

Mangrove roots act not only as physical traps but provide attachment surfaces for various marine organisms. Many of these attached organisms filter water through their bodies and, in turn, trap and cycle nutrients. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overemphasized.Mangroves provide protected nursery areas for fishes, crustaceans and shellfish. They also provide food for a multitude of marine species such as snook, snapper, tarpon, jack, sheepshead, red drum, oyster and shrimp. Florida’s important recreational and commercial fisheries would drastically decline without healthy mangrove forests.

Many animals find shelter either in the roots or branches of mangroves. Mangrove branches are rookeries, or nesting areas, for beautiful coastal birds such as brown pelicans and roseate spoonbills.It is true that mangroves can be naturally damaged and destroyed, but there is no doubt that human impact has been most severe. Scientists in multiple agencies, including the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, Smithsonian Institute, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and many more are studying changes in Florida’s coastal habitats. The scientists evaluate habitat changes by analyzing aerial photographs from the 1940s and 1950s and satellite imagery and aerial photography from the 1980s.

Frequently the changes illustrate loss of mangrove acreage. Through researching the history of study sites, these losses are often attributed to human activities. However, mangroves are also gaining ground along their northern Florida habitat limits. As winter cold snaps decrease, mangroves are able to expand further north into new territory. Continued evaluation of aerial images between 1984 and 2011 has shown that the Florida Atlantic Coast gained more than 3,000 acres of mangroves. All the increase occurred north of Palm Beach County and the acreage between Cape Canaveral and St. Augustine doubled. Much of these gains come at the expense of salt marsh communities. Research is ongoing to determine the impacts, both positive and negative, of this transition.

There’s an update on the Florida Panthers from the Center for Biological Diversity. As few as 200 Florida panthers are left in the wild. On average nearly 30 are killed every year, mostly by vehicle strikes. And the threat will be even more dire if runaway development projects in Lee and Collier counties, the heart of panther habitat, go forward. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says nearly double the number of panthers could be killed if these cats keep losing ground on the shrinking patch of habitat that still remains.

That would doom them to extinction. Decades of urban sprawl have left Florida panthers eking out a living in less than 5% of their historic range. Today they’re the only large felines living in the Southeast. By keeping roads and cars from slashing through their habitat — and securing the last few areas where they can still hunt and find mates — we can pull these great cats back from the brink.

Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere 10 times faster than it has in the last 50,000 years, according to a new study led by researchers from University of St. Andrews and Oregon State University. The findings shed light on periods of abrupt climate change in the planet’s history while offering new understanding of the impacts of today’s climate crisis. “Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented,” said Kathleen Wendt, lead author of the study and an Oregon State University assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, in a press release from University of St. Andrews. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher.

FEATURE REPORTIn this weeks feature, part two of an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.

Enjoy an Intro to Wild Edibles on Saturday, June 8th, from Noon to 2 pm at the RCA Community Park. You will explore the forest and meadows for wild, edible treasures. Bring a foraging bag. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Animals like to hide in interesting places. Join Naturalist Kaitlyn for a What’s Under That Rock hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, June 8th, from 2 to 3 pm. Hike down to the waterfall to see these hidden worlds. Meet at the Canyon Inn Lawn.
Worried about invasive plants? Then plan to participate in an If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Eat ‘em! presentation at Brown County State Park on Sunday, June 9th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. You will learn about invasive species, how to identify them and how to cook and eat them. Many are edible. Take home a free recipe card to remember what you learned.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting Wild Wednesdays in June, July and August. Enjoy short nature hikes outside the Goose Pond Visitors Center. Meet at 10 am and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters, and more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray. Come out this Wednesday, June 12th.
Take a Tree ID Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, June 14th, from 4 to 4:45 pm. Walk on the Discovery Trail to learn some traits of common Indiana trees and practice identifying them.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………….Cynthia Roberts
Headlines…………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report…………………………….Zyro Roze
Script………………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar…………………….Julianna Dailey
Engineer……………………………Branden Blewett

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport 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.

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, Part One of “Local Food Sovereignty Amidst Global Challenges,” an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.

The Indiana Business Journal reports that according to environmentalists, the scores of coal ash ponds that have sprung up around Indiana power plants over the decades are a looming threat to public health and water supplies. Most are near rivers and are filled with toxic chemicals, including arsenic and mercury. But to the energy industry, the ponds are a necessary byproduct of burning mountains of coal over the years to produce cheap electricity for Hoosiers. They insist Indiana’s 86 ponds, more than in any other state, are safe and the risk of harm is low.

For years, the two sides have battled over how to treat the mountains of coal ash, most of which sits far from public view, behind fences, next to power plants. But up close, the ponds spread out for acres. Many have grown into small lakes with high embankments, up to 50 feet deep and containing untold amounts of toxins. Now a set of final rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could finally push electric utilities and other power generators to better monitor and clean up the coal ash around Indiana and the nation. For the first time, federal regulations will cover the nearly 50 dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana that were previously exempted from cleanup provisions.

Several Indiana utilities say they are studying the changes but stopped short of saying what they plan to do in response. The regulations will force big players and policymakers in Indiana to deal with what some see as a major environmental problem. Several coal ash ponds are in areas that are prone to flooding, raising the risk that toxins in the ponds could be swept into nearby rivers and that the underground aquifer could become contaminated.

For a long time, we’ve had a mindset in this state that if it’s economic development, if it supports the fossil fuel industry, we’re going to do it, said David Van Gilder, senior policy and legal director at the Hoosier Environmental Council. I think that’s something we’re going to turn the corner on if the EPA sticks to its guns and there’s some oomph behind this federal enforcement.

Inside Climate News has a story about whether it is prudent to have children. Jade S. Sasser has been studying reproductive choices in the context of climate change for a quarter century. Her 2018 book, “Infertile Ground,” explored how population growth in the Global South has been misguidedly framed as a crisis—a perspective that Sasser argues had its roots in long-standing racial stereotypes about sexuality and promiscuity.

But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sasser, an environmental scientist who teaches at the University of California, Riverside, started asking different questions, this time about reproductive choices in the Global North. In an era in which the planet is getting hotter by the day, she wondered, is it morally, ethically or practically sound to bring children into the world? And do such factors as climate anxiety, race and socio-economic status shape who decides to have kids and who doesn’t?

The result is her latest book, “Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question,” which was published last month by the University of California Press and centers on a range of issues that are part of a broader conversation among those who try to practice climate-conscious decision-making. From the outset, Sasser cautions that her work does not attempt to draw any conclusions about what the future might hold or how concerns about global warming might affect population growth going forward.

This book is not predictive, Sasser said in a recent interview with Inside Climate News. “It’s too soon to be able to say, ‘OK, these are going to be the trends. These people are not going to have children, or are going to have fewer children or this many, or that many.’ We’re at the beginning of witnessing what could be a significant trend”. Sasser said that one of the most compelling findings of her research was how survey results showed that women of color were the demographic cohort that reported that they were most likely to have at least one child fewer than what they actually want because of climate change.

“No other group in that survey responded that way,” Sasser said. Those survey results, Sasser said, underscores the prevalence of climate anxiety among communities of color. A Yale study published last year found that Hispanic Americans were five times as likely to experience feelings of climate change anxiety when compared to their white counterparts; Black Americans were twice as likely to have those feelings.

There is a really large assumption that we don’t experience climate anxiety, said Sasser, who is African American. “And we do. How could we not? We experience most of the climate impacts first and worst.” And the few surveys that have been done around people of color and climate emotions showed that Black and Latinx people feel more worry and more concerned about climate change than other groups.”

CNN reports that rivers and streams in Alaska are changing color – from a clean, clear blue to a rusty orange – because of the toxic metals released by thawing permafrost, according to a new study. The finding surprised researchers from the National Park Service, the University of California at Davis and the US Geological Survey, who conducted tests at 75 locations in the waterways of Alaska’s Brooks Range. The rivers and streams in the range appeared to rust and became cloudy and orange over the past five to 10 years, according to the study published in the journal Communications: Earth & Environment.

We’re used to seeing this in parts of California, parts of Appalachia where we have mining history. This is a classic process that happens in rivers here in the continental US that have been impacted for over 100 years since some of the mining rushes in the 1850s, said Brett Poulin, a co-author of the study and a professor of environmental toxicology at UC Davis. But it’s very startling to see it when you’re on some of the most remote wilderness and you’re far from a mine source.

The discoloration and cloudiness are being caused by metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and lead, the researchers found – some of which are toxic to the river and stream ecosystems – as permafrost thaws and exposes the waterways to minerals locked away underground for thousands of years. Arctic soils naturally contain organic carbon, nutrients and metals, such as mercury, within their permafrost, the study says. High temperatures have caused these minerals and the water sources around them to meet as permafrost melts.

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the world, studies have shown. What we believe we’re seeing is this thawing of soil that’s happening faster there than it would happen elsewhere, said Poulin. It’s really an unexpected consequence of climate change. Those orange streams can be problematic both in terms of being toxic but might also prevent migration of fish to spawning areas.

The New York Times reports that Gilberto Pozo, a biologist, was monitoring a small forest in the town of Cunduacán, in southern Mexico, in early May when two mantled howler monkeys fell from a tree in front of him with a thud. They were dehydrated and received treatment, he said. But they didn’t survive. At first, Dr. Pozo and his team at Cobius, a nonprofit conservation group, thought the monkeys had been overcome by smoke from fires set by farmers clearing land nearby.

But, as temperatures soared over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks, dozens of reports of dead monkeys started popping up. Residents were finding groups of 10 or more dead at a time, many also showing signs of dehydration. As of Wednesday, 147 monkeys have died in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas in southern Mexico. The deaths of dozens of mantled howler monkeys in Mexico may be the latest sign of the danger extreme temperatures pose to wildlife around the world.

As global temperatures have shattered records, scientists have recently documented a die-off of Amazon dolphins and a mass bleaching event in the world’s oceans. This event points out why we humans are not terribly concerned about climate change. We just use more air-conditioning. But plants and animals have no similar option. That’s why we are in the initial stages of the sixth mass extinction. According to David Attenborough, one million plant and animal species will be extinct within the next two decades.

FEATURE REPORTIn this weeks feature, Part One of an episode of Eco Report EXTRA (E.R.X.) – our online sister show. The full program won Third Place for Best Radio Documentary Special of 2023 at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards in April.

A Free Fishing Weekend is planned for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd, at Monroe Lake. This is a great opportunity to learn about fishing. Free fishing equipment is available at the Paynetown Activity Center.
Join Naturalist Jessie on a wild adventure to learn about nocturnal animals during the Sense of the Night Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, June 1st, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. You will put your senses to the test to see if you would be a good night owl. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter.
A Cut Flowers for Crafting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. In this first part of a two-part series, you will learn about the kinds of flowers to plant in your garden. Plan to think outside the box. Part two will take place in September. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting Wild Wednesdays in June, July and August. Enjoy short nature hikes outside the Goose Pond Visitors Center. Meet at 10 am and learn about Indiana’s wetlands, critters, and more. Bring water, sunscreen and bugspray. The first Wednesday is June 5th.
Enjoy an Intro to Wild Edibles on Saturday, June 8th, from Noon to 2 pm at the RCA Community Park. You will explore the forest and meadows for wild, edible treasures. Bring a foraging bag. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

On Air………………………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air……………………………Frank Marshalek
Headlines………………………………Norm Holy
Feature Report………………………….Zyro Roze
Script……………………………….Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar……………………Julianna Dailey
Engineer………………………….Branden Blewett

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport 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.

View Details

Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Michelle Higgs about how her time as a Community Organizer with Hoosier Action prepared her for her run for Indiana House District 60, which includes parts of Monroe County.

The New York Times reports that global warming creates conditions more favorable to severe storms. As the planet warms, severe storms of all kinds are likely to deliver even bigger payloads of rain. The reason: Warmer air holds more moisture, which effectively increases a storm’s capacity to carry precipitation.

Because the air can hold more moisture, that also means there is more water vapor in the sky that can condense into liquid, forming clouds. The heat energy released into the atmosphere by this condensation is what feeds thunderstorms. In short, more condensation, stronger storms.

Scientists are still trying to understand how this is playing out. Just because the ingredients are in place for a powerful storm doesn’t mean a powerful storm always materializes. Plenty of other factors shape when and whether storms form, and how destructive they become, which means it’s not straightforward to determine how global warming might be affecting overall storm trends.

Theoretically we understand very well what’s happening, said Andreas F. Prein, a climate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. But how this then translates into severe convective storms, and what we saw recently, is a little bit more questionable. Thunderstorms can also produce strong winds that fan out in straight lines rather than
twisters. In a study published last year, Dr. Prein estimated that much larger areas of the central United States were now experiencing these straight-line gusts compared with the early 1980s. Thunderstorm damage is already causing big losses to home insurers.

The market for homeowners insurance has been in turmoil in the United States, and not just because of hurricanes and wildfires. As a New York Times investigation documented this week, severe storms are also causing insurers to lose money on homeowner coverage. These losses are affecting insurers in places like Iowa, Arkansas and Ohio, far from the coastal areas that are most battered by hurricanes.

The New York Times chronicles changes occurring in the insurance industry. The insurance turmoil caused by climate change — which has been concentrated in Florida, California and Louisiana — is fast becoming a contagion, spreading to states like Iowa, Arkansas, Ohio, Utah and Washington. Even in the Northeast, where homeowners insurance was still generally profitable last year, the trends are worsening.

In 2023, insurers lost money on homeowners coverage in 18 states, more than a third of the country, according to a New York Times analysis of newly available financial data. That’s up from 12 states five years ago, and eight states in 2013. The result is that insurance companies are raising premiums by as much as 50 percent or more, cutting back on coverage or leaving entire states altogether. Nationally, over the last decade, insurers paid out more in claims than they received in premiums, according to the ratings firm Moody’s, and those losses are increasing.

The growing tumult is affecting people whose homes have never been damaged and who have dutifully paid their premiums, year after year. Cancellation notices have left them scrambling to find coverage to protect what is often their single biggest investment. As a last resort, many are ending up in high-risk insurance pools created by states that are backed by the public and offer less coverage than standard policies. By and large, state regulators lack strategies to restore stability to the market. I believe we’re marching toward an uninsurable future in many places, said Dave Jones, the former insurance commissioner of California and now director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the University of California Berkeley law school.

Insurers are still turning a profit from other lines of business, like commercial and life insurance policies. But many are dropping homeowners coverage because of losses.

Climate troublemaker La Niña isn’t here yet – but it is on the way, federal weather forecasters said in a report released last week. In fact, forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave the climate pattern as much as an 85% chance of forming by late fall. We are very confident that La Niña will form by this fall, Nat Johnson, a NOAA meteorologist, told USA TODAY.

Once it forms, it’s also supposed to last through next winter and would impact U.S. weather throughout the coldest months. Of more immediate concern, there’s also as much as a 69% chance it will develop by the summer months, NOAA said. This is key because a full-fledged La Niña could worsen the severity of the Atlantic hurricane season, the heart of which is typically in September.

La Niña is a natural climate pattern marked by cooler-than-average seawater in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. When the water cools at least 0.9 degree Fahrenheit below average for three straight months, a La Niña is declared.

Surprisingly, that small amount is enough to affect weather and climate patterns in the U.S. and around the world. The cycle between La Niña and its “sibling” El Niño is hugely important for agriculture worldwides. El Niño generally brings wetter conditions to the Americas, while a La Niña has the opposite effect. The LaNina in 2012 brought drought to Indiana. Much of the corn crop was lost.

The Thwaites Glacier is back in the news. This is the glacier that could cut loose anytime from its mooring on Antarctica and raise ocean levels. Now it has been discovered that ocean water is pushing miles beneath Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier,” making it more vulnerable to melting than previously thought, according to new research which used radar data from space to perform an X-ray of the crucial glacier.

As the salty, relatively warm ocean water meets the ice, it’s causing “vigorous melting” underneath the glacier and could mean global sea level rise projections are being underestimated, according to the study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and reported by CNN.

The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica — nicknamed the “Doomsday Glacier” because its collapse could cause catastrophic sea level rise — is the world’s widest glacier and roughly the size of Florida. It’s also Antarctica’s most vulnerable and unstable glacier, in large part because the land on which it sits slopes downward, allowing ocean waters to eat away at its ice.

Thwaites, which already contributes 4% to global sea level rise, holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet. But because it also acts as a natural dam to the surrounding ice in West Antarctica, scientists have estimated its complete collapse could ultimately lead to around 10 feet of sea level rise — a catastrophe for the world’s coastal communities.

How likely is Thwaites to release from Antarctica soon? Now that the area is entering winter, it seems likely that release won’t occur this year. Scientists say that no further warming of the globe is necessary for the release to occur. Whenever it happens, there will be immediate consequences beyond dealing with a 2 foot rise in ocean levels. Home insurance rates could skyrocket in low-lying areas, or insurance companies could pull out of Florida and other low-lying states. Indiana is not helping because the coal interests still determine outcomes.

The findings shed light on periods of abrupt climate change in the planet’s history while offering new understanding of the impacts of today’s climate crisis. “Studying the past teaches us how today is different. The rate of CO2 change today really is unprecedented,” said Kathleen Wendt, lead author of the study and an Oregon State University assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, in a press release from University of St. Andrews. Our research identified the fastest rates of past natural CO2 rise ever observed, and the rate occurring today, largely driven by human emissions, is 10 times higher.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his conversation with Michelle Higgs, a candidate for State government who got started in political activism by getting involved to address a toxic waste plume in Martinsville, the legacy of a dry cleaning operation in the town not far from Bloomington.

And now, some upcoming events:

Learn about Twirling Ladybugs at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 25th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Go to the Activity Center to make a twirling ladybug craft while learning how to tell the difference between our native ladybugs and the non-native lady beetle.
Take a Woodpecker Walk at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, May 26th, beginning at 11 am. Bring your binoculars for a short walk and talk about woodpeckers and then search for them. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot.
Learn the Secrets of Sinkholes at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 26th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. You will learn that sinkholes are the start of cave formations. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter to take a Karst Topography Hike on Trail 9, which is 1.2 miles into the woods.
Beginner Kayaking is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th, from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake. You will learn basic paddling and safety skills and enjoy supervised paddling time in quiet water. Sign up at tinyurl.com/kayak-May29-2024.
A Free Fishing Weekend is planned for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd at Monroe Lake. This is a great opportunity to learn about fishing. Free fishing equipment is available at the Paynetown Activity Center.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced and edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young is our engineer.

View Details

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze learns about a new student movement on the IU campus devoted to freeing animals from cruel and secretive experimentation programs like the one that uses baby birds to train Artificial Intelligence robots.

Carbon offsets are questionable as a tool to reduce fossil fuel consumption. A carbon offset is a credit that you can buy to make up for your emissions. So if you fly from New York to San Francisco, releasing around 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, you can purchase an offset, funding a project that will remove or store that same amount of carbon dioxide elsewhere, often by planting or preserving trees.

At least that’s the idea, according to a recent New York Times story. But many scientists object to the principle, on the grounds that we need to sharply reduce emissions, not just try to cancel them out.
Offsetting is a misnomer, said Barbara Haya, director of the Berkeley Carbon Trading Project at the University of California, Berkeley. It creates a fiction that you can fly and emit greenhouse gasses and companies are working on ways to improve the credibility of carbon credits. But Dr. Haya has been studying offsets for more than 20 years and so far, she said, the results have been grim. Most credits don’t represent the amount of emissions reductions that they claim, she said. Others have had no measurable climate benefit at all.

That’s because measuring the carbon captured by, say, planting a new tree is hard. Would that tree have been planted anyway? What happens if that tree later burns in a wildfire? John Sterman, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and director of the MIT Climate Pathways Project, compared carbon credits to the magical healing elixirs of the Old West. I could put anything into that bottle. And it isn’t just that it might not work — it could be downright harmful. That’s where we’re at with carbon offsets, he said. They’re fooling people.

Last year, an estimated $1.7 billion of carbon credits were issued worldwide, according to an analysis from the global accounting firm KPMG. The best solution, according to the experts: Fly less.
And when you do fly, choose economy. Since premium seats take up more space, passengers in first or business class account for up to four times the emissions of passengers in the back.

After 30 years of warnings, we’ve made little progress in halting global warming. The carbon dioxide measured at Hawaii is now 428 ppm. Ten years ago it was 402 ppm. The amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere is still accelerating. Countries are not reducing fossil fuel combustion enough to make an impact. From historic conditions, we know that when the CO2 value reaches 650 ppm, there will be no ice on Earth.

Reuters reports that the various species of whales inhabiting Earth’s oceans employ different types of vocalizations to communicate. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, communicate using bursts of clicking noises — called codas — sounding a bit like Morse code.

A new analysis of years of vocalizations by sperm whales in the eastern Caribbean has found that their system of communication is more sophisticated than previously known, exhibiting a complex internal structure replete with a “phonetic alphabet.” The researchers identified similarities to aspects of other animal communication systems — and even human language.

Like all marine mammals, sperm whales are very social animals, with their calls an integral part of this. The new study has provided a fuller understanding of how these whales communicate.

“The research shows that the expressivity of sperm whale calls is much larger than previously thought,” said Pratyusha Sharma, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology doctoral student in robotics and machine learning and lead author of the study published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

We do not know yet what they are saying. We are studying the calls in their behavioral contexts next to understand what sperm whales might be communicating about, said Sharma.

Inside Climate Change reports the coastal communities of Guayama and Salinas in southern Puerto Rico feature acres of vibrant green farmland, and a rich, biodiverse estuary, the protected Jobos Bay, which stretches between the neighboring townships. But this would-be tropical paradise is also the home of both a 52-year-old oil-fired power plant and a 22-year-old coal-fired power plant, which local residents say contaminate their drinking water and air, and harm people’s health.

It’s a classic sacrifice zone, said Ruth Santiago, a lawyer and community activist who has fought against environmental injustice in Puerto Rico for more than 20 years. A friend calls this ‘the beautiful place with serious problems. Local residents envision a cleaner future as these fossil fuel plants are scheduled to retire within the next several years. They see rooftop solar as the best alternative as the island transitions to renewable energy.

In November 2023, the federal government allocated $440 million in funding for rooftop solar energy in Puerto Rico, part of a billion dollar energy investment in the island. Officials, in recent years, have acknowledged that the region has suffered as the home of polluting power plants.

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and Gorgo Losi of IU Animal Campaigns with a special report about the group’s fight for information from the Luddy School of Informatics about the placement of newborn chicks into virtual reality boxes in research on perceptual development to be applied to the Artificial Intelligence industry.

Learn about Natural Dyes during a program that explores the art of dyeing fabrics with organic materials from nature on Saturday, May 18th, from Noon to 2 pm at Winslow Woods Park. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Reptile and Amphibian Night on Saturday, May 18th, from 6:30 to 8 pm. The state herpetologist will discuss what makes reptiles and amphibians unique, their habitat needs and local Indiana species. Register at GoosePondFWA@dnr.IN.gov.

World Turtle Day will be celebrated at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, May 23rd, from 10 am to 5 pm. Meet in the Nature Center to watch turtles explore the outside.

A Full Flower Moon Night Hike is scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd, from 9 to 10:30 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. Learn about nocturnal animals and the history and folklore of the Full Flower Moon. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Learn about Twirling Ladybugs at Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 25th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Go to the Activity Center to make a twirling ladybug craft while learning how to tell the difference between our native ladybugs and the non-native lady beetle.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced and edited by Zyro Roze.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Zyro Roze are our engineers.

View Details

Coming up in this edition of EcoReport, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their discussion in Part 4 about Monroe Lake and then we will listen to episodes about The Secret Life of Fungi.

A committee of the US House has been investigating the role of fossil fuel companies in hiding their awareness that burning fossil fuels would lead to global warming. Documents demonstrate for the first time that fossil fuel companies internally do not dispute that they have understood since at least the 1960s that burning fossil fuels causes climate change. Also, they then worked for decades to undermine public understanding of this fact and to deny the underlying science.

In fall 2015, blockbuster reporting by Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times revealed that Big Oil companies such as Exxon knew that burning fossil fuels was a major contributor to climate change. Companies publicly rejected the reporting at the time, but new documents corroborate the reporting and show that fossil fuel companies internally did not dispute the findings, but tried to dismiss them as “hyperbolic” and “journalistic malpractice.”
Big Oil’s deception campaign evolved from explicit denial of the basic science underlying climate change to deception, disinformation, and doublespeak. The fossil fuel industry evolved from denying climate science to spreading disinformation and perpetuating doublespeak about the safety of natural gas and its
commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

New documents demonstrate that Big Oil companies seek to position natural gas as a “bridge fuel” between coal and cleaner, renewable energy. They also portray natural gas as a green, climate-friendly fuel and make public pledges to support the Paris Agreement. Big oil publicly embraced carbon capture technologies to help reduce harmful emissions while privately acknowledging that the technology is expensive. They have been successful in forcing the Biden Administration to fund billions in this area. It is wasted money. Carbon sequestration is something the Indiana Legislature has been keen on, which only demonstrates how little our state leaders know about energy. Additionally, Exxon and others have publicly promoted algae-based biofuels as an innovative low-carbon technology. This made-for-tv concept showed gleaming kettles to impress the public, but now that they’ve accomplished their tree-hugger image, they’ve canceled these programs entirely.

In conclusion, the House committee has proven what climate scientists have been saying for decades.

There are signs in long-range models and climate trends that summer 2024 could end up being one of the hottest summers on record. It appears a La Niña event is developing. La Nina refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. That leaves warm water to accumulate near Australia. This condition has significant
consequences for the US.

The term El Niño is related to La Nina and refers to a warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino is the warm eastern phase of the Southern Oscillation cycle. A neutral phase refers to accumulation of warm surface water in the mid-Pacific. We have been under an El Nino condition for several months; now it appears there is a transition to La Niña. Forecasts for 2024 call for a transition from El Niño to neutral by April-June 2024 (85% chance), with the odds of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 (60% chance).

A hot summer is expected for nearly all of the contiguous U.S. with only a few exceptions. From June through August, temperatures are forecast to run at least 2 degrees above historical averages across more than half of the country. The last time Indiana experienced a very hot summer was in 2011, a La Nina year.

Summer 2024 might mean heat waves for many areas across the Plains to Northeast. Compared to historical averages, the hottest areas can be over the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest and southwestern Plains. Showers and thunderstorms in these areas may bring periodic breaks in the heat in June and July, but drier weather could result in some of the hottest weather for the region in August. The widespread warmth will translate to higher energy bills across the country. There is a real danger our grid may fail,
because it is sorely in need of updating.

A La Nina is blamed for the record tornado activity across the Southern U.S during Spring 2011, especially the Super Outbreak, which is the largest and costliest tornado outbreak in recorded history, as well as being one of the most violent and one of the deadliest. A destructive Atlantic hurricane season is likely, and the first storm of the year could spin up before the season officially begins on June 1. The number of potential hurricanes in the forecast is almost double the normal number.

When there’s a La Nina, there are more storms in the Atlantic during hurricane season because winds from the west are not sufficient to shear off the tops of storms. We may be in for a difficult summer.

As reported by the New York Times, humans are transforming Earth’s natural landscapes so dramatically that as many as one million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, posing a dire threat to ecosystems that people all over the world depend on for their survival, a sweeping new United Nations assessment has concluded.

The 1,500-page report, compiled by hundreds of international experts and based on thousands of scientific studies, is the most exhaustive look yet at the decline in biodiversity across the globe and the dangers that creates for human civilization. A summary of its findings, which was approved by representatives from the United States and 131 other countries, was released recently.
Its conclusions are stark. In most major land habitats, from the savannas of Africa to the rain forests of South America, the average abundance of native plant and animal life has fallen by 20 percent or more, mainly over the past century. With the human population passing 8 billion, activities like farming, logging, poaching, fishing and mining are altering the natural world at a rate “unprecedented in human history.”

This warning is not new. E. O. Wilson, the dean of American biologists, predicted the one million species becoming extinct several years ago. Very recently David Attenborough not only chimed in on the one million species, but he took the debate one giant step forward by saying the extinction would occur within two decades. That is shocking because it comes early into the 6th Mass Extinction. The 6th extinction will continue until the human population is reduced, possibly under 4 billion.

Another event could be coming – the collapse of edible wild fish in the oceans. In 2006, a study of catch data published in the journal Science grimly predicted that if such unsustainable fishing rates continue, all the world’s fisheries will collapse by 2048. Unfortunately, we are on track to fulfill this prediction.

Feature Report:

And now, lets listen to Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young as they wrap up their interview about Monroe Lake and then enjoy episodes of The Secret Life of Fungi.

Take a Leaves & Seeds Tree Hike at Lower Cascades Park on Saturday, May 11th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Get a close look at the leaves and seeds of trees to learn how to identify them. Dress for the weather. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Enjoy an All Nature Preserves Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 11th, at 10 am. Meet at the Twin Caves parking lot for a hike through all three of Spring Mill’s Nature Preserves.
Take a Wildflower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th, at 4 pm. Meet the naturalist Jessica at the Canyon Inn to enjoy a hike on Trail 4 as you learn about spring-blooming wildflowers.
Join guest hike leader and expert naturalist, Cathy Meyer, for a guided birding and nature walk through the wetlands area at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Tuesday, May 14th from 9 to 11 am. Register at Sycamorelandtrust.org.
Learn about Springhouse Sallies at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, May 17th, from 2 to 2:45 pm. Meet at the Deer Run Shelter on Trail 9 to see what salamanders are living in the

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.
Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider..
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their conversation with Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, discussing the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.

Eight percent of Indiana’s corn and soybeans have been planted across the state according to USDA. That compares to two percent of both corn and soybeans planted from last week’s report. Planting progress for both corn and soybeans are below their respective five-year averages at 13 and 9 percent. The statewide average precipitation was 0.80 inches, 0.02 inches below normal. There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 28, according to Nathanial Warenski, State Statistician, Indiana Field Office. Winter wheat jointing for Indiana is at 61 percent compared to 43 percent from last week. Seven percent is headed.

The planting so far does not reflect any adjustment for the possibility of a La Nina this summer. The Progressive Farmer says “with La Nina indicated to form by mid to late summer, there is a notable potential decline in corn production from levels posted in USDA’s 2024 Outlook Forum. The Outlook Forum projected U.S. corn production at 15.04 billion bushels in 2024”. During the last La Nina event 2011-2012, U.S. corn growers produced 10.8 billion bushels in 2012, 13 percent below the 2011 crop. Many Indiana farmers lost most of their crop in 2012. Some states in the Corn Belt did not suffer excessive drought.

You may not see many monarch butterflies this summer. Why? There are very few left. EcoWatch reports the estimated number of monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico for winter has reached its second-lowest level ever for the 2023 to 2024 overwintering season. The estimate, based on the size of the butterflies’ hibernating forest area, has dropped by about 59% from the previous year, according to officials. Experts are pointing to extensive heat and drought as well as climate change for the major decline. Recent years have seen some hope for the migrating monarch butterflies, with a 35% increase in the number of butterflies observed overwintering in Mexico during the 2021 to 2022 season compared to the previous year.

But monarch butterflies face three primary threats, including habitat loss for their breeding and overwintering; the use of pesticides, which can be toxic to the butterflies or can kill their food source, milkweed; and climate change, which can shift their migratory patterns. By the 2022 to 2023 overwintering season, World Wildlife Fund reported a 22% drop in the amount of overwintering monarch butterflies in Mexico. According to WWF, monarch butterflies once covered about 45 acres of forested land in Mexico during their 1996 to 1997 overwintering season. Last year, they covered 5.5 acres. With the 59% decline, the 2023 overwintering season saw the butterflies covering just 2.2 acres, The Associated Press reported. The lowest coverage ever recorded was 1.65 acres from 2013 to 2014.

Inside Climate Change reports that power plant pollution is targeted in sweeping actions by the Biden Administration. Greenhouse gas rules offer a leeway, but come packaged with new standards for air, water and waste that put big restraints on coal. The EPA has set the most stringent standards for the coal plants that are going to last the longest, and the gas plants that are going to operate the most often, said Frank Sturges, attorney with the advocacy group Clean Air Task Force.

This means there are going to be meaningful reductions that help address the worst impacts of climate change. The Department of Energy finalized a pair of measures designed to speed the build-out of renewable energy: a long-awaited plan to accelerate the federal permitting process for big transmission line projects and a streamlined environmental review process for upgrades of existing transmission lines, battery and other energy storage systems and solar photovoltaic projects.

CNN reports more people across the United States – nearly 40% – are living in places with unhealthy levels of polluted air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association. The number of people living with levels of air pollution that can significantly affect their health climbed from about 119 million in last year’s data to 131 million in the current data, according to the “State of the Air” report released Wednesday. Extreme heat, drought and wildfires are among the factors that have contributed to a rise in deadly air pollution, especially in the Western part of the country, said Katherine Pruitt, author of the report and senior director of the American Lung Association’s Nationwide Clean Air Policy. The air pollution produced by wildfire smoke is getting worse every year, Pruitt said.

Climate change is contributing to that situation, and those wildfires are a very serious threat to our health. According to a report by WFIU, Indianapolis is among one of the worst cities in the country for particle pollution. Particle pollution refers to a mix of solid and liquid droplets in the air – from things like burning stoves or smokestacks – which are harmful to breathe in. The 2023 “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association ranked Indianapolis as the 10th most polluted city for year-round particle pollution.

The city was ranked 13th last year. Tiffany Nichols is the Indiana advocacy director for the American Lung Association. She said Marion County received an “F” in the organization’s State of the Air report for particle pollution, meaning people may experience new or worsening lung issues due to air quality. There will be more wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks may be exacerbated, worsening of COPD, lung cancer, she said. Some other less common things are premature death. Heart attack and stroke and more susceptibility to infections.

In this weeks feature, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continue their conversation with Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Monroe Lake, discussing the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.

Growing Gardeners, a program offered by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, will offer hands-on garden related project ideas that will help inspire kids to get involved with gardening on Saturday, May 4th, at the Willie Street Community Gardens from 10 am to Noon. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Enjoy a Cold Blooded Buffet at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 5th, from 2 to 2:30 pm in the Nature Center. Hop and slither to see the resident reptiles chow down on bugs and mice. Learn cool facts about Indiana’s native amphibians and reptiles.
The popular Flora Field Day at the Salt Creek Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your flora identification skills with the naturalist. Bring bug spray, water, hats and sunglasses and a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Sign up at tinyurl.com/florafield-may2024.
Help maintain habitat from invasive species on Wednesday, May 8th, from 10 am to Noon at the Porter West Preserve. Sycamore Land trust needs volunteers to Weed Wrangle and learn about garlic mustard. RSVP to Sycamorelandtrust.org.
Take a Wildflower Hike at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, May 12th, at 4 pm. Meet the naturalist Jessica at the Canyon Inn to enjoy a hike on Trail 4 as you learn about spring-blooming wildflowers.

Credits:

On Air…………………..Julianna Dailey
On Air………………….Robert Schull
Headlines……………..Norm Holy
News feature…………Kade Young
Script…………………..Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar………Julianna Dailey
Producer………………Kade Young
Producer………………Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Engineer………………Branden Blewett

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport 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.

View Details

On this Fund Drive edition of Eco Report, Kade Young continues his discussion with Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe. They will discuss how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.

Inside Climate Change *reports* a federal program is expanding electric school bus fleets, but there are still some bumps in the road. Often times, you can hear it—and smell it—before you see it: The steady sputtering of a bright yellow bus rolling around the corner to retrieve kids during the school year. Each year, school buses around the U.S. carry students more than 4 billion cumulative miles. However, the majority of them are powered by diesel-fueled engines that pre-date the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards.

Along with releasing climate-warming emissions, these diesel engines produce toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which can cause an array of health problems; research shows that diesel school buses exacerbate childhood asthma and drive increased reports of pneumonia and bronchitis. But momentum is building around a federal initiative to clean up schools’ gas-guzzling bus fleets by replacing them with cleaner electric convoys. In 2022, the Biden administration announced the first investments from the EPA’s “Clean School Bus Program,” which was launched to help speed up the electric transition in schools. As of January 2024, the EPA has provided around $1.84 billion to fund 5,103 “clean” school buses—96 percent of them electric—and charging infrastructure at 642 school districts in states, territories and tribal lands, according to a recent report.

Powered by large batteries, electric school buses do not produce any tailpipe emissions. In fact, the EPA says switching even just half of U.S. school buses from diesel to electric could avoid 2.1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. A large-scale transition to electric vehicles in general would also have widespread benefits for pediatric lung health by reducing asthma attacks and cases of bronchitis, according to a report from the American Lung Association published in February. The problem? Electric school buses cost around $400,000 each, roughly three to four times as much as diesel-powered buses. That doesn’t factor in the additional tens of thousands of dollars required to build out infrastructure such as electric charging stations. For many school districts, shouldering the cost for this transition alone is impossible, which is why the EPA’s grants and rebates are coming into play.

The U.S. urgently urgently needs a bigger grid. There’s a fast solution. A rarely used technique to upgrade old power lines could play a big role in fixing one of the largest obstacles facing clean energy, two reports found. As explained by the New York Times, one of the biggest obstacles to expanding clean energy in the United States is a lack of power lines. Building new transmission lines can take a decade or more because of permitting delays and local opposition. But there may be a faster, cheaper solution, according to two reports.

Replacing existing power lines with cables made from state-of-the-art materials could roughly double the capacity of the electric grid in many parts of the country, making room for much more wind and solar power. This technique, known as “advanced reconductoring,” is widely used in other countries. But many U.S. utilities have been slow to embrace it because of their unfamiliarity with the technology as well as regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles, researchers found. “We were pretty astonished by how big of an increase in capacity you can get by reconductoring,” said Amol Phadke, a senior scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, who contributed to one of the reports released Tuesday.

Working with GridLab, a consulting firm, researchers from Berkeley looked at what would happen if advanced reconductoring were broadly adopted. Today, most power lines consist of steel cores surrounded by strands of aluminum, a design that’s been around for a century. In the 2000s, several companies developed cables that used smaller, lighter cores such as carbon fiber and that could hold more aluminum. These advanced cables can carry up to twice as much current as older models.

In this weeks feature, Kade Young and Maggie Sullivan, the Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Monroe Lake, discuss the history of the lake and its crucial role in the Bloomington water supply.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? EcoReport 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.

Learn all about Owls during the Nature Sounds Owls concert tonight, April 26th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park in the barn. Musical guest is Stephanie Heidemann. Bring your own seating.
Enjoy Wildflowers along the Fire Tower at McCormick Creeks State Park on Saturday, May 4th from 2 to 4 pm. Meet naturalists Jess and Kyle in front of the Canyon Inn to enjoy a guided hike on Trail 4.

Credits:

Headlines Norm Holy
News feature Kade Young
Script Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar Julianna Dailey
Producer Kade Young
Producer Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
Engineer Branden Blewett

View Details

On this Fund Drive edition of Eco Report, we alert you to an event just recently planned for the evening of Earth Day, this coming Monday. A Community Forum on Management of Hoosier National Forest has finally come to Bloomington, hosted by IFA and Friends of Lake Monroe. Forest Supervisor Michael Chaveas will be on the panel, from our neck of the woods. More later in the program.

We have been talking with you about plastic for the past several shows of EcoReport. We wrap it up today with suggestions on how you can use and have less plastic in your life.

To start with the most obvious – it’s best to find trash receptacles for your trash rather than toss it indiscriminately out your window or on the ground as the majority is plastic and likely to get stuck in bushes and trees.

Making use of paper, tin foil or wax paper can also reduce plastic use. Plastic wrap or storage bags have chemicals that interact with heat and moisture so wrapping any meat purchases in paper like butchers have done for decades is preferable.

While plastic bags are convenient for storing leftovers, we suggest you was and reuse them. Since they can be expensive, the bonus is you save a little money.

Another way to limit your plastic use is to avoid overpackaged foods and other products. 28 percent of trash in landfills comes from packaging. Please remember, plastic does not break down. Try to buy products with minimal or reusable packaging or buy in bulk and use your own containers.

Those plastic forks, spoons, and straws we see at picnics or when you order food to go or be delivered are neither biodegradable or recyclable. Prior to the pervasiveness of plastic, folks carried their own utensils and food containers which is an option we still have. It is also possible to tell a restaurant, you do not want the plastic utensils or straws.

When shopping, making use of your own reusable shopping totes is the more eco-friendly option. Try no to use the plastic bags they give you when you shop.

Believe it or not, often your clothing has plastic in it. Polyester and acrylics are made from plastic. It is wise to check the label before you buy new or secondhand clothing.

I could go on and on about plastic. We live in a world that is completely filled with it and it is almost impossible to not have or use it. All you can do is try to cut down and use less. Word has it that the plastic industry is working on ways to truly recycle and reuse plastic that is affordable. Let’s hope they do, because the Earth has become a huge trash can and nurdles are washing up on our shores.

A story in the New York Times reports the E.P.A. says ‘forever chemicals’ must be removed from tap water. The rule applies to a family of chemicals known as PFAS that are linked to serious health effects.

Water utilities argue the cost is too great. For the first time, the federal government is requiring municipal water systems to remove six synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems that are present in the tap water of hundreds of millions of Americans. The extraordinary move from the Environmental Protection Agency mandates that water providers reduce
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known collectively as PFAS, to near-zero levels. The compounds, found in everything from dental floss to firefighting foams to children’s toys, are called “forever chemicals” because they never fully degrade and can accumulate in the body and the environment.

The chemicals are so ubiquitous that they can be found in the blood of almost every person in the United States. A 2023 government study of private wells and public water systems detected PFAS chemicals in nearly half the tap water in the country.

Exposure to PFAS has been associated with metabolic disorders, decreased fertility in women, developmental delays in children and increased risk of some prostate, kidney and testicular cancers, according to the E.P.A. The E.P.A. estimated it would cost water utilities about $1.5 billion annually to comply with the rule, though utilities maintain that the costs could be twice that amount and are worried about how to fund it.

States and local governments have successfully sued some manufacturers of PFAS for contaminating drinking water supplies, but the settlements awarded to municipalities have been dwarfed by the costs of cleaning up the chemicals, municipal officials said.

Industry executives say taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill in the form of increased water rates.

Feature Report:

And now we turn to Zyro Roze and members of the Indiana Forest Alliance for more on the Community Forum on Management of Hoosier National Forest coming up this Monday at the Monroe County Public Library.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

A Global Climate Strike is taking place on Sunday, April 21st, from 4 to 4:30 pm at the Monroe County Courthouse. Come with signs and support.
Celebrate Earth Day at McCormick’s Creek State Park at the Happy Earth Day event on Monday, April 22nd, all day. Explore trails, waterfalls, wildflowers and the love of being outside in nature.
Learn all about Owls during the Nature Sounds Owls concert on Friday, April 26th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rogers Family Park in the barn. Musical guest is Stephanie Heidemann. Bring your own seating.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.
Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.
Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.
Branden Blewett is our engineer.

View Details

In this edition of Eco Report, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.

Over* the past few segments of EcoReport, we have been teaching you about the kinds of plastic and what they are used for. Many think that plastic can be recycled. Today, you are going to learn the reasons plastic recycling fails. Single-use plastics can be thought of as trillions of pieces of plastic confetti spewed from retail and fast-food stores. Collecting the vast quantity of small pieces of plastic sold to U.S. consumers annually is impossible. In this edition of Eco Report, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.Spending billions of consumer and taxpayer dollars to increase collection is a waste of money. Mixed plastic waste cannot be recycled together, and it would be functionally impossible to sort the trillions of pieces of consumer plastic waste produced each year. The reprocessing of plastic also makes toxic waste, and it’s been shown to be hazardous to workers. Plastic is highly flammable, so plastic recycling can be dangerous to neighboring communities due to the risk of fires at the recycling facilities, which can release toxins into the air.Plastics are not inert like metal and glass. Plastic products may contain toxic additives or absorb contaminants like pesticides or motor oil. Plastic has always been expensive to collect, sort, truck, and safely reprocess. New plastic directly competes with recycled plastic, and it’s far cheaper to produce, and the expanding petrochemical industry is lowering the cost of new plastic even further. So, now we are at a decision point on single-use plastics and their packaging.Next week, let’s figure out what we can do in our lives to cut down on the use of plastic.Inside Climate News reports that the ocean is a major industry hub, acting as a marine highway for shipping vessels, a connector for transport ships and cruise lines, and a critical food and economic resource for the world’s fishing fleets. However, this sprawling marine ecosystem, which covers more than 70 percent of the planet, also provides a perfect place for unregulated human activities to hide in plain sight, experts say.A recent study revealed just how much fishing activity is slipping under the radar, finding that roughly three-quarters of the world’s industrial fishing ships are not publicly tracked. “The reason this matters is because it’s getting more crowded at sea and it’s getting more used and suddenly you have to decide how we’re going to manage this giant global commons,” David Kroodsma, director of research and innovation at the nonprofit Global Fishing Watch and co-lead author of the study, told the Verge. It can’t be the Wild West. And that’s the way it’s been historically.According to the New York Times, heat waves are moving slower and staying longer, a new study finds. Climate change is making heat waves linger for longer stretches of time, exacerbating the effects of extreme temperatures. When heat waves swept across large parts of the planet last summer, in many places the oppressive temperatures loitered for days or weeks at a time. As climate change warms the planet, heat waves are increasingly moving sluggishly and lasting longer. Each decade between 1979 and 2020, the rate at which heat waves travel, pushed along by air circulation, slowed by about 5 miles per day, the study found. Heat waves also now last about four days longer on average. This really has strong impacts on public health, said Wei Zhang, a climate scientist at Utah State University and one of the authors of the study, which appeared in the journal Science Advances. The longer heat waves stick around in one place, the longer people are exposed to life-threatening temperatures. As workers slow down during extreme heat, so does economic productivity. Heat waves also dry out soil and vegetation, harming crops and raising the risk of wildfires.This study is a further example of the consequences of a slowing jet stream. Thus, heat waves and storms linger. Expect the same this summer.The followin*g story, based upon an article n the New York Times, serves as a reminder to Hoosiers to be careful about what goes into the water. It’s a reminder to us because there are many rivers and streams in the state that if a person decided to swim, it’s likely the person will become sick. Most of the contamination comes from agricultural runoff. A fertilizer spill in Iowa this month wiped out much of the aquatic life across a 60-mile stretch of rivers in two states, officials said, leaving an estimated 789,000 fish dead in one of the region’s most ecologically devastating chemical spills in recent years.A Missouri official who surveyed the damage said that the banks of the Nishnabotna (Nish-na-bot-to-na) River had been lined with fish carcasses, and that dead fish were visible through the water. “I refer to this one as ‘the big one,” said the official, Matt Combes, an ecological health unit science supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He added: Calling something a near-total fish kill for 60 miles of a river is astounding and disheartening.While fish kills on that scale are unusual, smaller kills are common. Comparing the scope of fish kills across different states is difficult because of limited data and tracking, experts said. The latest die-off started, Iowa officials said, when a valve was left open over a weekend on a storage tank at NEW Cooperative, an agricultural business in Red Oak, in southwestern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which learned of the spill on March 11, said this week that 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer spilled into a drainage ditch and into the Nishnabotna River, which flows into the Missouri River.Iowa officials estimated that more than 749,000 fish died in that state. Most of them were small species, such as minnows and shiners, but thousands of larger fish, including catfish and carp, also perished. Mr. Combes, the Missouri official, estimated that around 40,000 fish died in his state. He said he saw large catfish dead, as well as shovelnose sturgeon.In this week’s Eco Report feature, Maggie Sullivan, Watershed Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Monroe, shares how healthy the lake is and how long it will survive.* Take a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 13th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Enjoy a guided hike on Trail 7 and hear the history of the lake and learn about the flora and fauna around the lake * Enjoy a Birdwatching for Beginners hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 13th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. Birdwatching is a low-cost, relaxing and fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks * One of the best locations to see spring wildflowers in bloom is at Monroe. Enjoy a Salt Creek Wildflowers Hike on Wednesday, April 17th, from Noon to 2 pm. You will get to see the rare white-blooming Virginia Bluebells along with other species. Sign up at bit.ly/saltcreekflowers2024 * A Global Climate Strike is taking place on Sunday, April 21st, from 4 to 4:30 pm at the Monroe County Courthouse. Come with signs and support! * Learn all about skulls at the Who’s Skull Is That program at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 19th, from 10 to 10:45 am. You can learn a lot about an animal from its skull. Meet at the Nature Center

Credits:

Environmental Report was written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey

Eco Report Feature was produced and edited by Kade Young

Julianna Dailey compiled the events calendar

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produce Eco Report

Branden Blewett engineers Eco Report

Julianna Dailey and Frank Marshalek hosted this week’s Eco Report

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.* Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you. * Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon. * What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters. * We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable. * One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!

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In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets updates from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance about plans to log and burn in Hoosier National Forest and free events this weekend for the total solar eclipse visible from Bloomington this coming Monday.

Over the past two weeks we have been sharing with you information about the different types of plastic and how they are used. Today, we’ll review several more of the different types of plastics and their common uses.1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) which is clear, strong and lightweight and is commonly used in beverage bottles, food containers and polyester fibers for textiles. 2. Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile material used in foam insulation, upholstery, adhesives, coatings and elastomers. 3. Polycarbonate (PC0) which is clear and impact-resistant and is used in eyeglass lenses, safety goggles, medical devices and elctronic components. 4. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is tough and heat resistant, and used in automotive parts, electronic housings, toys and appliances. 5. Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) which is chemically resistant and used in chemical processing equipment, piping and coatings. 6. Nylon Polymide which is strong, durable and heat-resistant and is used in textiles, ropes, automotive parts and engineering plastics.

From this list that we have shared with you, which included four from last week, you can see how intrusive plastic has become part of our everyday lives in every way. You use it, you eat it, and you wear it. There is no way to not have it in your homes or lives. So, what can you do to make your life more green and protect our Mother Earth? Next week, we will share with you some ways you can have less plastic in your life.

Indiana Business Journal reprts Boone County officials are considering a two-year moratorium on new solar power and wind energy projects while the county updates its comprehensive plan. The move would come as Virginia-based Hexagon Energy develops plans for a 3,000-acre solar farm north of Jamestown in western Boone County and Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources renews interest in building a solar farm near Zionsville.In 2021, the Zionsville Board of Zoning Appeals and the Boone County Area Plan Commission blocked NextEra’s plan for a $210 million, 1,660-acre solar farm in Union and Marion townships. The proposed Brickyard Solar project would have brought approximately 675,000 solar panels to various tracts of land along U.S. 421. Boone County Area Plan Commission Executive Director Stephen Elkins told IBJ he is not aware of any wind energy projects that have been submitted or discussed for unincorporated Boone County. He said wind projects were discussed about 15 years ago but never went forward.Earlier this month, the Boone County Area Plan Commission delivered a letter to the Boone County Commissioners recommending a moratorium on solar power and wind energy projects. Supporters and opponents of the solar projects spoke at Monday’s meeting. Jeff Jacob, an attorney with Indianapolis-based Hackman Hulett LLP who is representing Hexagon Energy, called the potential moratorium “fundamentally unfair” for Hexagon, which he said has 3,000 acres under contract in Boone County.Don’t take this extreme measure of suggesting that you’re protecting your comprehensive plan, Jacob said. If you’re protecting your comprehensive plan, let’s stop all development for two years. But don’t focus on one business that has actively been discussing with the community on how to develop. Jordan Burke, a project developer for Hexagon, said the company understands and respects that western Boone County is historically focused on agriculture. Burke said farming can occur within a solar facility and that soil can be farmed after solar panels are removed.“The reason farmers are interested in working with us, and we’re working with a lot of old farmers in western Boone, is they don’t believe this will permanently affect or erase their farm ground,” Burke said. Jack Bowen, a farmer who has leased land to Hexagon, asked the commissioners to not approve a moratorium. He said his family has lived on his 100-acre farm since 1902, and he believes that solar farms in western Boone County would be a buffer against housing and commercial developers from building subdivisions and warehouses near his land.IndyStar reports that work will begin soon in Tippecanoe County on the first segment of highway in the U.S. that will wirelessly charge electric vehicles as they travel, a project that could help define the future of EV charging. The Indiana Department of Transportation is teaming up with Purdue University and Cummins, Inc. to install the technology on a state highway in West Lafayette as part of a pilot project, according to a draft press release obtained by IndyStar.The first segment of the project will cover about a quarter of a mile along U.S. Highway 52 / U.S. Highway 231 between Lindberg Road and Cumberland Avenue, the release said. Indiana’s pilot segment comes after multiple years of testing and research. In the future, the goal is to expand the research by electrifying a section of an Indiana interstate. The ability to charge on the go would reduce the need for charging breaks and extend the range of electric vehicles, which currently is one of their major drawbacks.AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting 20-25 named storms across the Atlantic basin in 2024, including 8-12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes and four to six direct U.S. impacts. This is all above the 30-year historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes and four direct U.S. impacts. The temperatures of waters of the Atlantic along our coast are already at July levels. In this week’s Eco Report feature, Zyro Roze and Steven Stewart to learn about recent developments in forest protection, legislation to expand the DEAM Wilderness and educational nature hikes, other upcoming IFA events and the Totality Ceremony at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center.* The Indiana Forest Alliance is hosting a FREE 2-day 2024 Solar Eclipse viewing event in Yellowwood State Forest and the Bloomington Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center on Sunday, April 7th and Monday, April 8th. Guided hikes will be held at Yellowwood Lake on the 7th. Beginning at 11 am, on April 8th, the monks will perform a medicine Buddha Puja with more activities throughout the day.

Enjoy a Griffy Lake Total Eclipse Paddle at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Monday, April 8th from 2 to 4 pm. You must register in advance at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. Canoes and paddles will be provided.
There will be a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Friday, April 12th from 4 to 4:30 pm in the Nature Center. Get a personal look at Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits and how they affect your life.
Take a Lake Ogle Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 13th from 2 to 3:30 pm. Enjoy a guided hike on Trail 7 and hear the history of the lake and learn about the flora and fauna around the lake. Credits:

Headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey

News feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young

Julianna Dailey assembled the script and compiled the events calendar

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produce Eco Report

Branden Blewett engineers Eco Report

Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull hosted the show

Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, part 2 of WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull’s conversation with Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

*Last week* we introduced you to the world of plastic. Today, we will educate you on the categories of plastics, their chemical composition, properties and applications. It’s a long list, so we will start with the first four types:1. Polyethelene, also known as PE, has three types:• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is known for its strength, stiffness, and resistance to moisture and chemicals. It is used in bottles, containers, pipes and plastic lumber.

• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is flexible and commonly used in packaging films, plastic bags and squeezable bottles.

• Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) combines the properties of LDPE and HDPE to be used in films, bags and liners. 2. Polypropylene (PP) which is tough and heat-resistant and is used in food containers, packaging, automotive parts and textiles. 3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is rigid PVC and is used in construction materials like pipes, window frames and siding. Flexible PVC is used in inflatable structures, medical tubing, electrical cable insulation and flooring. 4. Polystyrene (PS). General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) is transparent and rigid and used in food packaging, disposable cutlery and CD cases. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is lightweight and insulating and used in packaging, thermal insulation and disposable cups. There are more categories to be covered which we will discuss next week. What we are trying to teach you, is that practically everything in our homes, offices and lives has a lot of plastic in it.

Inside Climate News reports the world’s most famous groundhog —Punxsutawney Phil—did not cast a shadow, which legends say indicated that spring should arrive early this year. While the groundhog has been known to give notoriously inaccurate forecasts, this one probably wasn’t too far off base. As climate change accelerates, the signs of spring are arriving earlier in many parts of the world, from unnatural warmth to the tell-tale throat itch that accompanies seasonal allergies.The federally funded National Phenology Network—a group that monitors the biological impacts of seasonal changes—tracks when plants sprout leaves across the U.S., and says on its website that spring conditions in Des Moines, Iowa, is 20 days early, Detroit, Michigan, is 23 days early, and Cleveland, Ohio, is 16 days early compared to a long-term average of 1991-2020. Starting around the end of each March, tourists flock to cities across Japan and the Tidal Basin of Washington, D.C., to see the same thing: blooming cherry blossom trees. The vibrant petals transform the trees into clouds of pink, but these cotton-candy flowers have been blooming earlier in the past few decades, research shows.In Japan, the average start date of blooming has begun 1.2 days earlier per decade since 1953, Daisuke Sasano, a climate risk management officer at the Japan Meteorological Agency, told Bloomberg. A similar trend is playing out during cherry blossom season in D.C., where these iconic trees are also encountering sea-level rise. After this season’s festival, the National Park Service is set to cut down around 140 of the cherry blossom trees to make room for the construction of taller sea walls. The $113 million, three-year project is set to begin in late spring and early summer around the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River through West Potomac Park, after the National Cherry Blossom Festival draws crowds to celebrate the district’s iconic blooms.Roughly 300 trees are scheduled for removal in the construction zones. More than 450 trees, including 274 cherry trees, will be replanted in the area when the project is finished, the NPS said in a statement. Nature has developed connections between dissimilar species over millions of years. At least 11 species of migratory birds use horseshoe crab eggs as their primary food supply during their 2 to 3 week stopover. The eggs replenish their fat supply during their trip from South American wintering areas to Arctic breeding grounds. Now we are seeing the timing partially failing.The New York Times reports on the inside the Republican attacks on electric vehicles. President Biden’s new rule cutting emissions from vehicle tailpipes has deepened a partisan battle over automotive technology. One reason is that President Biden has made electric vehicles central to his strategy to combat climate change. This week, his administration announced the most ambitious climate regulation in the nation’s history: a measure designed to accelerate a transition toward electric vehicles and away from the gasoline-powered cars that are a major cause of global warming.The political war over electric vehicles has been fueled by an incendiary mix of issues: technological change, the future of the oil and gas industry, concerns about competition from China and the American love of motorized muscle. And in the rural reaches of America, where few public charging stations exist, the notion of an all-electric future feels fanciful — another element to the urban-rural divide that underlies the nation’s polarization. Mr. Biden’s opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, has for months escalated attacks on electric vehicles broadly and the new regulation in particular, falsely calling the rule a ban on gasoline-powered cars and claiming electric cars will “kill” America’s auto industry.He has called them an “assassination” of jobs. He has declared that the Biden administration ordered a hit job on Michigan manufacturing by encouraging the sales of electric cars. In many ways, Mr. Biden’s new rules on auto pollution combine elements that conservatives love to hate: government regulations and the notion that Democrats want to force Americans to give up comforts in the name of the environment. In this week’s Eco Report feature, part 2 of WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull’s conversation with Marcia Veldman, founder of the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, as they discuss her activism, her background and how to best respond to the climate crises.
. * Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 30th from 11 am to Noon. Learn about the solar eclipse and how to safely view the sun. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Please register in advance. * Learn about the upcoming solar eclipse at Brown County State Park at the Eclipse 101 program on Friday, April 5th from 4 to 4:45 pm in the Nature Center. Learn what you need to know at this once in a life time event.

There will be a Woodcock Walk at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, March 30th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Enjoy an evening excursion to watch the American Woodcock perform its mating ritual – the ‘Sky Dance.’ Dress for the weather and be prepared for muddy conditions.
Enjoy a Bluebird Nest Box Building Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 30th beginning at 1 pm. The Brown County Bluebird Club will teach you all about these birds while you build your very own bluebird box. Register to Dan Sparks at b4bluebirds@gmail.com or call 812-200-5700.
Make a Solar Eclipse T-Shirt at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 6th from 1 to 2 pm in the Lakeview Activity Center. Bring a solid black t-shirt with no designs. The park will provide the rest of the supplies. Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey

Today’s news feature was produced by Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show

Branden Blewett engineered the show

Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts anchored the show

Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!

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In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in Part Two of a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.

Today brings the conclusion of the story of fishing in the oceans. We have seen tremendous changes in the fishing techniques as the increasing human population brought the need to catch more fish. Fishermen have gone from fishing within a few milesof where they lived to a situation where they could be fishing anywhere in the world, spending months at sea. Now it is possible to use sonar to identify whether there are fish below the boat or not. Thus, the fishermen only deploy their nets in areaswhere there are fish. There are seven points to be made about ocean fishing.1. The stocks of the most desirable species, for example, codfish and halibut, are less than one percent what they were in 1600. There are no virgin areas left in the oceans. Most areas now have less than ten percent of the fish they had at 1600. 2. The fish in the northern hemisphere are the most depleted because the majority of the human population lives in the northern hemisphere. 3. There are pluses and minuses in selecting either wild-caught or farm-raised seafood. The bottom line is that there are not enough wild species left in the ocean to satisfy the demand. Approximately two billion people get their only animal proteinfrom seafood. Most of this population lives in poor countries where fishing is done by canoe or small boats. They fish in territorial waters. 4. Farm-raised fish are more readily available and less expensive than wild-caught fish, and they face some of the same problems as large-scale farms on land. Pollution of natural habitats is also a concern with fish grown in open-net cages. A unique problem with farmed fish is that those raised in nets can introduce diseases and pests to wild populations. A few years ago in Norway, farmed salmon infected the country’s wild salmon with sea lice, significantly decreasing the population of wild salmon. Farmed salmon will also sometimes escape their enclosures, mating with and overtaking wild salmon species. Farm-raised fish tend to have higher fat content, since wild fish get more exercise, and because farmed fish are typically given feed high in fat from sources such as fish oil. That includes healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, as well as saturated fat. Wild-caught fish may contain more trace minerals, while farmed fish may contain more sodium. Nutritional differences between farmed and wild-caught shellfish, however, are minimal. 5. The least expensive way to protect wild species is to form preserves. These are areas that cannot be fished. Fishermen arealways happy to set side areas where there are no fish, but they oppose setting aside areas with abundant numbers. Enforcement requires that a government vessel must go out to the preserve and visually see that the intruder is fishing. This requirement effectively means that poor countries cannot defend their territorial waters. Fishermen have successfully prevented following all boats from shore. We have the technology to locate where every boat is. What is needed is acceptance of monitoring from shore, plus the power to seize a boat if it enters a preserve area. 6. Preserves need to be established in the Arctic Ocean, and off Antarctica. Given that the rest of the oceans will be too warm for species such as cod, the polar waters will become the last refuge of cold-water fish. As the Arctic ocean warms, the number of days it will be ice-free will increase, bringing increased pressure from nations to fish. The Arctic ocean will be ice-free long before the Antarctic Ice Cap melts completely. 7. As the glaciers melt, the oceans will rise, which will bring new areas into the possibility of fishing. For example, if the oceans increase by 50 feet, much of the Florida Peninsula will be under water. Thus, will the buildings of Miami be occupied by creatures of the sea?

The trend of consuming more and more farm-raised fish will continue. As the water temperatures rise, many of the original stocks may leave, replaced by completely different species.

How much do you know about plastic? If you are like most people, you have it in your kitchen as plastic food wrapper bags, or saran wrap, or plastic film over a container that is also make of plastic. In fact, plastic is everywhere. Not only is it used to hold produce or other foods, it is now in the food you eat, your soil and also in your body. Plastic does not go away or compost down. It breaks into smaller and smaller pieces until it becomes microscopic, but it is still there. So I thought a little history lesson on plastic might be interesting to some of you. I grew up before it was a “big thing” in the kitchen. Milk came in bottles, my sandwich for lunch was wrapped in wax paper, I used a paper bag to carry my lunch. My mother put leftovers in metal containers or glass jars. However, it was around. Just not as obvious. Our TV had a plastic frame around it. It was very hard and didn’t break.

The term “plastic” originally meant “pliable and easily shaped.” It has evolved to refer to a category of materials called polymers. Polymers are made of long chains of molecules. Cellulose, found in plant cell walls, is a natural polymer. Humans learned to create synthetic polymers, often using carbon atoms from petroleum and fossil fuels. These synthetic polymers are strong, lightweight, and flexible, making them exceptionally useful.In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt invented the first synthetic polymer. Inspired by a New York firm’s offer of $10,000 for an ivory substitute, he treated cellulose (from cotton fiber) with camphor. The result was celluloid, a plastic that could imitate natural substances like tortoiseshell, horn, and ivory. Celluloid revolutionized manufacturing by freeing it from the constraints of natural resources. It also helped protect elephants and tortoises.In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic. Unlike celluloid, Bakelite contained no molecules found in nature. Bakelite was an excellent insulator, heat-resistant, and ideal for mass production. This breakthrough marked the beginning of the plastics revolution, allowing humans to create new materials beyond nature’s limits. Over the last century, plastics have saturated our world and transformed our lives. They’ve made material wealth more widespread, freed people from resource scarcity, and shaped our environment. From celluloid to Bakelite to modern synthetic polymers, plastics continue to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovation and sustainability.In summary, plastics have come a long way—from imitating natural materials to revolutionizing manufacturing and shaping our modern existence. But now, it is getting out of control.In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in Part Two of a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.

Take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 23rd from 8 to 9 pm. Enjoy a guided hike around Lake Strahl to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon. The trail is considered easy but more rugged in the dark.
Plan to participate in a Cultivating Mushrooms at Home class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Tuesday, March 26th from 6 to 8 pm. Learn the benefits of having mushrooms in your diet and how to grow mushrooms. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 30th from 11 am to Noon. Learn about the solar eclipse and how to safely view the sun. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Please register in advance.
Enjoy a Bluebird Nest Box Building Workshop at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 30th beginning at 1 pm. The Brown County Bluebird Club will teach you all about these birds while you build your very own bluebird box. Register to Dan Sparks at b4bluebirds@gmail.com or call 812-200-5700.
There will be a Woodcock Walk at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, March 30th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Enjoy an evening excursion to watch the American Woodcock perform it mating ritual – the ‘Sky Dance.’ Dress for the weather and be prepared for muddy conditions. Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.

Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.

Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!

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In this week’s Eco Report feature we hear from Elisa Pokral, Community Outreach Coordinator of the newly rebranded Waste Reduction District of Monroe County, in a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. They discuss the District’s new name, their operations, services, programs and events happening this spring.

Planting trees within cities is a popular plan to mitigate some hot zones. Here’s an example of Kansas City. Trees are being planted across Kansas City at an unprecedented pace, putting the city in the front ranks of American cities aggressively fighting climate change. An ongoing campaign to maintain Kansas City’s existing tree canopy is being broadened. Meanwhile, efforts to enhance native grasses and wildflowers across the metropolitan area are taking on new life and urgency.

Tree preservation will kick into high gear in June when a $12 million windfall grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reaches city coffers. The influx will enable the city to provide greater care to their existing arboreal canopy, which includes many aging trees planted after World War II. That federal infusion is in addition to money the city budgeted this fiscal year and next for its 10,000 Tree Campaign focused on heat islands in the older, poorer sections of the city, and for giving residents trees to plant in their yards.

WFHB is doing a series on ocean fishing, focusing on those species found in grocery stores. At year 1000 AD, all the oceans had billions of fish. Fishing at the time was mostly local, that is within 10 miles from port. A popular fishing method was to use a weir, essentially a v-shaped fence running parallel to the shore. At high tide, the fence was under water, at low tide the fish were trapped, so the fisherman could simply walk out and collect the fish trapped by the weir. Fishing boats were generally small enough that they could be dragged up the shore to high ground. The Vikings were brave enough to explore the high seas, and discovered Iceland and Newfoundland. The first child of European descent born in the Americas was the son of Leif Erickson. He was born at the Norse site at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, occupied about 1021.

By 1600 AD, many European nations were fishing in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. An important fish taken from the Mediterranean was the bluefin tuna. This largest of the tuna species spawned in the Mediterranean in huge numbers. The tradition of tuna trapping began in the Mediterranean with the Phoenicians; it was improved by the Arabs around the year 1000. In the 1870s, Sicilians started packing the bluefin tuna meat in locally produced olive oil instead of preserving with salt. At that time, there were tuna operations found across Sicily. Many canned their tuna; this supported large communities of fishers and their families. Today the bluefin stock is very low in both the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, nearing the status of “endangered”. The tv show “Wicked Tuna” is based on pursuit of the few bluefin left in the western part of the Atlantic.

Fishing in the North Atlantic by many nations occurred after 1500. Fishing pressure eased during the first half of the 20th century because of the two world wars and the Depression. By 1950, operations were again in full swing. In the 1960s the Soviet Union had developed fleets of boats to fish abundant areas around the globe. One operation was off the coast from Gloucester. The Soviets would take over 99 percent of the fish. The fleet could be seen from shore, and our fishermen were not pleased. Finally, in 1976 a bill was passed that made territorial waters 200 nautical miles out part of the nations’ fishing rights. In 1992 Canada closed the Grand Banks (east of Newfoundland) because there were few fish remaining.

The thought was the population of cod and halibut would recover in a few years. It didn’t happen. Now the cold-water species are moving north out of the Gulf of Maine because the water is too warm. There is a prediction that all the oceans will be overfished by 2050. This prediction was made 25 years ago, and events thus far suggest the prognosis is pretty accurate. In the next installment we’ll describe how the fish in the oceans can be saved.

Nine years after her 13-year old daughter, died from a rare brain tumor, Kari Rhinehart finally got the call she had been waiting for. On October 23, Dr. Michael Freedhoff, America’s top chemicals regulator, called her personally to tell her that the EPA had moved to ban trichloroethylene (TCE) – a known carcinogen that had contaminated the groundwater in Franklin, Indiana, where Rhinehart used to live. The contamination came from several sources, but notably, a nearby electrical parts plant had been using TCE as a degreaser. The chemical is also used as a spot cleaner and dry-cleaning solvent. Rhinehart believes that exposure to chemicals including TCE is what caused her daughter’s cancer – as well as the higher-than-average rate of pediatric cancer in Franklin.

Experts have found that TCE not only causes cancer, it is also toxic to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system and to developing fetuses. The Environmental Defense Fund has been working for more than 10 years to get TCE off the market – providing scientific expertise to regulators and working with impacted families to educate policymakers on the dangers of the chemical. Once the EPA’s proposal is final – hopefully this year – most uses of TCE will be banned within a year.

MIT is launching an ambitious climate Center to aid policymakers. Environmentalists welcome the new initiative, but worry about potential funding and influence from fossil companies. The MIT Climate Policy Center will be part of a new and larger campus-wide initiative called the Climate Project at MIT, which aims to mobilize different parts of the university to develop, deliver, and scale up practical climate solutions as quickly as possible, according to Richard K. Lester, MIT’s vice provost. “MIT is never better than when we come together to solve big problems,” MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a video announcing the launch of the Climate Project.

The video recalled key roles MIT played in developing radar for the U.S. military in World War II, putting the first astronauts on the moon, plugging the hole in Earth’s protective ozone layer and mapping the human genome. Tackling climate change is MIT’s most ambitious project yet, Kornbluth said. Still, some fear the university could turn to fossil fuel companies, as it has in the past, for additional funding, which could compromise the initiative’s objectives. Nathan Shwatal, a co-lead of MIT Divest, a student-led climate advocacy organization calling for the university to end its investments in fossil fuel companies, expressed cautious optimism about the new initiative. There’s great hope for the research, Shwatal said. “But there’s also a dark path that it can go down when it comes to fossil fuel funding.”

This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Elisa Pokral of the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. They discuss the District’s new name, their operations, services, programs and events happening this spring.

Celebrate the upcoming Spring Equinox with a Step Into Spring Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 16th, from 11 am to Noon. Hike on Trail 5 to search for signs of the season. This is a rugged hike. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
A Fun-Guy program will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 16th, at 3 pm in the Nature Center. If you are interested in learning about the fungus among us, then you will love exploring the world of fungi.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Wildflower Walk at Brown County State Park on Sunday, March 17th, from 2 to 2:30 pm. You will walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to peek for spring wildflowers. Meet at the Nature Center.
Push up your sleeves and construct a home for the endangered Indiana Bat during the Build a Bat Box program at Switchyard Park Pavilion on Thursday, March 21st, from 6 to 8 pm. Indiana Bats come out of hibernation in the Spring and begin looking for summer homes. During the session as you build your box, you will learn about bats. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
The Sycamore Land Trust is hosting a ‘Sky Dance’ and Twilight Hike at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Thursday, March 21st, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Listen to a chorus of amphibians as you search the sky for the woodcock’s famous mating ritual, the ‘sky dance.” Registration is required.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.

Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner.

Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.
Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon.
What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.
We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable.
One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

Thank you for protecting Mother Earth. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference!

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In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Kevin Hunter, who has been involved in the treatment of sewage in Monroe County for over 30 years.

It has become increasingly known that Corals play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Not only do they buffer coastline communities against storms, but they reduce coastline erosion. The Center for Biological Diversity points out that “they create habitat for fish, sponges, crabs, sea stars and other wildlife.” Some of the most extensive, best preserved coral reefs in the entire Caribbean are along the coast of Cuba. Jardines (har-dean-es) de la Reina National Park, is one such place that maintains an incredibly rich underwater ecosystem. In Sept 2023 a team of experts completed an expedition to gage the health of Cuba’s reefs. A Cuban marine biologist initiated the study for a better understanding of coral’s resilience in this era of extreme climate change.

The Environmental Defense Fund in partnership with Cuban scientists are hopeful that such research will provide leads as to management & conservation techniques that prevent degradation of coral reefs. Cuba and the US have the potential to make great advancements to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. The lack of formal diplomatic relations, exacerbated by U.S unilateral listing of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism, hamper joint ventures for all but a couple of NGO’s [NON-governmental organizations]. Nature is oblivious to such political maneuverings. Cuba has strategic plans for dealing with climate change that are hampered from coming to fruition as a result of the US embargo on Cuba.

“The ecological stakes are too high for Cuba and the United States to rely on anything short of a government-to-government accord to formalize, catalyze, and facilitate cooperation on environmental problems of mutual concern,” states Brian Boorm in Sciencediplomacy.org. Nevertheless, Scientific communities of Cuba and the United States have found several ways to come together and agree on what is essential to advance joint research in the best interests of both countries, peoples, and societies.

Such joint scientific research provides opportunities for progress and capacity building in both Cuba and the U.S. The endangered species act recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of protected habitat for numerous species! Cuba and the United States share forty-nine animal species and eight plant species that are recognized as ‘Globally Threatened.’ “There exists a strong imperative for the two countries to cooperate on monitoring and protecting the threatened species for which they are joint stewards, including the West Indian walnut, the American crocodile, and the West Indian whistling duck” wrote Brian Boorm in sciencediplomacy.org. Extensive coverage can be found at globalconservation.org.

WFHB is doing a series on ocean issues, with an emphasis on the seafood available in Indiana grocery stores. The first story was about early fishing in the North Atlantic. It is a story of abundance. One of the prime targets was codfish, numbering in the billions and catchable using just a line wrapped around the wrist and one hook. Another popular fish was the herring, caught in the North and Baltic Seas. The Hanseatic League cities were funded in large part by the herring catch. Herring were popular because they were cheap and could be preserved by hanging them in a fireplace for smoking. Fresh herring rapidly decompose, so the English developed some powerful mustards to make the herring more palitable. Coleman’s mustard is popular even today.

The fish markets were full of large cod, salmon, and other species as illustrated in a painting by Frans Snyder, The Fish Market. The status of the oceans as of 1900 is that they were in excellent shape. Plastics were not a source of pollution. While a few areas were overfished, such as halibut along the U.S. east coast, or herring in the Baltic Sea, there were some areas virtually untouched. The untouched areas were that way because any catch would rot before the ship could reach its home port. All this was about to change. Clarence Birdseye was born in 1886, the sixth of nine children of Clarence Frank Birdseye, a lawyer in an insurance firm, and Ada Jane Underwood. His first years were spent in New York, New York, where his family owned a townhouse in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

From childhood, Birdseye was obsessed with natural science and with taxidermy, which he taught himself by correspondence. He entered Amherst College, where his father and elder brother had earned degrees. There he excelled at science, although an average student in other subjects. His obsession with collecting insects led his college classmates to nickname him “Bugs”. He had to drop out of college to support his family, working for the Department of Agriculture. He had several assignments before going to Labrador , where he furthered his interested in food preservation by freezing, especially fast freezing. He was taught by the Inuit how to ice fish under very thick ice. In -40 °C weather. The Inuit also demonstrated that freshly caught fish could be then instantly frozen when exposed to air, and when thawed, still tasted fresh.

This trip to Canada, where he witnessed the traditional methods of the indigenous Inuit people, directly inspired Birdseye’s food preserving method. Flash freezing changed ocean fishing forever. A boat could go anywhere to fish, then immediately freeze the fish. Fishing boats got bigger, eventually leading to a fleet of vessels catching the fish, then transferring it to a “factory” ship, which froze the catch and placed it in storage. The catching vessels could remain at a hot spot until virtually every fish was taken. The second development that totally changed ocean fishing was the development of vessels with steam engines, which rather quickly converted to gasoline or diesel fuel. This allowed the use of enormous nets and catches in tons.

Fish Creek in northeastern Indiana is one of the most biologically diverse streams in the Midwest. Mussels are a keystone species in the stream’s aquatic community. Mussels are filter feeders, so they are very sensitive to low water quality. In areas with good water quality, there are diverse mussel communities and large numbers of mussels. In areas where the water quality is poor, there are fewer species. Protecting mussel species was the impetus for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to work in Fish Creek more than 30 years ago. When TNC started working in the area, mussel populations were in decline. The story today is much more positive. Mussel surveys from last fall show a diversity of mussels – in variety, quantity and age range.

In order to protect the creek and the imperiled mussel species, TNC had to do more than just buy land and create nature preserves. “We had to find ways to work with the community,” says Larry Clemens, state director for TNC in Indiana, “so that people and nature could thrive together. Improvements to Fish Creek wouldn’t have happened without the community’s direct involvement.” TNC worked with farmers to control soil erosion on their lands, using a variety of conservation practices. Farmers implemented those conservation techniques widely.

The site of the old water treatment facility on the northern-most side of Griffy Lake. Photo: Google Maps.This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull and Kevin Hunter, who has been involved in the treatment of sewage in Monroe County for over 30 years.

Join a Roving Naturalist on Saturday, March 9th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve for a Signs of Spring Hike. You will open your senses as you look for signs of the changing seasons. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting their Semi-Annual Ducks and Donuts gathering at the Stillwater Marsh observation platform on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 am to noon. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts and binoculars to spot ducks and other birds.
Join Anthony for a Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 9th, from 1 to 2 pm. You will hike into the upper dry portion of Donaldson Cave as you learn about the eccentric Scotsman the cave is named for and the Shawnee Cave system. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Goose Pond Reads event on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 to 10 am. Enjoy a free community reading from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Sit in the Visitors Center as you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of the wetlands.
Make a small terrarium in a glass jar during a Do It Yourself Jar EcoSystems program on Sunday, March 10th, from 5 to 7 pm at the Switchyard Park Pavilion. Learn about how functioning ecosystems work from water ecology to small microbes. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Cynthia Roberts and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.Are you one of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner. Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you. Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon. What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.

We all love to go to picnics, especially when the weather is nice. The next time you host or attend a picnic, bring your own utensils and food containers. Plastic forks, spoons, straws, and all that plastic stuff you see at a picnic are not biodegradable and not recyclable. One more thing you might want to stop using is paper towels. Regular paper towels are bleached, and waste forest resources and landfill space. Look for recycled, non-bleached paper towels or better yet, buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse. Keep looking for ways you can make a difference.

View Details

In this week’s Eco Report feature, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull speaks with Dan Vest, Monroe County Animal Management Officer, about animal control, what his job entails and how much he loves his job.

PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances commonly called “forever chemicals” are toxic chemicals that are dangerous to human health, accumulate in nature and people’s bodies, and take thousands of years to break down. You probably have some in your home and don’t realize it. If you have a non-stick skillet or pan, then you have PFAS in your home and when you use that pan, some of the chemicals come off into your food and then into you.

Despite that near universal acknowledgement, Hoosier lawmakers are advancing a bill to change the definition of PFAS – but only in Indiana. In other words, chemicals deemed harmful in every other state will no longer be considered dangerous in Indiana. In fact, Indiana is already one of the country’s most polluted states, according to the federal EPA data. “This bill makes no sense at all, said Gretchen Salter, a strategic advisor for Safer States. I don’t know why anyone would want to limit a state’s authority to regulate chemicals that the world has recognized are toxic and harmful to the public.”

Proponents of House Bill 1399, including the chemical manufacturing industry, say the change is needed to preserve essential uses of PFAS in items such as medical devices or semiconductors. No one in Indiana, however, is proposing to prohibit those uses. Advocates that work closely on PFAS issues say the new bill, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R, from Jasper, is part of a national push to change the definition of PFAS so certain manufacturers can continue using them in their products. University of Notre Dame professor Graham Peaslee, a nationally recognized PFAS expert said, “I’ve never met a good PFAS.” The bill passed out of the House by a 64-30 vote along party lines. Now in the Senate, it has been referred to the Environmental Committee but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

Straight* Arrow News*** reports that February is on track to become the ninth month in a row with record-breaking temperatures, creating concerns for the health of the planet. In the Florida Keys, rising marine temperatures have been bleaching coral reefs. High temperatures in the summer of 2023 caused so much damage that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) added three more levels to a two-level alert system to measure the impact. Per the new alert system, the Florida Keys hit alert levels four and five last summer, warning of the potential for near complete coral mortality. Delicate coral conservation nurseries had to be evacuated from the ocean and installed in extensive land-based operations.

Ocean temperatures reached triple digits in some areas and didn’t cool down enough to reinstall the coral nurseries until late October. In a recent NOAA survey of five coral restoration sites off the Florida Keys, several important corals were either completely decimated or barely found. NOAA and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary created Mission: Iconic Reefs Research and Monitoring. For this project, a team of researchers took a survey vessel through the Florida Keys looking for elkhorn and staghorn corals. “This certainly did feel like a step back,” Mission: Iconic Reefs Monitoring Coordinator Katey Lesneski said. Many of the corals that we did survey are those that are part of reef restoration.”

According to Lesneski, healthy elkhorn and staghorn corals are typically a tan, orange, brown color. On the research team’s journey to Key West, it came across multiple colonies of coral that had not been alive for months. Fewer than 22% of staghorn corals survived, and those that did were only found in the two northernmost sites. The Looe Key Reef in the lower Florida keys had no live staghorn or elkhorn corals. There is a good possibility that the summer of 2024 will resemble 2023, and destroy the surviving corals. Perhaps the only option is to plant the rescued corals in cooler waters.

In a couple of decades, when you go to the grocery store, you’ll have a choice to make in the seafood isle. There will be no cod, halibut, Pollock, haddock, snow crab, for sale. Farmed lobster will cost $50/lb. The salmon will be all farmed. There is now farm-raised tilapia, carp, mussels and catfish. In the year 1400, Portuguese fishermen were fishing in the North Atlantic. The approach was to wrap the fishing line around an arm, and drop the line overboard. It wasn’t long before they pulled in a 40lb codfish. When the day was over, he’d caught over 1,000 lb of codfish – each over 30 lb.

More recently, fishing ships from England fished east of Newfoundland. During winter, the cod move out of the depths, and are more easily caught. Fishing during winter was risky because of fierce storms that coated the ship with ice and made it top-heavy. Thousands of fishermen died when the boat tipped over. Many did not remove their boots in the water because they wanted to get the dying over quickly. Still the lucrative fishing continued. Many of the great mansions in England were built with the income from cod fishing. There were billions of cod.

By the early 1800s, fishing switched to the U.S. and Gloucester (pronounced Glawster) Massachusetts. It became the primary fishing port in the world, a position it held for more than 150 years. There were billions of fish within 20 miles of Gloucester. The fishing approach was for the mother-ship dropping off several small boats with one or two fisherman on each. Many fished with a “long-line”, and many hooks. Cod are not a fighting fish, so it was easy to bring a 30 lb-er. Every year, Gloucester would lose a few thousand fishermen at sea. Many homes in Gloucester still have a walkway at the top of the house. This was called a “widows walk” so the women could get an early glimpse of the horizon to see if their man made it back. The ships were constructed in towns near Gloucester, Essex being the major location. A lot of the forests in New England were sourced for lumber.

By the 1880s the fleet had expanded to where if you had just the halibut boats lined up bow-to-stern, a line 3 miles long would have been the result. A few of the halibut reached 500 lb and looked more like a manta ray. But the catch could not be maintained and yearly takes dropped year after year. There were an equal number of boats pursuing cod. As soon as the boats filled with cod, they would race to either Gloucester or Boston to sell their catch. Since they only had ice to preserve their catch, it was important to get the fish to market as quickly as possible. Next week, two discoveries changed fishing forever, beginning the long decline of all the oceans.

Are you* one*** of those people who believes our Mother Earth is getting dirtier and dirtier from all our trash? Here are a few tips to help keep the Earth cleaner. Stop buying Styrofoam items. Styrofoam is forever. It is not biodegradable, so instead invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you. Do you like to eat salmon? Several studies have found that PCB’s, which is a class of toxic chemicals, and other environmental toxins are present at higher levels in farm raised salmon than wild salmon. Look for safe seafood when shopping for salmon. What about those coffee filters? Are you a coffee drinker? Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer. Start buying unbleached paper filters or use reusable filters.

Freya (photo source: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter)This week’s Eco Report feature is a conversation between WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull and Dan Vest at the Monroe County Animal Management office where we learn all about Dan’s love for his job, animal management and much more.

Finish up the Brown County Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, March 3rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Ogla Lake Parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7. Your dog much be on a six-foot leash.
Join a Roving Naturalist on Saturday, March 9th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve for a Signs of Spring Hike. You will open your senses as you look for signs of the changing seasons. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
Join Anthony for a Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 9th, from 1 to 2 pm. You will hike into the upper dry portion of Donaldson Cave as you learn about the eccentric Scotsman the cave is named for and the Shawnee Cave system. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter.
The Sassafras Audubon Society is hosting their Semi-Annual Ducks and Donuts gathering at the Stillwater Marsh observation platform on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 am to noon. Come and enjoy coffee, donuts and binoculars to spot ducks and other birds.
Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Goose Pond Reads event on Saturday, March 9th, from 9 to 10 am. Enjoy a free community reading from A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. Sit in the Visitors Center as you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of the wetlands.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced Robert Shull and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers who are passionate about reporting 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

This week’s Eco Report feature is part four of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze’s interview with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, on legislation proposed to lawmakers of the Indiana General Assembly in this year’s non-budget Legislative Session. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at wfhb.org.

Recently, the Bloomington Herald Times published a story about the plastic industry and how it has been spreading misconceptions about recycling. One of the most widespread misconceptions is that all plastics can be recycled. Not true. Only certain types are economically and technically able to be recycled. Some plastics, likePVC, are very problematic to recycle and can contaminate streams. Many consumers believe that the plastic packaging they dispose of in recycling bins will be recycled. A significant portion of plastic waste, especially single-use packaging, ends up in landfills or incinerators.

Recycling is often promoted as the ultimate solution to plastic pollution. The reality is that only a fraction of plastic waste is effectively recycled and much of it still ends up in the environment. Biodegradable and compostable plastics are a sustainable alternative. However, these materials often require specific conditions to break down, and if they end up in a landfill, they may not degrade as intended. Recycling plastics is costly and complex. It is cheaper to produce new plastic from raw materials than to recyle existing plastic. It is crucial for consumers to be aware of the misconceptions and to advocate for more transparent and sustainable practices, such as reducing the use of plastics and promoting the use of alternative materials.

One of the common complaints about solar panels is that they take up valuable agricultural land. This factor has canceled several proposed projects in Indiana. A story from Inside Climate Change finds that ranchers in Wyoming have demonstrated a useful example. BrightNight – a global energy company, has proposed to build more than 1 million solar panels, a battery storage facility and a few miles of above-ground transmission lines on a 4,738 acres of private land run by the Tillard ranching family near Glenrock. The Dutchman Project, as it is called, is notable neither for its generation nor its storage capacity but for the creatures moseying beneath its panels. The base of each sun-tracking panel will be several feet off the ground, allowing enough room for the Tillard’s sheep to continue grazing.

In a state whose ranching industry predates its inclusion in the union, pairing solar generation with livestock grazing or other agricultural practices, a technique called “agrivoltaics,” could forge an unlikely alliance between two industries—one ancient; the other, high tech — that typically compete for resources. At the conclusion of their February 6 hearing regarding the Dutchman project, Converse County Commissioners directed the county attorney to draft an order of approval, indicating they would likely grant the project its permit later this month. This leaves us with one question. Why, in a state where the wind always blows, this ranch chose solar over wind.

The current mass extinction event is at an early stage. E. O. Wilson, the Dean of American biology, predicted the globe will extinguish one million species. Today, some conclude this assessment is too low. There are many reasons for this extinction event: loss of habitat is the primary cause. Humans occupy every livable space on Earth. Climate change plays a significant role. Poaching is another contributor. One we might not think of is cats: people take their cats to islands with flightless birds, and soon the birds disappear forever.

Solving this problem is straightforward: humans created the problem and we must solve it. Saving many species is not a matter of knowing what to do, but rather, the will to do it. For example, the number of right whales in the North Atlantic has fallen from 600 at the beginning of this century, to about 350 today. The main killer is ship strikes. These mostly occur near ports involved in worldwide trade. The big container ships are not trying to hit a whale, and often are not even aware that they have hit one. Most of the right whales have moved north out of the New England area because the water is too warm and little food (copepods) remains. Most, during summer, are now in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and are thus at risk from all the boat traffic. A solution is to limit boat speed to 10 knots in areas where there are whales, but for the shippers, time is money and they are often unwilling to slow down.

Another issue is becoming entangled in lobster gear. A common lobster set consists of a buoy with attached rope that goes to the bottom and is attached to a lobster pot (aka traps) and then a line with perhaps ten traps, ending by a rope to the surface. Thus, there are two ropes for every set. For most of the year, just in the U.S., there are about 2 million vertical ropes in the water for most of the year. If a whale hits a rope, there is some probability of the rope wrapping around a flipper or tail (aka, fluke). After dragging around the rope (and possibly some lobster traps) for a year or two, the rope often has cut into the whale and the whale bleeds to death or dies of starvation.

The problem could be cut in half if the rope at the non-hauling end broke at 1000 lb. An adult right whale can break a rope at that breaking strength. The rope at the hauling end is much stronger because the traps can be entangled with the bottom. The problem is the lobstermen have rejected the use of a weak rope because occasionally they need to haul using the non-hauling rope. Another solution is to use no vertical rope. The ropes are carried to the bottom by a device that can trigger the release of the rope. Thus, when the lobsterman arrives at the exact location, he activates the device and the rope floats to the surface. Clever. The problem is these release systems are expensive, and some trawlers may carry the set several miles from its original location. What might work is one weak rope and one strong rope with a release device. Though this would seem to solve all problems, this concept has not been tested. And there is the issue of warming waters off New England, which is driving the lobsters north. Next week, the discussion will be on how to protect the few remaining cold-water species, such as codfish.

Parts of this story come from the New York Times. Climate change is stretching the length of time in parts of the Far North that go without sea ice, which polar bears rely on to hunt their preferred prey: blubbery, calorie-rich seals. When the ice melts in summer, the bears move onto land and face two options. They can rest and slow down to a state approaching hibernation, or they can forage for alternative food like berries, bird eggs and small land animals. Scientists tracking 20 polar bears in Manitoba, below the Arctic Circle at the southern end of the animals’ range, found that the option the polar bears chose didn’t make much difference.

Bears who foraged generally got just enough calories from their small meals to replenish the energy they spent finding them, but not enough to maintain their body mass. “Terrestrial foods are not adequate to prolong the period that polar bears can survive on land,” said Anthony Pagano, a wildlife biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey and the lead author of a study based on the research, published recently in Nature Communications. In western Hudson Bay, the ice-free period is three weeks longer now than it was in the 1970s, and polar bears currently spend about 130 days on land during the year. Scientists estimate that, going forward, there will be five to 10 more days without sea ice each decade. It is estimated that the polar bear population of the western Hudson Bay area, an area extending from the Manitoba-Ontario boundary through to Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut, is approximately 935 miles. The population of polar bears in this region has dropped by thirty percent over the last five years.

This week’s Eco Report feature is part four of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze’s interview with H.E.C. Executive Director Sam Carpenter on legislation supported or opposed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session at the State Capitol relating to groundwater, the LEAP Pipeline project and phasing out fossil fuels. The full four-part interview is available online as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA at wfhb.org.

A Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th, from noon to 1:30 pm at the RCA Community Park in Bloomington. This hands-on workshop will discuss tree identification, equipment, collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with the CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave hike on Saturday, February 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that will take you to the Civilian Conservation Corps area then you will hike to the Deserter’s Cave which is a very rugged section of off-trail hiking.
Take a Full Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 24th, from 8 to 9 pm. Experience the park at night while learning the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for this 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4.
Celebrate February 29th with a Leap Year Hike at Spring Mill State Park from 1 to 2 pm. Take advantage of the this extra day as you hike through nature on Trail 4 and learn leap year facts, superstitions and folklore. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter House.
Finish up the Brown County Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, March 3rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Meet at the Ogle Lake Parking lot for a moderate hike on Trail 7. Your dog must be on a six-foot leash.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers whose goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.

View Details

Coming up in this edition of Eco Report, Agrivoltaics and Climate Resilience as Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us Part Three of his discussion with Sam Carpenter on bills opposed and backed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.

This story appeared in the “Daily Journal” of Franklin. A controversial bill that would strip wetland protections in Indiana is the first to head to the governor’s desk after being fast-tracked by the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1383, authored by Rep. Alan Morrison, R-Versailles, clarifies various wetland definitions and eliminates certain wetland rule-making requirements. The bill would shift some Class III wetlands down to Class II, a class that already has few protections because of another state law passed in 2021. The Senate approved the bill 32-17 on Tuesday, less than a month after its first reading in the House. Some residents, environmentalists and state senators have expressed concerns that it was fast-tracked despite heavy opposition.

Environmental activists and some state legislators also questioned whether the bill would actually protect wetlands or dwindle them further. In 2021, Indiana passed another controversial bill that left nearly 80% of the state’s wetlands unprotected, with only 25% of wetlands being mitigated since then, according to the Hoosier Environmental Council, or HEC. A one-acre wetland can typically store over one million gallons of water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

This means nearly 400 million gallons of water storage has been removed without mitigation since 2021, according to data from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Indiana has also lost 85% of wetlands in the last 200 years, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the EPA, leaving the fate of wetlands in the state’s hands, Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said during the Senate vote on the bill Tuesday.

Indiana is already seeing accelerated wetland loss, said Indra Frank, environmental health and water policy director for the HEC. The continued stripping of wetland protections is “very discouraging,” she said. Sens. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, and Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, questioned how involved environmental consultants and groups were in the legislation.

During the committee hearing on the bill, 26 people — including organizations involved in drafting the bill — testified in opposition to the bill. Only three testified in support. Builders, environmental activists and consultants, including the HEC, and IDEM staff helped draft the legislation last July, Niemeyer said. Representatives from the Indiana Builders Association told the Indiana Capital Chronicle the bill was a compromise to prevent permitting delays. Profit over people! Even though the bill passed, please contact the Governor today to voice opposition to this legislation.

Last week we aired a story about olive trees. Following is more information. In a Counterpunch article by Joshua Frank, it is noted that olive trees in Palestine, in addition to being a means of economic sustenance are a long standing cultural practice. The harvesting of olives on wild trees extends back thousands of years. The razing of such groves has had disastrous results including soil erosion, and climate change. Since 1967, more than 800,000 Palestinian olive trees have been illegally uprooted by the Israeli authority accordinging to a 1921 Al Jazerra report.

Besides providing a harvestable commodity for numerous bird species, including Jays, Finches and crows they rely on the biodiversity provided by Palestine’s wild trees. Multiple species of these trees are often found in native olive groves. Olive groves in Palestine, in addition to being cultural landscapes, are important globally as an agricultural system based on their biodiversity, cultural, and economic values. ”An ancient, native olive tree should be considered a testament to the very existence of Palestinians and their struggle for freedom. With its thick spiraling trunk, the olive tree stands as a cautionary tale to Israel, not because of the fruit it bears, but because of the stories its roots hold of a scarred landscape and a battered people that have been callously and relentlessly besieged for more than 75 years.”

There have been major developments in climate change. One is that the average temperature of the globe exceeded 1.5 C for 2023. This comes as no surprise. The second development is the oceans are warming at a faster pace than predictions. Thus, the glaciers are melting faster. Of particular concern are the glaciers on Greenland and Antarctica, simply because they contain the most water. It may be that previous projections of ocean rise are vastly underestimated. Most projections over the last three decades have pegged ocean rise between one and three feet by the years 2100. The new projections say the increase could be as much as sixteen feet, and much of that could come in large chunks. The biggest chunk could come from the release of the Thwaites Glacier from the Western Ice Sheet in Antarctica.

Thwaites Glacier is closely monitored for its potential to raise sea levels since the 1980s, Thwaites and Pine Island Glacier have been described as part of the “weak underbelly” of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, in part because they seem vulnerable to irreversible retreat and collapse even under relatively little warming, yet also because if they go, the entire ice sheet is likely to eventually follow. This hypothesis is based on both theoretical studies of the stability of marine ice sheets and observations of large changes on these two glaciers. In recent years, the flow of both of these glaciers has accelerated, their surfaces have lowered, and their grounding lines have retreated. They are believed very likely to eventually collapse even without any further warming. The outsized danger Thwaites poses has led to some reporters nicknaming it the Doomsday Glacier, although this nickname is controversial among scientists.

The third development is that the fresh water melting on Greenland may cause the global circulation of sea water to stop. This hypothesis was first proposed twenty years ago. If that happens, a danger is that heat from the equatorial regions may not be transported to polar regions. Thus, the Gulf Stream, for example, may not transport heat to northern waters. Would Europe experience a new ice age? One thing is for sure, it would disrupt weather patterns worldwide.

NBC reports that as electric vehicle demand slows, workers caught in the middle face an uncertain future. Thousands of workers face layoffs or transfers as automakers scale back on their lofty EV ambitions. This year was shaping up to be a good one for the workers at the GM Orion Assembly plant in a working-class suburb of Detroit. After winning a pay raise following last year’s United Auto Workers strike, they were slated to start production later this year on a marquee product for GM: the electric Chevy Silverado pickup truck.

But like thousands of other workers on the front lines of the electric vehicle transition, they have hit some bumps in the road. GM told the nearly 1,000 workers at the Orion plant in December that they were being laid off until late 2025 to make engineering improvements and amid cooling demand for electric vehicles. Their last paycheck was their holiday pay the week of Christmas, and many are still waiting to find out if they will be offered a job at another plant. Electric vehicles account for about 4.5% of new vehicle sales in Indiana, far below national average.

And now, Part Three on the 2024 Legislative Session at the State Capitol with Zyro Roze and the HEC’s Sam Carpenter. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an E.R.X Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.

Learn how to identify trees in the winter during a Buds & Barks Winter Tree ID Hike at Olcott Park in Bloomington on Saturday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 pm. You will be outside taking a close look at the bark, branches and buds to seek out the tree identification. Dress for the weather.
The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series continues with a Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve Hike on Saturday, February 17th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike along a fire trail and horse trail. The Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve is the largest nature preserve in the state and has a very unique story. Please dress for the weather.
The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 21st, at 9 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
A Maple Syrup Made Easy Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th, from noon to 1:30 pm at the RCA Community Park in Bloomington. This hands-on workshop will discuss tree identification, equipment, collection and sugaring techniques. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.
The Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park continues with the CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave hike on Saturday, February 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that will take you to the Civilian Conservation Corps area then you will hike to the Deserter’s Cave which is a very rugged section of off-trail hiking.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Cynthia Roberts.

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the Eco Report team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Frank Marshalek.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.

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Blue Bee Eco Media host Zyro Roze speaks with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council about legislation supported or opposed by the HEC in the current non-budget Legislative Session of Indiana State Government.

This full interview was aired as a series of news segments on WFHB Local News and WFHB’s Eco Report, FireHouse Broadcasting’s environmental news program.

~ Topics in this episode ~

[Part One] Wetlands, Wild Lands, Lead Lines/Testing

Bills discussed: HB 1383, SB 5, SB 246, SB 259, SB 297, HB 1193, HB 117.

[Part Two] PFAS, Bobcats, Community Solar

Bills discussed: SB 1399, SB 241, HB 1165.

[Part Three] AgriVoltaics, Climate Resilience

Bills: SB 177, HB 1172, SB 259

[Part Four] Groundwater, LEAP Pipeline, Fossil Fuels

Bills: HB 1382, HB 1305, SB 52

[E R X] Eco Report EXTRA is a production of Eco Media Center of Monroe County, a program of Blue Bee Ecological Endeavors inc or BBEE, a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization based in Bloomington Indiana, as part of an ongoing community media partnership with WFHB News and Public Affairs and CATS Cable Ch.7.

To learn more about how to get involved with Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC), go to: https://www.hecweb.org/

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You’re listening to Eco Report. In today’s feature, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us Part Two of his discussion with Sam Carpenter on bills opposed and backed by the Hoosier Environmental Council in the 2024 Legislative Session.

The olive tree, according to Greek mythology, was created by Athena, the goddess of wisdom, as a gift to the people of her namesake city, Athens. Olives and olive oil have become synonymous with Greece, and are credited, in part, with fueling the rise of Greek civilization. But despite a history spanning thousands of years, these culinary pillars of Greek identity are under threat. Small farmers expect this year’s harvest season, which got underway in November, to be one of the worst years on record, thanks to climate change and the irregular seasonal shifts it has wrought upon the flowering process and fruit development.

We are collecting olives much earlier than ever before. Our producers do not recall any year like this,” says Michael Antonopoulos, president of the Agricultural Cooperative of Kalamata. I think we will see less and less olive trees not only in our region, but all the Mediterranean, because the Africa heat line is moving forward to Europe. Greek growers are having to patrol their trees during harvest because of high levels of poaching. Spain has been blighted by a long-running drought, caused by record-high temperatures in 2022 and 2023 and almost three years of reduced rainfall. Throughout the country, reservoirs have been depleted; in the worst-affected areas, they are at less than 20 percent of their capacity.

The Mediterranean basin, responsible for about 95 percent of global olive oil production, was particularly impacted by both record heat and extreme weather events, with temperatures in Italy reaching 48.2°C, and record-high temperatures reported in Tunisia (49.0°C), Morocco (50.4°C) and Algeria (49.2°C). Furthermore, torrential rainfall resulted in flooding and damage to olive groves in Greece, Turkey and Libya, which also suffered a heavy loss of life. This year’s record temperatures may also impact olive oil production in the 2024/25 crop year, with glaciers in the European Alps experiencing an extreme melt from which they are unlikely to recover in the winter.

Melting snowpack from the Alps in the spring is one of the sources of water upon which northern Italian and French olive growers rely, especially as spring seasons become hotter and drier. The US produces less than 1% of the world’s olives. The major producer is Spain, followed by Italy and Greece. California is the only important olive growing state in the US. California olive production is mostly in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, although some acreage is reported throughout California. All agree we cannot return to the climate of the 20th century, but we must act now to limit the risks of an increasingly inhospitable climate in this and the coming centuries.

Roundup, the most popular and profitable weed killer ever sold, uses glyphosate as its most active ingredient. Glyphosate is toxic to most broadleaf plants and grasses. It kills most plants it comes into contact with, instead of targeting certain weeds or plants. Monsanto, a now defunct company, developed the product. Because glyphosate kills anything it touches, Monsanto developed plant seeds that were genetically modified to resist the damage of Roundup. This is when residential Roundup sales skyrocketed. However, as the years went on, science questioned the safety of glyphosate.

Studies have shown that the chemical might cause illness to humans and cause damage to the environment. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes glyphosate as possibly carcinogenic to humans —essentially, the IARC is saying this toxin may cause cancer. In 2018, Roundup was purchased by Bayer. By then, consumers had filed thousands of lawsuits linking Roundup to cancer. The most common cancer associated with Roundup is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer committed to begin in 2023 replacing “its glyphosate-based products in the U.S. residential Lawn & Garden market with new formulations that rely on alternative active ingredients.”

Given the extreme cold this past January, we checked to see if wind turbines are working. International design standards actually require that wind turbines can work at temperatures down to -4° Fahrenheit. Turbines engineered for cold climates—using technologies like cold-resistant steel and heaters to warm them—can work at temperatures down to -22° Fahrenheit. Below that there is some danger of blades becoming brittle and shattering. Even in a place like Alberta, Canada the turbines operate most of the time during the winter.

It’s a miracle! Paoli Peaks is celebrating 45 years in business. At the beginning, a fair amount of natural snowfall brought in skiers. At the beginning, natural snowfall in that zip code was around 25 inches. Now that area receives an average of 12 inches. The opening date for skiing has depended on the snow-gods and has varied widely. Early on, the closing date was late March; now nearly every year shows a closing a few days earlier. Now closing is more likely mid-February.

One thing is certain: there will come a year not far in the future when there is no skiing at Paoli. The global temperature is guaranteed to rise another 3 – 5 F because our country is exporting more fossil fuel than ever. Other countries, such as China, continue to build coal-fired power plants at a furious pace. Enjoy it when you can, because soon there will be only water skiing around Paoli.

And now, Part Two of Environmental Considerations in the current Legislative Session at the State Capitol with Zyro Roze and the Hoosier Environmental Council’s Sam Carpenter. The full four-part interview will be available online after the show as an Eco Report EXTRA, to be found at WFHB.org.

Take the Donaldson Cave Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 10th, from 2 to 3 pm. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot. Discover more interesting facts about George Donaldson, an eccentric Scotsman and his contributions to Spring Mill State Park.
The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 14th, at 9 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
Take a Tea Blending for Winter Wellness class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Thursday, February 15th, from 6 to 8 pm. Learn to blend your own herbal tea to help support your immune system.
Learn how to identify trees in the winter during a Buds & Barks Winter Tree ID Hike at Olcott Park in Bloomington on Saturday, February 17th, from 2 to 4 pm. You will be outside taking a close look at the bark, branches and buds to seek out the tree identification. Dress for the weather.
The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series continues with a Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve Hike on Saturday, February 17th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike along a fire trail and horse trail. The Ten O’Clock Line Nature Preserve is the largest nature preserve in the state and has a very unique story. Please dress for the weather. Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

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You’re listening to Eco Report for Friday, February 2, 2024.

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets a breakdown of some bills currently before the Indiana House and Senate in Part One of his conversation with Sam Carpenter, the new Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council.

And now for your environmental reports:

To help Indiana schools celebrate Earth Day 2024, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management is offering free hands-on classroom presentations to elementary students across the state. Every year, IDEM staff visit schools to talk about their careers and share STEM-based lessons on air, land, water, and recycling.

“I am pleased to have IDEM staff visit classrooms to work with Indiana’s leaders of tomorrow. Our STEM-based lessons are a great way to emphasize the importance of taking care of our environment while also introducing them to environmental-related careers,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “I hope Indiana’s teachers will take advantage of this great opportunity!”

Classroom Earth Day presentations are available for elementary schools and vary in length from 30 to 50 minutes. The interactive presentations offer activities such as reduce, reuse, recycle your trash, how long does your trash last, or a demonstration on how water flows through a watershed.

In-person classroom presentations are available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the month of April, and each school may request up to four presentations. Registration is now open. Teachers can request a classroom presentation by visiting on.IN.gov/IDEMclassroom

—Indiana Department of Environmental Management

The UPI reports obtaining financial relief following more frequent natural disasters in an era of climate change will be easier under new guidelines published recently, the Biden administration says.

U.S. officials say people impacted by natural disasters should now have an easier time obtaining help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program, which includes financial assistance to help pay for lodging, food, and other necessities following a natural disaster.

(quote)The limitations of federal assistance have delayed disaster recovery for too many — especially communities that are disproportionately affected by disasters,(end quote) Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement last Friday.

FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said the changes are the most significant program updates in 20 years and eliminate red tape to make it easier for individuals to obtain services, resources and support when natural disasters occur.

Mayorkas and Criswell said more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change made it necessary to update and streamline the system so disaster survivors have faster and easier access to needed resources.

FEMA removed prior loan application requirements to obtain certain types of financial assistance through the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies and programs. Now, disaster survivors can apply for financial help from FEMA and the SBA at the same time.

FEMA also will pay up to $42,500 to households for costs not covered by insurance, including deductibles and losses that exceed insurance limits. The financial help is in addition to insurance payments that might be made to cover insured losses due to a natural disaster. FEMA previously would not help those who received at least $42,500 in settlement funds from insurers.

The United States endured 28 natural disasters that totaled more than $1 billion in damages in 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported. Other disasters also occurred, including drought in the South and Midwest that caused about $14.5 billion in damages, CNN reported.

—Norm Holy

How Much Ice Is Greenland Losing? Researchers have found an Answer.

The island is shedding 20 percent more than previously estimated, a study found, potentially threatening ocean currents that help to regulate global temperatures.

Greenland’s expansive ice sheet is known to be shrinking, especially since the 1990s, because of warming from climate change. It’s a fate shared by the Antarctic Ice Sheet as well as glaciers around the world. Now, a new study reveals that about 20 percent more of the Greenland ice sheet has disappeared than previous estimates show.

The missing ice has been breaking and melting from the ends of glaciers around Greenland’s perimeter. The new research, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, provides a detailed accounting of a process that scientists knew was happening but had struggled to measure comprehensively.

“Almost every glacier in Greenland is retreating. And that story is true no matter where you look,” said Chad Greene, a glaciologist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the lead author of the study. “This retreat is happening everywhere and all at once.”

Because the ends of these glaciers generally sit below sea level, within deep fjords, their retreat isn’t directly adding a significant amount to sea level rise. But melting ice still adds an influx of freshwater that has implications for global climate models and projections, and for the system of ocean currents that regulates temperatures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Dr. Greene’s team combined more than 200,000 observations of glacier end points, covering almost all of Greenland, based on satellite images taken from 1985 to 2022. The researchers used observations from existing public data sets and combined them to create a comprehensive bird’s-eye view of the contracting edges of Greenland’s ice sheet over the past 40 years.

Earlier estimates of the changing size of Greenland’s ice sheet were based on three types of measurements: the altitude of the sheet’s surface, the velocity of ice passing by fixed locations and the gravitational pull produced by the sheet’s mass.

Combining several of these estimates, scientists arrived at a consensus that Greenland has lost a total of nearly five trillion metric tons of ice since 1992.

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and Sam Carpenter of the Hoosier Environmental Council as they discuss the ongoing Legislative Session at the State Capitol and proposed laws relating to wetlands, wild lands, lead testing and lead service lines.

Ways To Get Involved:

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.

To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org.

“Eagles Over Monroe” is an annual event that celebrates Monroe Lake’s unique history with the Bald Eagle. The event begins on Thursday, February 1st and runs through Sunday, February 4th with special activities planned for each day. Go to bit.ly/eom2024 to get the full schedule.
Brown County State Park continues their Winter Hike Series with The Lake That Never Was hike on Saturday, February 3rd, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Hike to the Taylor Hollow Lake to see the 3rd lake in Brown County that was started and never completed. This is a 2.5 mile, rugged hike. Wear water proof shoes and dress for the weather.
The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, February 7th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
A Winter Exploration Hike at Allens Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. These hikes feature off-trail hiking through lesser-known areas of Monroe Lake. There is no “set” path and no planned route. There are no formal toilet facilities. Register at bit.ly/weh-feb7-2024.
Learn about the Earth’s Most Venomous Snakes at Brown County State Park on Friday, February 9th, from 4 to 4:45 pm in the Nature Center. Indiana has 4 species of venomous snakes. You will learn how Indiana’s venomous snakes compare to the rest of the world.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

Anchors are Julianna Dailey and Robert Shull.

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—Linda Greene

After months of lining up leases with several property owners to create a more-than-1,660-acre solar farm near Zionsville, NextEra Energy saw the project blocked in August by Boone County officials.

—Norm Holy

Utah’s Ashley National Forest is in the crosshairs of the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, which has approved construction of the new Unita Basin railway. The railway would let trains rumble through the protected area. Construction would ruin wetlands and destroy up to 10,000 acres of wildlife habitat, all to transport planet-destroying oil.

—Linda Greene

Indiana leads the nation in toxic pollution emitted per square mile, according to an EPA report. In 2019, 882 facilities disposed of 123.3 million pounds of chemicals harmful to humans or the surrounding environment according to the Toxic Release Inventory, an EPA report published annually.

—Norm Holy

In an effort to pressure President Biden to improve his dismal record on the climate, members of Beyond Extreme Energy led a week-long occupation near the president’s home in Wilmington, Delaware. People maintained a round-the-clock encampment at 909 Centre Street from December 25 to January 1.

—Linda Greene

A report from the New York Times concludes the fate of the imperiled Build Back Better bill in Congress will have major consequences for America’s ability to tackle climate change, researchers have estimated.

—Norm Holy

Coal-fired electricity generation in Indiana increased for the first time in six years due to “significantly higher” natural gas prices in 2021, but the trend is not expected to continue, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

—Norm Holy

The Moscow Times reports the Arctic region could see a faster-than-predicted shift from snow to rain as its main form of precipitation if global carbon emissions are not drastically cut, an international group of scientists have claimed in research published in the Nature Communications journal.

—Norm Holy

Scientists are calling for the creation of an intergovernmental science policy panel on chemicals and waste like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The scientists say industrial chemical pollution and its alleviation are severe worldwide problems.

—Linda Greene

The news about climate change has focused on carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere. Since combustion involves one molecule of oxygen for every molecule of carbon dioxide, we might ask the question of what happens to the oxygen level in the air we breathe?

—Norm Holy

https://wfhb.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/EcoReport-20220112.mp3

CALENDARMcCormick’s Creek State Park will continue with their History Friday program on Friday, January 14th from 2 to 2:30 pm teaching you all about Fossils at the Falls. Meet at the Canyon Inn to learn more about the ancient history written in the stones. If weather permits, a short walk to the Falls will take place after the program. Be sure to wear a mask while attending the in-doors program.

Join Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center for a fun night hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 15th from 8 to 9 pm. You will be hiking on Trail 5 while learning the history and folklore of the Full Wolf Moon. If you feel like it, try howling at the Full Wolf Moon!

Take advantage of a Small Garden Planning and Design program on Wednesday, January 19th from 6 to 8 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center in Bloomington. Winter is the best time to plan your garden and drool over seed catalogs. Learn the basics of crop planning and garden design. Also, learn about seeds, transplanting and succession planting. Register by January 18th at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

It’s Eagle time at Monroe Lake! Create your own self-guided Bald Eagle Tour with Eagles Over Monroe: Self-Guided Bald Eagle Driving Tour and Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, January 22nd from 7 am to 7 pm. Access the online, interactive map at bit.ly/monroelakeeagleguide. The Scavenger Hunt involves looking for 6 letters of the alphabet that are slightly hidden. Once you find all of them, unscramble the letters and mail your answer to jvance@dnr.in.gov.

Enjoy a Winter Hike Series hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, January 22nd from 11 am to 1 pm to learn about The Lake That Never Was. A 3rd lake, by the name of Taylor Hollow Lake, was started at Brown County State Park but was never finished. The hike is 2 1/2 miles long and VERY rugged with several creek crossings. This is the most popular hike of the Winter Hike Series. Dress for the weather and wear water proof boots. Meet at the Nature Center to carpool to the destination.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. That was Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance. We’ll hear more from I.F.A. later in the program on how both wildfires and controlled burns pose Air Quality hazards. And we’ll learn about I.F.A’s new campaign for a new National Park as an Old Growth Forest Preserve. | | And now for your environmental reports:Temperatures around the world for June have been at their highest levels in decades for this time of year. The spike reflects two factors that are shaping what forecasters say could be a multiyear period of exceptional warmth for the planet: humans’ continued emissions of heat-trapping gases and the return, after three years, of the natural climate pattern known as El Niño. Both factors are also setting the thermodynamic stage for more-severe hot spells, droughts, wildfires and even hurricanes, which acquire their destructive energy from heat in the oceans.The short version is: Expect surprises, Rick Spinrad, the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in an interview on Monday. We’re putting heat into the system — through climate change, through the greenhouse effect — and that heat is going to manifest. That energy is going to manifest in any number of different ways. In recent weeks, it has manifested in Canada, where many areas are still dealing with huge forest fires that have churned toxic smoke into the United States. It has manifested in Siberia, which has been roasted by extreme heat, and around Antarctica, where the extent of the surrounding sea ice last month reached a record low for May.—Norm Holy | | Climate change has made the Texas heat wave more intense, but renewables softened the blow. A brutal two-week heat wave that has broiled much of the U.S. South and pushed the Texas power grid to its limit won’t be ending anytime soon, federal forecasters warned Friday. There is really no end in sight for the excessive heat that has plagued particularly Texas/southeastern New Mexico in recent days, the National Weather Service wrote in its online forecast discussion. Temperatures over 100°F and heat indices much higher will continue expanding east into the Lower Mississippi Valley and north toward the central Plains next week.The heat index, which includes humidity, climbed as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit in some Gulf Coast cities, straining the state’s power grid and prompting health advisories and pleas for energy conservation from officials. While the Lone Star State has so far managed to avoid the kind of rolling blackouts caused by an intense spring heat wave last year and a vicious cold snap in the winter of 2021, Texans may be surprised to learn that solar energy and batteries played a large role in preventing power outages over the last two weeks—even as other energy sources struggled to stay online. Last week, one of the four nuclear units in Texas stopped producing power, Doug Lewin, president of Austin-based Stoic Energy, wrote on Twitter last Friday. A new fast acting backup reserve ( mostly batteries) stabilized the grid and prevented bigger problems. A second outage occurred when a coal power plant went offline, Lewin noted. This happens a lot during extreme temperatures. Happily for Texans, battery storage filled in the gap, he wrote. Storage replaced 75 percent of the lost coal in minutes. It’s the kind of narrative that goes against what utility companies have long argued is the biggest weakness regarding renewables: that relying on solar and wind too much would make the energy grid unreliable. Clean energy advocates, however, have argued for years that pairing solar and wind with battery storage could be even more reliable than the systems we use today. —Norm Holy | | Continuing with the story on the Texas power grid:In fact, many top Texas Republicans have been the staunchest opponents to renewable energy. When a powerful winter storm hit the state in 2021, contributing to about 250 deaths, Texas leaders falsely blamed renewable energy. They blamed renewables again for power outage risks the state faced last year due to heat waves. Independent experts have said failing fossil fuel power plants were much more to blame in both of those scenarios. Solar, too, played a role in preventing blackouts this week. Texas now leads the nation when it comes to renewable energy, with a total of 17 gigawatts of solar power operational this year—or the equivalent of 17 nuclear power plants—which delivered much-needed electricity to the grid as demand skyrocketed.Lewin said he doesn’t expect Texas energy officials to tout how much clean energy has helped the grid over the last two weeks, even as those systems continue to prevent outages through what’s expected to be a prolonged heat wave. They have this narrative that they push that they need more dispatchable power plants and need more gas plants, he said. It’s a very politically driven narrative by many of the state leaders.Many clean energy advocates have said that that political dynamic is holding back Texas, which continues to outpace other states when it comes to installing renewable energy. Without that political resistance, the advocates say, Texas could be installing even more clean energy every year as federal dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at boosting renewables start to roll out.Climate change has generally made extreme weather more intense across the United States. But Texas has been hit especially hard by such events in recent years. That’s largely due to the state’s location in relation to the jet stream. And a series of legislative decisions have left the Texas power grid more vulnerable during such events by isolating it from the rest of the country and leaving it reliant on older fossil fuel power plants.Indiana has a large battery storage system for the power utility in Indianapolis. The storage facility is located at AES Indiana’s Harding Street Station, the lithium-ion battery array is housed in a large building and looks very similar to a data center. The Battery Energy Storage System is a modular design. There is a total of 97,600 lithium-ion batteries in storage.—Norm Holy | | There’s an odd consequence of building solar power that would not be manifest in Indiana. In the California desert, solar farms stretch out mile after mile along Interstate 10 around Palm Springs, creating one of the densest areas of solar development in North America in the heart of California’s Colorado Desert. But the area’s success in meeting the state and the nation’s renewable energy goals is running up against the Southwest’s biggest climate challenge: Having enough water. Local wells in the area have gone dry since the construction of multiple utility-scale solar projects near Desert Center — threatening the only water source for hundreds of people and a handful of local businesses. Solar farms typically don’t use much water when operating, but during construction, the law requires developers to mitigate dust—which can spread health problems like Valley Fever. That requires water. Seven utility-scale solar projects stretching out across nearly 19,000 acres of mostly public land have been approved, with more projects under consideration. Together they would provide close to 3,000 megawatts of electricity—enough for around 2 million homes. That would be enough power to cover two-thirds the number of homes in Indiana. The cost of power in Palm Springs is 16 cents per kilowatt hour. Currently solar supplies only one percent of the power generated in Indiana. —Norm Holy |

| Even with dramatic shifts in emissions, summer sea ice in the Arctic is doomed. A new analysis has found that even greatly and swiftly reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not prevent the disappearance of sea ice in September over the coming decades. Researchers predict the first summer without Arctic sea ice will happen in the 2030s, about a decade earlier than previously estimated.The scientists found that about 90% of the ice loss is from human activities. Sea ice has also been on a sharp decline since 2000, according to the study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change previously predicted a loss of summer Arctic sea ice by the 2050s without emissions cuts in a high-emissions scenario. Their predictions have often proven to underestimate the speed of climate change. —Norm Holy | | And now, we go to Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze, who spoke with Steven Stewart earlier this week about the smoke from Canadian wildfires that blanketed all of Indiana and the region, prompting air quality advisories and creating health hazards for millions in multiple states. |

| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internship. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area is hosting a Bats & Brownies program in the Visitor Center tonight on Friday, June 30th, from 8 to 10 pm. Learn all about bats while you eat yummy brownies. You will be outside for part of the evening to look for bats. | | A Flora Field Day is taking place on Tuesday, July 4th, beginning at 9:30 am at the Stillwater Marsh on McGowan Road at Monroe Lake. Work on your flora identification skills with a naturalist. Bring a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray and water. Register at bit.ly/florafield-jul2023. |

| Enjoy Insect Black Lighting at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, July 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Sit under the stars and watch insects come to the glowing canvas. You will learn about black lighting and insects. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett was our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey Everyone here at EcoReport wishes you a safe and happy 4th of July! And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is EcoReport. |

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Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores stark realities and imaginative solutions with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age about her formative years, her travels and educational attainments, her return to her home state, the Owen County property that she is reclaiming and her passion for environmental and social justice.

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You’re listening to Eco Report for January 26th, 2024.

Later in the program, we will listen to Part 4 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age.

And now for your environmental reports:

Inside Climate Change reports that in an unprecedented step to preserve and maintain the most carbon-rich elements of U.S. forests in an era of climate change, President Joe Biden’s administration recently proposed to end commercially driven logging of old-growth trees in National Forests.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, issued a Notice of Intent to amend the land management plans of all 128 National Forests to prioritize old-growth conservation and recognize the oldest trees’ unique role in carbon storage. It would be the first nationwide amendment to forest plans in the 118-year history of the Forest Service, where local rangers typically have the final word on how to balance forests’ role in watershed, wildlife and recreation with the agency’s mandate to maintain a “sustained yield” of timber.

National and local environmental advocates have been urging the Biden administration to adopt a new policy emphasizing preservation in National Forests, treating them as a strategic reserve of carbon. Although they praised the old-growth proposal as an “historic” step, they want to see protection extended to “mature” forests, those dominated by trees roughly 80 to 150 years old, which are a far larger portion of the National Forests. As old-growth trees are lost, which can happen rapidly due to megafires and other assaults, they argue that the Forest Service should be ensuring there are fully developed trees on the landscape to take their place.

The National Climate Assessment released by the administration this fall included data underscoring the urgency of the issue: The amount of carbon sequestered by U.S. forest land decreased by 22 percent from 1990 to 2019 due to a combination of drought, wildfire and disturbances by insects and disease. In webcast presentations this fall on its work to update agency policy, the Forest Service showed that the amount of mature and old-growth forest in National Forests exposed to temperatures in excess of 90 degrees for more than two months a year has doubled compared to the last three decades of the last century. If global carbon emissions continue on a high trajectory, exposure to such extreme temperatures is on track to double again by mid-century and double again by the end of the 21st century. This will raise the destructiveness of fires.

Of Indiana’s original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have been selected as National Natural Landmarks. The government has shown little interest in preserving even this small amount of old growth forests.

—Norm Holy

The states that rely on the Colorado River, which is shrinking because of climate change and overuse, are rushing to agree on a long-term deal to share the dwindling resource by the end of the year. They worry that a change in administrations after the election could set back talks. The story appeared in the New York Times.

Negotiators are seeking an agreement that would prepare for extraordinary cuts in the amount of river water that can be tapped. The Colorado provides drinking water to 40 million people in seven states, 30 tribes and Mexico, as well as irrigation for some of America’s most productive farmland. But the amount of water flowing in the Colorado has declined over time as rising temperatures reduce the snowpack that feeds the river.

The rules that govern the distribution of Colorado River water expire at the end of 2026. Negotiators are trying to reach a deal quickly, in case the White House changes hands. It’s not the prospect of a Republican administration that is particularly concerning, negotiators said, but rather a change in personnel and the time required to build new relationships between state and federal officials.

The Colorado River hit a crisis a year and a half ago, when dangerously low water levels threatened the water supply for California, Arizona and Nevada, prompting the Biden administration to seek an agreement among states on deep cuts. That crisis receded after last year’s unusually wet winter, which temporarily reduced pressure on the river; in May, California, Arizona and Nevada agreed to more modest reductions than what the government had initially sought.

But those negotiations were a precursor to a much harder challenge. Whatever agreement replaces the current rules will require far deeper reductions than in the past.

—Norm Holy

John Kerry, President Biden’s special envoy for climate, plans to step down by spring, ending a three-year run in a major diplomatic role that was created especially for him and which will face an uncertain future with his departure.

Mr. Kerry, age 80, has served as the president’s top diplomat on climate change since early 2021, working to cajole governments around the world to aggressively cut their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. He led the U.S. negotiating team through three United Nations climate summits, reasserting American leadership after the country withdrew from the Paris climate agreement during the Trump administration. Mr. Kerry championed cooperation on global warming between the United States and China, the world’s two largest polluters, during times of tension.

The bottom line concerning his leadership is that little was accomplished. His persuasion was too gentle. He failed to communicate the urgency required to make progress. He does not seem to recognize how quickly we are reaching a point where a couple billion people will be facing calamity.

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now, Part Four of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan, a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice.

And now for some upcoming events:

Learn some Indiana history during the Village History Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 27th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Meet at the Village Ordinary Concession Stand and take a leisurely stroll with Tony to hear about the village’s past.
The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 31st, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.
“Eagles Over Monroe” is an annual event that celebrates Monroe Lake’s unique history with the Bald Eagle. The event begins on Thursday, February 1st and runs through Sunday, February 4th with special activities planned for each day. Go to bit.ly/eom2024 to get the full schedule.
There will be an Owl Prowl at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Friday, February 2nd, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center to learn all about owls, then you will head outside to get a look at some of the resident short-eared owls. Dress for the weather.
Brown County State Park continues their Winter Hike Series with The Lake That Never Was hike on Saturday, February 3rd, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Hike to the Taylor Hollow Lake to see the 3rd lake in Brown County that was started and never completed. This is a 2.5 mile, rugged hike. Wear water proof shoes and dress for the weather.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy

Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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You’re listening to Eco Report on WFHB for Friday, January 19th, 2024.

Later in the program, we will listen to Part 3 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. Also, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently.

And now for your environmental reports:

As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Indiana is set to receive funding through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition.
Indiana has not had a severe drought in years, so the grain crops have been excellent. Elsewhere there has been terrible weather affecting the growth of grains. The New York Times reports that olive groves have shriveled in Tunisia.
The United Nations estimates that 1.84 billion people worldwide, or nearly a quarter of humanity, were living under drought in 2022 and 2023, the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries.
With Earth’s average annual temperature speeding toward 1.5 degrees Celsius faster than expected and global climate policy on a treadmill, an increasing number of researchers say it’s time to consider a “restorative pathway” to avoid the worst ecological and social outcomes of global warming.

Feature Reports:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently.Up next, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the cold spell that hit the Midwest recently. We turn to Perry for more.

And now, Part Three of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan, a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take the Mysterious Monument Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 20th, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will stroll along a stream to the mysterious monument near Donaldson Cave and hear the story of the two Scottish gentlemen associated with it. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.

Join the Hoosier Chapter of Sierra Club and other members of the Indiana Conservation Alliance for a day of advocacy at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, January 23rd. The event last all day.

There will be a Winter Exploration Hike at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 24th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Explore the Kirk’s Ford area during this off-trail hike with no “set” path. You will have plenty of freedom to roam. Keep in mind that there are no formal toilet facilities. Register at bit/ly/weh-jan24-2024.

The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 24th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather.

A Full Wolf Moon Hike is planned for Friday, January 26th, from 7 to 8:30 pm at Brown County State Park. You will hike around Lake Ogle on Trail 7 while the naturalist shares history and folklore of the Full Wolf Moon.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy

Today’s news features were produced by Elyse Perry and Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Robert Shull. Later in the program, we will listen to Part 2 by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze as he speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. | | And now for your environmental reports:Inside Climate Change reports that in an unprecedented step to preserve and maintain the most carbon-rich elements of U.S. forests in an era of climate change, President Joe Biden’s administration last week proposed to end commercially driven logging of old-growth trees in National Forests. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, issued a Notice of Intent to amend the land management plans of all 128 National Forests to prioritize old-growth conservation and recognize the oldest trees’ unique role in carbon storage. It would be the first nationwide amendment to forest plans in the 118-year history of the Forest Service, where local rangers typically have the final word on how to balance forests’ role in watershed, wildlife and recreation with the agency’s mandate to maintain a “sustained yield” of timber.National and local environmental advocates have been urging the Biden administration to adopt a new policy emphasizing preservation in National Forests, treating them as a strategic reserve of carbon. Although they praised the old-growth proposal as an “historic” step, they want to see protection extended to “mature” forests, those dominated by trees roughly 80 to 150 years old, which are a far larger portion of the National Forests. As old-growth trees are lost, which can happen rapidly due to megafires and other assaults, they argue that the Forest Service should be ensuring there are fully developed trees on the landscape to take their place.The National Climate Assessment released by the administration this fall included data underscoring the urgency of the issue: The amount of carbon sequestered by U.S. forest land decreased by 22 percent from 1990 to 2019 due to a combination of drought, wildfire and disturbances by insects and disease. In webcast presentations this fall on its work to update agency policy, the Forest Service showed that the amount of mature and old-growth forest in National Forests exposed to temperatures in excess of 90 degrees for more than two months a year has doubled compared to the last three decades of the last century. If global carbon emissions continue on a high trajectory, exposure to such extreme temperatures is on track to double again by mid-century and double again by the end of the 21st century. This will raise the destructiveness of fires.Of Indiana’s original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have been selected as National Natural Landmarks. The government has shown little interest in preserving even this small amount of old growth forests.—Norm Holy | | According to the New YorkTimes, the first large offshore wind farm in New England has started producing electricity, a milestone for an industry that has struggled to get off the ground over the past year. The power started flowing late on Tuesday. For now, the Vineyard Wind project, located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., can send only five megawatts of power to the grid from a single towering wind turbine. But the companies behind the project, Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, plan to install a total of 62 turbines with 800 megawatts of capacity, or roughly enough electricity to power 400,000 homes, by the end of this year.Vineyard Wind is the nation’s second utility-scale offshore wind farm to start generating electricity. Another large project off the coast of New York, South Fork Wind, began producing power in December. Once completed, South Fork will be capable of producing 132 megawatts of electricity. The two projects are coming online at a turbulent time for the nascent offshore wind industry. To fight climate change, many Eastern states are hoping to install dozens of large wind farms in the Atlantic Ocean that can generate electricity without emitting any planet-warming greenhouse gases. But lately, developers of those projects have struggled with soaring costs, high interest rates, supply chain delays and bursts of local opposition.The Biden administration has made offshore wind a priority, essentially aiming to create an industry from scratch. But the United States remains far behind Europe, which has already installed more than 32,000 megawatts of capacity in its waters.—Norm Holy | | In 2023, 55 percent of Germany’s power came from renewables — an increase of 6.6 percent, according to the energy office. Europe’s biggest national economy has a goal of 80 percent green energy by 2030. The country plans to get rid of most of its coal, has already ceased relying on nuclear power and in the future intends to use gas primarily as backup for its energy grid. “We have broken the 50 per cent mark for renewables for the first time,” said Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor and federal minister for economic affairs and climate action, in a statement, as The National reported. “Our measures to simplify planning and approvals are starting to take effect.”Germany’s renewables mix included 31.1 percent from wind, 12.1 percent from solar and biomass and 3.4 percent from a mixture of hydropower and other renewable sources. Wind farms – especially those on land – made the largest contribution, the press release said. The energy sector regulator said the renewables increase in 2023 was bolstered by weather and an expansion of capacity, reported Reuters.The total amount of power supplied by Germany’s public networks decreased by 5.3 percent last year, indicating less demand for fossil fuels in favor of renewables. The country’s economy continued to feel the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the decline of energy imports and resulting price increases that followed in 2022. The energy sector regulator said the renewables increase in 2023 was bolstered by weather and an expansion of capacity, reported Reuters.—Norm Holy | | And now, Part Two of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan (pronounced Koothan), a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice. |

| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Learn about the Winds of Change at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 13th, at 3 pm. You will get an overview of the park’s ongoing recovery efforts and a look at the role of ecological succession in the future of our forest ecosystems. Meet at the Nature Center. | | The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series starts off the new year with The Boulder in the Tree Hike on Saturday, January 13th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is your chance to see the boulder in the tree and try to figure out how it got there. Boots are essential for this hike. | | There will be a Kids Birding Day at Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington on Sunday, January 14th, from 1 to 3 pm. Jill Vance, the Interpretive Naturalist for Monroe Lake will help kids make a fun-filled bird craft and how to use kid-sized binoculars. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 17th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Take the Mysterious Monument Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 20th, from 11 to 11:45 am. You will stroll along a stream to the mysterious monument near Donaldson Cave and hear the story of the two Scottish gentlemen associated with it. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by the EcoReport team. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Robert Shull. And this is EcoReport. Thank you for listening. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with a homesteader and sustainability educator from Spencer, Indiana about her life journey in academia and as a nature lover from a young age. | | And now for your environmental reports:The New York Times reports that the United States and the state of California have reached an agreement with the truck engine manufacturer Cummins. The agreement is on a $1.6 billion penalty to settle claims that the company violated the Clean Air Act by installing devices to defeat emissions controls on hundreds of thousands of engines, the Justice Department announced last Friday.The penalty would be the largest ever under the Clean Air Act and the second largest ever environmental penalty in the United States. Defeat devices are parts or software that bypass, defeat or render inoperative emissions controls like pollution sensors and onboard computers. They allow vehicles to pass emissions inspections while still emitting high levels of smog-causing pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, which is linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses.The Justice Department has accused the company of installing defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. The company is also alleged to have secretly installed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. “Violations of our environmental laws have a tangible impact. They inflict real harm on people in communities across the country,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “This historic agreement should make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.”—Norm Holy | | Indiana has over 2,300 megawatts of wind capacity and is 12th in the U.S. for the number of wind turbines, which is 1,264. In 2019, wind generated 6% of electricity in Indiana. Over 1,100 MW of new wind projects are in development or construction. Wind power in 2023 now accounts for 9 percent of electric power in Indiana.With gusts from Lake Michigan and a strategic position between two electric grids, Indiana is one of the best states in the country for building wind turbines, experts say. And as a result, the industry is growing. Wind energy also brings considerable economic growth to the states and localities that host projects. Total wind energy investment in Indiana to date is over $6.8 billion. American Clean Power also estimates annual state and local tax payments of $23.4 million and annual land lease payments of $22 million.Typically new construction yields about five thousand dollars per year per wind turbine to the land owner. Southern Indiana is not a great place for wind turbines because there isn’t enough wind.—Norm Holy | | Climatewire reported that Minnesota Democrats, newly in control of the state government, began 2023 by enacting a clean electricity standard. Michigan lawmakers followed suit months later — as one of their final acts before gaveling out for the year.The two laws were bookends to a year of climate action, experts say, as Democratic state officials advanced major policies that climate hawks could once only dream of. State officials committed serious money and political capital to cleaning up the electricity sector — the backbone of the energy transition — while also boosting electric vehicles, restricting gas in new buildings, and building factories to manufacture batteries and other clean technology. Climate activists hope such actions ripple out nationwide, as the U.S. lags in its goal of halving emissions by 2030. The best we can say for Indiana is that the state verified its “coal forever” stance.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports this past summer was the Arctic’s warmest on record, as it was at lower latitudes. But above the Arctic Circle, temperatures are rising four times as fast as they are elsewhere. The past year overall was the sixth-warmest year the Arctic had experienced since reliable records began in 1900, according to the 18th annual assessment of the region, published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The hottest spots on the Arctic map varied throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, temperatures over the Barents Sea north of Norway and Russia were as much as 5 degrees Celsius, or 9 degrees Fahrenheit, above the 1991-2020 average. In the spring, temperatures were also about 5 degrees Celsius hotter than average in northwest Canada.Hotter air temperatures dry out vegetation and soil, priming the pump for wildfires to burn more easily. This year, during Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, fires burned more than 10 million acres in the Northwest Territories. More than two-thirds of the territories’ population of 46,000 people had to be evacuated at various points and smoke from the fires reached millions more people, reducing air quality as far as the southern United States.This year, for the first time, the Arctic Report Card includes weather and climate observations from the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, a network of Iñupiat observers living on Alaska’s coast. The observers reported that multiple powerful storms hit their communities last year. A lack of sea ice exposed the coast — including roads, buildings, community ice cellars and historic landmarks — to more damage from flooding and erosion.—Norm Holy | | And now, Part One of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Aliyah Keuthan (pronounced Koothan), a sustainability educator and homesteader from Owen County, about her formative years, education and passion for environmental and social justice. |

| For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Brown County State Park will have their First Winter Hike Series for 2024 to Kelp Village on Saturday, January 6th, from 11 am to 1 pm. You will explore the old village where you will see foundations of old buildings, home sites and more. The hike is about 1.5 Round Trip miles. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. | | Join the Sycamore Land Trust for a First Week Hike to the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Sunday, January 7th, from 1 to 3 pm. Registration is required at the Sycamore Land Trust Website. | | Enjoy a Winter Exploration Hike at the Southfork Robertson Cemetery area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 10th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. This is an off-trail hike through lesser-known areas of Monroe Lake. There is no “set” path and no toilet facilities. Sign up at bit.ly/weh-jan10-2024. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, January 10th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | The Brown County State Park Winter Hike Series starts off the new year with The Boulder in the Tree Hike on Saturday, January 13th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is your chance to see the boulder in the tree and try to figure out how it got there. Boots are essential for this hike. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. | | For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is Eco Report. Thank you for listening. |

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young look into how the Charles C. Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the wilderness area.

And now for your environmental reports:

The Indiana Capital Chronicle lists some of the issues likely to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. The commentary was written by Sam Carpenter. Last year our power supply was in jeopardy as an extreme freeze and high winds moved in just before Christmas. Coal fired power plants did not perform well under these conditions. Just as demand grew to meet Hoosier household’s heating and cooking needs, many coal fired plants, along with gas and nuclear generation, buckled under the pressure.

Extreme frigid temps can cause coal piles to freeze limiting their accessibility. Cold temperatures can also impact the combustion process, making it harder to burn coal effectively and lead to limitations on water intake systems needed to run coal power generation. These items point to the reliability limitations of coal when it comes to keeping the lights on for Hoosiers.

According to Michael Bryson, senior vice president of system operations for PJM, the nation’s largest grid operator, the grid saw significant generation outages with about 25% of the grid’s capacity failing with Winter Storm Elliot. Coal, gas, and nuclear power were all impaired on Dec 23, 2022, while renewables, mostly made up of wind, performed well! Another challenge on that fateful day was that the transmission grid, that moves electricity hundreds of miles when required, was having trouble getting power to where it was needed. Hoosiers kept the lights on that day, but we came perilously close to a grid disaster.

Coal power generation has many liabilities, starting with being expensive. Indiana’s utilities are planning to eventually eliminate coal power generation. More economical and reliable sources of energy are available. In addition to cost concerns, coal is dirty. Burning coal is linked to health conditions including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments as well as environmental concerns related to acid rain and climate change. People living in counties located downwind of coal power stations have a life expectancy that is less than counties without coal plants. Coal ash or the residue left over after burning coal, is currently filling unlined pits along waterways across Indiana and is allowing toxins like mercury and arsenic to seep into our groundwater. While coal has played an important historical role in building our economy, better solutions are now available. In the interest of all Hoosiers, it is time to move away from coal.

—Norm Holy

EcoWatch reports on coral reefs have been diminished by the very high ocean temperatures of the past summer. They say next year could bring the final blow and massive coral bleaching events that disrupt reef ecosystems. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a marine studies professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, is predicting that coral reefs will experience dramatic bleaching. Hoegh-Guldberg and colleagues shared their predictions in a “Perspectives” piece for Science.org. Their observations are consistent with changes in reefs in Florida and the Caribbean.

Bleaching events can occur as a stress response to things such as increasing ocean temperatures and pollution, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Currently, the world is experiencing an El Niño event, which is likely to last through March 2024, which can influence warmer ocean temperatures. The current El Niño phenomenon could then be followed by a second El Niño year. As The Guardian reported, every instance where there has been a pair of El Niño years since 1997 has been followed by mass coral bleaching around the world.

It appears likely that substantial efforts to plant new corals in existing reefs may all be for naught. They could be cooked next year. Perhaps new reefs could be started in waters that were too cool before global warming.

—Norm Holy

Inside Climate Change concluded COP28 accomplished little. Only by going into overtime under the cover of a dark winter night in Dubai, climate negotiators at COP28 cooked up a weak sauce of climate half-measures that fail to adequately address the existential risk of global warming to millions of people around the globe, according to leading climate experts at the conference.

The UAE Consensus, COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber said, represents a clear step in a just transition away from fossil fuels, but the tarnished image of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and its process requiring consensus among nations, took another big hit because 39 small island states most affected by global warming were not in the room when al-Jaber signaled acceptance during the closing speech.

COP28 still says the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels is still possible. Repeating this goal elicited an immediate response from some climate scientists, including Rob Larter, a polar researcher with the British Antarctic Survey. (quote) When you see statements like this you know you’re being lied to,(end quote) Larter wrote in a social media post. What’s been agreed certainly does not keep 1.5 Celsius in reach. Larter was one of the first scientists to highlight the abrupt and alarming decline of Antarctic sea ice this year. The vast expanses of ice at the poles function as one of the planet’s main cooling systems by reflecting a lot of incoming solar energy back into space. A permanent reduction of that surface would lead to additional heating of the atmosphere.

A huge problem with these meetings is that the final report must be agreed upon by all nations in attendance. This automatically means every report presents an overly rosy picture.
—Norm Holy

Here in the United States, it can be hard to imagine a world without single-use plastic. Even though single-use plastics are designed for our rapid use and disposal, their lifespan is just the opposite. Single-use plastic items persist indefinitely in our environment, collecting in the soil, rivers, streams, and ultimately in the ocean, endangering our food sources and entangling wildlife.

And if that’s not bad enough, single-use plastics don’t actually degrade – they simply break up into tiny microplastics that end up in the food we eat and the water we drink.

The United States is the number-one generator of plastic waste in the world, and on top of that, more than 30% of landfilled material in 2018 in the United States consisted of food waste and yard trimmings – a potent source of greenhouse gases – according to the Environmental Protection Agency. We have a lot to learn and teach that there are solutions.
—Julianna Dailey

What can you personally do to help free the United States of plastic and other trash? First, download the free Clean Swell app to track important trash data while you collect trash during your daily walks or out and about.

Second, stop littering! Even cigarette butts contain plastic that never biodegrades. Plus, animals will try to eat them. And never place trash in an overflowing trash bin; hold onto it until you can dispose of it properly.

Third, Recycle whenever possible, or better yet, use reusable items like water bottles and silverware instead of disposable ones.

Fourth, when you visit the beach or park, scan your area for five seconds to make sure you are taking everything with you. Got it all? Then take five extra trash items with you.

Fifth, you need to volunteer. Volunteer at a cleanup, especially along our parks and creeks.

Sixth, you need to be smart. Make smart consumer decisions. Don’t take that single-use plastic bag if you don’t need it. Skip the disposable straws when you can.

And last, spread the word! Talk to family, friends and legislators about the challenges facing our lands and waters and the importance of a clean, healthy earth. It’s the only one we have!
—Julianna Dailey

Feature Report:

And now, WFHB Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Kade Young look into how the Charles C. Deam Wilderness was established, in light of recent legislation introduced by Senator Mike Braun which would expand the boundaries of the wilderness area. We turn now to that report.

Upcoming Events:

| Enjoy the Full Cold Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 23rd, from 7 to 7:45 pm. Join Anthony on Trail 6 for the last Full Moon of 2023 and hear stories of why it is called the Full Cold Moon. Meet at the Grissom Memorial parking lot. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 27th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Learn Winter Hike Preparedness at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 30th, at 10:30 am. Explore the tools and habitats you can use to make your hikes more safer as you enjoy what makes winter in the woods special. Meet at the Deer Run parking lot. | | End the 2023 Year with a Discovery Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 31st, from 11 to 11:45 am. Learn about the flora, fauna, pioneer history, and the interesting geology of Brown County State Park. Meet in the Nature Center parking lot. |

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey

Today’s news feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Kade Young is our engineer.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I’m Robert Shull. Coming up later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission about potential changes to bike infrastructure on the south edge of the University and to find out which organizations were awarded this year’s BPSC Local-Motion grant. | | And now for your environmental reports:The Fifth National Climate Assessment indicates, that despite a decrease in U.S. CO2 emissions and reduced costs for renewable energy, the nation remains susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The report foresees a doubling of heatwaves, a 50% increase in droughts, and heightened cyclone and wildfire activity across the country, even with ongoing efforts to limit global warming.Highlighting the significance of preparedness for these impacts, the assessment examines adaptation and mitigation activities across the United States. Data reveals coastal states in the West and Northeast lead in such efforts due to heightened risks. However, the report underscores the nationwide impact of climate change, with Southern states facing elevated risks despite varying preparedness levels. For instance, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama show lower preparedness, while Florida stands out as an exception alongside well-prepared states like California, Massachusetts, Washington, New York, and Maryland. Indiana is among the least prepared in the Mid-West.—Norm Holy | | Despite the clear human and environmental toll of global warming, countries are taking only “baby steps” to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, a senior U.N. official said, summarizing a new U.N. report card on the promises made by governments so far. Restoring global forests where they occur naturally could potentially capture about a third of the amount that humans have released since the beginning of the Industrial Era, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. The research, with input from more than 200 authors, leveraged vast troves of data collected by satellites and on the ground and was partly an effort to address the controversy surrounding an earlier paper.That study, in 2019, helped to spur the Trillion Trees movement but also caused a scientific uproar. The new conclusions were similar to those in a separate study published last year. Mainly, the extra storage capacity would come from allowing existing forests to recover to maturity. But major caveats remain: If we protect all current forests, where will people get timber, rubber and palm oil? Would forests be able to store carbon quickly enough? And how much forest carbon would be lost to fire, drought and pests as climate change intensifies? The level of carbon storage cannot be achieved without cutting greenhouse gas emissions, said Thomas Crowther, the study’s senior author and a professor of ecology at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland. “If we continue emitting carbon, as we’ve done to date, then droughts and fires and other extreme events will continue to threaten the scale of the global forest system, further limiting its potential to contribute.” Forests are essential to tackling both the climate and biodiversity crises. They offer food, shelter and shade to humans and countless other species. They clean our air and water. And they pull climate-warming carbon out of the atmosphere. As the climate crisis intensifies, that ability has made them controversial: How much can we rely on trees to get us out of this mess?There is one thing they all agreed upon: To tackle both climate change and biodiversity loss, the world must do far more to cut fossil fuels and end deforestation of old-growth forests. For Indiana the path forward is clear: we must cease burning coal, build much more capacity in wind/solar, and transition as rapidly as possible to electric vehicles. In managing our state forests, we should reduce the current level of cutting of 14 million board feet. To have any 60 year-old trees, we should return to the time before Republican Governors required the Forestry Department to generate roughly half of its budget from logging. Until Daniels, the state allowed about 2 million board feet. To date the state has not shown the political will to work toward meeting a zero carbon future.—Norm Holy | | New Scientist reports that yet another unwanted temperature record may have been set in 2023. According to a preliminary estimate, the global average surface temperature on the 17th of November, was more than 2° Centigrade above pre-industrial levels for the first time. “Our best estimate is that this was the first day when global temperature was more than 2°C above 1850 to 1900 (or pre-industrial) levels, at 2.06°C,” tweeted Sam Burgess at the Copernicus Climate Change Service.”While exceeding this milestone on one day shows how rapidly the planet is warming as a result of rising greenhouse gas levels, it doesn’t mean that the 2°C warming limit has been breached. That breach will occur when the daily average temperature over a whole year reaches 2 degrees C or above. As it is expected that the El Nino event will continue into the 2024 summer, so we may have several days breaking 2 degrees C in the near future. The 2 degrees C number has been seen as a goal to stay under for at least 30 years. The nations have been remarkable in largely doing nothing to prevent this warming.—Norm Holy | | Optimists about the shift to clean transportation often talk about a double benefit: Electric vehicles have almost zero emissions and soon they also will be less expensive than their gasoline counterparts. But the idea of the inevitability of cheaper EVs took some hits last year as the average price of lithium-ion batteries increased. Analysts reassured us that the price surge was due to short-term factors, and that the long-term trend of price decreases would likely resume in 2023.They were right. Bloomberg NEW Economy Forum /NEF/ issued its annual battery price report this week, showing a global average price of $139 per kilowatt-hour for a lithium-ion battery pack, which is down from $161 in 2022 and lower than any year on record. The report predicts prices will continue to decline, reaching an average of $113 in 2025 and $80 in 2030.—Norm Holy | | This is a story about a citizen having an impact on corporate decisions. A volunteer at WFHB saw a tv ad and decided to act. The Toyota commercial showed a young lad carrying an aquarium, climbing into the family vehicle and heading for the mountains. Upon arriving at a lake, the boy empties his aquarium into the lake.The WFHB volunteer wrote a note to the corporate headquarters in the USA. The note said that introducing foreign species into our waters is always a bad idea. The note illustrated what can happen by giving an example. Lake trout were introduced into Yellowstone Lake in the 1980s, and they have taken over and eaten the native cutthroat trout. Bears coming out of hibernation historically would catch cutthroats before the grasses and berries were available. The lake trout is a deep-water fish that bears cannot catch. The bears turned to elk calves. The elk population has dropped from 16,000 to 4,000. Impacts are seen throughout the food chain.It is not known whether the letter stopped the ad. What can be said is the ad has not been seen after the company received the letter.—Norm Holy |

| Vast stretches of the US are dominated by corn, nearly 100 million acres of it, stretching from Ohio to the Dakotas. What once was forest or open prairie today produces the corn that feeds people, cattle and, when made into ethanol, cars.Now, the nation’s airlines want to power their planes with corn, too. Their ambitious goals would likely require nearly doubling ethanol production, which airlines say would slash their greenhouse gas emissions. If they succeed it could transform America’s Corn Belt yet again, boosting farmers and ethanol producers alike, but also potentially further damaging one of the nation’s most important resources: groundwater. Several issues need resolution: ethanol provides less energy than hydrocarbons, and ethanol eats away at many plastics and rubbers.—Norm Holy | | Up next, some local organizations were awarded the Local-Motion grant earlier this week from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission and bicyclists that use 3rd Street by I.U. may soon see new measures to keep drivers from obstructing or entering the bike lane. We now turn to Zyro Roze and Hank Duncan for more on these developments. |

| For Eco Report, I am Cynthia Roberts. And I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Do you know what a Smammal is? Plan to come to McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 16th, at 10:30 am to learn about Smammals. You will explore the life of some of the tiniest critters that call the park home as you learn about the small mammals at McCormick’s Creek. | | Join Anthony at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 16th from 1 to 3 pm for a Cave River Valley Hike. This is a 2-hour rugged hike into a very beautiful and primitive natural area. Meet at the Donaldson parking lot and you will carpool 15 miles to the off-site property. There are no restrooms on the site. Please wear water proof hiking boots. | | There will be a Lake Strahl Wildlife Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 17th, from 9 to 9:45 am. You will hike Trail 6 around Lake Strahl while learning about the wildlife in the park and around the lake. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 20th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Enjoy the Full Cold Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 23rd, from 7 to 7:45 pm. Join Anthony on Trail 6 for the last Full Moon of 2023 and hear stories of why it is called the Full Cold Moon. Meet at the Grissom Memorial parking lot. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I am Robert Shull. And this is Eco Report. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Frank Marshalek. And I’m Robert Shull. Coming up in this episode, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. | | And now for your environmental reports:Indiana is the number one state in the country with over 24,000 miles which is the most total miles of rivers and streams that are impaired for swimming and water recreation, according to the Environmental Integrity Project. This project is a nonprofit organization that advocates for more effective enforcement of environmental laws. Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attorney, said that one of the main reasons the water is polluted is the runoff of manure from animal farms. E. Coli and nitrogen ammonia are the main bacteria in the water.According to the Star Press, the White River at Muncie, however, has been doing better with its water quality. Lead and chromium have seen a 97 and 83 percent reduction, respectively. E. coli has been reduced by 87%. Looking downstream, in regions around Indianapolis, including the Upper Fall Creek, Lower Fall Creek and Eagle Creek areas, match the overall health of the river with a “C” rating. More than three-fourths of the White River in Marion County do not meet State water quality standards. White River pollution has been an issue for years and years.Why doesn’t the legislature do something about it?—Norm Holy | | Earthjustice reports public interest groups have documented a pattern of pollution for years at the Merom coal plant in Sullivan County and urged the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in a letter to crack down on the violations now that the plant was no longer retiring as planned. The plant has repeatedly violated legal limits on dangerous pollutants, including ammonia, lead, barium, and chromium. The letter is from Earthjustice, Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, Sierra Club, and Hoosier Environmental Council.The need to address the pollution is more urgent due to the fact that plans to shut down the dirty 41-year-old plant this year were canceled. Within a few months of the former owner revealing the plant would stay open, an out-of-state cryptomining company announced plans to build a large facility right next to the plant that would require a tremendous amount of power. The co-founder of the crypto company called the critics’ assertions that the deal could keep a polluting coal plant open ‘100% correct.’ The crypto mine’s energy demand could make it the largest electricity user in the Hoosier Energy service area.The letter sent to Indiana environmental regulators describes the environmental and health risks. For example, the letter states: “Based on its own admission, the plant has repeatedlydumped wastewater into the Turtle Creek Reservoir — which connects to the Wabash River a couple miles away — with illegal levels of ammonia and iron, which can harm aquatic life, not to mention harming drinking water infrastructure. The plant’s testing found groundwater on the property exceeded health limits for lead, barium, chromium, cadmium, lead sulfate, and fluoride. On top of that, the plant violated air pollution rules by producing an unacceptably high level of dense smoke, threatening the health of nearby residents who breathe that air.The life expectancy in Sullivan County is two years under the state average and nearly three years under the national average. Life expectancy is typical of counties near coal power plants. This development reveals, again, that Indiana has little interest in becoming fossil-fuel free.—Norm Holy | | The Detroit Free Press announced the country’s first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles. A blue electric Ford E-Transit commercial van was able to charge as it moved over a quarter-mile stretch of newly paved 14th Street, a short distance from the towering Michigan Central Station, thanks to rubber-coated copper coils buried underneath the road surface.The endeavor represents one piece of a public-private partnership aiming to show how this type of EV charging infrastructure could work in practice, and it follows up on an announcement by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in September 2021 that the state planned to launch the first wireless-charging public road project in the country.—Norm Holy | | Ohio has recently allowed fossil fuel companies to drill in state parks and wildlife areas. Now opponents are appealing this decision. Environmental groups argue that a state commission failed to consider all the factors required under the law, and it didn’t hold a public hearing before deciding to open up bids for drilling.Among other things, the groups say the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission failed to consider all of the factors it was required to weigh under state law. The groups also allege that the commission failed to provide an opportunity for public hearing under state law.—Norm Holy | | There is an unopened, vacuum-sealed package of sausage in the refrigerator, and the label says it was “best used by” last week. “Best by” doesn’t mean that the sausage is now spoiled or unsafe to eat, but it causes me to pause.Date labeling of foodstuffs goes back to the safety scares of the early 20th century. Instances of botulism in canned foods led manufacturers to adopt codes that they stamped on their packaging to help retailers determine freshness and product quality. In the 1970’s, these labels were made legible to consumers. But they had little impact on food safety, because most issues arise during and after processing and by incorrect storage and handling.A 2020 study found that only 57 percent of US adults could correctly identify what “best if used by” and “use by” mean. Both refer to the manufacturer’s estimate for when a product is at peak flavor or quality. Consumers, wishing to be safe, often throw out perfectly good products. The likely result will be a 12-ounce addition to the 130 billion pounds of food wasted in the United States this year.—Julianna Dailey | | Global warming has increased the speed at which glaciers in Greenland are melting by fivefold over the last 20 years, scientists from the University of Copenhagen reported recently. Greenland’s ice melt is of particular concern, as the ancient ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 20 feet if it were to melt away entirely. A study of a thousand glaciers in the area showed the rate of melting has entered a new phase over the last two decades. This acceleration should persist because the carbon dioxide content in the air is increasing every year. Only when there is no increase in CO2 can we begin to hope the global warming will stop. Assuming our current trend will continue, there is every reason to anticipate that 50 – 75 percent of the glacial ice on Greenland will eventually melt.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Robert Shull for his interview with local Urban Forester, Haskell Smith. | | For Eco Report, I am Frank Marshalek. And, I am Robert Shull. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Join the Naturalist at Spring Mill State Park for a hike into the upper portion of Donaldson Cave on Saturday, December 9th, from 1 to 2:30 pm. You will learn about Spring Mill’s cave system, cave fauna and more. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter. | | There will be a Beginning Birding Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, December 10th, from 9:30 to 11 am. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center for a partially rugged hike to look and listen for native birds. Bird ID books will be available. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 13th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | A program titled “What’s That Skull?” will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Thursday, December 14th, at 10:30 am. Meet at the Nature Center where you can explore a collection of skulls and learn what clues they can give you. | | Do you know what a Smammal is? Plan to come to McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, December 16th, at 10:30 am to learn about Smammals. You will explore the life of some of the tiniest critters that call the park home as you learn about the small mammals at McCormick’s Creek. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by myself, Robert Shull and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Frank Marshalek. And I am Robert Shull. And this is Eco Report. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up in this episode, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Neil Goswami, newest member of the Monroe County Environmental Commission, on the understandings fundamental to bridge divides and implement the changes needed to correct the course of civilization and create a climate resilient society cognizant of the environmental and societal consequences of our consumerism and creature comforts. | |

| And now for your environmental reports:Now that we are at the end of the hottest summer ever recorded, what can we expect next year? It is possible to predict this because trends are not easily reversed. We should expect annual increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide because that happens every year. We should expect the forest fires in our West, Canada, and Russia to continue. The Canadian fires have consumed approximately 18 billion trees. It is expected that next year we’ll still be experiencing El Nino, so we should expect more forest fires. Growing forests gobble up huge amounts of carbon dioxide. The tendency of storms to track over the same path is a consequence of global warming. The jet stream is slower and more wavy, and storms follow the waves. We should expect the same trend next year.This past summer has been a disaster for the earth’s coral reefs. A hot summer next year should kill any corals that survive this year. Glacial melt will accelerate every year. The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is expected to drop into the sea within a few years. This would cause seawater levels to rise by around 2 feet. This could, in turn, destabilize neighboring glaciers, potentially increasing future sea levels by almost an additional 10 feet. There will be additional seawater rise (in feet) from glacial melt on Greenland.—Norm Holy | | An astounding number of Alaskan snow crabs disappeared from the Bering Sea over the last several years, and scientists say they’ve finally discovered why. A new paper published in Science blames marine heat waves in 2018 and 2019 for the decimation of 90% of the snow crab population through 2021, around 10 billion of the crustaceans, Smithsonian Magazine reports. The snow crabs died of starvation as temperatures rose, the researchers say. “When I received the 2021 data from the survey for the first time, my mind was just blown,” said lead author Cody Szuwalski. Everybody was just kind of hoping and praying that that was an error in the survey and that next year you would see more crabs.Snow crabs thrive in colder waters, and usually enjoy temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit on the floor of the Bering Sea. While they can survive in warmer waters, up to 53 degrees, they need to eat more when things heat up. From 2017 to 2018, the calories they needed quadrupled, Szuwalski says. Last year’s crab season was canceled and the cancellation of this year’s season was just announced. “We are now witnessing more and more big crashes associated with extreme temperatures,” zoologist Christopher Harley tells New Scientist. The list of species and ecosystems that are strongly impacted just keeps growing. CNN notes that Arctic temperatures are warming four times faster than other parts of the globe. Szuwalski tells CNN that in the long term, the crabs will likely move north, while in the easternBering Sea, we probably won’t see as much of them anymore. There is a small but growing population of snow crabs in the Arctic Ocean. Crabs from Alaska have settled all along the northern Russian coast and as far away as Norway.—Norm Holy | | Energy News Network reports the Ohio-based Cleveland-Cliffs’ steel mill succeeded in beating its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its U.S. iron and steel operations and won recognition from the Department of Energy.The progress is part of a broader industry trend to cut pollution that drives human-caused climate change. Yet advocates say there’s lots of room for further cuts. Cliffs slashed greenhouse gas emissions for almost four dozen U.S. facilities by nearly one-third from a 2017 baseline as of the end of last year.The steel industry was responsible for about 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions as of 2020, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported last year. That’s roughly one-sixth of all worldwide emissions from generating power, according to a Canary Media analysis of the International Energy Agency data. The iron and steel industry led the industrial sector, with the cement industry coming in second.—Norm Holy | | The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest seller of plastics to consumers, and it may surprise younger listeners to learn that the beverage giant was an early leader in refillable bottles. A century ago, it got 96% of its bottles back for reuse by offering customers a bottle deposit. Unfortunately, Coke gutted its own refillables infrastructure in the United States between the 1950s and 1970s, opting for single-use bottles that pushed the cost of its packaging waste onto the public and the planet.A new report reveals that, as early as the 1970s, the company knew switching to single-use containers would be worse for the environment — but did it anyway. To make matters worse, since then Coke has fought state and federal legislative efforts to ban single-use bottles and other throwaway containers. Coke recently took a step in the right direction by committing to sell 25% of its beverages globally in refillable containers. But beyond one small pilot project in Texas, it hasn’t circulated any refillable bottles in the United States.A petition to Coke encouraging refill is available online by going to the website of the Center for Biological Diversity.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports that health risks linked to climate change are getting worse. The 8th update to a major international report shows more people are getting sick and dying from extreme heat, drought and other climate problems. Climate change continues to have a worsening effect on health and mortality around the world, according to an exhaustive report published by an international team of 114 researchers.One of the starkest findings is that heat-related deaths of people older than 65 have increased by 85 percent since the 1990s, according to modeling that incorporates both changing temperatures and demographics. People in this age group, along with babies, are especially vulnerable to health risks like heat stroke. As global temperatures have risen, older people and infants now are exposed to twice the number of heat-wave days annually as they were from 1986 to 2005.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Part One of a conversation between Zyro Roze and Neil Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission on their respective paths to the engagement with environmental issues, Climate Change and the systems that impact our lives, people around the world and coming generations affected by our choices as individuals and members of larger communities. |

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| For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. | |

| And now for some upcoming events:The Devil’s Backbone Guided Tours at Charlestown State Park have started back up on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10 am to Noon. This is a rugged, 3-mile off trail hike that is normally closed to the public. Pre-registration is required at jbeavin@dnr.in.gov. | | Drive-thru the Holiday Lights at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 2nd, from 6 to 9:45 pm. You can vote for your favorite site decorations and enjoy the Holiday in the Village. | | The Indiana Audubon Society is offering an on-line Building Birder Skills 2.0 class on Tuesday, December 5th, from 5 to 7 pm. This workshop will help you work on birding technology concentrating on Sound Recording. You must sign up in advance on the Indiana Audubon Society site. | | The Whooper Wednesdays will continue at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 21st. Come to the Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 6th, at 8 am to walk the property and see if you can spot some of the resident birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane. Make sure to dress for the weather. | | Take a Winter Tree ID Hike at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 6th, at 2 pm. Learn how to identify trees after the leaves have fallen. Sign up at bit.ly/wintertree-dec2023. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com.This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report. |

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This week on Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of Indiana Forest Alliance on positive and negative developments affecting climate, habitat, water and air quality in the region as windows of opportunity for public input draw to a close.

And now for your environmental reports:

The Grain Belt Express is a power line that will carry wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana that serves eastern states. This project has taken many years to gain approval for its transmission line.

The $7 billion, 800-mile Grain Belt Express electric transmission infrastructure project secured approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission for its request to amend its existing Certificate of Convenience and Necessity. The decision marks the last required state siting approval for significant enhancements to the project and provides the necessary certainty about power delivery to support ongoing and upcoming commercial contracting efforts.

For Missouri electric consumers, the decision provides certainty of power delivery, billions of dollars in additional energy savings, and increased reliability for major grid regions that serve the Show Me state. Across the route, the states of Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois, the Grain Belt Express will deliver over $11 billion in energy cost savings over 15 years and enhance reliability for millions of homes and businesses in the Midwest and other regions.

—Norm Holy

The switch to electric vehicles is plagued with problems.

Major automakers and governments have vowed that the future of cars is electric. And with transportation making up about a quarter of the carbon pollution emitted by humanity, scientists say phasing out gas- and diesel-powered cars is imperative for there to be any hope of avoiding the worst effects of global warming.

But the shift away from fossil-fuel burning cars is happening too slowly to stave off climate catastrophe, according to a report released by Greenpeace this week. (quote) Leading auto manufacturers, including Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, are transitioning far too slowly to zero-emission vehicles, which has dangerous consequences for our planet, (end quote) Benjamin Stephan, climate campaigner at Greenpeace Germany, said in a statement. Toyota, Volkswagen and other leading automakers are on a collision course with the climate.

The report closely analyzed the stated electrification plans of four automakers that make up 40% of the world’s cars: GM, Hyundai/Kia, Toyota and the Volkswagen Group. Two of them have set dates to eliminate fossil-fueled cars: GM by 2035, and Kia by 2045.

Toyota and Volkswagen have no target date to go all-electric. VW had previously set 2040 as its target, while Toyota’s CEO has resisted the all-electric push, recently saying the EV transition will take longer than many believe.

EVs and hybrids may be catching on, but they make up only a little more than 2% of all vehicles registered in Indiana. Detractors point out that EVs are expensive – and that they are powered by electricity, which may still be produced from natural gas or coal. It doesn’t seem to matter that wind and solar are cheaper than gas and coal, and do not cause health issues. The Legislature is operating as if our state motto is “coal forever”.

—Norm Holy

This past summer, the Nature Conservancy of Indiana closed on a 360-acre forested property in Monroe County. The forests on this property – adjacent to Lake Monroe, Ransburg Scout Reservation and the Hoosier National Forest – are a stronghold for rare plants and wildlife species, including the tens of thousands of songbirds that migrate from South America every year to breed and raise their young in central and southern Indiana’s hardwood forests. This “home away from home” cannot be replicated or replaced.

This was one of the last and largest privately-owned parcels remaining in the Lake Monroe area, with a high risk for development due to its proximity to both State Road 446 and Lake Monroe. More than a mile of the property borders the Hoosier National Forest. The Nature Conservancy will be working with the U.S. Forest Service to transfer ownership and management of the property within the next five years.

—Julianna Dailey

This past summer, while conducting a routine survey, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources discovered a young Eastern hellbender salamander in south-central Indiana’s Blue River. Over the past three to four decades, no juvenile hellbenders have been documented in the wild in Indiana.

The hellbender, once occurring in most of southeast Indiana’s tributaries to the Ohio River, is now on Indiana’s endangered species list due to habitat loss and polluted waterways. To help improve water quality and save the hellbender – as well as other aquatic species – the Nature Conservancy and partners decided to do something about it. They planted more than a half a million trees along the Blue River, worked with agricultural retailers to promote conservation practices on nearby farmland, and removed two low-head dams, with a third slated for removal in 2024. These efforts are paying off! The discovery of a juvenile means that there is a population healthy enough to reproduce on their own.

—Julianna Dailey

The Yale School of the Environment reports that the renewable energy firm, Savion, is building a 200-megawatt solar installation on a former coal mine on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. When completed, it will be the largest solar project in Kentucky.

The Martin County Solar Project will stretch across 1,200 acres of the Martiki coal mine, an abandoned mountaintop strip mine. When completed, it will generate enough electricity to power more than 33,000 homes. Construction will kick off next year, and the solar array will go online by early 2024. Most of the workers on the project are expected to be former coal miners, PV Magazine reported.

In 2017, the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum made national news when it decided to cut its power bill by installing rooftop solar panels. Now, solar is taking off in the state. While Kentucky has just 68 megawatts of solar power installed currently, more than 800 megawatts are in the pipeline.
Mountain top sites are ideal for wind or solar. These sites are flat and without topsoil for farming. West Virginia would appear to be attractive for similar development.

—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze as he announces that Monroe County is among sixteen counties under a burn ban due to dry conditions and asks Steven Stewart of I.F.A. about threats to health and habitat as well as the positive promise posed by a new United States Senate Bill to establish the Benjamin Harris National Recreation Area and Wilderness which could counter U.S. Forest Service plans to log and burn in the Lake Monroe watershed and across the state.

To follow up on the information and your opportunities to voice opposition or approval, go to: www.indianaforestalliance.org before the public comment period ending Monday.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.

And now for some upcoming events:

Join park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” radio personality Don Glass at Brown County State Park on Saturday, November 18th, from 11 to 11:45 am to learn about the Woodpeckers of Indiana. The presentation will discuss Indiana’s 7 species, what they look like, their behaviors and more. Meet in the Nature Center.

Enjoy a Here Kitty Kitty Talk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, November 12th, at 3:30 pm in the Nature Center. You won’t be learning about little kitties, but all about the park’s elusive feline residents focusing on bobcats.

Experience Whooper Wednesday every Wednesday until February 21st, at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday, November 22nd, from 8 to 9:30 am. The morning bird walk will let you spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Dress for the weather.

Forget about shopping and holiday stress at the 4th Annual Monroe Lake Holiday Hiking Challenge. Hike all of Monroe Lake’s trails and complete the challenge activities beginning on Thursday, November 23rd, for an opportunity to win a prize. You have 4 days to complete the challenge which ends on November 26th.

If you love full moon hikes, then plan to join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 5 for a Full Beaver Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, November 25th, from 8 to 9 pm. Learn the history and folklore of the Full Beaver Moon. Dress for the weather.

Credits:
This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey

Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show.

Branden Blewett is our engineer.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. In today’s program, we learn more about restoring social sustainability from eco architect and village builder Mark Lakeman of Planet Repair, inspired by his expeditions into indigenous communities to reconnect isolated Americans by implementing neighborhood place making projects. That’s coming up in Part Four of his conversation with WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. | | And now for your environmental reports:The Michigan Senate voted to require that all of the state’s energy come from sources that do not emit climate warming gases by 2040.“This legislation is a major milestone in ongoing efforts to ensure a greener and more environmentally conscious Michigan,” said Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee. “These policies will safeguard public health and better protect our environment now and for future generations, and my colleagues and I will continue to work to address the climate crisis and combating the harmful pollution that plagues our farms, air and Great Lakes.”Senate Bill 271 sets targets for a clean energy future. Those targets include establishing a 100% clean energy standard set to be achieved by 2040, and an 80% clean energy standard by 2035. —Norm Holy | | The main driver of the extinction of plant and wildlife species around the world is habitat loss. In the U.S. alone, approximately 650 species have become extinct or are “missing in action,” according to the National Wildlife Federation. This week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed 21 species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA)’s list of threatened and endangered species due to extinction. Delisting was based on “the best available science” for each species, a press release from USFWS said.The newly delisted 21 species emphasize the ESA’s importance in trying to protect species before their declines become irreversible. Human activity is the number one driver of species decline and extinction due to habitat loss, overuse, invasive species and diseases. “Federal protection came too late to reverse these species’ decline, and it’s a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before it’s too late,” said USFWS Director Martha Williams in the USFWS press release.As the world population and temperatures rise, the pace of extinctions will increase. So far, attempts to halt climate change have fallen way short. By 2100, we may be losing 1,000 species per year. E. O. Wilson, the dean of American biologists, predicted the current mass extinction would cause 1 million plants and animals to go extinct.—Norm Holy | | A group of residents in Tippecanoe-Warren-Boone-Clinton and Montgomery Counties in Indiana have banded together regarding a plan by the Indiana Economic Development Committee (IEDC) to push piping up to 100 million gallons of water PER DAY from the Teays Aquifer in Tippecanoe County to their upcoming Limitless Exploration Advanced Pace (LEAP) industrial district in Lebanon, Indiana, with plans to use and forward the water to Indianapolis. The IEDC is a government-funded private entity.The plan, which included Governor Holcomb, has not had a single environmental impact study completed. At a meeting on September 28th, the IEDC’s contracted hydologist presented data from only four days of testing during the wettest part of the year.Residents reported sulfurous water, gravel in their wells, and problems with their filters. No study was done regarding the flora and fauna that might be dependent on the aquifer.The “water grab” will have negative effects on both residents of Indiana and Illinois and their natural resources. At this time, there is no water protection laws in place in the State of Indiana. Members of the group are asking others in Indiana to reach out to the IN DNR and the EPA for more testing.—Julianna Dailey | | Now that the Arctic Ocean is navigable during the summer months, how much traffic is there? The majority of ships (41 percent) entering the Arctic are commercial fishing vessels. Other types of ships that commonly navigate in the region include bulk carriers, icebreakers, and research vessels. Growing Arctic marine tourism also has its share – 73 cruise ships sailed in Arctic waters in 2019.Arctic coastal communities that are used to largely un-trafficked waters are likely to experience major changes as shipping in the Arctic increases. As shipping increases, it may interfere with communities’ subsistence harvesting of fish and marine mammals, foul their coastlines if they spill fuel or other toxic substances or impose a heavy burden upon their limited search and rescue and response capabilities in the event of an accident.There is an urgent need to protect the Arctic. As cold-water fish (e.g., cod) move out of the Gulf of Maine , it is critical that sanctuaries are in place to receive them. Given that global warming will be with us for centuries, cold-water species will need the Arctic.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports that as winter is over in the Southern Hemisphere and sea ice around Antarctica has likely grown as much as it’s going to for 2023, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest peak by a wide margin for any year since 1979, when the continuous satellite record began.“The ice this year is so far out of the range of all the other years that it’s a really exceptional year,” said Ariaan Purich, a climate scientist at Monash University in Australia.Antarctica has ice both on land and a massive continental ice sheet. The icebergs that calve off from the big glaciers help to protect the main mass from melting. Less sea ice could mean that the continental ice sheet melts and breaks faster, contributing to faster sea-level rise around the world. That sea ice supports a whole ecosystem of wildlife, including both Adélie and emperor penguins. Last year, several emperor penguin colonies suffered a widespread loss of their chicks when the ice broke up early.What will happen during the coming summer to the so-called ‘Doomsday’ glacier – an Antarctic glacier that buffers warming seas from the large Antarctic ice sheet – could melt much faster than predicted. Officially called the Thwaites Glacier, it is monitored closely by researchers. When it breaks free, it could be catastrophic for the planet. Should the Thwaites Glacier and its surrounding ice basins melt, it could raise sea levels by anywhere between three and 10 feet. This, combined with the Florida-sized glacier’s buffering role in the ocean, has given it its apocalyptic Doomsday nickname. There is nothing we can do at this point to prevent Thwaites from breaking free – it’s too late. It may not break free this summer, but the outcome is certain.—Norm Holy | | And now we turn to Zyro Roze as he explores the origins of the first Little Free Library and the self-service solar powered tea station that formed the initial components of the revolutionary socio-cultural movement that became Portland’s City Repair Project which is now branching out into communities all across the country. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Take an Introduction to Hydroponics class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Saturday, November 4th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Learn an alternative way of gardening using water rather than soil. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | There will be a Night Owl Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, November 4th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. A naturalist will accompany you as you learn how to spot and listen for common Indiana owl species. Meet at the boathouse. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Take the Elkinsville History Tour at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, November 8th, beginning at 1 pm. This will be a driving and walking tour through the “town that was.” Meet at the Story Inn in Story, Indiana. Sign up at bit.ly/elkinsville2023. | | The Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter will gather at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve near Nashville, Indiana on Thursday, November 9th, from 9 to 11:30 am for a hike through the preserve. | | Join the naturalist at Spring Mill State Park for an Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop on Saturday, November 11th, from 11 am to Noon. You will dissect an owl pellet and use a chart to help determine what animal the owl ate. Please register at sbelt@dnr.in.gov. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report. |

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from Steven Stewart of the Indiana Forest Alliance on a new attempt at prescribed burning and logging proposed for the Lake Monroe watershed.

And now for your environmental reports:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has been selected to receive a $325,000 pollution prevention grant through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This is a key pillar of Bidenomics. The EPA has selected IDEM to receive the funding made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The goal is to develop and adopt practices that prevent pollution at the source in local communities.

IDEM will use their grant funding to help small and medium-sized businesses in Indiana implement changes such as identifying and repairing compressor leaks and cleaning out barrels properly. They will provide training, peer mentoring, toolkits and environmental management systems planning. The project will help reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. “Preventing pollution is a crucial part of environmental justice efforts across the Great Lakes region,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grants being announced will encourage businesses to help overburdened and underserved communities become cleaner, healthier places to live, learn and work.”

There is virtually no limit to opportunities for improvement. Indiana has 24,000 miles of rivers and streams that are sufficiently polluted that if you swim in these waters, you stand a good chance of getting sick. Indiana is “business friendly,” so its laws allow high levels of pollution.

—Norm Holy

The historic wildfire season currently plaguing Canada is expected to persist, a potentially devastating forecast made more likely due to human-caused climate change, according to new research. Drought and hot conditions contributed to an unprecedented start to the fire season in Canada and has kept the fires burning all over the country since late April says Kristina Dahl, senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Currently, more than 40 million total acres have been burned, an area nearly as large as the state of Georgia, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. There are more than 1,000 active wildfires burning in Canada, with more than 650 of them deemed “out of control,” according to the agency. The fire season would not have gotten this bad were it not for anthropogenic, or human-caused, climate change, according to a new study released Tuesday by World Weather Attribution, an international group of academics and officials that evaluate the influence of climate change on extreme weather events.

The carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere increases every year. We will know we are making progress when the growth in carbon dioxide slows.

—Norm Holy

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is one of the last intact, wild landscapes of its kind. It’s a sanctuary for a remarkable array of wildlife, from polar bears and awe-inspiring caribou herds to millions of migratory birds. In its final days, the Trump administration issued leases to drill for oil on the refuge’s fragile coastal plain where these animals live. But the Arctic is already heating up at a rate four times faster than the rest of the planet. The stakes for this incredibly vulnerable place couldn’t be higher.

The plans in place to halt global warming are inadequate. The globe is warming at an ever-increasing rate. Thus, we can expect much higher temperatures in the Arctic. The refuge may even become forested if we continue on our current path. Back when there was much greater volcanic activity, the carbon dioxide content in the air was over 1000 ppm, and there were forests and even alligators in the Arctic. While that degree of warming is not expected, the future Arctic will be vastly different than what it is today. Polar bears are likely to be extinct in the wild. Nonetheless, the area could become the only relatively cool place for species that require cooler temperatures.

For preserving many cold climate species, we will need to protect the Arctic Refuge. Arguably even more important will be protecting the Arctic Ocean from drilling and fishing. The cold water fish are already moving northward from both of our coasts. Even if we did everything possible to halt warming, this trend will continue through the lifetimes of everyone currently alive. But if large portions of the Arctic Ocean are maintained as a preserve, they will become really important for reestablishing populations along both the East and West coasts as the climate cools. While that may be thousands of years off, it is important to start now.

—Norm Holy

The New York Times reports that hidden within the seemingly barren expanse of White Sands National Park in New Mexico are human footprints. But these impressions are much more than random tracks: They are ancient vignettes cast in gypsum-rich sand. The footprints tell stories of hunters stalking a giant sloth; a traveler slipping in mud with a child on one hip; children jumping in puddles, splashing in play; and more.

But one question has plagued researchers studying these prints. Exactly how long ago were they made? A paper published in 2021 offered a somewhat surprising answer: Humans could have pressed their feet in the sand as early as 21,000 to 23,000 years ago, making the tracks some of the oldest evidence yet found of people in the Americas.

The result elicited both excitement and skepticism, with calls for additional tests to back up the astonishing claims. A new study published Thursday in the journal Science employed additional methods to determine the age of the tracks and adds to the evidence for those surprisingly ancient dates.

—Norm Holy

When is an area truly safe from exploitation? The answer seems to be NEVER. A few years ago, during the Trump era, there was a proposal to open a gold mine right next to the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Environmentalists were concerned about this proposal from the very beginning. EcoReport covered the blow-by-blow battle. Concerns were about preserving animal life: for many species the area is part of their natural migration territory. Both Grizzlies and wolves frequent the target area.

Furthermore, the watershed includes the Yellowstone River and the concern was that the toxic runoff from a mine might poison the river. The battle was pitched for a couple of years. Finally, the environmental concerns won and there was no mine. Recently, there has been a new attempt to open this mine. The effort was halted because environmental groups raised six million dollars to buy enough land to make it unattractive to mine.

—Norm Holy

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his interview with Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance, on how the Hous•ton-South project could affect endangered species, the health of County residents and the municipal drinking water supply for Bloomington.

| For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@WFHB.org. | | And now for some upcoming events:Join the Uplands Network of the Sierra Club for a 7-mile hike on the Sycamore Loop Trail in the Hoosier National Forest on Saturday, October 28th, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. There will be a stop for lunch while you enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Register at maryrrdn@gmail.com or call 812-320-9322. | | Take a Spooky Full Moon Hike on Saturday, October 28th, from 9:30 to 11 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. During the hike you will learn the history and folklore surrounding the full moon and Hallow’s Eve. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Celebrate Halloween with a Snake Meet and Greet at Brown County State Park on Tuesday, October 31st, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Get a close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn their unique traits, their threats and how they affect your life. You will have the opportunity to pet the snake at the end of the program. | | Take an Introduction to Hydroponics class at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center on Saturday, November 4th, from 5 to 6:30 pm. Learn an alternative way of gardening using water rather than soil. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | There will be a Night Owl Hike at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, November 4th, from 9 to 10:30 pm. A naturalist will accompany you as you learn how to spot and listen for common Indiana owl species. Meet at the boathouse. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report! |

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey, and I’m Frank Marshalek.
On today’s edition of Eco Report, eco-architect and place maker Mark Lakeman invites us to apply urban permaculture to rehumanize public spaces by tapping into the natural economy of the Universe as they have been doing in Portland’s City Repair Project for almost thirty years. That’s coming up later in the broadcast in Part Three of a conversation with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze.

And now for your environmental reports:

Michigan is decarbonizing. The Michigan Legislature is poised to pass one of the most comprehensive clean energy initiatives in the country, requiring 100 percent of electric power to come from carbon-free sources by 2035. The ambitious legislative agenda implements Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan.

Getting less attention is the fact that it will also provide long-term benefits to Michigan’s water resources by significantly reducing pollution from burning fossil fuels. A century of burning coal has resulted in widespread pollution of the Great Lakes. Mercury, a powerful neurotoxin released from coal-fired power plants, is responsible for 57 percent of all mercury present in the Great Lakes, resulting in official advisories to limit consumption of Great Lakes fish. For many years coal ash was often dumped into pits very near to the Great Lakes.
Burning natural gas is said to be “cleaner” than coal, but like coal releases nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides – all of which inevitably impact Michigan’s surface waters. Michigan’s plan is to make improvements in many areas. Listeners can see the plan by looking for “Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan.” For power
generation, the plan focuses on wind and solar. The levelized cost of electricity for new onshore wind and solar resources that are coming online in 2023 was $25/MWh, compared with $34/MWh for new combined-cycle natural gas units. Adding new wind and solar resources is comparable – and in many cases cheaper – to the cost of running existing power plants.

The Michigan plan is very different from anything that has emerged from Indiana’s Legislature. Thus far, Indiana is still determined to burn coal.

—Norm Holy

The New York Times reported good news for the endangered Green Turtle. Green sea turtles had an exceptional nesting season on Florida’s beaches in 2023, with volunteers counting more than 74,300 nests, according to preliminary data. That beats the previous record, from 2017, by a staggering 40 percent.

The increase is an explosion and a welcome surprise, said Simona Ceriani, a research scientist who coordinated the annual survey for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The count will continue through Oct. 31.

Sea turtles don’t reach sexual maturity until their twenties or thirties, so what Florida is seeing now is very likely the result of conservation measures put in place after green sea turtles were
listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1978, Dr. Ceriani said.

But researchers aren’t ready to claim a conservation victory just yet. Those impressive nesting numbers are just “half the story,” according to Jeanette Wyneken, a professor at Florida Atlantic
University who has studied nesting sea turtles for more than three decades. That’s because, more than most creatures, sea turtles are particularly attuned to a warming climate. In fact, the sex of a baby sea turtle isn’t determined by its DNA but by the temperature of the sand in which its egg developed. Cooler temperatures mean males, warmer ones mean more females.
According to Dr. Wyneken, who has been monitoring incubation temperatures and sex ratios in the nests of green sea turtles in Palm Beach County since 2005, in recent years the proportion
of male green sea turtle hatchlings has dwindled substantially.

In the past few seasons, between 87 percent and 100 percent of the hatchlings she has tested have been female. In the short term, such a skewed sex ratio could actually be a boon to green turtles. A breeding female lays between two and nine clutches of about 110 eggs each in a season, and a greater proportion of females in any given generation means more nests in the sand 20 years down the road. That is, Dr. Wyneken said, as long as there’s enough boys to service the girls.

—Norm Holy
With the locations favorable for growing grapes for wine expanding northward as the planet warms, is it possible that wineries in Scandinavia are now possible? Actually, we might start with the question of whether the Vikings grew grapes for wine? It has been thought that grapes were not grown in Denmark before the medieval period. But The Local, Denmark, reports that strontium isotope analysis of two grape seeds recovered at the site of the Viking settlement at Tissø suggests they may have been grown on the main Danish island of Zealand. That island is warmed by the Gulf Stream.
Norway is now warm enough for wine grapes. There are already half a dozen commercial wineries in Norway. A winegrowers’ association has also already been founded and has a bevy of amateur winemakers as members. The grapes grown include Solaris grapes for white wines and sparkling wines and Rondo for red, rosé and sparkling wines. In addition, other hybrids such as Leon Millot, Cabernet Cortis, early Pinot noir. The scale of sale of wines from Norway is small. Beer and vodka are the only alcoholic beverages produced in Norway in any quantity.
In the southernmost parts of Denmark and Sweden, the climate allows new wine regions to emerge. Sweden is an official wine country since 1999.

—Norm Holy

A major utility in northwest Indiana has plans to greatly reduce its carbon footprint. The company is the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana. One goal is to be coal-free by 2028.
A current project is called the Dunns Bridge Solar, a 265 Mega Watts facility located in Jasper County, Ind. near NIPSCO’s R.M. Schafer Generating Station, which is expected to be retired in 2025. This facility is the first of a two-part solar project, currently under construction, and is expected to produce 435 MegaWatts of solar paired with 75 MegaWatts of battery storage. These two projects are expected to generate approximately $59 million in additional tax revenue for Jasper and Starke counties over the life of the facility.
NIPSCO’s electric generation transition toward a more balanced and reliable portfolio – including its plans to retire all its remaining coal-fired units – is driven by real-world data and economics. NIPSCO has also performed ongoing analysis of current market conditions and changes in market rules, which support NIPSCO’s current generation transition path. The company plans to be coal-free by 2028, driving a reduction in carbon emissions by more than 90% by 2030, compared to a 2005 baseline.
NIPSCO’s current wind projects are performing well, and 100 percent of the excess power sales currently goes back to customers, which is nearly $60 million since 2021. Going coal-free in one of the most polluted areas of the state should also mean fewer deaths from air pollution.

—Norm Holy

And now, we turn to Zyro Roze as he asks Mark Lakeman of Communitecture about the inception of Portland’s City Repair Project, a grassroots uprising that began reclaiming street intersections as civic centers by gathering neighbors to rehumanize public spaces, asserting cultural agency by painting street murals, planting gardens, erecting solar tea stands, building earthen benches and whimsical art installations, all without permission from local authorities.

For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships.

And now for some upcoming events:

Enjoy Pumpkin Carving and learn about Three Sisters planting techniques on Saturday, October 21st, from 5:30 to 7 pm at Winslow Woods Park. While you carve a pumpkin, you will learn about the Three Sisters companion planting technique that plants squash, corn and beans all together. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks.

You can Preserve-a-Preserve and Volunteer to Weed Wrangle on Wednesday, October 25th, from 2 to 4 pm at the Canyon Forest Nature Preserve in Greene County. Learn how to identify and control invasive plants. Registration is required at sycamorelandtrust.org.

Get scared during Spooky Folklore Stories at Spring Mill State Park on Friday, October 27th, from 8 to 8:30 pm. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center ampitheater for some spooky local folklore tales told around the campfire.

Join the Uplands Network of the Sierra Club for a 7-mile hike on the Sycamore Loop Trail in the Hoosier National Forest on Saturday, October 28th, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. There will be a stop for lunch while you enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Register at maryrrdn@gmail.com or call 812-320-9322.

Take a Spooky Full Moon Hike on Saturday, October 28th, from 9:30 to 11 pm at Leonard Springs Nature Park. During the hike you will learn the history and folklore surrounding the full moon and Hallow’s Eve. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Coming up in this edition of Eco Report, we have Part Two of a conversation between Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and eco architect Mark Lakeman on the human ecology of place making and building tiny home ecovillages for the unhoused community. | | And now for your environmental reports:Inside Climate Change brings up an issue rarely discussed. Religious beliefs may play an important role in whether someone believes humans are warming the planet by burning fossil fuels, new polls found. The findings come as Pope Francis released his latest papal letter, rebuking the “irresponsible lifestyle” of Westerners and chastising those who try to delay efforts to address the climate crisis or deny its very existence.“Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident,” Francis wrote in his exhortation released Wednesday, urging world leaders to do far more to address global warming ahead of the COP28 climate talks next month. No one can ignore the fact that in recent years we have witnessed extreme weather phenomena, frequent periods of unusual heat, drought and other cries of protest. Apparently red states haven’t received the memo. Many candidates for the upcoming election make sure to emphasize how fervently they endorse coal.—Norm Holy | | Europe just launched the world’s first carbon tariff. Will the United States follow suit? Inside Climate Change reports companies that want to do business in the European Union will soon have to pay extra if the carbon footprints of their products are too high. The EU officially began phase one of its carbon tariff. The first-of-its-kind tax scheme could help reduce the climate-warming emissions of industries that are notoriously hard to decarbonize, including cement and steel manufacturing.Under the EU’s new policy, foreign companies must now report all the greenhouse gas emissions associated with certain imported goods: cement, steel, iron, aluminum, fertilizers, hydrogen fuel and electricity. Starting in 2026, any of those imports that don’t meet the bloc’s emissions standards will face an additional fee when crossing the border. Other goods will be considered for the tax in the coming years, the European Commission said.The tax policy has drawn criticism from countries like China and Russia, which argue it undermines the principles of free trade and worsens geopolitical tensions. Supporters say the program is necessary to put EU companies on an even playing field with nations that have lower environmental standards. They also say it will incentivize industries to more quickly reduce their carbon emissions and encourage other countries to follow suit by adopting their own carbon tariffs.—Norm Holy | | The fossil fuel industry makes sure that it will thrive even as ending the burning of fossil fuels is seen as necessary to avoid melting most of the world’s ice. The New York Times reports the Biden administration announced Friday it would lease a handful of spots in the Gulf of Mexico to oil companies for drilling over the next five years, a move that angered Republicans, the fossil fuel industry and climate activists alike.The administration said oil and gas companies would be able to drill in just three new areas in the Gulf between 2024 and 2029, the smallest number of lease sales offered since the federal drilling program began decades ago. Under a new law, the government must offer leases for oil drilling before it can invite developers to build wind farms in federal waters. Producing clean electricity from wind turbines is one of President Biden’s top priorities as he tries to reduce the fossil fuel pollution that is dangerously heating the planet.—Norm Holy | | Eco Report has aired stories about the status of the coral reefs in Florida throughout the summer. Now that summer is over it’s time check out how the reefs are doing. Vox was launched in 2014; it is a news website that specializes in explanatory journalism.VOX reports In the last three months, a marine heat wave has been cooking the Caribbean, breaking down the relationship between coral and those symbiotic algae. Some shallow buoys in South Florida registered temperatures in excess of —100 F degrees in July, about as warm as a hot tub. And for weeks on end, reefs in the Florida Keys, the largest coral reef in the continental US, were soaking in 90-plus degree water. That’s well beyond the threshold for bleaching in this region.“I’ve never seen anything like this in this area, period,” said Ian Enochs, a coral biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who’s been monitoring Florida’s reefs for more than a decade. This mass bleaching event has made an already bad situation worse. Well before summer, the area of healthy reefs in the Florida Keys had already declined by 90 percent, due to past heat waves, diseases, ocean acidification, and other threats. The majority of Florida’s reefs that remain, meanwhile, are eroding.The bleached corals are an ongoing tragedy: Across the Florida Keys and throughout much of the Caribbean, coral reefs have bleached and many of them are dying. Some of these starving corals are literally centuries old. Others were planted recently to revive the reefs, and their bleaching represents a devastating setback for coral restoration. Forecasters are predicting the el nino event will continue into the summer of 2024. Thus, it would appear that any corals that survive bleaching this year will be weakened going into next year’s bleaching. Now the emphasis is on developing corals that are better able to tolerate high water temperatures. This could take several years.—Norm Holy | | The Center for Biological Diversity and allies just sued the U.S. Forest Service for approving a massive timber sale on the border of Yellowstone National Park. The project would commercially log more than 12,000 acres and clearcut more than 5,500 acres, destroying habitat for grizzly bears and lynx. But the Forest Service failed to properly study how it threatens those species — not to mention the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the climate.We know our continued existence relies in part on preserving our planet’s remaining forests and protecting threatened species, said the Center’s Kristine Akland. “This project is completely out of step with both those urgent needs. We’re committed to stopping this devastating project before one tree is cut.”U.S. government agencies are expected to quantify the climate impact of their actions under new guidance issued by President Joe Biden’s administration. But the U.S. Forest Service decided to move forward with a logging project on the border of Yellowstone National Park without applying the new White House guidance, which would have involved a detailed projection of the resulting greenhouse gas emissions.—Norm Holy | | What is the outlook for the coming winter? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has made a prediction. 2023 will almost certainly be either the warmest or second-warmest year on human record after 2016, NOAA scientists said. El Niño conditions, which release additional heat into the atmosphere and are associated with warmer years on average, are expected to last at least through the northern hemisphere winter. It’s entirely possible that 2024 could be even warmer than 2023. The atmospheric carbon dioxide is now growing at the fastest rate ever recorded.—Norm Holy | | And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and Part Two of his interview with village builder Mark Lakeman of Communitecture about how to adress poverty, homelessness, pollution and social isolation by creating tiny home ecovillages with collective resourcing and jobs programs. They discuss how Bloomington can learn from how models like Dignity Village and Veterans Village in Oregon have become self sustaining green business incubators that employ residents, allowing them to accrue savings while they pay a minimal amount to help maintain operations. The full interview is available online as an Eco Report EXTRA in the archive of programs produced by Firehouse Broadcasting on our website at WFHB.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Help plant native trees to reforest the old field at the Ferguson Dog Park located at 4300 N. Stone Mill Road in Bloomington on Saturday, October 14th, from 10 am to 1 pm. This Fall Native Tree Planting will help migrating birds, pollinators, small animals and native plants. Help make a difference. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks. | | Join the Uplands Network Chapter of the Sierra Club on Saturday, October 14th, from 9 am to Noon for a hike along the Scarce O’Fat Trail in Yellowwood State Park. Bring your own water. | | Learn all about the edible bounty of the forest during a Fall Foraging leisurely walk through the RCA Community Park on Sunday, October 15th, from Noon to 2 pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Help with Trash Cleanup at the Dam at Monroe Lake on Monday, October 16th, beginning at 10:30 am. After checking in, you will be picking up trash around the dam, spillway, tailwater, and surrounding area. Wear closed toed shoes and bring water. Sign up at bit.ly/2023-cleanup-dam. | | Leave the Leaves (and Do Less Yard Work!) workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 19th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Willie Streeter Community Gardens. Pollinators and other invertebrates require fallen leaves for shelter over winter. We need pollinators for our food! So, leave the leaves! Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at MPIsolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is Eco Report. |

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WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze sat down with eco architect Mark Lakeman of Communitecture in Portland, Oregon to learn about proven solutions to homelessness and measures to counter a lack of a sense of community and inviting collective civic spaces in American cities and neighborhoods.[Part One]

In light of recent local municipal policies to prohibit camping in Bloomington, affecting the unhoused community, Roze asks Lakeman about Dignity Village, an ilkegal tent squat turned tiny home ecovillage small business incubator celebrated by Portland city officials, local police and citizens as a peaceful, productive example of place making and uplift for people experiencing poverty and facing a lack of affordable housing. Roze and Lakeman also explore other successful intentional communities and transitional housing programs.

Lakeman shares how these projects happened, how they operate and he expresses the need for a compassionate response to burgeoning homelessness, how his life and those of the people allowed a refuge have been enriched by contributing to building a self governing and humane community in the margins outside conventional urban planning to provide shelter for those not accommodated by the prevailing socio economic norms.

[Part Two]

Zyro asks Mark about the inception and development of the City Repair Project in Portland, a village building and place making initiative that has been reclaiming street intersections and other spaces for neighborhood commons by engaging neighbors in collective street murals, public art and installing community infrastructure like solar tea stands and free libraries, sculptural benches, organic gardens, pocket parks and urban food forests.

Lakeman details how the effort was at first fought by city departments and is now accepted by the authorities while remaining a grassroots initiative that has spawned similar initiatives around the country.

Lakeman also discusses his inspiration to start creating community after experiences learning from visits to study other cultures and living with indigenous people impelled him to reach out, reclaim cultural agency and create social connections amidst colonial “unfrastructure” designed to discourage interaction, organizing and solidarity against unjust impositions by central authorities.

Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze looked into what it will mean for local residents that the City will no longer be sending out vacuum trucks to collect leaves raked to the curbside and we have the answers from Michael Large, Special Projects Manager at the Department of Public Works. | | And now for your environmental reports:View one of Indiana’s greatest wildlife spectacles at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes visit the area’s shallow marshes from mid-October through mid-December. Crane numbers peak in late November or early December. Sandhill cranes can be seen at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area from late September through December. The best time to view is sunrise from the Goose Pasture viewing area.DNR staff at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area make weekly crane counts during peak fall migration (October – December). The count is typically performed each Tuesday unless impeded by inclement weather. If unable to count on a Tuesday, the staff will try again on Thursday of that week. The counts generally end the last week of December.—Norm Holy | | Many people are not convinced that we are in a mass extinction event that will see at least one million species go extinct. The same crowd is also not concerned with ending the burning of fossil fuels. An Associated Press story reports that President Joe Biden has vetoed Republican-sponsored bills intended to undo federal protections for two endangered species that have seen their populations plummet over the years: the lesser prairie chicken and northern long-eared bat. The two GOP measures would overturn “science-based rulemaking” that offers important protections for the once-abundant species and would undermine the Endangered Species Act, Biden said.The lesser prairie-chicken serves as an indicator for healthy grasslands and prairies, making the species an important measure of the overall health of America’s grasslands, the White House wrote late Tuesday in a veto statement about the prairie bird. It’s a member of the grouse family found in parts of the Midwest and Southwest, including the oil-rich Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas. The bird’s range also extends into parts of Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. Environmentalists have long sought stronger federal protections for the prairie bird, which they consider severely at risk due to oil and gas development, livestock grazing and farming, along with roads and power lines. The crow-size, terrestrial birds are known for spring courtship rituals that include flamboyant dances by the males as they make a cacophony of clucking, cackling and booming sounds.The long-eared bat is one of 12 bat types decimated by the white-nose syndrome. The disease has spread across nearly 80% of the bat’s historic range in the eastern and north-central United States and has caused estimated population declines of at least 97%. Bats are critical to healthy, functioning ecosystems and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the United States agriculture economy through pest control and pollination, Biden said in a separate veto statement. He said the GOP bill “would undermine America’s proud wildlife conservation traditions and risk extinction of the species.”Republicans say protections for the lesser prairie chicken interfere with U.S. oil and gas production and jeopardize thousands of American jobs. In predictable Republican response, they say designation of the bird as an endangered species is another attack on low-cost energy for the American taxpayers. Republicans and the logging industry also criticized the endangered listing for the long-eared bat, contending it would hamper logging and other land uses that aren’t responsible for the bat’s sharp decline. The bat is found in 37 eastern and north-central states, plus Washington, D.C., and much of Canada.—Norm Holy |

| According to the New York Times, the battle over electric vehicles is central to the auto strike. Carmakers are anxious to keep costs down as they ramp up electric vehicle manufacturing, while striking workers want to preserve jobs as the industry shifts to batteries. The strike has come as the traditional automakers invest billions to develop electric vehicles while still making most of their money from gasoline-driven cars. The negotiations will determine the balance of power between workers and management, possibly for years to come. That makes the strike as much a struggle for the industry’s future as it is about wages, benefits and working conditions.The established carmakers — General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Jeep and Ram — are trying to defend their profits and their place in the market in the face of stiff competition from Tesla and foreign automakers. Some executives and analysts have characterized what is happening in the industry as the biggest technological transformation since Henry Ford’s moving assembly line started up at the beginning of the 20th century.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports that buried in the permafrost at the northern edge of Greenland, scientists have discovered the oldest known fragments of DNA, offering an extraordinary look at an extraordinary ancient ecosystem. The genetic material dates back at least two million years — that’s nearly twice as old as the mammoth DNA in Siberia that held the previous record. And the samples, described on Wednesday in the journal Nature, came from more than 135 different species.Together, they show that a region just 600 miles from the North Pole was once covered by a forest of poplar and birch trees inhabited by mastodons. The forests were also home to caribou and Arctic hares. And the warm coastal waters were filled with horseshoe crabs, a species that today cannot be found any farther north of Maine. Independent experts hailed the study as a major advance.—Norm Holy |

| An historic deal for the oceans has been reached. Following almost two decades of negotiations, nations agreed in March on a deal to protect the world’s oceans. Commonly referred to as the “High Seas Treaty,” the agreement aims to protect biodiversity by establishing large-scale protected areas (in line with last year’s UN biodiversity agreement which calls for protecting 30 percent of marine areas by 2030), and regulating damaging activities such as overfishing and deep-sea mining. The high seas, two-thirds of the world’s oceans, don’t fall under national jurisdiction, so exploitation of their resources has so far been a ‘free-for-all,’ with dire consequences for marine life. Countries still need to formally adopt the treaty, and it will likely take several years for policies in support of its goals to be implemented.—Julianna Dailey | | This story demonstrates how intelligent animals are. When confronted with recordings of human voices, 19 African species fled instantly, while they were less frightened by lion sounds and other potentially threatening recordings. | | And now we go to Zyro Roze and his interview with Michael Large, Operations Manager at the City’s Department of Public Works on their decision to discontinue curbside vacuum leaf collection, the environmental and health considerations involved, cost savings for the taxpayers, free bags, discount compost bins and volunteer programs designed to facilitate composting and assist residents who need help with their yard work this season. | | For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Do you know how to tie a good knot? You are invited to the Knots and Lashings in the Outdoors Workshop on Sunday, October 8th, at the RCA Community Park from Noon to 2 pm. Learn up to 6 different types of knots and lashings, each with its own unique purpose. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks. | | Join the Big Sit and Wild Game Lunch at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 8th, from 7 am to 5 pm. You can participate three different ways. First, sit in a 17 square foot area and count birds. Second,, make a wild game dish to share, and third, come and enjoy the day. | | Join the Monroe Lake Geology Driving Tour at the Paynetown State Recreation Area on Monday, October 9th, from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Stops will include local bedrock layers, geodes, fossils, faults, an anticline and other interesting features. Bring your own lunch. Register at bit.ly/2023-geologytour. | | Take an Invasive Plant Hike plus Pull and Wreath Making at Spring Mill State Park on Tuesday, October 10th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. You will be pulling invasive vines, then you will use the vines to make a wreath. Meet at the Tulip Tree Shelter. |

| Help plant native trees to reforest the old field at the Ferguson Dog Park located at 4300 N. Stone Mill Road in Bloomington on Saturday, October 14th from 10 am to 1 pm. This Fall Native Tree Planting will help migrating birds, pollinators, small animals and native plants. Help make a difference. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. | | Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. | | For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is EcoReport. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up in this edition of Eco Report, we learn about the human ecology of place making and building ecovillages for the unhoused community as Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores urban permaculture solutions for societal problems with eco architect Mark Lakeman of Portland, Oregon. | | And now for your environmental reports:The Indiana Daily student newspaper reports Indiana University unveiled its newest Climate Action Plan, pledging that all campuses will reach carbon neutrality by 2040. Carbon neutrality is a “balance between the amount of carbon emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere”, according to the plan. IU will reduce direct emissions from university-owned or -controlled sources as well as indirect emissions from heating, cooling and electricity.President Pamela Whitten approved the plan, and IU announced it Sept. 11. Our university’s new comprehensive and thoughtful plan will create a legacy that benefits the people of Indiana for many generations, Whitten said in a press release. The plan includes six categories: utility grid, infrastructure, renewables, behavior, financing and implementation. The recommendations include investing in renewable energy and finding funding for energy-efficient projects. Another recommendation includes improving energy efficiency for buildings, heating and cooling systems, fleets and equipment.The plan also addresses climate change and resilience. The university has reported a greater demand for cooling as temperatures in Indiana increase, the recommendation states. Temperatures and weather are likely going to become more extreme.—Norm Holy | | Inside Indiana Business reports a case of innovation in rural communities. When Sister Claire Whalen was approached about working on a clean energy project centered on her town of about 600 people in Oldenburg, it was one she couldn’t pass up. The project was one she had been working to bring to her community for years, so she came out of retirement for the third time after being a teacher for most of her career.Expanding the use of renewable energy and curbing climate change is a passion of Whalen’s — it is one with a foundation in her Franciscan values and she feels is a responsibility. It seemed to me to be an opportunity to really bring awareness to our rural areas the importance of climate change and the importance of everybody taking their responsibility to do something as a solution to that, Whalen said. (quote) One of the biggest solutions is to move away from fossil fuel and onto clean energy. (end quote)They organized a campaign called Energy Awareness: Rural Towns & Homes, or EARTH, where they and local organizations will foster and support multiple renewable energy projects over 10 months in three southeastern counties. The EARTH campaign is looking into retrofitting a building at the Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg to be a clean energy demonstration center. Whalen said it works well since the sisters are both looking at downsizing their square feet as well as interested in investing in something they believe in. They’ve previously looked at switching their convent campus away from traditional electric, she said, but it was not economically feasible at the time.Rural communities like her own have been on the fringes of seeing innovation implemented in their communities. She said this type of investment is a big step for the whole country because rural areas will be required to be a part of the conversation.—Norm Holy |

| A climate conference aimed at inspiring world leaders to dramatically ramp up their efforts to combat climate change, the United Nations’ Climate Ambition Summit, was anything but ambitious. That’s the message from climate activists after the day-long special summit came to a close without any notable commitments from the nations most responsible for causing global warming. The event was held in New York City during the meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.There is simply a huge mismatch between the depth of actions governments and businesses are taking and the transformative shifts that are needed to address the climate crisis, David Waskow, director of the World Resources Institute’s International Climate Initiative, wrote in a statement shortly after the summit adjourned. And some of the biggest emitters were noticeably absent from the stage.—Norm Holy | | This story may rank as the most creative ever. Former president Trump says that wind turbines are responsible for the deaths of whales that are washing up on beaches on the east coast. He claims the noise from the turbines kill whales. It is not clear whether the blame should be placed on the offshore wind turbines, or whether the land-based turbines are part of the problem. Land-based turbines placed at a typical distance from homes has a noise level the same as a refrigerator. Therefore, land-based turbines pose no threat to whales. There is only one ocean-based wind farm in the US. That’s four turbines off Block Island, near Long Island. They are in shallow water where whales rarely or never visit. Thus, we can conclude that the likelihood of whale deaths by wind turbines is about the same as deaths by alien space ships. The deaths of these whales was by either ship strikes or fishing gear entanglements. —Norm Holy | | Despite being at the early stages of the 6th mass extinction, there is some hope. The Center for Biological Diversity reminds us that it’s the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, which has saved 99% of animals and plants under its care. This week elected officials, Tribal representatives, academics and conservationists gathered in Washington, DC, to celebrate this powerful law. Nearly 300 organizations, including the Center, sent a letter to President Biden and Department of Interior Secretary Haaland asking them to mark the golden jubilee by mapping a strong future for the Act and the thousands of species it protects. The Act’s authors knew its goal shouldn’t just be preventing extinction. It must be about recovery. And every imperiled species is part of an intricate ecosystem. It’s time for all facets of the U.S government to tackle the extinction crisis by incorporating species protection into the mission of every federal agency. Without the Endangered Species Act, the United States would’ve probably lost its national symbol, the bald eagle, forever. Now it’s time to focus on the recovery of other icons, like lynx, manatees and right whales — as well as lesser-known species, like hellbenders.—Norm Holy |

| And now, we turn to Zyro Roze and his conversation with eco architect and village builder Mark Lakeman of Communitecture about how to address poverty, homelessness and social isolation with methods of making cities safer and more sustainable by implementing conscious design, activating compassion and freeing the imagination to transform problems into opportunities to uplift and heal people and the planet. The full interview will be available online after the program as an Eco Report EXTRA on our website at WFHB.org. | | For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Learn to search for animals like a real tracker during the “Where the Furry Things Are” hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, September 30th, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. You will scour the trails to learn how to identify animal tracks and other useful tracking skills. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks. | | Enjoy Archaeology Day at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Sunday, October 1st, from 10 am to 4 pm. The White River Archaeological Association will share artifacts and chert exhibits; literature, photos and maps, as well as excavation equipment and documents on display. | | Learn about mushrooms at the Fungus Among Us event at Spring Mill State Park on Monday, October 2nd, from 4 to 4:30 pm. You will get to see a display of various mushrooms and learn how important they are and how to protect them. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. | | A Flora Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd, beginning at 9:30 am at the Underwood Parcel on Strain Ridge Road at Monroe Lake. Practice with a naturalist on your flora identification skills, using an ID key, which opens the door to identifying thousands of species. Bring Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, bug spray, hat and water. Sign up at bit.ly/florafield-oct2023. | | Do you know how to tie a good knot? You are invited to the Knots and Lashings in the Outdoors Workshop on Sunday, October 8th, at the RCA Community Park from Noon to 2 pm. Learn up to 6 different types of knots and lashings, each with its own unique purpose. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is Eco Report. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. In this edition of Eco Report, we will hear from Marcia Veldman, State Coordinator for the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby on the scope of their activities across the state working to affect national policy and channel resources to local efforts to address and adapt to Climate Change. That’s coming up later in the program. But, first we would like to talk to you about the WFHB Fall Fund Drive. | | And now for your environmental reports:Indiana Business News reports a 10-megawatt renewable energy project in Hendricks County (west of Indy – Avon) has wrapped up construction and will supply enough clean energy to power over 2,000 homes. It’s Colorado-based SolRiver Capital’s first project in the state — one it says will provide low-cost, sustainable energy to the county’s residents.“Our partnership with Solential Energy has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition,” Riley Sullivan, Vice President of Acquisitions at SolRiver Capital, said in a news release. Their turnkey development and construction services have been invaluable in delivering a high-quality project that will benefit the local community and support the growth of renewable energy in Indiana.—Norm Holy | | WFHB has aired several stories about a coal-to-diesel plant proposed to be built in Dale, Indiana. The concern was that the process would become a major source of air pollution. Indiana has a well-deserved reputation for being “business friendly,” meaning that high-pollution industries are welcome. But the long-planned coal-to-diesel facility in Spencer County is now canceled. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management informed Delaware-based Riverview Energy that its permit to construct the $2 billion facility has expired.The project was first announced in 2018, and Riverview first received the permit from IDEM in June 2019. The company was granted an extension of the permit, which set a deadline to begin construction by June 2022. There has been strong opposition by citizens of Spencer County from the very beginning.—Norm Holy | | And now we turn to Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze for his interview with Marcia Veldman of Citizens Climate Lobby and the Green Drinks Bloomington lecture series. The entire interview will appear online after the show on the station’s website as an Eco Report EXTRA at WFHB.org. | | For Eco Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Cynthia Roberts. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Learn all about amazing insects at the annual Bug Fest on Saturday, September 23rd, from 10 am to 2 pm at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington. Exhibitors will share and display their knowledge on buggy topics. | | Celebrate World Rivers Day with a World Rivers Day Cleanup on Sunday, September 24th, from 1 to 3 pm at Switchyard Park in Bloomington. You will help clear debris and invasive species along Clear Creek in Switchyard Park. Meet at the picnic shelter. | | Take a Fall Equinox Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, September 23rd, from 11 am to Noon. Hike around Spring Mill Lake as you usher in Autumn – our most colorful season. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. | | A Harvest Moon Night Hike will take place at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Friday, September 29th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. The moon will guide your way as you discover the magic that comes alive in the woods at night and a full moon. Meet in the parking lot. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Perennial Exchange will host their Bloomington Plant Swap on Saturday, September 30th, from 9 am to 1 pm at the Moose Lodge located at 840 S. Cory Lane in Bloomington. The plants exchanged are from local gardens. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is Eco Report. |

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In this week’s Eco Report EXTRA we hear from Marcia Veldman, State Coordinator for the South Central Indiana chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby on the scope of their activities across the state working to affect national policy and channel resources to local efforts to adress and adapt to Climate Change.

Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Marcia Veldman of Citizens Climate Lobby and the Green Drinks Bloomington lecture series about what policies CCL supports and how they are working to fulfill the Carbon cutting objectives of the organization.

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In this Eco Report EXTRA, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Jeff Mease, CEO of One World Enterprises, about the measures taken to make a set of local food service companies more environmentally responsible.In this conversation with Jeff Mease of One World Enterprises, Mease describes ways that he has worked to prevent pollution, reduce waste and implement green practices as standard policy among a family of local food businesses, including locally sourcing ingredients, going solar and adding E-bike delivery to Pizza X.

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| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. In this edition of Eco Report, we will learn about sustainability measures taken by Jeff Mease of One World Enterprises to green his local food businesses in the second half of a recent interview with Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. That’s coming up later in the program. But, first we would like to talk to you about the WFHB Fall Fund Drive. | | And now for your environmental reports:In today’s show, I thought we should have some good news for you! The Associated Press reports that In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, overturning sales held in the Trump administration’s waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on vast swaths of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.The Department of Interior’s scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration appointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope. Protections are proposed for more than 20,000 square miles of land in the reserve in the western Arctic.Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden’s pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday’s announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending. “Alaska is home to many of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages,” Biden said in a statement.—Norm Holy | | Jeff Mease, Founder/CEO of One World EnterprisesPhoto Courtesy of Eco Media Center of Monroe CountyAnd now, we go to Zyro Roze as he asks Jeff Mease about integrating renewable energy, bicycle delivery and use of locally sourced ingredients for his pizza and catering operations here in Bloomington.Courtesy of One World Enterprises | | For Eco-Report, I am Julianna Dailey. And, I am Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:The Fall Bio Blitz started on Friday, September 15th and runs through Monday, September 24th at the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Compete to find as many plant and animal species during the week. If you get the most, you win a prize. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Join the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter for a Yellowwood Resource Management Walk on Saturday, September 16th, at 9 am. During this 1-mile easy trail walk, you will learn about forest management techniques such as clear-cuts, controlled burns, select cuts and more. Meet in the Yellowwood parking lot near the forest office. Register with marilynbauchat@gmail.com. | | Learn some Brown County history when you take the Salt Creek Bridges Walk at Brown County State Park on Saturday, September 16th, beginning at 11 am. Meet at the Olympic Pool parking lot for a short walk to the historic Highway 46 iron truss bridge and the historic Covered Bridge. | | Take a Paw Paw Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, September 17th, from noon to 1:30 pm. Learn about the Paw Paw tree, one of our native understory trees and, hopefully, sample some of the fruit. This is a moderate 2-mile hike on the Mountain Bike trail. | | Learn about Amazing Arachnids at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Wednesday, September 20th, at 3:30 pm. How much do you know about spiders, also known as arachnids? Here is your opportunity to learn a bit more and enjoy a fun spider craft. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week. Eco Report is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at mpisolarenergy.com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett is our engineer. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. And this is Eco Report. |

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Cynthia Roberts. Later in this half hour, we hear from Marilyn Bauchat of Uplands Network, an aspect of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club, about their conservation initiatives and upcoming events. And now for your environmental reports: Inside Clean Energy reports …

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This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We are looking into the Lake Monroe Watershed and the water quality. This week, we look into how water moves through our county and how the county is …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey And I’m Katrine Bruner. In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Jeff Mease, CEO of One World Enterprises, about the measures taken to make a set of local food service companies more environmentally responsible. And now for your environmental reports: Electrocution …

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Today on Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Hank Duncan, the City’s Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator, about recent changes in local infrastructure to address E-scooter misuse and other challenges relating to access for the disabled and providing alternative transit options for Bloomington residents and visitors. And now for your environmental reports: Columbus Looking at $2.3 …

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[Part One: America’s first certified Energy Positive public library] In the first part of a four part series of feature segments aired by WFHB News and Public Affairs during our Local News and Eco Report programs, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown of Griffy Creek Studio about …

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today’s episode, we learn about the EcoBlitz wildlife survey program monitoring biodiversity and bat populations in Indiana which discovered a new species of bee. We also get details about an upcoming forest protection roundtable as …

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Hello and welcome to Eco Report. Today’s anchors are Julianna Dailey and Cynthia Roberts-Hall. Later in today’s program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze attended the second public meeting for the Allen Street Greenway connector which will link Madison and Morton Streets in the McDoel Gardens neighborhood. We will have an excerpt from the event held yesterday …

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WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores issues relating to local urban agriculture and government policy with Jami Scholl of Rezenience, a permaculture consultancy firm growing nutriceutical produce in Bloomington, Indiana. Roze and Scholl discuss new research and options for optimal health and nutrition, challenges for local food security, shortfalls in disaster preparedness, local impacts of …

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Hello and welcome to EcoReport. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. In this edition of EcoReport, we have the second half of a discussion between Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze and Delaney Barber – Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council. And now for your environmental reports: WTHR of Indianapolis …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today’s program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze will talk with Delaney Barber the Outreach, Energy and Climate Coordinator for the Hoosier Environmental Council. And now for your environmental reports: The following story is quite long, so we have …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Coming up later in today’s program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze brings us a conversation on Local Food Security amidst Global Challenges in Part Three of a series with Jami Scholl of ReZENience, a permaculture health consultancy in Bloomington. And now for …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in this edition of Eco Report, we have Part Two of Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze’s interview with Jami Scholl of ReZENience, a permaculture health consultancy growing nutriceuticals in Bloomington. And now for your environmental reports: In a new record, solar …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Jami Scholl of Rezenience about local food production, urban agriculture, food as medicine, and sustainable business practices. And now for your environmental reports: Here’s something Bloomington should jump on. The U.S. …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Later on in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze explores urban permaculture and village building with Mark Lakeman, the eco architect and place maker behind Portland Oregon’s City Repair Project, which has inspired communities around the world to transform their neighborhoods …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. In this edition of Eco Report, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze delves into Bloomington’s designation as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. And now for your environmental reports: The following article is about the future of the …

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Today on the program, we have the second half of an interview with Hank Duncan, the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks Duncan about some of the controversy and safety concerns surrounding alternative modes of transit like the …

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| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Kade Young. Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Hank Duncan, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, on the City’s Greenways, streets that allow automobiles and parking that are designated as corridors made safer for those utilizing greener modes of transit. | | And now for your environmental reports:Finally, Indiana may make progress in reducing the health threat from coal ash dumps. The Indiana Lawyer reports that a draft EPA rule could impact nearly 50 Indiana coal ash dumps. Draft federal regulations for toxic coal byproducts could cover nearly 50 previously exempted dumps spread across 14 locations in Indiana. The Environmental Protection Agency’s rule — released last week — would extend monitoring, closure, and cleanup provisions to certain landfills, ponds and other sites for the first time. “Coal ash,” the catch-all term for particulate matter produced by burning coal, can contain dangerous carcinogens like arsenic, cadmium and mercury.“This is a really big deal,” said Lisa Evans, senior counsel for nonprofit environmental litigator Earthjustice, in a news release. The proposal arises out of settlement to a lawsuit involving the organization, several Hoosier plaintiffs and others. The Biden administration is standing up for people near a lot of hazardous coal waste sites around the country, Evans added. For far too long, a large portion of toxic coal ash around the U.S. was left leaching into drinking water supplies without any requirement it be cleaned up.Although utilities for decades have dumped coal in unlined landfills and ponds throughout the country, no national standards for coal ash existed until 2015. That year, an initial EPA rule went into force, but it excluded landfills that stopped taking in waste before the effective date, as well as ponds at power plants that stopped generating energy before the effective date. An Earthjustice analysis found that the regulations left out 566 landfills and ponds and 242 plants in 40 states. In Indiana alone, that meant 25 landfills and 23 ponds at 14 sites.Hoosier organizations celebrated last week’s announcement, noting that Indiana lawmakers have blocked state regulators from promulgating stricter standards. We have worked for years to get safer coal ash disposal via state policy, but our efforts were blocked since the majority in Indiana’s General Assembly insist on limiting state environmental standards to no more than what is required federally, said Indra Frank, who directs environmental health and water policy for the Hoosier Environmental Council.“In Indiana, safe coal ash disposal depends on a strong federal rule,” Frank concluded, in a news release. The proposed rule changes would extend requirements for groundwater monitoring, corrective action, closure and post-closure to inactive landfills. And the EPA hopes to include any other places coal ash was put directly on the ground, like structural fills sites. Finally, Indiana is making progress in reducing the health risks posed by coal ash dumps. Hopefully, in the future, the state legislature will expand its objectives beyond exploitation and corporate profit to include public health.—Norm Holy | | The Forest Alliance reports that the Buck Creek development proposal is withdrawn! Becknell has withdrawn their rezoning petition from the Marion County Metropolitan Development Commission to develop a massive warehouse along Buck Creek! So the remnant forest along Buck Creek north of Action, whose largest trees were growing when the Lenni Lenape hunted beneath them, will not be drowned by increased flooding due to runoff from the warehouse and surrounding concrete hardscape that would accompany the building. This is a great victory for nature and the citizens of southeast Indianapolis led by Julie and Brian Zoeller and their neighbors, as well as Plews, Shadley, Racher & Braun law firm, IFA, and others who helped. Yet it will no doubt be temporary, as another developer is likely to submit a proposal for the site. Let’s hope we can get IDNR to move forward with a wetland project in the floodplain in front of the Buck Creek woods that the owners of the site had invited, and the City of Indianapolis to seriously examine the feasibility of establishing the Buck Creek Greenway that it has proposed to do in three successive Greenway plans.—Norm Holy | | According to Energy.gov, for 2022, electric power in Indiana was generated from several sources. The largest approach is, of course, coal at 55 percent of the total power. Indiana ranks second, behind Texas, in coal consumption. Next is natural gas, at 32 percent. Though the legislature has deemed natural gas not to be a fossil fuel, everywhere outside Indiana knows it’s a fossil fuel. Thus, coal and natural gas make up 87 percent of power generation. Wind is 10 percent and solar is 2 percent. Indiana ranks 28th in the percentage of power generated by renewables. The legislature has been superb at avoiding reducing air or water pollution.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports the World Meteorological Organization concludes increased odds that El Niño, the global weather pattern often tied to intense heat, will arrive by fall. While there is not yet a clear picture of how strong the El Niño event will be or how long it might last, even a relatively mild one could affect precipitation and temperature patterns around the world. “The development of an El Niño will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records,” said Petteri Taalas, the secretary general of the meteorological organization, in a news release. El Niño is associated with warmer-than-normal ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. In the United States, it tends to lead to rainier, cooler conditions in much of the South, and warmer conditions in parts of the North. Maybe this will be a good summer to swim in Lake Superior.—Norm Holy | | The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, predicted to be “slightly below-average,” because of the likelihood of an El Nino condition developing. The official kickoff date is June 1 and will run until Nov. 30. But experts have already noted this season comes with a high level of uncertainty based on a developing El Niño and an unusually warm Atlantic Basin. El Niño events generally suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, so fewer hurricanes than normal form in the Atlantic during August to October, the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. In California, warmer than normal ocean temperatures mean fishes normally found off Mexico, such as yellowfin tuna and dorado, are more common off southern California. However, bait, such as anchovy and squid, may travel to the north, and some game fish, such as white seabass and California halibut, may follow them. An El Niño reduces the upwelling of cold water off the coast of South America. When this happens, fish either die or migrate into areas where they’ll find more to eat. With the fish gone, sea birds that depend on them may die or go elsewhere. Kelp forests are often destroyed by storms and ocean swells. During El Nino years, when currents weaken and trade winds die down, the entire Galapagos food chain is impacted and many species face mass starvation and near extinctions.—Norm Holy | | Smoke from forest fires is limiting visibility in New York City; it’s not coming from California. Instead, the source is unusual – Nova Scotia. Forest fires in Nova Scotia are rare because rains and fog are very common. But this year the ground is dry, allowing flames to spread. British Columbia and Alberta have been warm for a decade or so. Forest fires and pine beetle attacks on forests are common. The immense forests in Ontario and Quebec are now under threat. Perhaps, within a decade we shall witness vast fires and beetle attacks in these Provinces. To prevent beetle attacks requires several days below minus 30 F. Such low temperatures are now rare.All this matters a great deal because the forests of North America and Russia are responsible for removing an immense amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The aspect of carbon dioxide management will suffer a great deal. The probable result is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is likely to grow even faster. Currently, atmospheric carbon dioxide is at 420 ppm. Given that the nations are doing little to reduce CO2 emissions, we can expect CO2 levels in the 600 – 700 ppm region within 200 years. Why is this important? Because it will mean there is NO ice left on earth, and ocean levels will be 250 feet higher.—Norm Holy | | And now we go to Zyro Roze as he asks Hank Duncan, the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, about the progress on the plan for the Allen Street Greenway which will create a new connection from Walnut Street, cutting West through the McDoel Gardens neighborhood with a route that will include Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard on Allen Street West of Patterson Drive here in Bloomington. |

| For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Kade Young. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at WFHB.org. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Come to the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, June 3rd, from 7 to 8:30 pm to see the Strawberry Full Moon. Learn why it is called the Strawberry Full Moon and hear all about the history and folklore. Meet at the Campground Playground.The Community Gardening Program is offering a Composting Basics class on Sunday, June 4th, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Butler Community Park Gardens. Learn how to be more eco-friendly with composting and how to add composting to your gardens. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.Do you love Box Turtles? Are you one of those people who moves the turtle out of the road? If so, come to a Box Turtle Talk at Spring Mill State Park on Tuesday, June 6th, from 1 to 1:30 pm. Learn all about box turtles while meeting a live one. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.The monarchs are on the way! Enjoy learning about Migrating Monrarchs at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, June 7th, at 7 pm. Discover why monarchs don’t appear in Indiana until mid to late June. Meet in the Amphitheater.Explore Monroe Lake during a Paddling Trip on Sunday, June 11th, beginning at 7 pm at the Pine Grove State Recreation Area. You must have paddling experience. Learn about the quieter side of Monroe Lake as you watch the sun set and discover beautiful views and hidden wildlife. Sign up at bit.ly/explore-jun11-2023. | | And that wraps up our show for this week. EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show. Branden Blewett was our engineer. | | For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Kade Young. And this is EcoReport. |

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts. Later in the program, we conclude with Part Four of a series by Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze from an interview with Bill Brown of the Environmental Resilience Institute or E-R-I of Indiana University on how E-R-I assists institutions, communities, organizations, businesses and governmental entities to plan for, mitigate and adapt to Climate Change impacts.

| And now for your environmental reports:According to NUVO, a news organization based in Indy, Indiana lawmakers passed more than three dozen bills in the just-concluded session. Most of the bills are intended to make operating in Indiana more profitable for electric and water utilities or their fuel suppliers. By the Indiana Environmental Reporter’s count, Indiana lawmakers passed 15 bills affecting utilities, including some that allow them to pass more of their costs directly to consumers, prolong the life of fossil fuels and place more hurdles in the way of large-scale renewable energy system adoption.Indiana lawmakers also passed eight bills affecting various parts of state water issues in the state. Some of the bills target water infrastructure funding and make it easier for schools and childcare facilities to test for contaminants. Other bills focus on changing how the state regulates new types of septic tanks, water districts, and other issues.This year, lawmakers also focused on establishing and funding economic development initiatives that would help develop brownfields and reclaim coal mines. However, they would tax drivers who use fossil fuel alternatives and punish financial institutions that choose to limit their investment in fossil fuels.Bills regulating new technology in the state, like small modular nuclear reactors, carbon capture and sequestration, and advanced recycling, have also passed, as well as bills that authorized land use studies and PFAS blood monitoring for firefighters.In regard to UTILITY BILLS:The Indiana General Assembly passed bills that establish a five-pillar guideline for making energy policy decisions; 1. Make it more difficult for utilities to retire coal-fired power plants, 2. Allow utilities to pass on the costs of coal ash pond cleanups and other expenditures to customers, 3. Eliminate competitive bidding for transmission lines, 4. Allow natural gas-fired power plants to qualify as a“clean energy project,” 5. Ensure that a planned state coal ash permitting program will be as lenient as federal law allows it to be.

Lawmakers also passed a bill that would allow the Environmental Rules Board to update air permit fees, establish guidelines for communities to accept solar and wind energy systems and study the best practices for the disposal of solar panels and wind turbine blades. Other bills passed would authorize pay raises for water district board members, require state homeland security authorization for expanding battery energy storage systems, set the foundation for further taxing of utilities with wind energy systems and authorize a state program to pay for half of the costs of decommissioning or replacing underground petroleum tanks.—Norm Holy | | Continuing with the Indiana Legislative Environmental bills, there are also WATER POLICY BILLS:Indiana lawmakers passed two bills authored by the same legislator that deal with flood plains in different ways. Senate Bill 242 repeals the requirement for local floodplain administrators to use the best available floodplain mapping data when reviewing permit applications to build in or near a floodplain, while Senate Bill 412, among other flooding issues, prohibits the same administrators from issuing building permits if those permits threaten eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.The Indiana General Assembly also passed bills expanding the use of above-ground onsite residential sewage discharging disposal systems in place of repairing old septic tanks, changing the requirement for water system mercury permit changes when they are proven not to contribute to Ohio River mercury problems and requiring water systems not subject to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to require commission approval before building new wastewater treatment plants.Other bills make it easier for communities to receive infrastructure loans and grants from the Indiana Finance Authority, require lead testing and mitigation at preschools and childcare facilities and ease the process for counties to join a watershed development commission.Then there are the Omissions:In addition to specific areas described above, there are a few other things that should be cited. The legislature still does not allow discussion of “climate change.” The rebuff of the climate initiative by 20,000 high school students represents incredible arrogance. The state has not chosen to improve its 48th rank in water and air quality. There was no plan to improve life expectancy in counties downwind of points of pollution such as coal-fired power plants. Finally, resolving that natural gas is not a fossil fuel is laughable. —Norm Holy | | This week we’ll report more statistics regarding life expectancy. Earlier we reported on life expectancy in each county in 2018. The differences were large. In wealthy white areas with no coal-fired power plants around, life expectancy was nearly 80 years. In areas downwind of power plants and other sources of air pollution, life expectancy was as low as 72+ years.In this report the objective is to gain some idea of the effect of covid on life expectancy. The latest figures are available for 2021 from the National Statistics Report. The covid effect is, thus, not fully captured. It was anticipated that since many Hoosiers, especially in the southern part of the state, did not comply with the mask advisory, lower expectancies were anticipated. The Indiana life expectancy (male and female) was 76.8 years in 2018 (pre-covid) and 75.0 years in 2021. Covid is not the only cause of the drop, but seems likely to be the major contributor.Ranking states by life expectancy reveals that Indiana ranked 40th in 2018 and 41st in 2021. Thus, our handling of the disease was typical with other states. Indiana is toward the bottom of states because we have a high percentage of smokers, obesity is an issue, and we have very high air and water pollution. The top 10 states with the longest life expectancy are all “blue” states. The bottom ten, including Indiana, are all “red” states.—Norm Holy | | The snowbirds among us depart for Florida in the winter to enjoy the warm weather and beach. One of the fixtures in terms of bird life is the anhinga, a water bird with a snakelike neck. Recently an anhinga has turned up in an unexpected place: Brooklyn. This is a sign of shifting ranges for birds from the South.(quote) What we are seeing here is likely an expanding population from the previous typical range of the species in the southeastern United States, (end quote) said Andrew Farnsworth, a researcher at the Cornell lab. He added that the anhinga is a strong flier and quite a migrant, so it’s not necessarily a surprise this is happening. So if you see a bird swimming with just its head and neck out of the water, it could be an anhinga living near you.—Norm Holy |

| In 2019, research revealed that the US and Canada had lost nearly a third of their birds – 2.9 billion all together, since 1970. As bleak as this picture may be, it’s not too late to make a difference for our local bird populations. You can plant trees, and take other easy steps, to help them thrive.Birds contribute to our food supply by pollinating 5% of all plants grown for human consumption. They also quietly go about keeping insect populations in check! A Baltimore Oriole can consume 17 hairy caterpillars in a minute. A house wren feeds 500 insects to its young every summer afternoon and a pair of flickers consider 5,000 ants a mere snack.You can help the bird population by planting trees with fruit, nuts, or seeds that attract birds. Plant trees that are different heights at maturity. Set out a bird bath and keep it filled with clean water. Hang a bird feeder and if possible, retain dead trees – the woodpeckers love them. These are just some ways to support our feathered friends.—Julianna Dailey | | And now…we present the final segment of Zyro Roze’s interview with Bill Brown, Assistant Director for Strategy and Engagement at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute as they explore how the Campus works with the City and other institutions to secure funding, data and expertise while also touching on how eco design strategies can make housing more affordable by assessing the true costs and benefits of going beyond conventional approaches to residential infrastructure. | | For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Cynthia Roberts | | Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G. |

| And now for some upcoming events:Join Indiana native plant expert, David Mow at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 27th, from 1 to 2 pm for a highly informative session on edible plants. Learn how to identify plants, what their uses are, and rules for collecting in Indiana State Parks. | | Drop by the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake to learn about Clever Crows on Sunday, May 28th, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Meet at the Activity Center Patio to learn how smart crows are and then take some time to make a crow puppet. | | A Creek Stomp at Spring Mill State Park is scheduled for Sunday, May 28th, from 3 to 3:30 pm. Wade in the cold creek to search for fresh water creatures. Learn how they help determine the quality of the water. | | Tag along on a Herp Hike through Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Friday, June 2nd, from 6 to 8 pm to look for amphibians and reptiles. Learn all about frogs, snakes, lizards and salamanders; how to find them and their role in the ecosystem. Register at Bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Pastors for Peace is sponsoring a trip to Cuba from June 26th through July 6th, to learn practices focused on fighting the climate crises. The trip doesn’t take place until the end of June, but you need to register now at IFCO@IFCONews.org. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. | | Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and Branden Blewett engineered today’s show. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey and have a safe and happy Memorial Day. And I am Cynthia Roberts. And this is EcoReport. |

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| Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marsalek. Later in the program, we have Part Three of an ongoing series from Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze. He speaks with eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown. In today’s installment, they address retrofitting existing structures like the University’s historic limestone buildings, how to source sustainable materials to offset climate change and how construction methods impact indoor air quality. | | And now for your environmental reports:News at IU reports that to build on its legacy of helping its students and alumni contribute to efforts to find solutions to pressing global challenges, the Indiana University Kelley School of Business is establishing the Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability.Nearly 45 professors representing every department at the Kelley School in Bloomington and Indianapolis are actively engaged in research involving environmental and social sustainability. The institute will enable the school to better support and broaden these activities while also offering new courses and educational opportunities for students.“Many companies are increasingly addressing environmental and sustainability issues to better understand the impact of their activity on people and society,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School. Our faculty has been engaged in these issues for a while, and this institute will help us to be better positioned to make a difference.A key to success will be whether this institute can move the legislature toward a more progressive posture.—Norm Holy | | The Public News Service reports Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ignored pleas from environmental advocates who were asking him to veto a bill that gives lawmakers more power over state agencies.To Hoosiers not familiar with the technical language in House Bill 1623, it may be difficult to decode how it applies to everyday life. But Sam Carpenter understood what’s at stake – and was quick to call it a “bad bill.”Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, worried that the legislation could affect people’s health and the environment. He said it creates more paperwork for state regulators dealing with the ash left behind when coal is burned to make electricity, and collected in ponds, “most of them unlined.”“Indiana has one of the highest – if not the highest – number of coal ash ponds in the state, compared to other states in the nation,” he said, and they are leaching toxic metals – mercury, arsenic, lead – into our waterways.However, the bill’s supporters have said it streamlines rulemaking and standardizes government procedures. Carpenter said his group wanted more common-sense regulation, and blamed special-interest groups and a tendency from some who push back against any new law.Carpenter predicted that the legislation will limit regulators’ ability to effectively do their jobs.We’re really relying on federal regulations for Indiana problems, he said. Holcomb signed House Bill 1623 into law Thursday.—Norm Holy | | Indiana Public Media has reported both good news and bad regarding the environment. When the governor approves the state budget, several Indiana environment and conservation programs will see a funding boost. The Hoosier Environmental Council said the legislature appropriated a significant amount of money for land conservation and trails — though a lot less than it had hoped for.Indiana plans to give $10 million to the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust Fund. The HEC said it’s not the $25 million the governor proposed, but it’s still the most the state has ever appropriated to the trust without the help of federal dollars. Lawmakers also earmarked $30 million for trails, though the governor had proposed $50 million.HEC Executive Director Sam Carpenter said a lot of people visited Indiana’s state parks and trails during the pandemic Stay-At-Home orders — and that demand remains strong.“These are investments that help retain and attract talent in Indiana. And I know that’s a big focus for the legislators in the General Assembly as well as for our corporate businesses,” he said.An extra $5 million will go to the Clean Water Indiana program which help farmers and landowners reduce erosion into waterways. A report last year said Indiana had the most polluted rivers and streams of any state — mostly due to runoff from large animal farms.The state also increased fees for motorboats, which will result in an extra $1.2 million for things like improving habitats for aquatic life. At a time when more Hoosiers are getting outside, the legislature has made even more budget cuts to Indiana’s underfunded and understaffed environmental agencies.The funding for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years will be about 3 percent lower than the current budget. Even though the Indiana Department of Environmental Management receives more money now from the state’s general fund, it will be operating with about 11 percent fewer dollars overall.The Hoosier Environmental Council said budgets for state environmental agencies haven’t recovered since the 2008 recession — making it difficult for them to retain employees and ultimately do their jobs.—Norm Holy | | The New York Times reports the Biden administration on Thursday announced the first regulations to limit greenhouse pollution from existing power plants, capping an unparalleled string of climate policies that, taken together, could substantially reduce the nation’s contribution to global warming. The proposals are designed to effectively eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s electricity sector by 2040.The regulations governing power plants come on the heels of other Biden administration plans to cut tailpipe emissions by speeding up the country’s transition to electric vehicles, to curb methane leaks from oil and gas wells and to phase down the use of a planet-warming chemical in refrigerants. Together with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which is pouring more than $370 billion into clean energy programs, the actions would catapult the United States to the forefront of the fight to constrain global warming.“We are in the decisive decade for climate action, and the president’s been clear about his goals in this space, and we will meet them,” Mr. Biden’s senior climate adviser, Ali Zaidi, said in a telephone call with reporters on Wednesday.The government is not mandating the use of equipment to capture carbon emissions before they leave the smokestack, a nascent and expensive technology. Rather, it is setting caps on pollution rates, which power plant operators would have to meet. They could do that by using a different technology or, in the case of gas plants, switching to a fuel source like green hydrogen, which does not emit carbon.The nation’s 3,400 coal- and gas-fired power plants currently generate about 25 percent of greenhouse gases produced by the United States, pollution that is dangerously heating the planet.It will be interesting to see how Indiana’s lawmakers respond to this challenge. The lawmakers have been busy promoting coal, declaring that natural gas is not a greenhouse gas, and placing barriers to wind and solar.—Norm Holy | | The Indiana Business Journal reports that shipping containers can have a new life. What happens to shipping containers when they return to land after a trip across the ocean? Increasingly, they have become a place to live on both a short- and long-term basis.Eko Solutions offers five container-home models, which are made in Alabama. They range from 320 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom to 1,280 square feet for a two-story model with three bedrooms and one bathroom.Fishers-based Eko Solutions is one company looking to expand its footprint in the container-housing industry, which is growing in Indiana. Homebuilders include Custom Container Builders in Indianapolis and Rock Creek Container in Markle.Globally, the container-homes market is expected to grow from $59 billion in 2022 to $87 billion by 2029, according to Fortune Business Insights.Eko Solutions works to turn shipping containers into permanent housing for people looking for an affordable home and into temporary housing for natural disaster survivors. Since its founding in 2020, Eko Solutions has sold 59 container homes.The company offers five models that range from 320 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom for $60,000 to 1,280 square feet for a two-story model with three bedrooms and one bathroom that costs $165,000.“Across the United States, we see the lack of housing in general as well as attainable housing for individuals to be able to get into,” Eko Solutions President Peter Rodriguez said.Manufacturers like Eko Solutions are permitted to use two types of shipping containers: one-use containers that have crossed the ocean a single time, and wind and watertight containers that have taken seven to 10 trips across the sea.While Alabama allows containers that have been used multiple times, Indiana allows only one-use containers to be repurposed.Over the course of the next 100 years, climate change will create millions, even hundreds of millions, of refugees. Many will leave coastal cities, seeking higher ground.—Norm Holy | | And now…we go to Zyro Roze with Part Three of his interview with Bill Brown of Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute as they discuss how much energy is used in the built environment, embodied Carbon and adaptive reuse of older buildings, sustainable materials like certified timber and the holistic health conditions to consider when building green. | | For Eco Report, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships. To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G. | | And now for some upcoming events:A Birdwatching for Beginners class is being offered at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, May 20th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. The hike will include several stops to look for birds. Binoculars and field guides will be available. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | The Indiana Nature Conservancy is offering a Wildflower Walk at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve in Brown County on Saturday, May 20th, from 10 am to Noon. You can celebrate Endangered Species Day while enjoying the hills and ravines and be on the lookout for oak regeneration, wildflowers and songbirds. | | A Kids To Park Day is taking place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 20th, beginning at 4 pm. The day includes an Osprey Watch while the children learn all about Osprey’s. They will practice with binoculars and hike along the lake shore to view an osprey nesting platform. This event is for children ages 6 to 12. Sign up at bit.ly/k2p-2023-osprey. | | A Snared in the Spider’s Web program is planned for Friday, May 26th, from 6 to 8 pm at the Monroe Lake, Paynetown State Recreation Area. Meet at the Campground Playground to learn how spiders spin their webs. Weave your spider web at the craft table and play spider web games. | | Join Indiana native plant expert, David Mow at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 27th, from 1 to 2 pm for a highly informative session on edible plants. Learn how to identify plants, what their uses are, and rules for collecting in Indiana State Parks. |

| And that wraps up our show for this week.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at M-P-I solar energy dot com. | | This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy. Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider. Julianna Dailey assembled the script which was edited by Zyro Roze. Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar. Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show. |

| For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey. And I am Frank Marshalek. And this is EcoReport. |

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report. For W-F-H-B, I’m Cynthia Roberts and I’m Frank Marshalek.

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Bill Brown in the second part of an interview with the eco architect. In today’s segment, they discuss the cost benefit analysis of solar energy, adressing the price compared to fossil fuels, financial incentives available, as well as state and federal government policies relating to electrification and the transition to renewable energy.

And now for your environmental reports:IndyStar reports on an important development regarding coal ash. The state is allowing AES Indiana to dump more than one million gallons of water contaminated with harmful coal ash pollutants directly into the White River every day, according to Indiana environmental groups who call the approval process a “contradictory shell game.” Indiana regulators recently renewed the utility’s permit for its Eagle Valley plant in Martinsville. The environmental groups claim that the permit violates a federal rule meant to help prevent and clean-up coal ash contamination across the country.

The Hoosier Environmental Council along with the Conservation Law Center is now challenging that permit — arguing that it actually enables the spread of pollution — with the Indiana Office for Environmental Adjudication. “I’m sorry, but pumping contaminated groundwater into the river shouldn’t count as clean-up,” said Indra Frank, the director of environmental health and water policy at HEC. Critics claim the utility is skirting the rules by pumping water contaminated with coal ash from wells installed on the facility to stop the pollution. But then AES Indiana is running that water through the plant’s cooling system before dumping it into the river.

Kim Ferraro with the Conservation Law Center at Indiana University said, “There is a contradictory shell game being played here.” The Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the agency that approved the permit, said the renewal was issued “in accordance with all requirements and provisions of the Clean Water Act” and considered “applicable effluent” limits.

And AES Indiana said it meets all applicable requirements and that it’s “lawfully discharging” under its permit. “AES Indiana, including its Eagle Valley Generating Station, takes pride in its compliance with the environmental regulations and permits,” utility spokeswoman Kelly Young said.

Eagle Valley began operating in 1949 as a coal plant. It produced a lot of coal ash: nearly 3 million cubic yards of the toxic waste. A byproduct from burning coal, the ash contains a dangerous mix of heavy metals and toxic chemicals such as arsenic, boron, lead and mercury. Indiana has the most coal ash ponds of any state in the country, and nearly all of them are leaking into the surrounding waters. This conflict between industry and environment is common in Indiana. Exploitation and profit are the paramount values held by the legislature.

—Norm Holy

IndyStar reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air monitoring near the site of a major fire in Richmond has found multiple toxic substances, including asbestos and hydrogen cyanide, a compound used as a chemical weapon during World War I. The EPA has conducted 24-hour air monitoring and sampling at the site and in neighborhoods surrounding the 175,000-square feet “My Way Trading Warehouse” since the recycled plastics in the building went up in flames April 11. The agency said it found debris containing asbestos in neighborhoods surrounding the warehouse.

The EPA said air monitors detected the presence of hydrogen cyanide, benzene, chlorine, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds within the half-mile evacuation zone. The agency sent the collected samples to a laboratory to learn more about the extent of the contamination. The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency has since lifted the evacuation order for residents living within the evacuation zone, but the chemicals detected by the EPA could potentially cause a series of health problems for residents.

Life expectancies in every Indiana county are available for 2018, and it is clear something has been going on in Richmond for years. The life expectancy in Wayne County is 74.3 years, or about 4 years less than the county average in Indiana. A question that we could not answer is whether plastic was burned at the recycling plant prior to the fire. If plastics were burned, there’s the likelihood that the combustion temperatures were too low to destroy toxic materials.

—Norm Holy

A just-published study predicts increasing risk of extremely high temperatures at many places around the earth. Temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit are even possible. The study by researchers in Britain identifies which places are most at risk. According to the study, these include economically developed places like Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, plus the region of China around Beijing. But they also include developing countries like Afghanistan, Guatemala, Honduras and Papua New Guinea, that are more likely to lack resources to keep people safe. Other areas at particular risk include far eastern Russia, northwestern Argentina and part of northeastern Australia. The study was published last Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. The Earth has experienced temperatures over 120 degrees during the Jurassic Period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Atmospheric carbon dioxide, from volcanic eruptions, was 2-4 times what we have today.

—Norm Holy

The International Energy Agency reports that carbon capture is very attractive to the fossil fuel industry because it makes possible the continuance of burning of fossil fuels. What is the cost of pairing burning of coal plus carbon capture compared to solar or wind? First, it should be noted that carbon capture applications do not all have the same cost. Looking specifically at carbon capture, the cost can vary greatly by CO2 source, from a range of USD 15-25/times CO2 for industrial processes producing “pure” or highly concentrated CO2 streams (such as ethanol production or natural gas processing) to USD 40-120/times CO2 for processes with “dilute” gas streams, such as cement production and power generation. Capturing CO2 directly from the air is currently the most expensive approach. Some CO2 capture technologies are commercially available now, while others are still in development, and this further contributes to the large range in costs. Carbon capture has been practiced at two power plants, and one of those has been shuttered because of the high cost of carbon capture.

Achieving deep emissions reductions in heavy industry (cement, steel and chemicals production) can be challenging for several reasons. But carbon capture is a relatively advanced and cost-competitive option for dramatically cutting the CO2 emitted during the production of these essential materials. It can also be more cost-effective to retrofit carbon capture to existing facilities than building new capacity with alternative technologies. In the case of cement production, where two-thirds of emissions are from chemical reactions related to heating limestone (rather than burning fossil fuels), carbon capture is currently the only scalable solution for reducing emissions. And in the iron and steel sector, production routes based on carbon capture are currently the most advanced and least-cost low-carbon options.
For power generation, solar and wind are much cheaper than carbon capture.

—Norm Holy

The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Nestle came in as the world’s top plastic polluters for five years running, according to Break Free From Plastic’s latest global brand audit report. Since 2018, global cleanups have been carried out by more than 200,000 volunteers in 87 countries to identify the companies with the most plastic waste in the most places. Coca-Cola came in with first place. What is ironic, these findings were revealed as the top polluter at the UN climate change conference COP27 in Egypt where Coca-Cola was serving as a sponsor. Instead of allowing companies like Coke to greenwash their image, governments need to compel polluters to invest in reuse and alternative product delivery systems that avoid the problem in the first place,” said Von Hernandez, Global Coordinator of Break Free From Plastic.

—Julianna Dailey

And now…we go to Zyro Roze with Part Two of his interview with eco architect Bill Brown of Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute on the financial case for how going solar in Indiana saves money and makes sense for families and institutions that chose to think long-term, comprehensively considering the trade-offs involved with conventional utilities versus ultra efficiency, geothermal batteries and renewable power infrastructure.For Eco Report, I’m Cynthia Roberts. And I’m Frank Marshalek. Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Here at Eco Report we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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. W-F-H-B also offers internships.To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: Earth@wfhb.org And now for some upcoming events:Hike Trail 5 for an A to Z Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 13th, from 10 to 11 am. As you hike around the lake you will search for all things from A to Z. It will be amazing what you will find. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. Enjoy a Wetland Bird Walk with Wild Birds Unlimited on Wednesday, May 17th, from 7:30 to 9 am at the Bean Blossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. Join Ken Keffa and Heather Ray from Wild Birds Unlimited in Bloomington for a guided nature walk through the wetlands. RSVP to Sycamorelandtrust.org/events. A Birdwatching for Beginners class is being offered at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, May 20th, from 7:30 to 9:30 am. The hike will include several stops where you will look for birds. Binoculars and field guides will be available. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

The Indiana Nature Conservancy is offering a Wildflower Walk at the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve in Brown County on Saturday, May 20th, from 10 am to Noon. You can celebrate Endangered Species Day while enjoying the hills and ravines and be on the lookout for oak regeneration, wildflowers and songbirds. A Kids To Park Day is taking place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, May 20th, beginning at 4 pm. The day includes an Osprey Watch while the children learn all about Oprey’s. They will practice with binoculars and hike along the lake shore to view an osprey nesting platform. This event is for children ages 6 to 12. Sign up at bit.ly/k2p-2023-osprey.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young, Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show.

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Later, in today’s news feature, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks local eco architect and sustainability pioneer Bill Brown about the environmental considerations involved in constructing energy efficient public libraries that Brown designed for two communities in Indiana.

And now for your environmental reports:

In an IU news release, the university announced a new program to build on its legacy of helping its students and alumni contribute to efforts to find solutions to pressing global challenges. The Indiana University Kelley School of Business is establishing the Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability.

Nearly 45 professors representing every department at the Kelley School in Bloomington and Indianapolis are actively engaged in research involving environmental and social sustainability. The institute will enable the school to better support and broaden these activities while also offering new courses and educational opportunities for students.

(quote) Many companies are increasingly addressing environmental and sustainability issues to better understand the impact of their activity on people and society, (end quote) said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School. The faculty has been engaged in these issues for a while, and this institute will help us to be better positioned to make a difference.

For example, enrollment in an undergraduate course on sustainability law and policy has tripled since 2017. New courses in climate law and policy are now offered. Another course on business and poverty alleviation have been introduced in recent years, and more new courses are under development. Kelley also offers a co-major in sustainable business at the undergraduate level.

Thus far, the state government has not interfered with the program. Earlier this year, the Attorney General filed suit to prevent investment of state pension funds into accounts that value social or environmental responsibility.

—Norm Holy

Inside Climate Change reports Congress is once again fighting over the nation’s debt ceiling, the legal limit on how much the United States can borrow. It’s a highly politicized battle that has threatened to paralyze the federal government almost every year for the past decade, with potentially significant long-term consequences for the U.S. economy. Now Republicans want to use it to repeal President Joe Biden’s climate agenda.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has become beholden to a handful of far-right GOP lawmakers, is on a quest to slash federal spending. The California Republican reluctantly agreed to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion for about a year, but not without demanding major concessions from Democrats.

McCarthy’s bill, called the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, would slash more than $4.5 trillion from future federal spending by limiting discretionary funds, eliminating Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and cutting financial commitments meant to revamp the Internal Revenue Service in order to prevent audits of the tax forms of the ultra-rich. It also targets the foundational provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Democrats’ marquee climate law that passed last year.

That bill dedicates around $370 billion to fighting climate change, largely through tax rebates and other government credits that incentivize consumers and businesses to adopt clean energy technologies and electric vehicles. McCarthy’s proposal would repeal the vast majority of those. They include the tax credits for EVs, clean hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel and even the credits that would reward energy providers for building more solar and wind power systems—even more so if they build them in low-income neighborhoods. Basically, McCarthy wants to say climate change is no threat to life on Earth.

McCarthy also slipped the Republican’s energy plan, known as H.R. 1, into his debt ceiling bill. That measure, which passed the House mostly along party lines last month, would speed up the federal approval of energy projects, bolster domestic oil and gas production and limit the ability of states to reject energy projects.

The Limit, Save, Grow Act (quote) would end the green giveaways for companies that distort the market and waste taxpayer money, (end quote) McCarthy said, speaking from the House floor on Wednesday. Goldman Sachs says the savings from ending these green giveaways are as much as $1.2 trillion. What McCarthy essentially prefers is to leave the cost of much of Florida and many other places going under water to future generations.

Despite protests from the State of Texas, the federal government has listed as endangered a rare milkweed plant that monarch butterflies thrive on and is designating miles of critical habitat on the South Texas border that could affect future state border wall development.

The prostrate milkweed only grows within 9 miles of the border in the United States. The plant is integral to the survival of monarch butterflies. In July, the monarchs were listed as threatened species.

Monarch butterflies migrate to this area across the Rio Grande Valley, between Mexico United States every year. So listing the prostrate milkweed on the endangered species list was the right decision.

In the spring, female monarchs will migrate north across the borderlands, and they have to find milkweed to lay eggs on where they die. The prostrate milkweeds are the first species that they’ll come across. The female can lay their eggs on the milkweed and then they die; the new butterflies that emerge from this will continue the migration to points further north. So these really are critically important flowers, and make the entire butterfly migration process possible.

Those pesky squirrels! How do they do it? How can they possibly get to your bird feeder when you have a baffle to keep them out?

Squirrels can sprint along fences; skitter up, down, and around tree trunks; and pull off awe-inspiring feats of agility – like getting into your bird feeder.

Their anatomy is specialized for treetop antics. They have hyperflexible back ankles that can rotate a full 180 degrees, plus they have curved claws. So, by reversing their ankles, they can dig their back claws into a tree’s bark even while descending headfirst.

It’s a rare talent. House cats which are in the same genus, can’t twist their ankles. That’s why cats can’t back down a tree.

lSQuirrels legs are also strong. They can leap more than six feet. The average squirrel is under a foot long, yet they can leap over six times the length of their body.

Squirrels also learn by trial and error. They will keep trying over and over until they figure it out. That’s why they finally figure out how to get into your bird feeder, no matter what you do.

—Julianna Dailey

The Environmental Protection Agency as soon as this week is expected to unveil standards for new and existing power plants, which belch roughly a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, two sources said. The rules will replace former President Donald Trump’s American Clean Energy rule and former President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, both of which were invalidated by courts.

More than a year in the making, the standards should be based on a plant’s potential to reduce emissions through carbon capture and storage technology, according to clean air law experts and industry representatives in talks with the EPA.

Utility companies may need to decide whether they want to build new gas plants with carbon capture technology or zero-emission renewable energy. States would develop plans for bringing their plants into compliance.
Most new gas plants currently do not pay for emitting carbon, so the rules could make it harder for them to compete with solar and wind power. Gas plus carbon capture would always be more expensive than solar or wind.
Biden has pledged that the power business will decarbonize by 2035. According to the Clean Air Act, the standards must be based on “best system of emission reduction,” technologies deemed affordable and technically feasible.

The proposal will reflect two major developments to ensure the rules are legally defensible. One, a Supreme Court decision last July, barred EPA from forcing a system-wide shift in electric generation but allowed it to issue plant-specific rules.

Second, the Inflation Reduction Act created tax credits making carbon capture and hydrogen more affordable and affirmed EPA’s authority to regulate power plants. The law offers more than $100 billion in clean electricity tax incentives, including a 70% increase in credits for each ton of carbon captured and sequestered. This program is in the Inflation Reduction Act because the fossil fuel industries see it as a way to continue burning fossil fuels.

If you’re building a new fossil plant, it needs to control its emissions, said Lissa Lynch, director of the federal legal group at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Existing technology can capture and store approximately 90% of carbon emissions, Lynch said.
—Norm Holy

Feature Report:

And now we go to Zyro Roze and the first part of an interview with Bill Brown of I.U.’s Environmental Resilience Institute on how he harnessed social capital, federal funds and the energy of the Sun to create America’s first certified Energy Positive public library right here in Indiana.

And now for some upcoming events:

A Morel Mushroom Festival is scheduled at Brown County State Park on Saturday, May 6th, from 10 am to 5 pm. Enjoy a full day of mushroom activities, including classes on how to find morel mushrooms; off-trail hiking to search for morel mushrooms; mushroom arts and crafts and much more.
Join volunteer Steve for a Wildflower Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 6th, from 3 to 4 pm. You will hike on Trail 5 while exploring all the wildflowers in bloom. This is a moderate, one-mile hike. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.
A gardening class on Healthy Soil, Healthy Garden is taking place on Wednesday, May 10th, from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Butler Community Park Gardens. Learn about the importance of healthy soils, how to improve your soil and how to test it. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Brown County State Park is hosting a Snake Meet and Greet on Thursday, May 11th, from 4 to 4:30 pm. Go to the Nature Center for an up close and personal look at one of Indiana’s native snakes. Learn about their unique traits, the threats they face and how you can protect them.
Hike Trail 5 for an A to Z Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 13th, from 10 to 11 am. As you hike around the lake, you will search for all things from A to Z. It will be amazing what you will find. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Julianna Dailey.
Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.
Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Branden Blewett produced and engineered today’s show.

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Hello and welcome to Eco-Report.
For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey
And I’m Cynthia Roberts

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze asks green business consultant and Indiana native BRANDON PITCHER about his past work in the hemp industry and his current ECOpreneurial endeavors creating a range of sustainable health products that his company is developing from fungal extracts.

And now for your environmental reports:
The growing divide in life expectancy among Indiana counties is cause for concern. The gap between the state’s higher life expectancy counties and those on the lower end continues to widen.

—Norm Holy

This story appeared in the IndyStar in their coverage of the current legislative session. It reveals that legislators who own construction companies weren’t satisfied with the hundreds of thousand acres of wetland that were removed from protection last year. This year the same contractors are back, wanting more land.

—Norm Holy

Continuing with the previous story about the wetlands in Indiana, only one person testified on the amendment: Rick Wajda, CEO of the Indiana Builders Association, who spoke in support.

—Norm Holy

And, now this update on the wetlands amendment: IndyStar reports that legislation rolling back wetlands protections may have been dealt a fatal blow Thursday after Indiana lawmakers stripped the language out of a sewage and septic system bill for irrelevance.
—Norm Holy

And now, Zyro Roze discusses hurdles to the hemp industry in the United States and how natural ingredients for health products can replace toxic norms while incentivizing forest preservation with Brandon Pitcher of Blue Circle Mushrooms.

And now for some upcoming events:

Cook Medical Annual Electronic Waste Recycle Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 29th, from 9 am to 2 pm at the Cook Profile Park Facility located at 500 N. Profile Parkway in Bloomington. This is your chance to get rid of your old computers, printers or any other electronic devices that no longer work.
Sycamore Land Trust is celebrating Arbor Day with a Tree Giveaway on Saturday, April 29th, from 10 to 1 pm at Bloomingfoods, both the East and Near West locations. There will be 14 native species to select from.
Every Wednesday from Noon to 3 pm, enjoy live music by Creekside and Friends at Spring Mill State Park in the Nature Center. Light refreshments will be available as you enjoy nature while listening to music. Take time to lift your spirits!
A Flora Field Day is scheduled at the Monroe Lake Tailwater off Monroe Dam Road for Tuesday, May 2nd, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Work on your floral identification skills using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Bug spray, hat and water bottle are recommended. Sign up at bit.ly/florafield-may2023.
Enjoy a Full Flower Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, May 5th, from 8:30 to 10:00 pm. Join the naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle as you learn the history and folklore of May’s Full Flower Moon.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.

Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.

For W-F-H-B, I’m Julianna Dailey.
And I am Cynthia Roberts
And this is EcoReport.

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In this week’s edition of Eco Report EXTRA, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze gets an update from the Indiana State House in a conversation with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) on bills moving through the Indiana Legislature that relate to the ecological health of our state.

Maloney is the prime emissary of the HEC to the State Legislature and he follows bills and budget considerations as they bounce through the complicated machinations of state government. He voices HEC’s opposition or support for provisions, budget items or entire bills as they make their way through the byzantine process of becoming official policy.

Roze and Maloney discuss which legislation has died in Committee, been watered down or voted down as it travels between the House and Senate or has advanced into law in the Indiana General Session.

They touch upon the constituencies involved, the impact that the quality of life and the environment have on business interests and economic development, the health effects of deregulation and limits on government authority to manage chemical pollution and land use.

They discuss how firefighters and others are being exposed to harmful products like PFAS “forever chemicals”, ways to address lead in the drinking water at day-care centers and preschools as well as the broader community by testing and upgrading infrastructure, legislation impacting wetlands conservation, protecting water tables from coal ash repositories, sewage systems and agricultural run off.

Other issues are explored, like recycling solar and wind technology at the “end of life” of renewable energy equipment, energy audits and efficiency in government operations and buildings as eliminating wasteful government spending, ways to fund initiatives, organizations, programs and agencies.

They discuss the health and scope of the Hoosier Environmental Council and the broader movement to align government, business and society with an ecological ethic, ways to protect the ecosystem and human health, the interests fighting progress in these areas and what it will take to get results and make change.

For further information on the activities of the Hoosier Environmental Council including policy initiatives and Earth Month events, go to www.hecweb.org.

Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.

This episode was hosted by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young.

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Good afternoon. This is Eco Report for Friday, April 14th, 2023.

Coming up in this half hour, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze speaks with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council about what’s going on in the Indiana Legislature this year regarding matters directly impacting our Ecosystem.

And now for your environmental reports:

Indiana Legislature Does Bidding of Coal Interests

The Indiana Legislature has done the bidding of the coal interests and made rooftop solar power much less attractive.

Since 2004, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has required the state’s five investor-owned, for-profit utility companies to offer net metering to all electric customers. The policy allowed those customers to sell their extra energy back to utilities at the same rate utilities charged customers for electricity.

A bill approved by legislators in 2017 started to phase out that system, with the official end date landing on July 1, 2022. Now all five investor-owned utilities have been approved for instantaneous metering. The system lets utilities charge customers the retail rate for power they use from the grid. Energy customers send back to the utility is then bought at the lower, wholesale rate.

Add it all up, and the new, lower rates represent some of the most dramatic cuts to net-metering policies in the country, according to Ben Inskeep, program director of Citizen Action Coalition of Indiana, the state’s largest consumer and environmental advocacy organization.

“We really are an outlier in terms of having really terrible rooftop solar compensation policies in place,” he said. It’s much, much worse than many states in the country, and it’s worse than any of our neighbors.

The legislators have amply proven they have no interest in taking the steps necessary to mitigate climate change.

Massive Fire Breaks Out at Recycling Facility in Richmond

Photo courtesy of Michael Conroy, Associated Press.The massive fire that broke out at a Recycling Facility in Richmond Indiana on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of citizens and residents within a half mile radius of the property, was contained to the site. Water from the dousing of the fire was to be contained on the site for treatment.

The Facility , which stored plastic for resale was repeatedly cited by the City of Richmond for the state of the building and grounds as a fire hazard, but ignored those citations according to Richmond Mayor Dave Snow and was recently ruled against in Court.

E-P-A and Health Department officials assured the public that threats from particulate matter could affect the elderly, those with chronic health conditions like C-O-P-D and Asthma, and though the smoke was sure to include carcinogenic compounds, the twenty four hour monitoring equipment did not detect harmful levels in the air and the water supply. The plume of burning plastic could, however,be hazardous to pulmonary health of both people and pets.

Residents were advised that N95 masks would help filter out particulates and advised to not mow debris blown from the site into their yards as it may contain things like Asbestos insulation and other toxic materials.

Richmond is home to some thirty-five thousand people, and folks downwind were advised to close their windows and bring pets inside. Temporary shelters were set up and provisions were being made for hotel rooms as the black cloud crossed the border into Ohio.

EPA Tightens Limits on Mercury and other Pollutants from Power Plants

According to the New York Times, the coal people are not pleased with the latest move by the EPA to tighten limits on mercury and other pollutants from power plants. A new rule would reduce mercury, arsenic, nickel and lead emissions, which the Biden administration said would protect public health.

The Biden administration said that it would require coal- and oil-fired power plants to reduce emissions of several hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems in infants and children. The proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency has two broad policy aims: Reduce dangerous toxins in the environment, while also encouraging the transition away from coal-burning power plants and toward cleaner energy sources like solar and wind.

The proposal sets up a likely legal battle with the coal industry and several Republican-led states, which fought to block a previous effort to regulate mercury under the Obama administration. The Obama-era rule, which took effect in 2012, was credited with reducing mercury emissions by about 90 percent.

However, the EPA found that mercury coming from power plants still posed a risk to human health. So the new rule aims to strengthen the limits for mercury emissions from affected coal-burning power plants by 70 percent. It also would further restrict other toxic pollutants like lead, nickel and arsenic.

Michael S. Regan, the administrator of the EPA, said in a statement that the rule would not be expensive for plant operators to implement because of new technologies that are available for monitoring and controlling of emissions.

“By leveraging proven emissions-reduction measures available at reasonable costs and encouraging new, advanced control technologies, we can reduce hazardous pollution from coal-fired power plants, protecting our planet and improving public health for all,” Mr. Regan said.

The E.P.A. estimated that the health benefits over the lifetime of the rule would be between $2.4 billion and $3 billion, from the prevention of deaths or hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular disease. The agency put the estimated cost to the industry of complying with the rule at between $230 million and $300 million.

Helpful Tips for Morel Mushroom Season

Photo courtesy of Indiana Mushrooms.Morel mushroom time is here!

There was a report that someone found over 48 morel mushrooms recently in Brown County.

They are not easy to find. It is advisable to take a friend with you who knows how to find them. If you cannot find someone to help you, then here is how to go about it!

First of all, never eat a wild mushroom unless you are 100 percent certain what it is. Morel look-alikes do exist. And, don’t nibble on raw morels, which have toxins that are destroyed by cooking. If you have a guidebook, take it with you. You never know when you might need it.

Also, you need to learn the species of trees associated with morels. Hunting morels is often a matter of looking up for the right trees rather than in search of a brown thing down in the dirt. People around here tell me that you need to look for old apple trees.

The weather has a lot to do with morel growth. They tend to pop up after a warm, spring rain. Some morels are triggered by fire. So, if you know of a burn site, you might want to check it out.

Good luck with your hunt and happy eating! And don’t tell anyone where you found them!

BP Proposes Carbon Capture and Storage in Northern Indiana

Photo courtesy of NWI Times.The Herald Journal of Monticello reports that British Petroleum proposes carbon capture and storage in northern Indiana.

In a series of open houses throughout the area, BP is bringing information and proposals to county governments and landowners for carbon capture and storage through a process that takes carbon emissions, processes them into liquid form and pipes it thousands of feet underground to be stored “forever.” BP, which has an oil refinery in Whiting, is seeking permission from county board of commissioners to do seismic testing.

The London-based company proposes using the geology in White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Pulaski and Lake counties to store the carbon dioxide from its facilities in Whiting, as well as processing emissions from other manufacturers at depths of at least 3,000 ft in what is called Mt. Simon sandstone, which exists underneath Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

Helpful Tips to Go Native

“Plant the right plants and nature will come,” says Doug Tallamy, cofounder of the conservation project Homegrown National Park. Local wildlife populations have coevolved with their region’s native flora. If you get rid of the plants that animals depend on, the entire ecosystem can fall out of whack. Going native can replace what we have taken.

How you go native, depends on where you live. Both Audubon and the National Wildlife Federation have handy native-plant finders based on zip codes. Talk to your local nursery about what native plants it carries and be sure to ask for straight native, not nativars, which may carry attributes that make them less valuable to wildlife, like nutritionally deficient color and altered blooming times.

Native trees bundle long-lasting wildlife habitat with a host of other benefits, making these a high-impact choice in your yard. Oaks are rewilding superstars. Oaks are wildlife favorites that also sequester carbon, feed pollinators, and support healthy watersheds.

Putting Up Nesting Boxes and Bat Houses on Your Property

Have you ever thought about putting up nesting boxes and bat houses on your property? One of the key aspects of a wildlife habitat is shelter — cavity nesters, such as chickadees, need a safe space to build their nests while dodging predators and the elements. Nesting boxes can also attract various bird species that may not come to your feeders but are searching for a dwelling place.

The same idea extends to bat houses. Female bats need safe places to raise their young. When you provide them with a home, bats will eat mosquitoes, moths, and beetles in your yard and will be less likely to set up shop in your attic. If you aren’t sure about welcoming bats, know that they usually only give birth to one pup a year. And the brush pile you have been meaning to get around to? Plenty of animals don’t use cavities, so that brush is likely a fixture for creatures including sparrows, warblers, and bugs. So, leave it be!

And now for some upcoming events:

Learn about the Beauty of Bluebirds at Brown County State Park on Saturday, April 15th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Meet in the auditorium at the Nature Center for a presentation detailing the amazing life and habits of the Eastern Bluebird.

Join the Indiana DNR for a free guided hike at the Donaldson Cave Nature Preserve at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, April 16th beginning at 10 am. This will be a one-hour hike both on and off the trail. Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot. Registration is recommended.

Join the naturalist at Brown County State Park on Thursday, April 20th, from 3 to 3:45 pm for a Wildflower Walk. Learn about late spring and early summer wildflowers as you walk through the Nature Center gardens and woods.

Celebrate Earth Day with a Spring 5K Run or Walk at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 22nd, beginning at 8:30 am. The race takes place on paved roads through the park. Register at https://friendsmccormickscreek.org/springrace.

Spring Mill State Park will have an Earth Day Celebration beginning at 10 am on Saturday, April 22nd, a day filled with fun activities, crafts, and hikes teaching you all about the importance of our natural resources.

Feature Report:

And now, we go to Zyro Roze discussing the Indiana Legislature with Tim Maloney of the Hoosier Environmental Council or HEC.

To hear Zyro’s full interview with Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director of the HEC, you can find it online as an Eco Report EXTRA.

Volunteer Callout:

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Zyro Roze and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider

Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.

Anchors were Cynthia Roberts Hall and Julianna Dailey.

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Andy Mahler on Protecting Our Woods
Burning Buffalo Springs and Beyond

In this week’s Eco Report EXTRA, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze has a conversation with veteran grassroots activist and former host of WFHB’s flagship public affairs program ‘Interchange’, Andy Mahler, much beloved songster and tree hugger renown in the region for his decades of doggedly defending the environment, building conscious community centered on social justice and seeking harmony with natural ecosystems.

They discuss the recent listening session bequeathed by Senator Mike Braun that was supposed to be a final chance to voice concerns about the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project log and burn plan for parts of the Hoosier National Forest, but turned out to be about the beginning of public input on revising the 2006 Forest Plan on which Buffalo Springs was predicated. They also address the injunction by a Federal Judge halting a prescribed burn in Houston South, a half hour from Bloomington Indiana, over potential effects on the water quality of Lake Monroe, the area’s primary source of drinking water and the possible impact of this injunction on Buffalo Springs and the new plan being drafted for the wider Hoosier National Forest.

They also touch on government policy and financial incentives regarding logging and fire suppression, the differences between the Temperate Hardwood forests of Indiana and the situation out West of massive forest fires which have prompted the outlay of federal funds for prescribed burns all across the country.

They further discuss the diverse communities of organisms that comprise our public forests, threats to endangered species, native flora and fauna, the effects of Climate Change, ways to mitigate the worst scenarios by retaining wildlife habitat, preventing Carbon from being released by disrupting natural sequestration “entfrastructure”, the healing and edifying qualities of being in Nature, the critical importance of protecting clean water sources and the ecosystems which maintain its purity and retain moisture, thereby preventing fire hazards.

They also explore the modern mechanistic paradigm, how to reclaim lost cultural heritage and history, remarking on the legacy of Buffalo Trace, colonial conquest of the biosphere, cultures like the Druids, lessons from ancient Mesopotamian myth and archaic law tablets that regulated deforestation in some of the earliest civilizations and the balance that must be struck to prevent degradation of the human spirit and the livability of the planet for all life and future generations.

Eco Report EXTRA is a co-production of WFHB News and Public Affairs and Eco Media Center of Monroe County as part of an ongoing community media collaboration.

This episode was hosted by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

The music featured in this episode of Eco Report EXTRA:

‘The Song of Buffalo Springs’
by Robert Hoyt
Performed by Wyatt Blankenship (with Andy Mahler leading the crowd chorus)
Performed at a public meeting with Senator Mike Braun at the Orange County Community Center in Paoli, Indiana.

View Details

Hello and welcome to Eco-Report.
For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey
And I’m Frank Marshalek

Coming up later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze has an update on developments regarding regional forest protection efforts in a recent interview with Andy Mahler of Protect Our Woods, following a public meeting in Paoli earlier this week with Senator Mike Braun and the US Forest Service where some two hundred fifty people showed up, with the vast majority of those that rose to speak expressing opposition to the Buffalo Springs log and burn forest plan as it currently stands.

And now for your environmental reports:

Last week we reported on pesticide use in common produce and listed the Dirty Dozen. This week we list the Clean Fifteen, as analyzed by the USDA and FDA. —Norm Holy
The Indiana Environmental Reporter provides an update on a very old issue: coal ash. News that toxic waste from the recent Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio would be shipped to a landfill in Roachdale, Indiana has rung alarm bells with everyone from local residents to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has ordered testing of the waste for possibly dangerous levels of dioxins. —Norm Holy
The Indiana Capitol Chronicle reports environmental activists decried the legislative process for a bill introduced in the current session, saying it clearly benefited some of the state’s most powerful while harming the average Hoosier.
—Norm Holy
To our dismay, the Indiana House pushed forward a bill reducing the few remaining state wetlands protections. —Julianna Dailey
Despite scientists’ warnings, House Republicans passed a bill to boost fossil fuels amidst climate crisis. –Norm Holy
Indiana resembles Kentucky in many ways. Kentucky is dead last in solar or wind power. Indiana is not far behind. —Norm Holy
And now, Zyro Roze speaks with Andy Mahler of Protect Our Woods, an initiative of the Indiana Forest Alliance.

Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues?
Here at EcoReport we are currently looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producers. Our goal is 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 an assortment of 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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org

And now for some upcoming events:

Wildflower Weekend is taking place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, April 8th, and Sunday, April 9th. Workshops, hikes and fun activities are scheduled each day. To see the full schedule, go to the DNR Calendar website.
Join Anthony at the Donaldson Cave Parking Log in Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, April 8th, from 8 to 9:30 pm for a Full Pink Moon Hike. You will hike Trail 7 which is 2.25 miles long as you learn the history and folklore of the Full Pink Moon.
Join native plant and fungi guru David Mow for a guided tour of Porter West Preserve in Monroe County on Wednesday, April 12th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a Sycamore Land Turst event. To participate, go to sycamorelandtrust.org to register.
A Salt Creek Wildflower Hike is scheduled at Monroe Lake at the U.S. Army Corps Overlook on Thursday, April 13th, from Noon to 2 pm. It is one of the best locations to see spring wildflowers in bloom at Monroe Lake. It is especially known for its white-blooming Virginia Bluebells. Sign up at bit.ly/saltcreekflowers-2023.
Join the Bedford Hiking Club for a 5 or 10 K Volksmarch at Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Saturday, April 15th, from 9 am to 1 pm. Contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 to register.

And that wraps up our show for this week.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey.

Today’s news feature was produced by Zyro Roze and edited by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider

Julianna Dailey assembled the script and was edited by Zyro Roze.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced and engineered today’s show.

For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey.
And I am Frank Marshalek

And this is EcoReport.

View Details

This is Eco Report for Friday, March 31st, 2023.

Later in the program, Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze hosted a conversation with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights. Roze and Linzey discuss the environmental attorney’s background, early career, legal triumphs and current court battles to secure civil rights for Ecosystems by conferring personhood to aspects of Nature under the law.

And now for your environmental reports:

Clean Fifteen and The Dirty Dozen: Pesticides in Produce

Photo courtesy of Blue Book Services.U.S. grocery shoppers take note, EcoWatch is reporting on pesticides in produce. The Environmental Working Group released its 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, with its annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists of the conventional fruits and vegetables most and least likely to be contaminated with pesticides, and this year’s lists have important new additions.

In particular, blueberries and green beans were both added to the Dirty Dozen, with green beans even testing positive for a neurotoxic insecticide called acephate that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already banned.

The Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists are based on tests of 47,000 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
This year’s round of tests uncovered 251 different pesticides on almost 75 percent of non-organic, fresh produce sold in the U.S. The worst offenders — rated by the percent of samples with two or more pesticides, the average number of pesticides per sample, //the average parts per million of pesticides found per sample//, the most pesticides found in one sample of the product or the total number of pesticides across all samples — make up the Dirty Dozen.

In 2023, the Dirty Dozen were: Strawberries, Spinach, Kale, collard and mustard greens, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Bell and hot peppers, Cherries, Blueberries, and Green beans.

As a group, the Dirty Dozen tested positive for 210 different pesticides, and at least one sample of each item tested positive for at least 13 pesticides, with some contaminated with up to 23. Strawberries, spinach and the trio of greens have hovered in the top spots for three years in a row. But blueberries and green beans broke with the past when they edged into the last two spots.

The shuffling on the lists partly reflects the fact that the USDA does not test every fruit and vegetable every year. The last time blueberries were tested, in 2014, 81 percent of samples tested positive for pesticides. During 2020’s and 2021’s testing, more than 90 percent of the samples were dusted in detectible pesticide residues.

The two pesticides of greatest concern found on blueberries were phosmet and malathion. These are both a type of insecticide known as an organophosphate. The recently banned chlorpyrifos is another example.

Organophosphates like chlorpyrifos are such a concern because they can be toxic for the brain, harming especially children’s cognitive development. Phosmet, which was found on more than 10 percent of blueberry samples, is currently banned in the European Union. Malathion, which was found on nine percent of samples, is permitted there only in greenhouses.

An organophosphate was also the most alarming pesticide found on green beans, with nearly seven percent of samples testing positive for either acephate or methamidophos, which acephate breaks down into. This despite the fact that the EPA banned acephate for use on green beans in 2011.

Next week we’ll provide the list of the clean 15.

Support WFHB’s News and Public Affairs Department During the 2023 Spring Fund Drive

The WFHB News Department needs your support in light of our 2023 Spring Fund Drive. Make your pledge by calling 812-323-1200 or make a donation through our website to support independent, environmental affairs coverage for South Central Indiana and beyond on WFHB Community Radio.

House Bill 1007 Passes Indiana House of Representatives

A bill that aims to create a statewide energy plan passed the state Senate unanimously on March 21, 2023.

HB1007 requires the state agency that oversees utilities to consider five things in most of its decisions: reliability, affordability, resiliency, stability and environmental sustainability.

The bill also cuts in half the amount of power utilities can buy from the grid during peak demand. That means they’d have to show they can generate about 85 percent of their energy themselves or from contracts with other companies.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. The legislature is promoting small nuclear and carbon capture. They are both very expensive and if adopted, would require a big rate hike. The legislature has been against wind and solar, even though they are both proven and the least expensive options going forward.

Federal Judge Bars U.S. Forest Service from Planned Burns in Hoosier National Forest

Photo courtesy of Visit Bloomington.An injunction Wednesday barring the U.S. Forest Service from beginning planned burns in the Hoosier National Forest this weekend was issued by a Federal Judge.

The US Forest Service was sued by Monroe County Commissioners and the Hoosier Environmental Council and the Indiana Forest Alliance, who stated that the prescribed burns would be occurring near steep slopes that drain into Lake Monroe, one half-hour south of Bloomington. Lake Monroe is the source of drinking water for nearly 150,000 Hoosiers.

Documents submitted to the court contend that these planned burns will “significantly exacerbate the degradation of these waters and threaten public health safety and reactional interests in the Lake Monroe watershed.”
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, who issued the order, stated that the Forest Serviced failed to take a “hard look” at the consequences of the planned burn.

The Forest Service plans to hold three burns covering 3,500 acres of the Hoosier National Forest this year, with up to 13,000 acres over a 10-to-15-year period as part of the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project that we reported on last week.

This may have some effect on what might be the final Public Input meeting happening on Monday April 3rd, from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Orange County Community Center in Paoli Indiana, where activists and citizens will have access to public officials including Senator Mike Braun who has set up the event in response to grassroots pressure to reconsider the present Forest Plan, to open up the process and consider preferred alternatives submitted by regional environmental groups.

Feature Report:

And now, let’s listen into today’s feature report as Zyro Roze discusses environmental issues with Thomas Linzey, Senior Legal Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.

Photo courtesy of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.Upcoming Events:

Learn about Bloomington’s local frogs during the Frog Songs class at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 1st, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Did you know that there are frogs that chirp? Others whistle, croak, ribbit, peep, cluck, bark and grunt. Springtime is a great ime to appreciate the chorus of frog sounds. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.
Learn more about the proposed Buffalo Springs Restoration Project and access Forest Service officials and Senator Mike Braun during a special public input meeting this Monday, April First at the Orange County Community Center, located at 1057 Sandy Hook Rd Ste 2, in Paoli, Indiana 47454. This may be the last opportunity to put forth alternatives and voice opposition to the logging and burning planned for some 13,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest.
A “Sky Dance” and Twilight Hike will take place at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve on Friday, April 7th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Join guest hike leader and naturalist, Cathy Meyer for an evening of exploration along the boardwalk trails. A chorus of amphibians will be the backdrop as you search for the woodcock’s famous mating ritual, the “sky dance.”
Take the Full Pink Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, April 7th, from 8:30 to 10 pm. Join the naturalist for a guided night hike around Lake Ogle to learn the history and folklore of the Full Pink Moon. Trail 7 is considered rugged in the dark and will be muddy in spots.
Wildflower Weekend will take place at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Friday, April 7th through Sunday, April 9th. Workshops, hikes and fun activities are scheduled each day. To see the full schedule, go to the DNR Calendar website.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy and Zyro Roze.

Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.

Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey and Zyro Roze compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.

Tomorrow’s April Fool’s Day, so keep your wits about you!

View Details

In this week’s Eco Report EXTRA, correspondent Zyro Roze gets an in depth update from Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), on the latest developments regarding grassroots activists’ pressure on state officials to rethink the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project to allow more public input, greater agency transparency and fuller assessment of economic and environmental impacts of proposed increases in logging and prescribed burning over hundreds of thousands of acres of Indiana forest lands.

Steven puts forth a call for considering a compromise between the all or nothing options thus far put forth, as IFA seeks to secure bipartisan support for broadening the topics included when planning how to manage public forests in light of climate change, with thought toward endangered species, water quality challenges and local economies built on nature tourism and outdoor recreation. Topics touched on are upcoming events, organizations with campaigns to change the current forest plan, the ecosystem services provided by our state’s remaining forests, preserving wildlife habitat, protecting some of the cleanest water sources left from erosion and chemical treatments, other examples of similar forest management in the region, differences from other areas of the country, and ways for citizens to voice their opposition and get involved in shaping a better framework going forward.

View Details

Coming up later in the program, correspondent Zyro Roze gets an in depth update from Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), on the latest developments regarding grassroots activists’ pressure on state officials to rethink the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project.

And now for your environmental reports:

How will Indiana respond to new rules about air pollution? States east of Indiana have complained for years about pollution from Indiana and other Midwest states. —Norm Holy

The Indiana Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund Committee awarded $3,361,120 to nine companies in Indiana to help reduce diesel emissions in its latest round of funding on Feb. 24.

—Zyro Rose

And now, we join Zyro Roze with Rethinking Buffalo Springs with the Indiana Forest Alliance

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, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail us at: earth@wfhb.org

And now for some upcoming events:

Learn about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 25th, at 10 am in the Nature Center. Watch the birds at the feeders as you learn about Indiana’s birds and how to feed them and not the racoons.

Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Zyro Rose.

Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.

For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey

And I’m Cynthia Roberts

And this is EcoReport.

View Details

Eco Report Correspondent Zyro Roze talks with Kelly Conaway of Drift Botanicals, a green business specializing in a new model; reusable, refillable glass bottles of natural cleaners with an emphasis on safe, organic ingredients and local production. They explore the reasons for avoiding conventional cleaners, including plastic pollution, health hazards and water contamination.

Conaway shares her experience growing up on a lake in Northern Indiana and explains why she started a green cleaning company, detailing the development and practices of Drift Botanicals, the outgrowth of her home cleaning and compassionate decluttering service.

Her tips on Green Spring Cleaning include looking up one’s products on the Environmental Working Group’s ranking information on household chemicals.

View Details

As the Vernal Equinox approaches and folks begin to clear clutter and refresh their homes, Eco Report correspondent Zyro Roze asks Kelly Conaway, proprietor of Drift Botanicals about her reasons for starting a green cleaning company and what tips she might give for nontoxic, environmentally responsible options for Green Spring Cleaning…
That’s coming up later in the program.

And now for your environmental reports:

A new invasion is beginning to happen in Indiana.

Purdue University is warning Indiana residents to be on the lookout for an invasive species of worm in their yards this spring.

—Julianna Dailey

The power of the fossil fuel industry is confirmed by the plans in the infrastructure funding. There are billions available for carbon sequestration.

—Norm Holy

Are you thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, but not sure which gives you enough battery to meet your needs? While the EV charging network in the U.S. is quickly expanding, many drivers have been hesitant to make the switch to fully electric vehicles, for fear of becoming stranded with a car that has run out of juice. But a new study hopes to ease those concerns by showing consumers which EVs could work best for their needs.

—Norm Holy
EcoWatch reports the EPA proposes the ‘strongest ever’ standards for keeping coal plant pollution out of U.S. waterways.—Norm Holy

An area the size of Indiana on the north shore of Alaska is possibly the next big petroleum drilling boon. Environmentalists are against the project.
—Norm Holy

And now, we join Zyro Roze discussing green cleaning methods, how to avoid toxic products, and plastic packaging with Kelly Conaway, owner of Drift Botanicals.

-Zyro Rose

All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.

To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or
e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G.

And now for some upcoming events:

Come to Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, between 10 and 10:30 am for Snake Talk. With the warmer weather, snakes will be coming out. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn about Indiana snakes while visiting with 2 of the parks resident snakes.
The popular Cave River Valley Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will be able to explore this beautiful, primitive property managed by Spring Mill. This is a very rugged hike and you will need waterproof shoes and a hiking stick. You will meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot then travel by car to the site. Please sign up a day in advance to 812-849-3534 or go to sbelt@dnr.in.gov.
Learn about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, March 25th at 10 am in the Nature Center. Watch the birds at the feeders as you learn about Indiana’s birds and how to feed them and not the racoons.
Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th, from 11 to 11:45 am. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
Join a park naturalist at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 25th from 2 to 3 pm to learn about Creek Critters. Borrow a net and a jar for creek exploration and find small, water-dwelling wildlife. Learn how these creatures affect the health of Indiana’s waterways.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, and Julianna Dailey

Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.

Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Noelle Herhusky-Schneider produced today’s show and edited the audio.

For WFHB, I’m Julianna Dailey and we wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
And I’m Frank Marshalek
And this is EcoReport.

View Details

Coming up later in today’s feature report, Eco Report correspondent ZYRO ROZE sat down with Woodie BESSLER and Anne HEDIN, both members of the Center for Sustainable Living or C-S-L, to talk about their efforts to promote renewable energy alternatives and ways to make solar power more affordable and accessible for local low-income households.
SIREN and Solar For All are projects under C.S.L’s umbrella nonprofit.

And now for your environmental reports:

Only Louisiana and Nevada have worse air quality than Indiana. One of the issues that has evolved in Louisiana is whether there is a greater risk of cancer downwind of the refineries. —Norm Holy
There is a comparable story about air pollution along the Ohio River. Of the many contributions to this issue, a publication by The Sierra Club in 2016 stands out. —Norm Holy
Indiana has the 10th highest rate of brain and central nervous system tumors among children in the country, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Considering all ages, according to the CDC, Indiana ranks number 7 in cancer death rates. —Norm Holy
To help increase mussel populations, The Nature Conservancy is partnering with the Muncie Bureau of Water Quality and the Indianapolis Zoo to construct the first mussel-rearing facility in Indiana. —Julianna Dailey
Landowners, homeowners and farmers in Monroe, Brown, and Jackson counties may be eligible for up to $10,000 to help pay for actions they take to reduce the erosion and pollution that could possibly end up in Lake Monroe. —Carol Kugler, Bloomington Herald-Times
Reuters reports a federal appeals court on Friday rejected a challenge to a Biden administration regulation requiring reductions in pollution that blows across state lines by power companies that allege the new rule will cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. –Norm Holy

And now, we now join Zyro Roze and his conversation with Woodie Bessler and Anne Hedin on the inception and facets of the Center for Sustainable Living solar initiatives

All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. W-F-H-B also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco-Report, give us a call at (812) 323-1200, or
e-mail us at: Earth at W-F-H-B dot O-R-G.

And now for some upcoming events:

Take a Morning Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5 which is partially rugged. On the hike you will learn the history of the lake and park.
Learn all about the Woodpeckers of Indiana at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 3 to 3:45 pm. Join radio personality, Don Glass, who is a park expert, bird enthusiast, and NPR’s “Moment of Science” show host, for a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven species of native woodpeckers.
The “Going Green” Spring Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake is scheduled for Friday, March 17th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Honor St. Patrick’s Day and the upcoming Spring Equinox on a 2.5 mile hike along the Homestead Loop Trail. You will be looking for signs of spring while enjoying the air and beauty of early spring. Sign up at bit.ly/goinggreenhike2023.
Come to Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, between 10 and 10:30 am for Snake Talk. With the warmer weather, snakes will be coming out. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center to learn about Indiana snakes while visiting with 2 of the parks resident snakes.
The popular Cave River Valley Hike will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 18th, from 1 to 3 pm. You will be able to explore this beautiful, primitive property managed by Spring Mill. This is a very rugged hike and you will need waterproof shoes and a hiking stick. You will meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot then travel by car to the site. Please sign up a day in advance to 812-849-3534 or go to sbelt@dnr.in.gov.EcoReport is brought to you in part by M-P-I Solar, a Bloomington business specializing in solar hot water, solar electricity and solar hot air systems. M-P-I Solar designs and installs solar power generation systems that encourage independence and individual responsibility. Found locally at 812-334-4003 and on the Web at
M-P-I solar energy dot com.

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy, Carol Kugler with the Bloomington Herald-Times, and Julianna Dailey

Our feature was prepared and presented by Zyro Roze.

Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.

View Details

Coming up later in today’s feature report, Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter, will discuss the Indiana legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection.

And now for your environmental reports:

Every year there’s a great opportunity to see thousands of snow geese and sandhill cranes at Goose Pond, located on the south side of Linton. This year’s event was held February 24th and 25th.
The state of Indiana is now part of a legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection instead of often-more-lenient state regulations.
The Indiana Environmental Reporter has some good news regarding coal ash pits. Since the state has done almost nothing to force cleanup, the feds may step in. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘plans to‘ possibly close a loophole in pollution regulations could have huge benefits for the state in the fight against toxic coal ash.
WTIU reports that Indiana could lose the authority to control its air pollution if the state doesn’t increase fees for companies that pollute. Senate Bill 155 aims to keep that authority in the hands of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The good news is, air pollution in Indiana — and around the country — has gone down in the past few decades. The bad news is, the fees that companies pay to pollute are what keeps the state’s air permitting program running. With less pollution, it’s struggling to stay afloat.
Indiana lawmakers heard testimony in support of a bi-partisan bill to establish a statewide climate solutions task force, but the legislation stalled after the chairman of the Senate’s Environmental Affairs Committee declined to call it for a vote.
Fox 59 reports some of the contaminated material from the East Palestine train wreck is making its way to Indiana. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that two new hazardous waste sites will receive some of the shipments — an incinerator in Grafton, Ohio, and a landfill in Roachdale, Indiana.
While parts of the West and Northern US have faced winter storms with blizzard conditions and significant snowfall, much of the rest of the country is experiencing a summer-like heat that has never been felt before during the month of February.
How much has Indiana warmed over the past several years? One measure of change is to refer to plant hardiness zones over time. The zones have been moving north at the rate of 13 miles per decade since 1990. Thus, Bloomington now has a climate like that of northern Kentucky in 1990. The global temperatures are increasing faster than ever and there is every reason to predict that Monroe County will be in a 7a hardiness zone by 2050.
The New York Times reports Living Carbon, a biotechnology company, hopes its seedlings can help manage climate change. But wider use of its trees may be elusive.

Feature Report:

And now, Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter, will report on the Indiana legal effort to reduce the types of waterways that fall under federal protection.

And now for some upcoming events:

“Goose Pond Reads Leopold” will take place on Saturday, March 4th, from 9 to 11 am at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. Meet in the Visitors Center for a free reading of A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold by the Linton Public Library staff. Coffee and tea will be served while you listen and enjoy the panoramic view of Goose Pond.

Enjoy a Bluebird Nesting Box Workshop at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 4th, from 10 am to Noon. While building your box you will learn all about our native Eastern Bluebirds. Advanced registration is required. Contact Sheree Belt at sbelt@dnr.IN.gov.

Take a Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Saturday, March 4th, from 7 to 8:30 pm. The park naturalist will guide you on a night hike around Ogle Lake while you learn all the history and folklore of the Full Worm Moon. Trail 7 is moderate but may be rugged at night. Bring red flashlights for night vision.

Nature is the ultimate zero-waste guide, and you will get to learn as much as possible at the Recycle That! Information session on Sunday, March 5th, from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Winslow Woods Park. You will explore how nature recycles its resources and how we can better recycle our own waste. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Take a Morning Lake Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, March 11th, from 9 to 10 am. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5 which is partially rugged. On the hike you will learn the history of the lake and park.

Credits:

This week’s headlines were written by Norm Holy.

Our feature was prepared and presented by Enrique Saenz with the Indiana Environmental Reporter.

Our script today was assembled by Julianna Dailey and edited by Kade Young.

Julianna Dailey compiled our events calendar.

Kade Young produced today’s show and edited the audio.

View Details

HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy

Toppled trees can tell the story of a windswept landscape, if only people know how to tune in. Now, researchers are reading the roughness of hillsides to learn about winds blasting in the past.

Unlike Indiana, some states have plans on how to become carbon-free by 2050. According to Inside Climate Change, this is happening with remarkable speed. Most recently, Minnesota lawmakers have passed a bill requiring 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Environmental Action reports the plastics industry and the American Chemistry Council are pushing legislation in Congress that would reclassify incineration as “advanced recycling.” Classifying plastic incinerators as “advanced recycling” would allow them to avoid Clean Air Act requirements, taking an insidious part of our waste disposal and sweeping it under the rug.”

The Audubon Society reports on a recent assessment of bird populations by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative. They have tracked the health of breeding birds in habitats across the nation over the past five decades.

The New York Times reports many American consumers are now eligible to save thousands of dollars when they buy an electric car, heat pump, solar panels or energy-efficient appliances. Those savings kicked in this year as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, major legislation that aims to cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

View Details

HEADLINESIndyStar reports that every year when the list of new bills for the Indiana legislative session posts, Hoosiers may feel dizzy with deja vu.

—Norm Holy

The House Environmental Affairs Committee: 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. You are encouraged to write to them expressing your desire to see changes in Indiana regarding the environment and climate change.

—Julianna Dailey

When coal is burned, it produces a by-product called coal ash. Coal ash needs to be stored somewhere, and Indiana has more coal ash ponds than any other state in the country.

—Julianna Dailey

More than 100 coal ash waste sites, many unregulated, sit just feet from the Great Lakes, raising concerns for nearby communities and the 30 million people who rely on the lakes for drinking water.

—Norm Holy

Inside Climate Change reports that a coal-fired plant near Gillette, Wyoming stands alone in the nation on one measure of economic viability—a positive distinction for that plant, but a damning one for coal-fired electricity in general.

—Norm Holy

Exxon’s annual profit for 2022 reached $55.7 billion, the company reported, with Chevron posting a net profit of $36.5 billion for the year.

—Norm Holy

CNN reported that the nationwide sales of electric vehicles (EV) for 2022 was 5.6 percent of the total market. This represents substantial growth in EV sales.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

| The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will be about Wildfire Ecology on Saturday, February 11th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Brown County State Park has its own wildfire burn every year. You will learn about the burn area, wildfire ecology, wildland firefighting strategies and the effect the fire has on the park. The hike is about 3 miles long and very rugged. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. | | Learn how to build your own radio telescope at the Do-It-Yourself Hydrogen Line Radio Astronomy class at the Switchyard Park, picnic shelter from 7:45 to 8:45 pm on Saturday, February 11th. You will be using easily obtainable materials. And, maybe you will get to see the rare “green comet” with your very own telescope. Dress for the weather. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | The 22nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be held Friday, February 15 through Monday, February, 18. All you have to do is count birds for as little as 15 minutes or as long as you want during the 4-day event. Go to the official website at birdcount.org for more information. | | The Community Gardening Organization will have their next gardening class on Planting for a Rainy Day: How to Build Gardens with Stormwater in Mind on Wednesday, February 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center. Learn how to beautify your home and provide wildlife habitat while reducing the flow of stormwater into storm drains. Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. | | Enjoy a Winter Tree ID Workshop at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, February 16th, from 6 to 8 pm. The White River Forestry Committee will discuss trees in southern Indiana. Learn how to identify trees in winter without the benefit of leaves using form, twigs, bark and branching character. Reservations are required at tdligman@att.net or call Teena at 812-278-0139. |

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HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy

A new study of more than 80 refineries raises serious concerns about the wastewater they are pumping into lakes and rivers across the U.S. One of those polluters is BP’s Whiting Refinery in northwest Indiana.

A study found that textbooks’ coverage of climate change expanded from 1970 to 2019, but that the increase was inconsistent and that the books had failed to keep pace with the volume of new scientific research on the topic, especially in the last 20 years.

Inside Climate News reports that scientists have known for years that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world—nearly four times faster, according to a recent study.

After years of research on the Greenland ice sheet scientists reported in the journal Nature that temperatures there have been the warmest in at least the last 1,000 years – the longest amount of time their ice cores could be analyzed to.

The New York Times reports the Biden administration announced Wednesday that it has banned logging and road-building on about nine million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, aiming to settle a two-decade battle over the fate of North America’s largest temperate rainforest.

A news release by the University of Minnesota shows the importance of wolves in maintaining moose populations. Twenty-three percent of collared moose that died in Northeastern Minnesota over the past 15 years were infected with a brain worm parasite transmitted by white-tailed deer.

CALENDAR

| The Brown County State Park Hike Series continues with a “The Lake That Never Was” Hike on Saturday, February 4th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. You will learn about Taylor Hollow Lake, a lake that was started but never finished. The hike is about 2.5 miles long and is very rugged. Lots of steep climbs with ruts and several creek crossings. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. Meet at the Nature Center. | | Take the Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 4th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4 to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. | | Enjoy the next Winter Exploration Hike on Nebo Ridge at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, February 8th, beginning at 1 pm. These hikes include off-trail hiking into lesser-known areas. They are exploratory with no “set” path. The terrain can be rugged and there are no toilet facilities. Sign up at bit.ly/weh-feb8-2023. | | The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will be about Wildfire Ecology on Saturday, February 11th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Brown County State Park has its own wild fire burn every year. You will learn about the burn area, wildfire ecology, wildland firefighting strategies and the effect the fire has on the park. The hike is about 3 miles long and very rugged. Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center. |

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HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy

With the legislature in session, there are many bills that will impact the quality of life in Indiana. Will the legislature address real problems, or will special interests dominate again this year?

A nationwide comparison of electric utility performance by an Illinois consumer advocacy group found that customers in states that are heavily reliant on fuel oil and natural gas, as in the Northeast and South, tend to pay more than those with larger amounts of carbon-free generation, among other findings.

Midwest Energy says the appeal of electric cars is straightforward: Owners get to save money by skipping trips to the gas station and feel good about doing their part to cut carbon emissions. That’s part of the reason why U.S. sales are currently soaring.

The world remained firmly in warming’s grip last year, with extreme summer temperatures in Europe, China and elsewhere contributing to 2022 being the fifth-hottest year on record, European climate researchers said this week.

America’s greenhouse gas emissions from energy and industry rose last year, moving the nation in the opposite direction from its climate goals, according to preliminary estimates published by the Rhodium Group, a nonpartisan research firm.

A new study published in Science calculated how different degrees of warming would impact the more than 215,000 glaciers that exist outside Antarctica and Greenland.

Inside Climate Change says forests managed by Indigenous peoples and other local communities in the Amazon region draw vast amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, while the rest of the rainforest has become a net source of the greenhouse gas, a new report has found.

A New York Times story provides a fascinating insight into our climate long ago. Eva-Maria Sadowski, a postdoctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum in Berlin, didn’t have a particular agenda in mind when she decided to borrow the biggest fossil flower preserved in amber ever found.

CALENDAR

| The Eagles Over Monroe event returns with a full slate of programs and activities continuing now, and running through Tuesday, January 31st. Each day offers a special event or activity. To learn about all the activities and to sign up, go to the DNR website. | | Learn all about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 28th, beginning at 10 am. Meet in the bird viewing room at the Nature Center to learn about feeding the birds and not the racoons. | | Don’t forget about Whooper Wednesdays at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area this coming Wednesday, February 1st, beginning at 8 am. Walk the property to spot resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Meet at the Visitors Center and dress for the weather. | | The Brown County State Park Hike Series continues with a “The Lake That Never Was” Hike on Saturday, February 4th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm. You will learn about Taylor Hollow Lake, a lake that was started but never finished. The hike is about 2.5 miles long and is very rugged. Lots of steep climbs with ruts and several creek crossing. Dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. Meet at the Nature Center. | | Take the Full Snow Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, February 4th, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Join Anthony for a 1-mile hike on Trail 1 and 4 to learn all the history and folklore of the Full Snow Moon. Meet at the Lakeview Activity Center. |

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HEADLINESThe Indiana Environmental Reporter says our state has taken small steps toward breaking its heavy reliance on coal and natural gas, but some worry a new bill will slow that transition and keep emission-spewing fossil fuels around for much longer.

—Norm Holy

The Herald-Times recently reported that the Department of Agriculture has approved the first U.S. vaccine to protect honeybees.

—Julianna Dailey

A proposed rule for “soot” could save lives in Indiana. The tiny particle pollution comes from things like cars, factories, and coal plants. It can harm your heart and lungs. Environmental groups say the Environmental Protection Agency could save many more lives with a stricter rule.

—Norm Holy

Renewable energy, climate change mitigation and ongoing efforts to improve statewide water quality are top issues for Indiana environmental advocates in the 2023 legislative session.

—Norm Holy

There are five environmental issues to watch in the legislature as the next session gets underway.

—Norm Holy

Energywire reports that Christmas week’s fierce “bomb cyclone” has put new urgency behind a critical issue for the nation’s power system — how grid owners and operators prepare for extreme weather emergencies.

—Norm Holy

Given that the oceans are greatly overfished, Vgarden, a food tech start-up based in Israel, has unveiled vegan tinned tuna made using pea protein.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

| Participate in an Owl Prowl at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, January 21st, from 4:30 to 7 pm. Meet at the Visitors Center to learn about owls; how they hunt at night and why they are important to our ecosystem. Hopefully, you will get to see some Short-eared Owls over the prairie and spend some time calling to the woodland species. Dress for the weather. | | Enjoy the Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, January 22nd, from 11 to 11:30 am. The naturalist will lead a short, ADA accessible hike on a paved sidewalk where you will get to see a vista not accessible by car, walk past an historic gatehouse and learn about the work Friends groups do for Indiana state parks. | | The Winter Exploration Hike will explore the Southfork, Robertson Cemetery area of Monroe Lake on Wednesday, January 25th, beginning at 1 pm. These off-trail hiking adventures have no “set” path with plenty of freedom to roam around. The terrain can be rugged and there are no toilet facilities. Register at bit.ly/weh-jan-25-2023. | | The Eagles Over Monroe event returns with a full slate of programs and activities beginning on Thursday, January 26th, and running through Tuesday, January 31st. Each day offers a special event or activity. To learn about all the activities and to sign up, go to the DNR website. | | Learn all about Backyard Birds at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, January 28th, beginning at 10 am. Meet in the bird viewing room at the Nature Center to learn about feeding the birds and not the racoons. |

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HEADLINESThe lead story in the December 18 Herald-Times is headlined as “Cleaner energy options”. The story is about Salesforce, Roche, and Cummins, all calling for more availability of green energy. Maybe they can exert some sway on the legislature, even though that seems very unlikely.

—Norm Holy

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has approved the dedication of Sycamore Land Trust’s Clemens Place on Clifty Creek in Greene County as a Dedicated Nature Preserve.

—Kate Hammel

Scrub Hub, a part of the IndyStar operation, monitors various environmental issues, and recently published a story on emissions. They found that as a state, we were one of just 10 that emitted nearly half of the country’s carbon dioxide.

—Norm Holy

Why is it that Indiana attracts new industries from out-of-state that aim to place a process in Indiana that could prove to heavily pollute our air? The latest site sits behind parked railroad cars painted in graffiti, where abandoned concrete silos rise from the sandy southern shore of Lake Michigan, a remnant of a former cement plant that helped build the country’s interstate highway system.

—Norm Holy

Investment management firm The Vanguard Group is walking out of the world’s largest climate-finance alliance, marking the coalition’s biggest defection to date as U.S. Republicans step up their threats against firms deemed hostile toward the fossil-fuel industry.

—Norm Holy

Congress has proposed $1 billion to help poor countries cope with climate change, a figure that falls significantly short of President Biden’s promise that the United States will spend $11.4 billion annually by 2024 to ensure developing nations can transition to clean energy and adapt to a warming planet.

—Norm Holy

A ban on goods imported by the U.S. from the Xinjiang region in China, due to concerns over forced labor, has impeded imports of solar panels, putting solar installations in the U.S. on course to drop by almost a quarter this year, according to this year’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report, released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and energy research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

| Take your First Day Hike at Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, beginning at 8 am. Meet at the Walls Shelter for this approximately 1-mile hike on a paved trail. You will leave the shelter and return to the shelter. Wear comfortable shoes. | | You can also take a First Day Long Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, from 9 to 10 am. Join the naturalist at the Lakeview Activity Center for a hike around the lake on Trail 5. It is 1-mile long and partially rugged. You can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at the end of your hike. | | The 10th Annual First Day Trail Run and Walk will take place at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, beginning at 3:30 pm. Choose from a 3.7 mile; 2.9 mile; or 1.3 mile course for this untimed, non-competitive run/walk. Ring in the new year as you cross the finish line. Register at bit.ly/firstdayrun2023. | | Whooper Wednesday will continue every Wednesday at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area until February 8th. Meet at 9 am for a morning bird walk to spot Goose Pond resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. Dress for the weather. | | Take the Wolf Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, January 6th, 2023, from 5:30 to 7 pm. Hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle to learn the history and lore of the Wolf Full Moon. Trail 7, at night, is considered rugged and is 1.2 miles long. |

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HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy

In recent months, utilities have repeatedly raised rates to cover the skyrocketing costs of the coal and gas needed to run their plants as well as the energy they had to buy from the grid when some of those plants unexpectedly shut down.

In a case that could cast a cloud on the Hoosier state’s nuclear power ambitions, higher steel prices and interest rates could drive up the price of electricity at the nation’s first small modular nuclear reactor plant to nearly twice previous estimates.

The New York Times reports that the Biden administration will give three Native tribes $75 million to move away from coastal areas or rivers, one of the nation’s largest efforts to date to relocate communities that are facing an urgent threat from climate change.

We are aware that it is a struggle for polar bears to find food because the Arctic ice is reliable as a place to hunt for fewer months of the year. The bears are spending more months on land than ever before. And the bears are relying on scavenging for food in dumps. This brings them into contact with human pathogens. Polar bears are experiencing a wider array of diseases than ever.

Whole Foods will cease offering lobsters caught in the Gulf of Maine. This seemingly out-of-the-blue decision has caused consternation among lobstermen. The reason for this decision is concern for the remaining 340 right whales.

The heavy hand of the fossil fuel industry is everywhere, including Indiana. The recent COP27 meeting had thousands of lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry, and the huge oil companies had representatives to prevent any real progress.

Wisconsin is one of the states included in a recent report by the Northeast-Midwest Institute that ranked Midwestern states in terms of their progress on environmental justice issues. Among Midwest states, Michigan ranked first, Minnesota second and Illinois third, while Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana ranked lower, in that order. Indiana ranks number 3 over the entire country in terms of the most polluted air and water.

There are now 8 billion of us, according to the New York Times. How does that affect our ability to live within planetary boundaries — and to stave off the worst climate hazards? Actually, what matters most is not how many we are. It’s how we live.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it is proposing to extend protection under the Endangered Species Act to the Lesser Prairie-Chicken.

CALENDAR

| Brown County State Park kicks off their Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Strahl Lake parking lot for a hike on Trail 6 which goes around the Strahl Lake. Dogs must be on a leash. | | Take the Exploration Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet Anthony at the Lakeview Activity Center to explore Trails 1 and 2 to learn the history and see all the features of this 1.25 mile area of the park. The trails are considered moderately rugged. | | Join the park naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 18th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make the lake their home. | | Join a morning bird walk at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area for Whooper Wednesday, every Wednesday from the 14th through February 8th, starting at 8 am. You will walk the property to see if you can spot some of the resident winter birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes! Dress for the weather. | | Celebrate the Winter Solstice on a Luminary Hike at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 21st, from 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy a relaxing, luminary-lit walk and reflect on the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year! Stops along the way will include different activities. Hot tea and cocoa will be available. Dress for the weather. |

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HEADLINESAll Stories by Norm Holy

The November 29th edition of The Herald-Times has a front-page story entitled “Why did First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington cut trees in Brown County”. The 23-acre property in question is near highway 46 on the way to Nashville and has been owned by the church for decades.

In the November 28th edition of The Herald-Times, the lead story was “What to expect in [the 2023] legislative session”. The topics discussed in the story included “Economy is a question mark”, concerning the uncertainty of where the economy is headed in 2023.

In 1919, Indiana stood as the nation’s number one maple syrup producer boasting vast acres of maple forests. Decades of removing trees, however, made the statewide industry move to the back of the line in scale of production.

IU News reports that among the dozens of presidents and prime ministers from around the world who attended the United Nations’ annual climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, was a delegation of Indiana University Bloomington faculty and students.

The cold-water fish, such as codfish, are leaving the Gulf of Maine because the water is now too warm. Similarly, the salmon industry has largely collapsed from California to Alaska because waters are too warm, and because of over-fishing and habitat destruction.

CALENDAR

| Join the naturalist for a unique 1-mile easy hike on Trail 7 at the 4th Annual Candle Lit Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 10th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The trail will be lit up for the night and you will receive hot chocolate and cookies after the hike. Meet at the Tulip Poplar Shelter to learn about the creatures of the night and their winter survival skills. | | Enjoy a Friends’ Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 11th, from 11 to 11:45 am. This ADA accessible hike will take you past an historic park gatehouse and a vista not available in a car. Learn about the work Friends groups do for Indiana State Parks. | | Explore the construction of the Monroe Lake Dam during a “To Build a Reservoir” History Hike at the Salt Creek State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Wednesday, December 14th, from 1:30 to 3 pm. Learn about the geology and topography that made the reservoir possible. Sign up at bit.ly/reservoirhistoryhike2022. | | Brown County State Park kicks off their Winter Hike Series with a Brown County Dog Hike on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 am to Noon. Meet at the Strahl Lake parking lot for a hike on Trail 6 which goes around the Strahl Lake. Dogs must be on a leash. | | Join the park naturalist for a guided hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle at Brown County State Park on Sunday, December 18th, from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Hear the history of the lake and learn about the animals that make the lake their home. |

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HEADLINESAll Stories By Norm Holy

WFYI reports that the new executive director for the Hoosier Environmental Council hopes to tackle some big issues in his new role. Sam Carpenter said Indiana has several areas of concern when it comes to the environment.

Since its accidental introduction near Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-1990s, emerald ash borer (EAB) has rapidly spread through much of the U.S. and adjacent Canada, leaving millions of dead ash trees in Midwestern states.

The Indiana Environmental Reporter says an Indiana Conservation Officer investigation has resulted in multiple charges, fines, and the first lifetime hunting suspension of its kind in state history for a West Lafayette man, according to an Indiana Division of Natural Resources news release.

The Public News Service reports that nearly all Indiana coal plants are releasing toxins into the local groundwater, according to information released in a new report from two nonprofits, the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice.

The Indiana Environmental Reporter congratulates two Indiana educators who will be honored for their innovative approaches to teaching science at the National Association of Biology Teachers Conference in Indianapolis in November.

CALENDAR

| And now for some upcoming events:Join volunteer Anthony on Saturday, December 3rd, from 1 to 3 pm for a 2-hour, very rugged Cave River Valley Hike at Spring Mill State Park. Meet in the Donaldson Cave Parking Lot to carpool to the off-site property that Spring Mill manages. There is no restroom and you will need to wear waterproof shoes. | | Take the Judah Bridge Hike at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, December 6th, from 10 to 11:45 am. This guided hike will go to the location where the 1884 Judah Covered Bridge once spanned Salt Creek. It was dismantled in 1947. Learn the history regarding the site. Meet at the Paynetown State Recreation Area parking lot. | | A Devil’s Backbone Guided Hike is scheduled at Charlestown State Park on Friday, December 9th, from 10 am to Noon. This is a 2.5 mile hike along the Devil’s Backbone which is not open to the public and is offered only as a guided hike in the winter months. Email JBeavin@dnr.in.gov to reserve your space. | | Enjoy a Cold Full Moon Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, December 9th, from 5:30 to 7 pm. While enjoying the full moon, you will hike on Trail 7 around Lake Ogle. This is a moderate, 1.2 mile hike. On the hike you will learn the history and folklore of the Cold Full Moon. | | Join the naturalist for a unique 1-mile easy hike on Trail 7 at the 4th Annual Candle Lit Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, December 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The trail will be lit up for the night and you will receive hot chocolate and cookies after the hike. Meet at the Tulip Poplar Shelter to learn about the creatures of the night and their winter survival skills. |

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HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy The Republic newspaper reports the Bartholomew County Plan Commission in a 5- 2 vote has approved changes submitted by the county commissioners to an ordinance regulating placement of solar fields. Despite strong opposition from the state’s own environmental and natural resource experts, and concerns from the Governor’s Office, lawmakers …

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HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy IndyStar has written an extensive piece on coal ash pits – a topic many environmental groups have complained about for years and years. Yet the state legislature does nothing to change the picture. It’s part of the reason Indiana ranks 48th in air/water quality. With the end of net …

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HEADLINES All stories by Norm Holy Early Monday evening, the City of Bloomington Utilities issued a statement regarding hydrocarbon odors coming from the sewage flowing to the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant. A thorough search was conducted and determined the smell resulted from a release of gasoline fuel into the sanitary and storm sewer near …

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HEADLINES All stories this week by Norm Holy Indiana is often where out-of-state corporations propose to put highly polluting processes. WFYI reports a company that wants to build a coal-to-diesel plant in southern Indiana has hit a roadblock. Flexsteel Industries Inc. has agreed to a consent decree that requires it to pay $9.8 million for …

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HEADLINES All stories this week are by Norm Holy. The proposed “Houston South Vegetation Management and Restoration Project” risked increasing sediment runoff into the South Fork of Salt Creek. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the Forest Service plan. Inside Indiana Business presented the results of a new report from Advanced Energy Economy which …

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HEADLINES All stories written by Norm Holy Indiana received federal approval to begin work on a statewide charging network as more and more electric vehicles hit the roads. The state will invest nearly $100 million over the next five years to build out its EV charging network. Enrique Saenz of the Indiana Environmental Reporter has …

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HEADLINES All stories this week are by Norm Holy A plan to construct in Northwest Indiana one of the largest commercial solar energy systems in the world is likely to remain at least partially unrealized for the near future. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the Aug. 24, 2021, Pulaski Superior Court ruling that halted …

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HEADLINES All stories this week were written by Norm Holy Getting rid of coal ash ponds continues to be a problem in Indiana. Residents and civil rights organizations in Michigan City are concerned they will face a water crisis if something isn’t done about a power generating station’s leftover coal ash. The oil company BP …

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HEADLINES It’s obvious why Indiana is the target for new ventures that are very likely to pollute the air. They know that Indiana’s air-pollution laws are very weak. Politicians want new jobs no matter how polluting the industry. —Norm Holy Wind energy prices — particularly in the central United States, are key to selecting wind …

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HEADLINES Of Indiana’s original 20 million acres of forest, fewer than 2,000 acres of old-growth forests remain intact. Some types of interior forests are considered to be old growth if they contain trees that are more than 140 years old. Most of the sites that remain are now protected as nature preserves, and many have …

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HEADLINES Two Indiana groups have joined a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to protect people and the environment from toxic coal ash in landfills that are no longer being used. —Norm Holy The herbicide atrazine is making frogs croak — and not in a good way. Because it’s so widely used across …

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HEADLINES Station WYHI (Terre Haute) reports bee populations are declining. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. And international scientists recently announced the monarch butterfly is perilously close to extinction. —Norm Holy A new study from the First Street Foundation has shown the …

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HEADLINES The federal Inflation Reduction Act, according to a story by WFYI, could help Indiana utilities and other businesses to adopt renewable energy like solar — but whether it will encourage Indiana residents to do the same is unclear. —Norm Holy The Indiana Environmental Reporter said in a press release that the EPA and the …

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HEADLINES Midwest Energy reports on a solar project that almost developed by accident. Larry Graham found himself scrambling when a farmer who had been renting a parcel of his land for three decades “kind of bailed out.” Graham figured leasing it for solar panels would be a good fit and started doing research online. —Norm …

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HEADLINES WFIU reported the northern Indiana utility NIPSCO wants to raise rates to clean up coal ash ponds at its Michigan City coal plant. Other utilities in the state may be following suit. Activists say NIPSCO’s customers shouldn’t have to pay for what they call an “incomplete” cleanup. —Norm Holy Pam Roberts, with MC-IRIS, has …

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HEADLINES The Energy News Network reports Indiana solar installers knew their customers would be worse off when new, reduced rates for surplus solar generation took effect on July 1. —Norm Holy The Black residents of the Grays Ferry section of c are grappling with the aftermath of the shutdown of the 150-year-old Philadelphia Energy Solutions …

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HEADLINES SAVIC, a chemical manufacturing giant tied to one of the world’s richest royal families, the one in Saudi Arabia, operates the SABIC Innovative Plastics facility in Mount Vernon, Indiana. The plant spews toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases into the surrounding community. —Linda Greene In a finale to a Supreme Court term that radically reshaped …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Department of Health has adopted an emergency rule increasing what it considers elevated levels of the neurotoxin lead in children’s blood and has initiated family education and case management for children with lead in their blood. —Linda Greene WTIU reports that Indiana households have more energy insecurity than all but seven states …

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HEADLINES Indiana’s state insect is a lightning bug. In 2018, after years of campaigning by Hoosier elementary students, the Indiana legislature and Gov. Eric Holcomb proclaimed the Say’s firefly as the state’s bug. Not only is this species of firefly native to Indiana, it also is named after a Hoosier who discovered it: Thomas Say. …

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HEADLINES According to research by the Environmental Resilience Institute, average temperatures in Indiana will rise by 5-6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. The research also concluded that between 2004 and 2018, an average of 702 deaths occurred per year from extreme heat in the U-S. —Linda Greene Ships traversing the Saint Mary’s River at the Ontario, …

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HEADLINES Members of the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District board received an update from chairman Doug Peine about the closure of a Duke Energy coal ash pond in southern Indiana. Peine said the Hoosier Environmental Council filed a lawsuit over the closure of the ash pits at the Gallagher Power Plant in New …

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HEADLINES According to the Tribune, Seymore’s newspaper, Community forums are set to learn about the newly published Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan and how people can help protect and enhance water quality in the lake and its tributaries. —Norm Holy The Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor, a proposed new-terrain highway in southern Indiana, has joined …

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Climate Change in Indiana by WFHB Environmental Affairs Correspondent Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: In 2022, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced that urgent steps were needed to be taken in order to limit the warming of the planet to under 1.5 degrees Celsius, which would require an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions …

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HEADLINES Because of the abundance of ruffed grouse, Grouseland was the name given by William Henry Harrison to his mansion in Vincennes. Even as recently as 1980, there were a good number of grouse. Their numbers dropped and by this century there were few survivors. —Norm Holy Fifty years ago, the U.S. passed the Clean …

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by Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has been extended to encompass all of April, in …

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By Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. This holiday has recently been extended to encompass all of April, …

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HEADLINES Some Northern Indiana residents remain skeptical that communities in the area will be free of contamination from toxic coal ash despite a renewed commitment by government agencies and one of the state’s biggest energy companies to clean up polluted sites and transition to renewable energy sources. —Norm Holy IndyStar has issued report cards, and …

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By Nathaniel Weinzapfel Introduction: *This story originally aired on Earth Day, April 22nd. First held in 1970 and recently reaching its 50th year anniversary, Earth Day is an annual holiday held to demonstrate support for environmental protection and celebrate life on our planet, with over a billion people participating in related events worldwide. In celebration …

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HEADLINES In April, not only do we get to celebrate Earth Day, but we also get to celebrate Arbor Day on April 25th. This will mark the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day. It all began back in 1855 with a man named J. Sterling Morton, who was an early settler in the Nebraska Territory —Julianna …

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HEADLINES The Friends of Lake Monroe report that in response to a suit filed by Monroe County officials and other plaintiffs, a ruling by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana found that the US Forest Service violated federal law when deciding to log, burn and apply herbicides to thousands of …

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HEADLINES The Hoosier chapter of the Sierra Club issued a report grading Indiana legislators according to their votes for or against various environment-related bills. Nearly two thirds of the legislators received a D or F, including the chairs of the House and Senate environmental affairs committees. ––Linda Greene As reported in the Seymour newspaper, The …

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HEADLINES Plastic, literally, has become part of us. We ingest the equivalent of one credit card of plastic a week. —Julianna Dailey Plastics are a plague on land and sea. Plastic production is expected to almost quadruple by 2050. Per capita, plastic consumption is 2.5 times higher in industrialized countries than in non-industrialized ones. —Linda …

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HEADLINES Now that the legislative session is over, what was directed at the environment? The Indiana Environmental Reporter has given its assessment, which has been edited for length. Only the major issues are included in this summary. —Norm Holy U.S. oil and gas companies are using Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to push back against the …

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HEADLINES Two IU groups, Concerned Scientists at IU and Advocates for Science, recently sent a letter to the university administrators asking the university to analyze how it affects the climate, to commit to becoming carbon neutral by a specific date, and to create a climate task force to realize that plan. —Linda Greene A story …

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HEADLINES Citizens’ and environmental groups are urging Hoosiers to try to stop HB1209, a carbon capture and sequestration bill introduced in the 2022 Indiana General Assembly that threatens property values, health, water supplies and the environment. —Linda Greene NPR reports that Indiana lawmakers amended a bill to remove incentives for adopting state guidelines on where …

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HEADLINES On February 9th Sunrise Bloomington, along with IU Student Government, Students for a Green World and other student groups, met with IU president Pamela Whitten, Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities Tom Morrison and IU Foundation President J. T. Forbes to discuss divestment from fossil fuels among other action steps to decrease the …

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Recently, there have been complaints from Monroe County residents regarding the foul taste of tap water within their homes. The main reservoir for Bloomington, IN and Monroe County is Lake Monroe, which is a common source for recreational activities for members of the Bloomington community. To learn more about this issue with the lake, WFHB …

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HEADLINES According to the Louisville Courier Journal, the Biden administration is making its first significant move toward corralling lingering and widespread problems with toxic ash from coal-fired power plants, one of the nation’s most prominent environmental health legacies from more than a century of coal-fired electricity generation. —Norm Holy The New York Times reports America’s …

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HEADLINES The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service can grant protections to the American bumblebee under the Endangered Species Act. In the past two decades, American bumblebee populations have dropped by 90%. —Linda Greene After months of lining up leases with several property owners to create a more-than-1,660-acre solar farm near Zionsville, NextEra Energy saw …

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HEADLINES In 2020, the oil, gas and coal industry spent over a $115 million lobbying Congress to ensure that it would obtain fossil fuel subsidies. Currently, the industry receives $15 billion of taxpayers’ money in direct federal subsidies every year. —Linda Greene More than 100 countries concluded a round of negotiations on global efforts to …

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HEADLINES KPVI reports that Governor Eric Holcomb has appointed a top employee at the state’s environmental oversight agency to serve as its new leader. Brian Rockensuess began his tenure as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on Dec. 13. —Norm Holy Southern Indiana has recently expressed the view that they don’t like solar …

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HEADLINES Environmental advocates have for decades touted solar power not only as beneficial but necessary to wean U.S. consumers from what they say is a harmful dependence on fossil fuels. That message has made slow headway, however. —Norm Holy The IndyStar reports the abrupt decline in global carbon emissions during the shutdowns for COVID which …

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HEADLINES Duke Energy customers could see higher bills starting in 2024 if the utility’s plan to improve infrastructure is approved. In a release, the company filed a six-year plan with Indiana state utility regulators it said would improve the reliability of its infrastructure that delivers electricity to more than 860,000 Hoosiers. —Norm Holy The …

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HEADLINES A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change alerted the world of impending catastrophic climate crises if the world doesn’t stop extracting, producing and burning fossil fuels. Also, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization announced that climate-crisis–fueled natural disasters have increased fivefold over the last four decades. —Linda Greene In July 2020, the …

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By Nathaniel Weinzapfel “When the people rise up, the power comes down,” chant demonstrators at a recent protest from the nation-wide climate change organization called the Sunrise Movement. Launched in 2017, the Sunrise Movement was founded to, “shift the Overton window on climate policy” and promote strong environmental policies such as the Green New Deal. …

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HEADLINES The Tribune – Star reports that Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Linton has completed installation of additional displays at its visitor center. —Norm Holy Spanning two counties, the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area becomes the pit stop for thousands of sandhill cranes on their fall journey south. —Norm Holy WTIU announced that …

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HEADLINES Doral Renewables has broken ground on the Mammoth Solar project in Indiana, set to be the US’s largest solar farm once complete. The 400 megawatts of energy produced here during the first phase of the project is enough to power 75,000 Midwestern households and will infuse millions of much-needed dollars into local Indiana …

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HEADLINES Inside Indiana Business reports that as one of the top auto manufacturing states in the U.S., Indiana appears to be well-positioned to embrace the growing electric vehicle sector. —Norm Holy The nation’s coal-fired power output is expected to surge for the first time in years, the Energy Information Administration said. By the end of …

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HEADLINES Lake Michigan, the source of drinking water for millions of people, has taken a beating lately from the U-S Steel plant in Portage, Indiana. In late September, the plant spilled iron-containing wastewater into the Burns Waterway, which empties into the lake. —Linda Greene Station WVEP reports the Elkhart County Commissioners voted to deny the …

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HEADLINES Iron-contaminated wastewater from the U-S Steel Midwest plant leaked into a Lake Michigan tributary in late September, closing beaches at the Indiana Dunes National Park and stalling operations at the plant. —Linda Greene The New York Times reports the Biden administration restored protections for migratory birds that were loosened under former President Donald J. …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Environmental Reporter reviews the past and future of forests on state land. In the 1970s and 80s, Republican Indiana governors Orr and Bowen established three backcountry areas in state forests that would keep the backwoods intact and logging at bay. Today they are no longer safe from being logged. —Norm Holy A …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Environmental Reporter says solar energy has the potential to comprise up to 40% of the nation’s energy supply by 2035, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but pushback from utilities and lawmakers could limit how much Hoosiers can contribute to the solarization effort. —Norm Holy The environmental news from Montana isn’t …

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When you think of drylands, what first comes to mind? A field of zebras galloping across the savannas of Africa. Or, perhaps, a rattlesnake slithering past cacti in the deserts of Arizona. Maybe you think of a herd of cattle, munching their way through the Great Plains of the United States. Dryland ecosystems make up …

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HEADLINES A proposed settlement agreement negotiated between utility companies, local governments and advocacy groups could finalize that one of the most carbon-emitting power plants in the state will close before the end of the decade. —Norm Holy The New York Times is skeptical of the fervor about black vultures attacking calves. The accounts described of …

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HEADLINES The Observer, the student newspaper at Notre Dame, reports the university has pledged to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050, University President Friar John Jenkins announced last Friday. —Norm Holy IndyStar reports that an Indiana University scientist will lead an ambitious effort to determine the effect toxic chemicals have on an indigenous community in …

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HEADLINES How much of the U.S. carbon emissions come from Indiana? (Hint: It’s a lot). That was the headline in a recent story in the IndyStar. —Norm Holy Air pollution, according to EcoWatch, is connected to a number of serious health consequences. And a recent study linked exposure to air pollution to the increased severity …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Environmental Reporter says a pair of Purdue University professors have been appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly reconstituted Scientific Advisory Board. —Norm Holy In a story originated by WFYI, city officials from Bloomington, Carmel, and West Lafayette — and other Indiana lawmakers — sent a letter to Duke Energy urging …

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HEADLINES Two environmental groups are putting real-time air monitoring data in the hands of citizens and giving those community members the power to make informed decisions about their health each day. —Norm Holy After losing an Indiana Court of Appeals decision, opponents of the proposed Lone Oak solar farm are asking the Indiana Supreme Court …

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HEADLINES While intense heat waves and wildfires scorch the Western U.S. and freak rainstorms spawn massive floods in Europe and China, the weather in central Indiana has been fairly tame so far this year. —Norm Holy As the country decides how hard it wants to fight climate change, Midwestern states have become battlegrounds for the …

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The opposition was strong. Over 110 organizations and individuals signed and delivered a letter to the Governor’s office requesting a veto. The signers represented all parts of Indiana and multiple forms of environmental organizations. However, despite the unprecedented amount of opposition, on April 29th, Governor Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 389, which reduces the amount …

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HEADLINES A new report from the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice finds that clean closures are far better economic and environmental solutions to leaking coal-ash impoundments than are cap-in-place approaches. —Linda Greene Question: what city in Indiana generates almost all of its power from solar panels? A hint: it’s not Bloomington, or Carmel, or Fishers. …

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Early this summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved to declassify three PCB contamination Superfund sites in the surrounding Bloomington area. The decommission of these clean up sites from the National Priority List draws a decades long local environmental movement to a close. For those who were there to witness the contamination and resulting fights …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Business Journal reports that Indianapolis is nearing completion of replacing existing streetlight bulbs with LED bulbs and also installing 1,600 new streetlights. —Norm Holy A spotted lanternfly was found in Indiana for the first time in Switzerland County last week, the farthest west the insect has been found. This federally regulated invasive …

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HEADLINES U.S. Senate Democrats have proposed a clean energy standard that calls for getting the country’s electricity by 2035 from sources that don’t emit — or can capture — their greenhouse gases. But that could be a tall order for a state like Indiana. —Norm Holy Researchers have found in everyday products almost 300 chemicals …

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HEADLINES WFHB contacted the Department of Natural Resources about whether it is safe to put up birdfeeders. They responded by saying please do not put up any kind of birdfeeders just yet. —Norm Holy Coal production dropped by nearly 37 percent last year — more than in any of the other top coal mining states. …

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HEADLINES The Indiana Environmental Reporter says a bipartisan bill seeking to lay the foundation for carbon market participation has advanced through the U.S. Senate, but new research indicates that getting farmers to participate in the voluntary program may be difficult. —Norm Holy Residents of the small, rural town of Dale, Indiana, have been battling a …

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PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS Public comment is now open for residents to share their input before the Indiana Department of Environmental Management approves or denies the closure plan for the main coal ash pond at Duke Energy’s Gallagher Station, near New Albany. —Norm Holy Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita joined the attorneys general of 18 other fossil …

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Experts weigh in on the transition to solar energy in light of Duke Energy’s solar investment.

Betty Lynch starts her day like anyone else: she flips on the lights, makes coffee and breakfast, and watches the news. Some days she cuts the grass, or hops in her car to drive to work. But Lynch doesn’t have to stop at the gas station on her way, or worry about her energy bill later. Her routine is powered by the solar panels on the roof of her home in Lawrence, Indiana.

Experts say conditions are right for a transition to solar and renewable energy in Indiana. A subsidiary of the Duke Energy Corporation, Duke Energy Renewables, has announced plans for the $180 million “Hoosier Jack” solar farm in Vigo and Sullivan counties.

Sophia Hall reporting for WFHB EcoReport

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Inside Clean Energy says many scenarios for averting the worst effects of climate change involve electrifying just about everything that now runs on fossil fuels and shifting to an electricity system that runs mostly on wind and solar. —Norm Holy The Associated Press reports that a division of Duke Energy that develops renewable energy projects …

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A group of Martinsville, Indiana, residents and business owners called a community action group is seeking to persuade others to allow federal officials to test the air in houses, apartment buildings and businesses that might be contaminated with the toxic chemicals tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene from a Superfund site that was formerly a dry-cleaning business. —Linda …

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WPTA in Fort Wayne reports that after the Trump administration effectively shut it down, the Environmental Protection Agency has relaunched a website that lays out the clear evidence for climate change. The site explains climate change indicators like rising sea levels, temperature increases, droughts and wildfires. —Norm Holy The Indiana Environmental Reporter says that despite …

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded three Indiana communities hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to assess polluted properties and draw up plans for their cleanup. —Norm Holy According to the Brown County Democrat, the Brown County Public Library is exploring the possibility of erecting an array of solar panels. The panels will be …

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All native turtles, endangered species and Eastern box turtles, are regulated in Indiana. They are protected and cannot be collected from the wild or kept as pets. —Norm Holy AEP Energy and Global Energy Generation announced May 4th that they have signed a long-term renewable energy purchase agreement for the Mammoth Solar project in Indiana. …

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To build an idea of what possibilities may come, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation and numerous utility and corporate partners collaborated to sponsor a wide-ranging study called “Powering Indiana’s Economic Future.” —Norm Holy A bill that could significantly reduce protections for Indiana’s wetlands was signed by Gov. Holcomb. The Indiana Environmental Council hoped the …

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A British Petroleum refinery in northwest Indiana repeatedly violated air pollution standards for soot emissions between 2015 and 2018, a federal judge ruled in a lawsuit brought by environmental advocates, as reported by the Associated Press. —Norm Holy Indiana Public Radio reports that one of Indiana’s largest coal plants is expected to close in the …

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A bill that would have established some statewide standards for wind and solar projects — but was amended to grandfather in counties’ more restrictive ordinances — died on the Indiana Senate floor, according to IndyStar. —Norm Holy Indiana Environmental Reporter predicts that brood X cicadas will soon be emerging from the ground in Indiana, a …

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A division of Duke Energy that develops renewable energy projects plans to build a $180 million solar farm in western Indiana that would produce enough electricity to power 35,000 homes. —Norm Holy Shortridge High School in Indianapolis could become the first in the state to declare climate change an emergency; about a dozen schools in …

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Residents of central and southern Indiana called for increased environmental oversight during community organization Hoosier Action’s COVID-19 Vigil and Call to Action at the Statehouse. —Norm Holy Dozens of amendments to bills affecting Indiana environmental policy have sparked debate among lawmakers as the Legislature enters its final stretch of the session, according to The Republic. …

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The Northwest Indiana Times reports the Hoosier state leads the nation in the release of toxic chemicals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently released Toxic Releases Inventory. —Norm Holy The Environmental Protection Agency has come up with a plan to clean up toxic PCE, or perchloroethylene, and TCE, or trichloroethylene, in Martinsville — the …

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IndyStar reports that Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is leading the way to stop what he says is California’s attempt to set nationwide climate change policy. —Norm Holy One of the important technologies for Indiana’s future is wind turbines. The financial aspects of installing wind turbines are murky because they are not made available to …

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Rutgers University, New Jersey’s largest institution of higher learning, has decided to divest from fossil fuels and to prohibit new investments in that industry. —Linda Greene Avon, a town with a few hundred full-time residents, desperately needed at least $11 million to stop its main road from washing away. And to help pay for it, …

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According to the IndyStar, Attorney General Todd Rokita is joining attorneys general from 11 other states to sue the Biden administration over new environmental regulations that they claim will “impoverish millions.” —Norm Holy Within the last twenty years, rusty patched bumblebee populations have declined 87%, reaching the point that the International Union for Conservation of …

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When the 2021 legislative session began, more than 75 bills related to the environment had been filed in Indiana’s General Assembly. But as the session passes its halfway point, more than two-thirds of those bills are now dead. —Norm Holy Radio station WBIW reports a new project will focus on assessing, protecting and improving water …

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The Energy News Network reports that Indiana’s busiest energy-related legislative session in years saw more action last week, with the passage of a House bill to standardize large-scale renewable energy regulations and a Senate bill regarding refinancing of closing coal plants. —Norm Holy S&P Global Marketing reports that Northern Indiana Public Service Co. will retire …

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With the advent of stronger storms from the climate crisis, the Ohio River is expected to breach its banks and flood the surrounding area more frequently. A new park in southern Indiana will make the most of the flooding instead of shutting down during it. —Linda Greene WFYI reports that environmentalists hope the state will …

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A state senate bill would study how to reduce consumer utility costs through securitization. Much like refinancing a home, it allows customers to pay off coal plants over a longer period of time at a lower rate— lowering energy bills. —Norm Holy Indianapolis Power & Light Company is planning to acquire a 195-megawatt solar project. …

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The Indiana Environmental Reporter says a bill that would repeal state protections for Indiana’s diminishing wetlands passed the Senate’s Environmental Affairs Committee and is headed for consideration by the full Indiana Senate despite opposition from the agencies in charge of protecting the state’s environment and natural resources. —Norm Holy Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of …

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Brood X, the largest and most widespread colony of cicadas in the U.S., is due to emerge from their 17-year hibernation, Michigan State University entomologist Gary Parsons explained. –Norm Holy The Indiana Environmental Reporter lists possible legislation dealing with coal ash disposal during the current legislative session. Senate Bill No. 367, “Disposal of coal combustion …

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A new study reveals that greater bird biodiversity brings greater joy to people, according to recent findings from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research. In fact, scientists concluded that conservation is just as important for human well-being as financial security. —Norm Holy In December 2019, two New Orleans environmental activists left a box of …

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* NOTE: This week’s broadcast is a repeat of the show for December 17, but the Calendar (below) is new. * Lake Monroe will host its 8th Annual First Day Run and Walk on Friday, January 1st, 2021, at Fairfax State Recreation Area. There will be 3 route options, ranging from 1.3 to 3.7 …

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The Indiana Environmental Reporter says that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the finalization of a rule that could result in the agency’s deeming most new air pollution regulation proposals too expensive to implement. —Norm Holy Many of Indiana’s coal ash sites have left groundwater unfit for human consumption, according to a new …

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A diverse panel of climate activists agreed bold action and bilateral collaboration are necessary as the United States takes its first steps in reclaiming climate change leadership amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is revising a rule that limits ozone air pollution from upwind states, including Indiana, that contribute to air …

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Indiana is one of 15 states that relies on coal more than any other energy source for its power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Monthly Energy Review October 2020 report, the consumption of coal continues to decrease. —Norm Holy The Indiana Department of Education said it …

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Tim Stark has been found guilty of misappropriating funds from his nonprofit animal sanctuary Wildlife in Need, located in southern Indiana. The decision followed nearly nine months of court disputes, accusations of embezzlement, missing exotic animals and a runaway zookeeper. The nonprofit organization has been officially dissolved. —Norm Holy Six Midwest utilities west of Indiana …

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When the Ohio River floods, the majority of parks and green spaces that line its banks are unusable. But a new park in Clarksville will turn those flooding events into an attraction, making it the first climate-resilient park in the Midwest. —Norm Holy With the election of Joe Biden comes the question of his plans …

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The Indiana Environmental Reporter says the Southwestern Indiana Citizens for Quality of Life and Valley Watch, both environmental organizations in southern Indiana, are challenging the extension of a state air quality permit allowing the construction of a coal-to-diesel plant in Dale, Indiana. US renewables developer Scout Clean Energy has completed construction on a 130-megawatt wind …

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Purdue University engineers have created white paint that can keep surfaces up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than their surroundings but without consuming energy. According to the researchers, the paint would reduce the need for air conditioning by absorbing nearly no solar energy. The critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale has been spared, at least …

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Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has weakened yet another safeguard against air pollution in the midst of a respiratory pandemic. The agency finalized a rollback of the Clinton-era “once in, always in” policy that required major polluters like industrial plants and refineries to maintain the highest possible levels of pollution controls as long as they …

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According to the EPA and the U-S Government Accountability Office, two Bloomington Superfund sites, Bennett Stone Quarry and Neal’s Landfill, are vulnerable to flooding from climate change. —Linda Greene On a two-hundred-acre tract of farmland in northeast Saint Joseph County, Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power is installing a solar farm, which it says will be …

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The massive redwood trees that dot the landscape of Northern California have survived through countless earthquakes and natural disasters. Yet the climate crisis may threaten their livelihood as the latest California wildfires have encroached upon the ancient trees, as NPR reported. —Norm Holy The Earth has lost thirty-one trillion tons of ice in just twenty-three …

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Text in this post was edited for clarity on August 24th. I spoke with founder of Yellowwood Youth, Josie Sparks, who will be a high school senior this year and has spent the past year working endlessly to get to this point. Yellowwood Youth was a result of the work that Sparks did for Project …

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For the last decade, the DNR has allowed logging during the summer because they had been given the OK from the U.S. Forest Service, or USFS, that there were no bats roosting in the area to be logged. This was the ruling even when bats were caught in mist nets in the area. —Norm Holy …

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Did hurricane Isaias impact turtle nesting? Sea turtles nest on beaches from Florida to North Carolina. The nesting season starts in April in Florida and in May farther north and ends in October. — Norm Holy Greenland is known for its glaciers, but in the past month, the island has shed ice. Scientists didn’t expect …

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A report from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz regarding plans to dispose of toxic coal ash waiting in a sensitive landfill in Northern Indiana.

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The Muncie Indiana Star Press reports that AquaBounty Technologies, a land-based salmon farming pioneer, has successfully commenced the commercial-scale harvest of conventional Atlantic salmon raised at its first farm in the United States. According to Alexis Baden-Mayer, of the Organic Consumers Association, in testimony presented to the Food and Drug Administration during hearings on the …

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An Indiana Environmental Reporter feature from correspondent Enrique Saenz on attempts to regulate the 5000+ PFAS chemicals as a group, rather than individually.

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As reported in the Los Angeles Times, the Trump administration has lifted a major hurdle for development of the Pebble Mine, a massive gold and copper mine in the wilds of Alaska despite fears that it will poison the world’s largest sockeye salmon run. Even after the world’s largest economies adopted the landmark Paris Agreement …

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A report by Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz about a dispute about air pollution in Huntington, IN.

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Morton Solar held a ribbon cutting July 15 after donating two solar energy systems to Community Action Program of Evansville for two homes located near downtown Evansville. Three Indiana environmental organizations—the Hoosier Environmental Council, Friends of Lake Monroe and Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter—collaborated to demand that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, review …

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A Feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter covering a new bill in Congress proposing to make Carbon Credits available to farmers was proposed by Hoosier Senator Mike Braun. The story is by IER’s reporter Enrique Saenz.

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The recently released Wind Powers America Annual Report says wind-supported jobs in the Hoosier state more than doubled last year. Indiana ranks in the top five for wind energy employment throughout the country. MidAmerican Energy crews have completed work on a direct current ultra-fast electric vehicle charging station. Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, is outdoing …

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A report from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz regarding the disproportional effect environmental pollution is having on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections among minority communities/

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The US District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the company Energy Transfer to shutter and empty the Dakota Access Pipeline, the largest pipeline transporting oil from North Dakota to Midwest and Gulf Coast refineries. The court gave Energy Transfer thirty days to make the changes. Recently we reported that the long battle to …

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A feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter. Enrique Saenz reports on the pollution from burning off of surplus refinery gas.

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The future of the northern white rhino is looking bleak. Only two are left in the world—both are female. But scientists have a costly plan to save them from extinction. The plastics industry is exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to reverse progress on eliminating single-use plastics. The industry is using the pandemic to scare people about …

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A report from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz about changes that are proposed for crop planning by Hoosier farmers.

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Minnesota recently became the first state in the union to ban TCE, short for trichloroethylene, a volatile organic compound that’s used to manufacture refrigerant chemicals and is also used as a solvent for degreasing and as a spot cleaner in dry cleaning. It’s also in several common household products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is …

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Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz reports on revised guidelines for chemical industry reporting to the EPA.

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The Petersburg, IN power plant has violated its permit more than 120 times in the last three years. That’s the most of any such facility in Indiana. And, now, they will have to pay for it. A new biannual ranking released by researchers at Yale and Columbia finds that the U.S. is nowhere near the top …

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A feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz about Monroe County’s fight against the US Forest Service regarding water pollution.

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There are many experiments in agrivoltaics, or co-locating solar panels and food production, being undertaken around the United States. In defiance of a court order, the Trump administration Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not regulate perchlorate, a toxic chemical used in rocket fuel that contaminates drinking water and harms the development of fetuses and small …

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A Report from Enrique Saenz of Indiana Environmental Reporter regarding requests from companies for relief from environmental restrictions as a result of COVID-19.

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Northern Indiana Public Service’s plan to close five Indiana coal ash ponds at a power plant along Lake Michigan and move coal ash to a landfill has sparked concerns from environmental activists about how the dust kicked up by that project will be controlled. The Indiana of today has far fewer birds as compared to …

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A feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz reports that two Indiana cities recently passed the EPA’s standards for air quality.

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Two southwestern Indiana environmental health advocacy groups have received a significant grant to undertake regional monitoring of toxic and fine particle air pollution as well as some water pollution. Over forty-three billion dollars in low-interest loans earmarked for clean energy projects sit undistributed by the Trump administration, according to The New York Times. The U.S. …

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Indiana Environmental Reporter Enrique Saenz reports on the struggle to safely close Coal Ash Storage Ponds

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May fifteenth is National Endangered Species Day. It is celebrated to remind us of the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats. Legislation on endangered species was passed during the Nixon presidency. The Trump administration has weakened many parts of the act. Suppressing the census count of frontline communities directly affected by climate disaster …

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Your environmental headlines: Every year over one hundred climate scientists fly far into the wilderness and bore deep into Greenland’s largest glacier. Their work is complicated and important. The project is trying to understand how ice streams underneath the glacier are pushing vast amounts of ice into the ocean and how this contributes to rising …

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This week’s feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter has correspondent Enrique Saenz reporting that crop planting in Indiana may be delayed due to recent rainy weather.

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Last year marked the fourth year in a row that the Atlantic hurricane season saw above-average activity, and it doesn’t look like this year will provide any relief. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse, the EPA has issued what amounts to a license to pollute. Polluting industries claim that the disease has caused staff …

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Enrique Saenz from the Indiana Environmental Reporter talks about fighting a Coal to Diesel Plant.

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According to a new report from the environmental and indigenous rights group Amazon Watch, five of the world’s largest banks are funding crude oil extraction in the western Amazon rainforest. After immense conservation efforts, the numbers of critically endangered black rhinoceroses is slowly ticking up, according to the latest figures released by the International Union …

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A report from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz about PFAS Disposal

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The world’s tropical forests are rapidly losing their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. A study published in the journal Nature found that in fifteen years the Amazon could turn from a carbon absorber into a carbon emitter, due to wildfires, deforestation and the excess greenhouse gases pumped into the atmosphere. At a time …

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Produced by Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz, this week’s feature covers new challenges to the recycling industry.

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At least a half-dozen utilities have released plans to get to net-zero emissions, or close to it, by twenty fifty. Now a Michigan company has said that it will get to net-zero emissions by twenty forty, the fastest timetable of any major utility in the country. The Trump administration has formally revised a proposal that …

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A report from Enrique Saenz from Indiana Environmental Reporter concerning control of PFAS chemicals in the environment.

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China has banned the trade and consumption of wild animals in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed more than 2700 lives and infected more than 81,000 people, most of them in China, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. BreakFreeFromPlastic engaged over 71,000 volunteers from 51 countries to conduct 484 brand audits. …

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A Feature about Aquaponics: what it is and how it is being taught in Indiana schools

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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature carried out a detailed, multi-year study showing that climate collapse and environmental degradation are fueling violence against women and girls and that gender-based exploitation is hurting our ability to tackle the environmental crises. The global fossil fuel industry emits 25-40 percent more methane than previously thought, a study published …

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A Feature from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Beth Edwards on the implications of changes to snowfall amounts in Indiana as a result of climate change.

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The Sargasso Sea, in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle, is a massive ocean ecosystem with floating forests of gold seaweed called Sargassum that harbor creatures existing nowhere else on the planet. The floating forests are a crucial safe haven for baby sea turtles and other marine life vulnerable to predators. According to a new …

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A Feature on the impact or the Administration’s environmental policies.

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The Australian Supreme Court has stepped in to put an immediate halt to a logging project in east Victoria while it waits for cases about the health of native species to be heard in court. If you look at the Nobel Prize website page, Svante August Arrhenius was born in 1859, the son of Svante …

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A report from Indiana Environmental Reporter on Youth Climate Change Action Day. The reporter is Beth Edwards.

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The tiny rural town of Dale, in southwestern Indiana, has been fighting off a proposed coal-to-diesel refinery to be built on five hundred twelve acres of farmland on the edge of town. The Environmental Working Group has reported on a proposal before the Indiana legislature. It shows that humor is not dead. Whereas whale oil …

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Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Enrique Saenz reports on how suspension of clean water regulations will affect local Waters of America areas and areas downstream of them.

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The iconic Doomsday Clock, symbolizing the gravest perils facing humankind, is now closer to midnight than at any point since its creation in nineteen forty-seven. Madagascar has embarked on its most ambitious tree-planting drive yet, aiming to plant sixty million trees in the coming months. The mounting climate emergency may spur the next global financial …

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One barrier to people making the switch from conventional to electric cars is cost, mainly because batteries are still expensive. But Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, senior economist at the University of Michigan Energy Institute, says that’s changing. Firefighters in Australia have succeeded in saving a secret grove of prehistoric trees belonging to a species that dates back …

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Norm Holy interviews Robert Colangelo about Vertical Farming.

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Correction: In the story about Logging in Hoosier National Forest we stated that the South Fork watershed does not drain into Lake Monroe. That statement was in error. The South Fork watershed DOES drain into Lake Monroe. The Eco Report staff apologizes and regrets any confusion this may have caused. The oldest known black rhino, …

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This Feature is a report from Professor Sara Lindsay on Urban Forestry.

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This Feature covers bills currently before the Indiana General Assembly with possible environmental implications.

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This week’s feature is a report from Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Beth Edwards on spreading invasive pests by transporting firewood.

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Our correspondent, Katrine Bruner, presents a Feature about the Extinction Rebellion Movement in Bloomington.

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In this post we have news about the accuracy of past climate modeling, the Hoosier Resilience Index, and a report that North American birds are getting smaller and that scientists think the climate crisis is to blame. We also have news that budget cuts at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, or IDEM, are a …

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This week’s Eco Report features a story about the dangers that changes in flooding levels and frequency pose for Indiana SuperFund sites. The programs also has an IN Nature segment about the Copper Bellied Water Snake.

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Today’s feature report includes a segment from Enrique Sanez from the Indiana Enviornmental Reporter speaking about superfund site flooding.

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This weeks segment of IN Nature features a discussion by Kalynn Hyffman Brower about the Copper Bellied Watersnake.

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Today in our feature Indiana Environmental Reporter’s Beth Edwards speaks about Goshen, Indiana addressing climate change.

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This week’s segment of “IN Nature” features a discussion about the Bloomington native bird, the Night Hawk.

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Today’s feature report includes a story from Norm Holy who speaks with Joe Taft from the Exotic Feline Center. Taft speaks about how the Exotic Feline Center operates and touches on special events throughout the year including a pumpkin smash for the cats.

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On today’s progam, The Sycamore Land Trust is renaming the hillside the Bob Klawitter Lake Lemon Woods as a dedication to the memory of Robert “Bob” Klawitter, a well-known grassroots environmental leader who died in a traffic accident on September tenth, nineteen ninety-six. In Segment 1 of Jessica Fitzpatrick’s Crysophere, important statistics of climate change …

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This feature includes an Indiana Environmental Reporter story about steel mill pollution in Northwest Indiana. Two midwestern advocacy groups have claimed the company that owns these mills have self-reported more than 100 clean water act violations, and yet state and federal agencies have not taken actions against the violations. Now, these advocacy groups are taking …

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In this feature, EcoReport touches on an Indiana Environmental Reporter news story about the rollback of pesticide spraying regulations. Beth Edwards speaks of the controversial proposed change of removing restrictions of farmers spraying pesticides on their crops.

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Today’s feature report includes Segment 1 of Jessica Fitzpatrick’s series Crysosphere. This feature discusses the importance of the Crysosphere and the threat of global climate change. Important statistics of areas affected by rising sea water levels and less and less snowfall coverage are highlighted.

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Headlines New Wind Energy Report An article in Yale Climate Connections summarized the current status of wind energy. Advances in technology, improved economics, and broad political support are making wind power a formidable twenty-first-century energy resource. America’s wind farms currently produce nearly seven percent of the nation’s electricity. Looking ahead, the Department of Energy …

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Headlines Scientists Endorse Climate Civil Disobedience In the Scientists’ Declaration of Support for Non-violent Direct Action, some four hundred climate scientists, physicists, biologists, engineers and other scientists from twenty countries endorsed Extinction Rebellion’s civil disobedience campaign intended to force governments to take action on climate disruption. Boiling Methane Discovered Russian scientists on an Arctic …

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Eco Report – October 17, 2019 Headlines Carbon Dioxide and Methane Emissions According to a new study by the Climate Accountability Institute, twenty companies are responsible for thirty-five percent of carbon dioxide and methane emissions globally. Twelve of the twenty companies are state owned and cause as much as twenty percent of total …

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Headlines Pipeline Protest On October first, two members of the Catholic Worker Movement, Jessica Reznick and Ruby Montoya, were charged with one count of conspiracy to damage an energy facility, four counts of the use of fire in the commission of a felony and four counts of malicious use of fire. As an act of …

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Eco Report – October 3, 2019 Headlines BREAKING NEWS: Caribou at Risk The U-S Bureau of Land Management is considering building a two-hundred-mile industrial road that will disturb a critical caribou migration route in Alaska. The road will cut through the Gates of the Arctic National Preserve and cross twenty-nine hundred streams, eleven major rivers …

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Features Today we have a news story about last Friday’s climate strike. The focus of Kalynn Huffman Brower’s story is on two local high schoolers who spoke at the rally in Dunn Meadow. We also have a feature from Norm Holy. This is part two of his interview with David Konisky , a professor at …

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Climate Strike This week’s climate strike, Friday, September 20th, is inspired by a teenage activist from Sweden, Greta Thunberg. On Friday, IU students leave class at 11:30 and gather on the Bloomington campus at Dunn meadow at 12:30. After a short rally, climate strikers march through campus and on to People’s Park on Kirkwood, assembling …

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Today we have a feature about Wildcare, Inc., brought to you by Norm Holy. We will learn about the history of the organization, their mission and details about their work caring for wild animals. We also have a short feature from the Indiana Environmental Reporter. This story is about Verifli, an app developed by Indiana …

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The City of Bloomington continues to battle the emerald ash borer, an Asian beetle that feeds on ash trees. Last week, the Board of Park Commissioners approved an $11,000 contract with Ellington Tree Service to remove thirteen infested trees. In the same meeting, the Board approved a 45 thousand dollar contract with Runsdell, Ernsberger and …

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On today’s program, There is promising science about bats that may alleviate the deadly white nose syndrome. An oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has been leaking oil for fifteen years. There are no more free-flowing rivers in the USA. In our Secret Life of Fungi segment, WFHB’s Kalynn Huffman Brower explores the past …

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WFHB’s Julianna Dailey discusses the Swamp Rabbit.

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Today, WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with world renowned fisheries scientist Dr. Daniel Pauly, about how over fishing and changing environmental conditions are impacting fish populations in North American waters. Dr. Pauly is with the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia.

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On today’s program, the Trump administration is moving researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the Kansas City area, where accommodations have yet to be made for them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expanding the use of sulfoxaflor, a pesticide that is highly toxic to bees. On July 10th, over 7,000 colleges and …

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In this weeks segment, WFHB’s Jan Walker interviews Stacy Duke about hiking the trails of the Brownstown ranger district. Duke is the district recreation and wilderness manager for the Hoosier National Forest.

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In today’s feature report, WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with Dr Deepak Ray about climate change and crop yields — both here in Indiana, and in developing nations. Dr Ray researches food security on both a local and global level as part of the University of Minnesota’s Global Landscape Initiative. As part of the initiative, Dr …

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In today’s episode…Monroe County has received a $2 million Next Level Trail Grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to expand the Karst Farm trail to Ellettsville. The City of Bloomington Utilities began installing “smart water” meters last week, allowing customers’ water meter readings to be wirelessly transmitted directly to CBU. The American Psychological …

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The City of Bloomington Utilities is receiving grant money to install sewer lines in the Broadview Neighborhood; The Brown County Humane Society is raising money to construct a new animal shelter; Brown County State Park partially reopened to the public, this week; Annually, the National Parks deal with one-hundred million pounds of waste; Oregon lawmakers …

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In this segment Kalynn Huffman Brower shares how to replace the scourge of polystyrene with myco-foam, the compostable alternative packing material made from mushrooms.

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In this segment Kalynn Huffman Brower explains how growing mushrooms can be targeted to clean up toxic waste in our land and our water in a process called myco-remediation.

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Producer Kalynn Huffman Brower introduces her series, The Secret Life of Fungi, by describing the root-like structure of mushrooms, and how the underground mycelium connects plants and trees in a vast network throughout our ecosystems.

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In this week’s segment of “Get Out and Hike!” WFHB’s Jan Walker interviews Gary Zellar about Bean Blossom Hollow.

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Coal companies have long buried coal ash near many of the Midwest’s waterways, including Lake Michigan. Illinois has the highest number of leaking sites in the country, with Indiana a close second; A new report from Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs details the US military’s large carbon footprint and use of …

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In today’s Feature Report, WFHB correspondent Norm Holy speaks with Andrea Avena-Koenigsberg, CEO of Green Camino, about their composting program.

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HEADLINES Area residents are circulating petitions to remove a southern Brown County vendor from both the Nashville and Bloomington Farmers’ Markets; Scientists are predicting a larger-than-average dead zone in Chesapeake Bay this summer; USA today reports that Canada will ban single-use plastics as early as 2021; A partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration …

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HEADLINES One of Indiana’s most popular farms is facing public backlash, after an investigative video, published Wednesday, showed a string of animal abuses. Indiana scientists want to protect backcountry areas of the Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests. Midwest farmers are applying more glyphosate than ever before. Conservation organizations are asking Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to …

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The Bloomington Farmers Market saw record attendance last year, despite having fewer participating vendors; From 2015-2017, Indiana added 83,000 acres of cover crops; Climate change is a major concern for American voters, with nearly 40 percent reporting the issue will help determine how they cast their ballots in the 2020 presidential election. THE SECRET LIFE …

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WFHB’s Norm Holy speaks with Indiana Forest Alliance Executive Director Jeff Stant. The Indiana Forest Alliance recently completed a five-year ecological study of Yellowwood State Forest. In this second part of their interview, Stant tells Holy about their current ‘Eco Blitz,’ in the Hoosier National Forest, and their need for volunteers.

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The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board continues to explore composting as a way to reduce the trash sent to landfills; The Bloomington Parks Department continues to fight invasive plants on park properties; Researchers have found a link between air pollution and dementia. GET OUT AND HIKE Producer Jan Walker speaks with Jill Vance …

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The City of Bloomington is making plans for another deer cull, at Griffy Lake Nature preserve; Bloomington is looking to create more energy self-reliance by converting composted waste to compressed natural gas; Extending security contracts at the former Griffy Lake water treatment plant has passed $1 million; Most K-12 teachers don’t teach climate change, but …

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For five years, the Indiana Forest Alliance and volunteer researchers from across the country have been gathering data on species living in Indiana’s forests. In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Norm Holy speaks with the IFA’s Executive Director Jeff Stant, who says they’re having trouble finding experts who know about many of the species they’re …

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Listen to this week’s episode of Eco Report to hear a weekly update on important environmental news. In this week’s news headlines WFHB’s Graham Capito report on Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt expecting to lobby for the coal industry and against coal plant closures across the state, also in this week’s news headlines …

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In this week’s episode of The Secret Life of Fungi, Kalynn Huffman-Brower explores the science-fiction possibilities of fungi, for space travelers.

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This week’s segment of “IN Nature” is a discussion about the Spring Peeper.

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In this week’s Eco Feature, WFHB’s Jan Walker interviews Sandy Belth, Assistant Naturalist for Monroe County Parks and Recreation about Monarch Butterflies.

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Listen to this week’s episode of Eco Report to hear a weekly update on important environmental news. For example in this week’s news a discussion on the total mass of insects worldwide falling by two percent a year and Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to ban single use plastic bags in the state of New …

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This week’s In Nature is a discussion on the Box Turtle.

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In this week’s segment of “Get Out and Hike!” WFHB’s Jan Walker interviews Abby Hinkle about Dilcher Turner Canyon.

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In this week’s feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy, speaks with Dr Jeff Dukes, head of the Purdue University Climate Change Research Center.

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In this week’s weekly radio rundown of ecological news, the Bloomington City Council approves rebuilding the downtown Fourth Street garage, despite concerns about catering to cars in the face of climate change; the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approves rehabilitating the RCA Park trail; German researches are proving there is more carbon dioxide in the …

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In this weeks feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy discuss’s Lake lemon’s bird population with a local bird expert.

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In this week’s episode of Eco Report, WFHB’s Julie Thomas and Julianna Daily report on human overpopulation is threatening iconic animals in the Masai Mara and Serengeti and the Bloomington city council’s update on the Unified Development Ordinance during their meeting, last week. Also in this week’s news a federal judge in Alaska ruled on …

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For this week’s segment of IN Nature, WFHB’s Norm Holy discusses the Night Heron.

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For this week’s episode of “Get Out and Hike!” Jan Walker interviews Elizabeth Thompkins about Winslow Woods.

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For this week’s Eco Feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy interviews Dr. Leigh Raymond, a professor of Political Science at Purdue University, on the essentials of a report covering the future of energy in Indiana.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Linda and Glenn Lightner report on the Monroe County Solid Waste Management Board wanting to live up to its mission of keeping trash out of area landfills and the Ellettsville Town Council approving use of eminent domain to acquire a West Vine Street property for flood …

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In this week’s episode of “Get Out and Hike!” WFHB’s producer Jan Walker interviews Curtis Smith about the Karst Farm Trail.

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For this week’s feature EcoReport’s Jan Walker interviews David Lasuertmer and David Weinberg from the Neighborhood Planting Project.

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In this week’s episode of Eco Report, WFHB’s Julianna Dailey and Tod Wicks report on the City of Bloomington Utilities implementing a new storm water grant program, climate change posing a serious threat to polar bears and the City of Bloomington Utilities department battling disinfection byproducts. Also in this weeks news the US Court of …

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In this weeks episode of Ecoreport, WFHB’s Don Geyra and Tod Wicks report on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is carrying out prescribed burns in Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forest over the course of next month and the Brown County Parks and Recreation Department selling woods to a timber company that then clear-cut a …

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In this weeks Eco Feature, an excerpt from this week’s Interchange — Can Growth be Green? Environmentalists Raise Concerns about the Green New Deal.

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In this week’s IN Nature, WFHB’s Julianna Dailey discusses the cerulean warbler.

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Eco Report producer, Jan Walker, recently discovered Tending The Garden, a WFHB series originally broadcast in the nineties. Jan enjoyed it so much, she decided to bring it back. Now we present to you a second episode of Tending The Garden from the archives.

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In this week’s episode of Eco Report, WFHB’s Tod Wicks and Julianna Dailey report on the City of Bloomington partnering with a local environmental coalition in its efforts to control invasive plants at city parks and trails, security guards continuing to turn away the public at the city’ s decommissioned Griffy Lake water treatment plant …

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In this week’s segment of IN Nature, Norm Holy discusses the Hudsonian Godwit.

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In this week’s Eco Feature, WFHB correspondent Norm Holy talks with Indiana DNR Wildlife Specialist Rex Watters about Indiana’s eagle population. The eagle was nearly wiped out state-wide in the late nineteenth century. Watters was involved with the successful re-establishment of eagles at Lake Monroe.

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In this week’s episode of Eco Report, WFHB’s Tod Wicks and Kaylnn Huffman Brower report on a one hundred year history of flooding in the town of Ellettsville and China banning imports of recyclable material causing various U.S. cities to incinerate it. Also in this week’s news an update on the Gray Wolf population. All …

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In this week’s segment of “Get Out and Hike,” Jan Walker interviews Tom Trent about Knobstone Trail.

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In this week’s segment of IN Nature, WFHB’s Kaylnn Huffman Brower discusses the Eastern Massasuga Rattlesnake.

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For this week’s feature, Eco Report producer Jan Walker interviews Alfio Saitta, Weatherization Program Manager for South Central Community Action Program.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Julianna Dailey and Tod Wicks report on raising concerns from Residents of Bloomington’s Waterman neighborhood about contaminants in stormwater runoff from JB Salvage and a federal judge dismissing a racketeering lawsuit filed by Energy Transfer Partners, the corporation behind the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. All in more in this …

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In this week’s segment of “Secret Life of Fungi,” WFHB’s Kaylnn Huffman Brower discusses mushrooms in space.

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In this week’s IN Nature WFHB’s Julianna Dailey discusses the Ruffed Grouse.

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In today’s feature report, Bassler tells WFHB he has previously sponsored legislation aimed at preserving ten to thirty percent of state forests from logging. With much of his district including areas of state forest, Bassler says Senate Bill six-ten is a different approach to his previous conservation bills, which didn’t make it out of the state’s …

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news WFHB’s Don Geyra and Tod Wicks report on the anticipation of a chronic wasting disease that affects deer, elk, and moose migrating to Indiana, the world government and corporate leaders meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the week of January 21, for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and last …

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In this segment Kalynn Huffman Brower explores mushrooms in space, following the success of fungi spores hitching interstellar rides on meteors, as well as traveling into orbit on the skin of human astronauts.

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WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with Eileen Kladivko, professor of agronomy at Purdue University, about the role of cover crops in soil conservation.

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The bobolink is an endangered North American songbird. In this week’s IN Nature, WFHB’s Julianna Dailey gives us a snapshot of the bobolink and explains its decline.

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In this week’s episode…It could take Joshua Tree National Park three hundred years to recover from extensive vandalism that occurred during the federal government shutdown. This week marks the five-year anniversary of a coal ash storage pond collapse in Eden, North Carolina. We also learn about the songbird the bobolink in our IN Nature segment. …

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In this week’s segment of “The Secret Life of Fungi” WFHB’s Kalynn Huffman Brower discusses Myco Remediation.

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In this week’s segment of IN Nature WFHB’s Julianna Dailey discusses the Whippoorwill.

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In this week’s eco feature WFHB’s Norm Holy interviews Robert Colangelo, the founding farmer of Green Sense Farms in Portage Indiana.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Glenn and Linda Lightner report on The Habitat Network, an online resource housed at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology which is coming to an end on January 31 ,2019. Also in this week’s news stories three North Atlantic right whale calves have been born so far this calving …

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In this week’s segment of IN Nature Kaylynn Huffman Brower discusses the Copper Bellied Water Snake.

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In this week’s Eco Feature Report, WFHB News Director Wes Martin speaks with Indiana Forest Alliance Conservation Director Dr. Rae Schnapp about the report, and logging in public lands.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s David Lyman and Don Geyra report on a study in the Pacific Northwest finding that trout and salamander populations in streams are drought-resistant, over fifty percent of the Great Barrier Reef being dead due to bleaching and pollution and logging in state forests increase significantly due to budgetary reforms …

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news WFHB’s Todd Wicks and Julianna Dailey report on Bloomington’s Maple Heights neighborhood being the subject of a fight over urbanization and gentrification, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro transferring responsibility for indigenous lands to the Department of Agriculture and the prairie restoration project,Kankakee Sands, near Morocco, Indiana, obtaining sixteen new bison …

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This week is part two of WFHB’s Norm Holy discussion with Purdue Wildlife Ecologist Dr John Dunning on the impact of climate change on bird migration.

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In this weeks episode of ‘IN Nature’ WFHB’s Julianna Dailey discusses the ospreys.

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In this week’s segment of IN Nature Kaylynn Huffman Brower discusses the Blue Spotted Salamander.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Don Geyra and Tod Wicks report on a recent report by the union of Concerned Scientists stating that at least seven million Americans living near military sites could be exposed to unsafe levels of P-F-A-S, due to the government shutdown many National Parks are also starting …

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In this weeks Eco Feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy interviews John Dunning a professor of Wildlife and Ecology at Purdue University on bird migration and climate change.

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The smooth green snake is 14-26 inches long, small and streamlined, and bright green with a tapered tail. You can find the smooth green snake in grassy marshes and moist grassy fields during the day. This snake is endangered — it’s population is declining due to the use of pesticides and decreased habitat. Find out …

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In this week’s episode….The EPA is seeking to overturn the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, which primarily impacts coal fired power plants; outgoing Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly criticized The Indiana Department of Environmental Management last month, over its handling of contamination sites in Franklin, Indiana; an increasing number of global food and agricultural companies are …

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In this week’s Get Out and Hike segment, WFHB’s Jan Walker interviews Cathy Meyer, about the Karst Farm Greenway.

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In this week’s radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Glenn and Linda Lightner report on Researcher at the University of Portsmouth using plant fibers as a manufacturing material in cars, scientist developing drought- resistant crops and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources announcing that people can expect to see more coyotes through the winter. Also …

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Eco Report’s Kalynn Huffman Brower discusses the Hellbender Salamander in this week’s In Nature.

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In this Week’s Feature Report, WFHB Correspondent Norm Holy speaks with Tufts Professor of International Environmental Policy, William Moomaw, about global carbon emissions and the roles of forests.

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In this weeks radio rundown of ecological news, WFHB’s Julianna Dailey and Tod Wicks report on the Monroe County Council joining area environmental organizations in requesting more time for public comments on projected plans for the Hoosier National Forest and the U.S Forest Service proposing a project meant to improve wildlife habitats and improving stream …

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The preliminarily adopted Terrestrial Invasive Plants Rule is moving toward final adoption by the State of Indiana. One step in the approval process is the public comment period, which culminates in a public hearing on Wednesday, December 19th. WFHB Assistant News Director Sarah Vaughan reports.

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with naturalist Jill Vance about hiking the Big Oak Trail at Fairfax State Recreation Area.

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In this week’s episode…The City of Bloomington is selling bonds to raise money for Mayor John Hamilton’s bicentennial parks initiative. Last week marked the 35th anniversary of the Bhopal, India,toxic gas disaster, considered the worst industrial disaster in history.A new study published in Nature Climate Change provides some hope for the Great Barrier Reef of …

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In this week’s episode… the Associated Press and Terre-Haute Tribune Star report that an oil well is being drilled on an industrial site owned by Indiana State University; a company called Northwest Innovation Works is proposing to build the world’s largest fracked-gas-to-methanol refinery in Washington state; a study from the Global Carbon Project predicts an …

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Like many native birds, the numbers of grouse and woodcock are dwindling. WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with the wildlife biologist Steve Backs of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to learn more.

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with Naturalist Jill Vance about hiking the Turkey Trot Trail at Allen’s Creek Nature Preserve at Lake Monroe.

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In this week’s episode….the U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comment on a proposal to log 4,000 acres of Hoosier National Forest; the proposed killing of deer at Griffy Nature Preserve in Bloomington has been delayed until next year; the grassroots group ‘Coal River Mountain Watch’ is suing Republic Energy in federal court for mining …

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A new report from Purdue University’s Climate Research Center indicates Indiana’s tourism industry will need to be resilient in the face of climate change. That means adapting to hotter summers, rainier springs, and more storm events. WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with the report’s lead author, Dr. Jonathan Day, to learn more. Day is an associate …

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In this week’s episode: A report from waste consultants at Kessler Consulting outlines ways Monroe County can use composting to reduce the amount of waste going to area landfills. A federal judge recently ruled that the US Fish and Wildlife Service can no longer capture and kill critically endangered red wolves. Last week, over two …

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Correspondent Norm Holy talks about flying squirrels, with Brad Westrich, the non-game mammals expert at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. This Eco Report feature was produced by Norm Holy. The segment was edited by WFHB Assistant News Director Sarah Vaughan.

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Curtis Smith talks about his favorite trails around Karst Farm Park, just outside of Bloomington. Get Out And Hike is a weekly feature on Eco Report, WFHB’s environmental watchdog program. The segment is produced by Jan Walker, with support from Cindy Baule.

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In this week’s episode, the Bloomington Plan Commission is voicing initial support, but also environmental concerns for a large, mixed-use development; A new Purdue University Climate Change Resource Center report indicates Indiana’s tourism and recreation industry will face tougher seasons as climate change worsens across the state; Hoosier National Forest Supervisor Mike Chaveas spoke to …

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Today we hear about an elusive animal rarely seen during the day: the bobcat. Correspondent Norm Holy talks about bobcats with Brad Westrich, the non-game mammals expert at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This is part one of a two-part conversation. Join us next week when Holy and Westrich discuss another nocturnal creature, the flying …

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Get Out and Hike: Cathy Meyer, the naturalist at Monroe County Parks and Recreation, talks about Flatwoods Park near Ellettsville, Indiana.

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In this week’s episode… The Bloomington City Council approved issuing ten million dollars worth of bonds to fund more trails, parks, and street trees. Seventeen Indiana state parks will temporarily close for deer hunts this month, including Brown County State Park and Griffy Nature Preserve. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused a request from the Trump administration …

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has approved locating a coal to diesel plant in the town of Dale, in Southwestern Indiana. That plant would process raw coal and convert it to diesel fuel. But residents of Dale are resisting, citing concerns about pollution and safety. In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Wes Martin …

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with hiker Don Carlton about trekking the Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve.

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In this week’s episode….The U.S. Forest Service will conduct eighteen prescribed burns across the Hoosier National Forest this fall. The Hoosier Environmental Council, Earthjustice, and four other organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration hoping to make the administration follow rules ordering utility companies to clean up coal ash ponds by April. Yellowwood …

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In today’s episode….City of Bloomington officials favor voice support for borrowing ten million dollars to pay for park projects; 15 Indiana counties have been allocated funds from state forest timber sales; researchers at the University of North Carolina have found that U.S. deaths related to air pollution declined by almost half between 1990 and 2010. …

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WFHB’s Norm Holy talks coal ash ponds with Dr Indra Frank, Environmental Health and Water Quality Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council. Dr. Frank has testified on Indiana coal ash ponds to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year.

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In today’s episode, WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with Monroe Lake Naturalist Jill Vance about trails at Paynetown State Recreation Area.

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In this week’s episode: A proposed $10 million bond for parks and trails raises questions as the Bloomington City Council approves the city’s 2019 budget. In a move designed to reduce the effect of tariffs on corn production, President Trump is promoting the use of E-fifteen — gasoline containing fifteen percent ethanol. A carbon fee …

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In today’s Eco Feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with Allisyn Gellet about the history and status of the peregrine falcon in Indiana. Gellet is a non-game bird specialist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

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In this week’s episode… the Bloomington Utilities Service Board is working to give teeth to existing regulations requiring back flow prevention devices; a proposal that would have lowered pollution standards for the Ohio River will now get further study; the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a 20 year ban on new uranium mining in and around …

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Abby Henkel, communication director for Sycamore Land Trust, talks with WFHB’s Jan Walker about hiking the Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downey Hill in Brown County.

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with WFHB volunteer Kate Welch about hiking Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest in Paoli, Indiana.

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Researchers from governmental agencies and universities around Indiana are collaborating to study the potential impact of climate change on the state. The resulting studies make up the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, led by the Purdue Climate Change Research Center. Dr. Tomas Hook is one of those researchers. He’s a professor of Aquatic Sciences at …

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In this week’s episode: Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is joining with officials across the nation to demand the protection of U.S. forests; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s August 2018 climate report reveals warmer than average conditions across much of the world; the U.S. and nine of the world’s largest fishing economies will sign an …

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In this week’s episode: a British-based energy company has pulled the plug on a northern Indiana wind farm that would have generated six-hundred megawatts of electricity; a federal judge has restored endangered species protections for Yellowstone’s grizzly bears; scientists are coming together to oppose proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. From our calendar: McCormick’s …

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with WFHB volunteer Jenny Donnegan about hiking and practicing yoga at Lake Griffy.

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WFHB correspondent Norm Holy talks with Indiana DNR Wildlife Specialist Rex Watters about Indiana’s eagle population. The eagle was nearly wiped out statewide in the late nineteenth century. Watters was involved with the successful re-establishment of eagles at Lake Monroe in the mid-1980’s.

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WFHB’s Jan Walker is at the Tell City Ranger District Office of the Hoosier National Forest this week. She’s talking with Outdoors Recreation Planner Nancy Meyers about the Hemlock Cliffs trail.

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Climate researchers are predicting Indiana will have warmer and wetter, winters and springs in the coming decades. What does that mean for the state’s agriculture sector? WFHB’s Norm Holy has been exploring this question with Purdue Agronomy Professor Laura Bowling. She is the lead author of a study on the future of agriculture from Purdue’s …

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In this week’s episode: flooding from Hurricane Florence is causing huge problems for North Carolina’s livestock industry; opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline continues in Iowa; the world’s first zero emissions passenger trains officially entered commercial service in the German state of Lower Saxony on Monday. Get Out and Hike: WFHB’s Jan Walker and Nancy Meyers …

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Climate researchers are predicting warmer and wetter winters and springs for Indiana in the coming decades. What does that mean for the state’s agriculture sector? WFHB’s Norm Holy explores this question with Dr Laura Bowling, professor of Agronomy at Purdue University. Dr Bowling is the lead author of a study on the future of agriculture …

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In this week’s episode, the Bloomington City Council approves a multi-hazard mitigation plan, the federal government authorizes hunting grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park, and the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is temporarily halted. Eco Feature: Climate researchers are predicting warmer and wetter winters and springs for Indiana in the coming decades. What does that mean …

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In today’s feature report, Professor Sanya Carley of Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs discusses the economics of coal and renewable energies with WFHB’s Norm Holy.

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In this week’s episode, the City of Bloomington Utilities continues its mercury and asbestos cleanup efforts at the decommissioned Griffy Lake treatment plant. Indiana makes plans to spend its share of a $2.9 billion Volkswagen settlement that resulted from the company’s violation of the Clean Air Act. The latest EPA report on the Great Lakes …

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In this week’s episode: The Town of Ellettsville is exploring buying two Vine Street properties bordering Jack’s Defeat Creek in a move to mitigate flooding. Tick-borne diseases continue to rise in Indiana. In the wake of anti-pipeline demonstrations at Standing Rock, 31 states have introduced bills penalizing protesters, particularly those opposing pipelines. Get Out and …

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with hiker Don Carlton about Browning Mountain, sometimes called Indiana’s Stonehenge.

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In this week’s episode….Monroe County residents will see fewer road crews picking up trash in the future; the Indiana Department of Transportation falls behind their projected completion date of August 31, 2018; environmental activists with the coalition Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families are campaigning for the EPA to release its report on how formaldehyde exposure affects …

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In today’s Eco Feature, WFHB’s environmental correspondent Norm Holy talks with Dr. Gabriel Filippelli of Indiana University’s Department of Earth Sciences. Dr. Filippelli is the lead author on a study examining the impact of climate change on human health. Dr Filippelli says climate change has already impacted our health over the past thirty years. For …

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with hiker Marv Druin about Brown County State Park’s Trail 9. Druin says the trail is rated as moderate, but can actually be “quite a thigh-burner.”

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In this week’s episode: The Friends of Lake Monroe look to the Bloomington City Council for support for the IDEM grant application. The organization will use the grant to create a watershed management plan for the lake. Environmental organizations are rallying to support the SAVE Right Whales Act of 2018. The Bloomington Community Farmers Market …

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WFHB’s Jan Walker talks with hiker Marv Druin about the Delaney Park loop of the Knobstone Trail. The 60-mile-long Knobstone Trail is the longest trail in the state of Indiana.

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In this week’s Eco Feature, WFHB’s Norm Holy interviews IU Environmental Sciences professor Dr. Jeffrey White on his research in the Arctic.

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In this week’s episode: The City of Bloomington Utilities department continues to work on removing mercury and asbestos at the decommissioned Griffy Lake treatment plant. Global warming is reducing crop yields in Indiana, according to the Purdue Climate Change Research Center. Acting Environmental Protection Agency leader Andrew Wheeler is proposing a rollback of Obama era …

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WFHB’s Norm Holy talks with Purdue University’s Dr. Christian Butzke about the impact of climate change on wine production in Indiana and abroad.

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