Eco Report – August 19, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:00 — 20.2MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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 nation’s energy future, according to the Indiana Environmental Reporter.

—Norm Holy

The public radio station at Ball State reported on the impact of President Joe Biden signing an executive order to make half of all new cars sold by 2030 electric vehicles. That could have a big impact in Indiana — which is one of the top states for automotive production and for ethanol.

—Norm Holy

EPA whistleblowers have revealed that leadership at the agency has been censoring the hazardous ramifications of new chemical products.  Four EPA scientists have come forward to speak out about how high-level staff have been pressuring employees to downplay potential for harm when completing assessments for new chemical products.

—Linda Greene

As the Trump administration waned, its EPA made large changes to a key section of the Clean Water Act, Section 401, and undermined the ability of states and tribal authorities to protect people’s water quality from dirty energy projects like fracked gas pipelines and to ensure that those projects don’t have devastating impacts on local water quality or violate state law.

—Linda Greene

The Energy News Network reports that roughly four-fifths of U.S. coal plants are either scheduled to close by 2025 or now cost more to operate than new nearby solar or wind power would, new research shows.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

When was the last time you climbed the Fire Tower at McCormick’s Creek State Park?  Take advantage of the Fire Tower Hike on Saturday, August 21st, from 10 to 11 am.  Meet Naturalist Sarah at the Canyon Inn to take a hike to the fire tower and climb it if you dare.  Along the trail you will learn about McCormick’s Creek natural and historical past.

It’s time for the Full Sturgeon Moon Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, August 21st, from 9 to 10:30 pm.  Meet Anthony at the Oak Ridge Shelter for a night under the Full Sturgeon Moon on Trail 7.  Learn all the folklore and history of the Full Sturgeon Moon and why it is called that.  The trail is considered easy.

Enjoy a Discovery Trail Hike at Brown County State Park on Friday, August 27th from 11 am to Noon.  Meet outside the Nature Center and meet with the naturalist to learn about the different stops along the Discovery Trail.  The trail is ½ mile in length and is considered moderate.  However, there are exposed roots and rocks along the path.

Come to the Nature Center at McCormick’s Creek State Park on Saturday, August 28th from 10 to 11 am to learn all about Composting.  This workshop will have you making your own composting bin and you will learn the many benefits of composting.  Pre-registration is required.  Please email Sarah to reserve your spot at [email protected].

Take a Nocturnal Night Hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park on Saturday, August 28th from 9 to 10:30 pm.  YOU can be what goes bump in the night!  This naturalist-led hike will teach you about nocturnal animals and the adaptations that allow them to thrive in the dark.  Bring a flashlight or headlamp.  Meet in the parking lot.