WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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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.
—Norm Holy
The Republic in Columbus, Indiana, reports that developers of a proposed solar energy farm in northeastern Bartholomew County are pledging to incorporate what would be the largest “pollinator garden” in the county, providing vital habitat for butterflies and bees, which are essential for food and vegetation.
—Norm Holy
WISH-TV reports that electric companies will keep a close eye on how much power is going across the grid. As extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency, a growing need exists to prepare the electric grid for a volatile future.
—Norm Holy
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer/Monsanto’s carcinogenic weed killer Roundup, is closer than ever to being banned. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals voided EPA’s interim regulation review decision approving the continued use of glyphosate.
—Linda Greene
Solar power is about to become much more expensive for Hoosiers as a state policy meant to help boost the renewable energy in the state expired on July 1st. Once that deadline passed, Indiana utility customers are no longer allowed to participate in what is called net metering when they install solar panels on their roofs.
—Norm Holy
Energetic grassroots resistance in the Pacific Northwest has defeated dozens of new large-scale fossil fuel projects in Oregon and Washington. In the last ten years, about fifty-five coal, oil and natural gas projects have been proposed for Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. A recent study by the Seattle-based Sightline Institute noted that over seventy percent of them have gone down the tubes.
—Linda Greene
The Descendants Project, an organization that advocates for descendants of enslaved people, took U-S Representative Raul Grijalva, Democrat of Arizona, on a tour of river parishes that environmental racism has long imperiled.
—Linda Greene
A worldwide movement is growing to stop the proposed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, or EACOP. A project of the huge French oil company TotalEnergies and other transnational corporations, EACOP would carry 200,000 barrels of oil a day from western Uganda to export terminals almost 1500 kilometers away on the Tanzanian coast.
—Linda Greene
The Pacific nations of Palau, Fiji and Samoa recently announced support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Palau launched the new Alliance of Countries Supporting a Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium at an official side event at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.
—Linda Greene
Recently climate activists blocked the entrance to the International Monetary Fund’s Paris office and demanded that leaders of wealthy countries attending the G7 summit in Germany cancel the debts of poorer and less-industrialized nations, called the Global South. Some of the activists glued their hands to the office doors; others sat down with their arms locked inside tubes to make it harder to move them.
—Linda Greene
The New York Times reports that within days, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court has handed down a decision that will severely limit the federal government’s authority to reduce carbon dioxide from power plants — pollution that is dangerously heating the planet.
—Norm Holy
The New York Times reports the Biden administration is throwing out the definition of “habitat” for endangered animals, returning to an understanding that existed before the government under President Donald J. Trump shrank the areas that could be protected for animals under threat of extinction.
—Norm Holy
CALENDAR
| Bloomington Parks and Recreation will have a hike on Saturday, July 9th, from Noon to 2 pm at the Sherwood Oaks Park on How to Be a Good Neighbor. Learn fun facts about honeybees and other pollinators while hiking through Sherwood Oaks and Goat Farm Parks. Bring drinking water and meet in the shelter. Register at bloomington.IN.gov/parks. |
| An Explore Lake Monroe Paddling Trip into the North Fork of Salt Creek is scheduled for Sunday, July 10th, from 7 to 9 pm. You must have prior paddling experience. Bring your own canoe or kayak, and explore the quieter side of Monroe Lake. Experience beautiful views, hidden wildlife and much more. Sign up at bit.ly/exploremonroe-jul10-2022. |
| Take the Discovery Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Monday, July 11th from 2 to 2:45 pm. The park naturalist will take you on this half mile hike where you will learn about flora, fauna, pioneer history and geology of Brown County State Park. |
| Learn about Eco-Invaders at the Paynetown State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Thursday, July 14th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Meet at the Campground and watch for the naturalist who will be walking around telling you about some of the invasive species found in this area and learn about the impact they have on our ecosystem. |
| Spring Mill State Park is hosting a Full Buck Moon Hike on Friday, July 15th, from 10 to 11:30 pm. Meet Anthony at the Donaldson Cave parking lot for an adventurous hike under the Full Buck Moon. Learn all about full moon lore and history. This will be a rugged, two-mile hike. |
