Eco Report – December 30, 2021

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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 restore and protect the variety of life on Earth by pledging urgent and integrated action to achieve change across all sectors of the economy and all parts of society.

—Norm Holy

According to the BBC, (quote) A fossil fuel lobbyist is someone who is part of a delegation of a trade association or is a member of a group that represents the interests of oil and gas companies (end quote). Given that definition, there were more lobbyists at COP26, the international climate summit in Glasgow, than delegates from any single country.

—Linda Greene

Wine making is moving worldwide. In France, the climate has gotten warmer, leading to some years of low yields. All regions in France are threatened with frequent heat waves stimulating fungal diseases, intense rain events causing rot and warming periods exposing buds to frost.

—Norm Holy

Fat Bear Week, hosted every year by the Katmai Conservancy, allows the public to vote for which Alaskan bear will be the chunkiest before going into hibernation.

—Norm Holy

Indiana is a major breeding ground for monarch butterflies, but habitat destruction and the climate crisis are threatening the pollinators’ native midwestern territories. The number of midwestern monarch butterflies has declined rapidly in recent decades, but a new bill pending in Congress could stabilize their population.

—Linda Greene

CALENDAR

Usher in 2022 with other outdoor lovers at one of the many First Day Hikes taking place on Saturday, January 1st, 2022.  For the First Day Hike at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, meet at the office parking lot from 9 to 10 am for this guided hike on an accessible trail.

The First Day Hike of 2022 will take place at Spring Mill State Park on Saturday, January 1st, 2022, from 9 to 10:30 am.  Take either the long or short hike, then meet at the Spring Mill Inn for refreshments in the Lakeview Room.  The Long Hike starts at 9 am on Trail 3, which is partially rugged.  The Short Hike begins at 10 am on Trail 6, which is short, easy and paved.  While indoors you must wear a mask.

Plan now to participate in the 9th Annual First Day Trail Run and Walk at the Fairfax State Recreation Area at Monroe Lake on Saturday, January 1st, 2022, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.  This is an untimed, non-competitive run/walk.  Choose from a 3.7-mile, 2.90 mile or 1.3-mile course.  Advance registration is online at bit.ly/firstdayrun2022.  You may also register the same day between 2:15 and 3:15 pm at the Bay View Shelter.  If you go indoors, you must wear a face mask.

The Indiana Audubon Society is offering a 2022 Tropical Kickoff,  Costa Rica Virtual Birding experience, on Sunday, January 2nd, from 8 to 9 am.  Experience Papa’s Place in Costa Rica, which will take you to the mythical Arenal Volcano and view all the wonderful birds of the foothill rainforest.  Read more about this Zoom event on the Indiana Audubon Society website.  To participate, go to the IAS website and look for the Zoom link.

Take a Winter Beginners Bird Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, January 9th, 2022, from 1 to 2 pm.  Meet Morgan at the Lakeview Activity Center front patio for a hike around the lake while learning about over-wintering birds.  This will be a moderately rugged, one-mile hike.