WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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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 next seven years. Indiana Michigan Power had already planned to close half of the Rockport coal plant in Spencer County. But until now, the fate of the plant’s other half was up in the air.
—Norm Holy
A bill that would allow Indiana to oversee federal coal ash requirements in the state through a permitting program is now headed to the governor’s desk for final approval.
—Norm Holy
Trails have reopened following a wildfire at Indiana Dunes National Park in the northwestern part of the state. Fire crews and park staff have ensured all trails in visitor areas impacted by the fire are safe from any dangerous trees and other hazards, the National Park Service said Monday.
—Norm Holy
According to the American Lung Association’s 2021 State of the Air Report, which covers the years 2017 to 2019, about 40% of Americans are living in locations with poor air quality. That comes to over a 135 million people.
—Linda Greene
Michael Regan, the first Black person to lead the EPA, has directed the agency’s staff to “infuse equity and environmental justice principles and priorities into all EPA practices, policies and programs.”
—Linda Greene
The U-S currently spends approximately ten times as much on fossil fuel subsidies as it does on education. Introduced on April 15th by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ilhan Omar, the End Polluter Welfare Act would eliminate a 150 billion dollars in tax loopholes and federal subsidies for fossil fuel companies over the next decade.
—Linda Greene
States are approving the installation of giant fuel tanks in spite of their commitments to decreasing climate-disrupting emissions and health concerns with the tanks. For example, in the Los Angeles area, eleven new tank projects are underway, mostly in communities of color.
—Linda Greene
The Daily Mail reports that as climate change continues to threaten the habitat of the polar bear, the endangered creatures are being pushed further into contact with other bears. In Alaska, this has led to cross-breeding with native grizzlys and the creation of ‘pizzly bears.’
—Norm Holy
According to a new report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, millions of miniscule pieces of plastic, called microplastics, measuring less than 0.2 inchs and amounting in total to thousands of tons, are billowing in the air and even being blown across entire continents. Scientists say the situation is likely to worsen greatly and could have serious effects on human health.
—Linda Greene
A new study is shedding light on just how much ice could be lost around Antarctica if the international community fails to urgently rein in planet-heating emissions, bolstering arguments for bolder climate policies.
—Norm Holy
New research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this month looked at maps of human habitation over the last 12,000 years and confirmed that Indigenous societies have indeed been the best caretakers of biodiversity throughout modern human existence.
—Norm Holy
CALENDAR
| Brown County State Park will have their Annual Morel Mushroom Festival on Saturday, May 1st, all day long. This event includes mushroom presentations and hikes as well as a Morel Mushroom Sale. Be sure to practice safe distancing and wear a mask when indoors. For more information, contact Patrick Haulter at 812-988-5240 or go to [email protected]. |
| There will be a Welcome Back Weekend at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, May 1st, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Pioneer Village will open at 9 am. Check out the line-up of great programs, events and guided hikes. You will be required to wear a mask while indoors. |
| To celebrate Arbor Day 2021, Sycamore Land Trust will provide free native tree seedlings on Saturday, May 1st, at Bloomingfoods East and Bloomingfoods Near West starting at 10 am while supplies last. You will be able to choose between Red Oak, Tulip Tree, Hazelnut, and Buttonbush. There is a limit of one free tree seedling per person. The event is being sponsored by Bloomington Hospital. |
| Enjoy a Flora Field Day at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Tuesday, May 4th, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. If you want to work on your flora identification skills and practice with a naturalist, this is your opportunity to learn proper use and application of an ID Key, which will open the door to identifying thousands of species. Registration is required by May 2nd at http://bit.ly/florafieldmay2021. |
