Researchers seek data for statewide urban forest map
Researchers from Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, the Davey Resource Group and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Community and Urban Forestry Program are asking municipalities across the state to share their urban forestry data to build the publicly available online map and data resource focused on urban green infrastructure.
Explainer: Can solar geoengineering give us more time to solve climate change?
Ben Kravitz, an assistant professor in IU’s Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, uses climate models to simulate and study the effects of solar geoengineering on the planet. He recently spoke with the ERI Explainer to discuss why society might choose to intervene in the global climate system and where the science currently stands.
IU tick and mosquito surveillance project confirms Gulf Coast tick in southern Indiana
Indiana University researchers have confirmed a tick species and known disease-carrying arachnid in southern Indiana typically associated with the southeastern United States.
Muthukrishnan study: Invasive seagrass threatens Caribbean biodiversity
A new study co-authored by Environmental Resilience Institute Research Fellow Ranjan Muthukrishnan describes why an invasive seagrass pushing its way into United States coastal waters is spreading so fast.
Indiana environmental agency ‘kneecapped’ by staff cuts, report says
Indiana’s primary environment enforcement agency has been “kneecapped” by staff cuts of 16% in the last decade, according to a recent report.
Climate scientists try to cut their own carbon footprints
Some climate scientists and activists are limiting their flying, their consumption of meat and their overall carbon footprints to avoid adding to the global warming they study.
OTC requests climate action plan funding
Sister Janet Born presented the Oldenburg Renewable Energy Commission report on behalf of Sister Claire Whalen, who was unable to attend. In November, OREC members revealed the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report and requested “that OTC support OREC’s continued efforts to lead residents, businesses and institutions in the Village of Spires to work together to cut carbon emissions by 50% in the coming decade.”
One Thing You Can Do: Be Smart About Holiday Lights
The Department of Energy estimates that Americans burn 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours annually using holiday lights. That’s enough electricity to power more than 800,000 homes for a year. But with a few simple adjustments, you can make your lights a bit greener.
Public Attitudes toward Climate Activists, with Nathaniel Geiger
Geiger discusses his research on how the public responds to climate change communication and activism. Geiger reviews the recent history of advocacy on climate change; how current movements like the youth-led climate strike might shape public attitudes toward both climate policy and toward the activists themselves; and how climate communicators can effectively reach audiences who otherwise might not engage in the climate change conversation.
If you follow the discussion surrounding climate change in Iowa and its potential consequences for agriculture, perhaps these data don’t surprise you. My observation is that the industry has been reluctant to come around to the idea that this is a human-caused phenomenon, and this includes its practitioners. There’s already been quite a lot of social science that examines this, but overall farmers seem to be about ½ to 2/3 as likely as the general population to agree that human beings are a driver of climate change.
Lafayette announces plan to work on climate resolution
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski announced that the city would begin work on a climate resolution at Monday’s city council meeting.
Without drastic action, our planet is headed toward warming of 3.2 C in less than 100 years, an outcome one participant calls “stupefying.” The United Nations Environment Program calls on governments to act immediately, within the next decade, to limit global warming to 1.5 C or 2 C at most by 2100.
Study predicts hotter future for our region
Extreme heat will make the biggest impact on northeast Indiana from climate change by 2050, a new statewide study predicts. Heavy rains also will increase, but only slightly in this region, according to Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute,
Weatherproofing your home could save you $400 — and save the environment. Here's how to do it.
As winter approaches, weatherproofing can protect homeowners from frigid air creeping in — and energy bills creeping up. Weatherproofing reduces the need for heating, and therefore reduces overall energy consumption. It doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming: steps can be as simple as sealing windows or adding door sweeps.
Choosing Not To Fly Home For The Holidays, For The Climate's Sake
This year Thom Hawkins is missing his fourth family Thanksgiving back home in Minnesota, by choice. The 82-year-old lives in Glendale, Calif., and hasn't visited his extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins since September 2016. That's when he decided he couldn't fly anymore because of environmental concerns. Ever since, he has missed weddings, birthdays, graduations, and expects to miss funerals.
Despite consumer demand, Indiana Christmas tree farms are declining
Hoosier families are finding fewer and fewer options when they visit their local Christmas tree farms to choose the perfect tree for the holidays. That's because Indiana tree farms are declining -- due in part to farmers aging out of their operations, as well as environmental change and the difficulty of growing short-needled varieties that are highly sought after.
Climate Whiplash: Wild Swings in Extreme Weather Are on the Rise
As the world warms, scientists say that abrupt shifts in weather patterns — droughts followed by severe floods, or sudden and unseasonable fluctuations in temperature — are intensifying, adding yet another climate-related threat that is already affecting humans and the natural world.
South Bend sets target for carbon neutrality
The South Bend Common Council’s adoption of a citywide climate action plan on Nov. 25 is the latest example of how Indiana local governments are stepping it up when it comes to addressing climate change.
Earth set to warm 3.2 C by 2100 unless efforts to cut emissions are tripled, new UN report finds
Without drastic action, our planet is headed toward warming of 3.2 C in less than 100 years, according to a new report. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its annual Emissions Gap Report on Tuesday — 168 pages, compiled by 57 leading scientists from 33 institutions across 25 countries — calling on governments to act immediately, within the next decade, to limit global warming to 1.5 C or 2 C by 2100.
Bird Migration Is Changing With Climate: Indiana University Is Helping Track It
Scientists say climate change is shifting the migration patterns of some birds — and if they can’t adapt to those changes, they may not survive. Indiana University has set up two antennas to help track birds as they pass through.
Explainer: What can Bloomington’s past tell us about our relationship to the environment?
“800 Seasons: Change and Continuity in Bloomington, 1818-2018,” a current exhibition at Indiana University’s Mathers Museum of World Cultures, tells the story of how Bloomington came into being through the voices of individuals over time. Building around the themes of land, water, food, transport, and shelter, the exhibit challenges present-day Hoosiers to reexamine the city and the people who made it what it is today.
Greta Is Right: Study Shows Individual Lifestyle Change Boosts Systemic Climate Action
The climate movement has been riven lately by a debate pitting individual lifestyle change against systemic change, as if the two compete. Many experts contend both are needed, and new research links them even more closely. The public is more likely to support systemic action, the study finds, if those advocating it have a low carbon footprint.
Suffolk’s heat, and some strange silence
What does the western Suffolk area have in common with Indiana? A consistent vote for conservative candidates, for one thing. And maybe this common ground, too: growing — but largely silent — worries about climate change.
Indiana Engine Maker Cummins To Go Net Zero By 2050
Indiana engine manufacturer Cummins announced its new climate goals on Friday. The company plans to get down to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Transportation makes up almost 30 percent of all U.S. emissions that contribute to climate change.
Best Ways To Make A Dent In Local Climate Change? Turn Lights Off And Drive Less
Janet McCabe says the question is an important one to ask: What can individuals and the City of Bloomington do to make a difference on climate change? But she says individual and even municipal actions alone won’t reverse the effects of environmental degradation seen in recent decades. And she’s in a prime position to look for actions that make a difference.
Climate Change, Lynchburg's Heat and Silence
What does the Lynchburg area have in common with Indiana? A consistent vote for conservative candidates, for one thing. And maybe this common ground, too: growing — but largely silent — worries about climate change.
Farmers’ Experience of Climate Change Doesn’t Alter Politics, Study Says
Farmers understand that the climate is changing but don’t favor collective action to address it, according to a series of interviews conducted by researchers. Instead, farmers tackle the impact of climate change as a business challenge that they address through standard farming practices, like applying more fertilizer after heavy rains.
First-of-its-kind online tool helps Indiana communities address climate change vulnerabilities
Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute, part of the Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative, has launched the Hoosier Resilience Index, a first-of-its-kind online tool to help local governments and Indiana residents understand how their communities are vulnerable to climate change and what they can do to respond.
What is Oldenburg's carbon footprint?
Oldenburg Renewable Energy Commission members recently completed an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and presented their findings to Oldenburg Town Council members Nov. 4.
Explainer: How can art serve as an entry point to environmental awareness?
As the ERI Artistic Social Practice Fellow, Maria Whiteman uses art to tell stories about the interconnectedness of all living organisms and the oftentimes brutal disruption that human activity brings to natural relationships.
Competing public health crises leave FDA, EPA in fraught territory
Critically ill Americans’ access to life-saving medical treatment is in jeopardy as states’ regulators crack down on cancer-causing pollution from the plants that sterilize medical devices.
Up to nine local governments in Indiana will be developing plans in 2020 to address greenhouse gas emissions as part of the next phase of an Indiana University program.
McCabe article analyzes EPA’s weakening of air pollution rules for industry
A new article co-authored by Janet McCabe, director of the Environmental Resilience Institute, details how the Trump Administration is weakening one of the long-established cornerstones of the Clean Air Act to appease industry at the expense of public health.
2019 Women of Influence: Janet McCabe
Institute Director Janet McCabe was named as one of the 2019 Women of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Murray's exit could upend company's war on regulations
Murray Energy Corp.'s bankruptcy threatens to quiet the loudest and most litigious critic of environmental regulations in the coal industry.
Explainer: Who is at risk of contracting a tick-borne disease?
In recent years, ticks have been getting more attention from public health officials in Indiana and across the country. That’s because a confluence of factors, including warmer year-round temperatures in the Midwest, have put ticks and humans into contact more frequently and increased people’s risk of contracting tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease.
Gruszczynski, Geiger collaborate to study political speech on climate change
Assistant professor Mike Gruszczynski< is an expert on political communication, and assistant professor Nathan Geiger is an expert on climate communication. A study on political speech surrounding climate change was a natural fit for a collaboration.
ERI Encourages Science Fest Attendees to Use ‘Superpowers’ to Solve Climate Change
When it comes to fighting climate change, it doesn’t take superpowers to be a superhero. That was the message Environmental Resilience Institute Fellows and staff shared with attendees at Indiana University’s Science Fest, a celebration of all things science and a day of hands-on learning for kids of all ages.
ERI researchers garner NSF grant to expand investigation of bird reproduction, environmental change
Because of climate change, spring is arriving earlier in many parts of the planet. This shift carries huge repercussions for animals that time their annual reproduction cycles with the environment.
Indiana Drawdown Presentation at IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute
Daniel Poynter of Indiana Drawdown presented at the Institute as a part of our Affiliates Talks series.
On this episode of Aim Hometown Innovations Podcast, officials with the Environmental Resilience Institute at Indiana University discuss a new tool to help Indiana’s cities and towns prepare for climate change impacts.
The harbingers of winter will be back soon
Summertime is falling down, winter is closing in. The juncos — what Audubon called snow-birds — will be back soon.
Why Indiana is putting "backpacks" on birds
Throughout the Midwest and even up and down the Western Hemisphere, birds are flying around with “backpacks” on and it’s all thanks to Indiana University researchers who are looking to get a bird’s-eye view of our environment.
From Corn To Solar: For Some Farmers, There's 'More Money In Producing Electrons'
Hoosier farmers are making less money per acre than they have in years, but some are trading corn and soybeans for solar panels. Yet, the incentives for such projects vary greatly from state to state, and that makes it difficult for landowners to know what the policies to their specific locality are.
Climate crisis will not be discussed at G7 next year, says Trump official
The climate crisis will not be formally discussed at the G7 summit in June next year, Donald Trump’s acting White House chief of staff said on Thursday.
Explainer: Is climate change making Indiana more welcoming to ticks?
Karo Omodior, an assistant professor at IU’s School of Public Health, has been sampling residential properties and areas near human habitation to improve understanding of the risks ticks present to Hoosiers. Omodior spoke recently with the ERI Explainer to discuss ticks, climate change, and what people can do to lower the chances of contracting a tick-borne disease.
What Happens Now After Last Month's Climate Strikes?
Last month, concerned students and Bloomington residents walked out of classes and work to demand action against climate change. What happens now?
Bloomington Releases Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Part Of Larger Statewide Project
For the past few months, Indiana University students have been helping 14 cities in the state to do greenhouse gas inventories. The idea is for cities to look at which sectors emit the most gases that contribute to climate change and try to make them greener.
Study adds up Evansville government's climate change impact
A summer study was done through Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute. It took inventory of the city's greenhouse gas emissions for 2017 to create a base year for future comparisons.
City to Share Bloomington’s 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report
The City of Bloomington will share its 2018 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory Report in a public presentation on Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers
Pushed by young climate strikers, West Lafayette commits to global warming measures
A week after West Lafayette High School students led a climate strike march to city offices, pressing Mayor John Dennis for local action on what they called a crisis situation of global proportions, the city put itself on the clock Monday with an intention to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 percent every four years.
Today on All IN we talk about what impact the White River has on the community around it – from recreation to economic investments, even our drinking water. Two reporters from the IndyStar join us to talk about their recent series about the river. And experts and advocates explain which bacteria and contaminants remain in the river, and we discuss efforts to minimize pollution and harmful runoff.
Big Ten Network showcases ERI bird research
This fall, Big Ten football fans are also learning about bird research being conducted at the Environmental Resilience Institute.
Journey of the Juncos: Migration and Adaptation in Our Changing World
When animal populations are impacted by human-caused changes, they are forced to move to new places, modify how they behave, or face extinction. Dr. Ellen D. Ketterson, professor of biology at Indiana University Bloomington, addresses our need as invested citizens to understand animal migration and seasonality in relation to biodiversity.
Opponents on the field, partners in impact: Big Ten combines forces to tout research strengths
The Big Ten Conference is the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States. The 14 Big Ten schools are, of course, athletics powerhouses. But many might not realize the Big Ten Conference is also No. 1 in the country for research funding.
Studying Our Environment: LiveBIG 2019-20
By placing small packs equipped with GPS monitors onto migratory birds, research fellows at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute are getting a bird’s eye perspective on our changing planet.
Explainer: How can Hoosiers feel more comfortable talking about climate change?
Recent surveys in Indiana and nationally have shown that people significantly underestimate the percentage of Americans who believe climate change is happening. This misperception poses a barrier to discussion on the topic and leads to self-silencing, according to research by Nathan Geiger, an assistant professor of communication science at Indiana University’s Media School and a sponsored faculty of IU’s Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge.
When teaching kids about climate change, don’t be a downer
Life as an outdoor educator might seem like it’s all fun and games — romping around outside, playing games, looking at bugs — until it comes to talking to 9-year-olds about climate change.
Trump administration officials threatened this week to withhold federal highway funding from California, arguing that the state has not shown what steps it is taking to improve its air quality. The move by the Environmental Protection Agency escalates the fierce battle between President Trump and the left-leaning state, and could put billions in federal funding in jeopardy.
Surprising birds are stopping in Indiana. Here's why — and where you can see them.
If global warming predictions are accurate, Indiana is likely to face increasing and rapid environmental change, said Alex Jahn, a research fellow at the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute. If this happens, birds will have to adjust their migration paths and their timing — and watching them do so might help humans predict what is to come.
The truth about the White River
On the 20th anniversary of a toxic discharge that killed every fish from Anderson to Broad Ripple, IndyStar studied decades of water quality and fish tissue data collected by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. We talked to environmental experts, city planners and people promoting a cleaner river. At the site of a proposed beach, we partnered with scientists from IUPUI to test the water throughout July, which is prime time for swimming and boating in Central Indiana.
PfEC webinar series educates diverse group of stakeholders on resilience topics
To better educate local officials, government staff, and residents in Indiana and the Midwest on the risks their communities face and how to address them, Environmental Resilience Institute Director Janet McCabe and ERI Implementation Manager Andrea Webster started the Prepared for Environmental Change Webinar Series in September 2018.
There’s evidence that climate activism could be swaying public opinion in the US
A new study suggests that large rallies, such as this youth-led Climate Strike, could be influencing public opinion.
Environmental Resilience Institute welcomes experts to climate change symposium
This 2019 Environmental Resilience Institute Fall Research Symposium will serve to bridge the gap between research and action, said Matthew Houser, adjunct assistant research scientist for the department of sociology and midwestern/Indiana community studies fellow for the ERI.
Explainer: Do climate protests actually make a difference?
Do climate protests help or hinder the movement to address climate change? Nathan Geiger, an assistant professor of communication science at Indiana University’s Media School and a sponsored faculty of IU’s Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge, has studied public perception of recent climate protests, including the People’s Climate March in 2017, which attracted an estimated 200,000 demonstrators to Washington DC. Geiger spoke with the ERI Explainer about his research and the effect climate protests have on the public.
Trump to block California auto emissions rules
The Trump administration on Wednesday will revoke California's power to enforce more stringent limits on vehicle carbon pollution than the federal government, sparking a battle with the state that has led a revolt against the EPA's rollbacks of dozens of environmental regulations.
Summit at Goshen College focuses on climate change
At the fourth annual Climate Leadership Summit this past Thursday at Goshen College, Indiana researchers, political leaders and environmentalists also highlighted not only how climate change will affect Hoosiers, but what can be and is being done in response.
EPA Proposes Elimination of Rule Limiting Methane Emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it would roll back methane emissions rules and modify national performance standards for the oil and gas industry. A former Obama-era EPA official now based in Indiana says the consequences could significantly worsen the impact of climate change in the state.
Algae blooms are harmful. But this is just the beginning.
Hoosiers love our beautiful Indiana lakes. But as the dog days of summer continue to bring steamy weather, we should think twice before diving in — both people and dogs. Earlier this month, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued an advisory for several lakes and waterways across the state due to potentially harmful algae blooms. These alerts have remained active for weeks, with some becoming even more serious in recent days. Health risks from blue-green algae span allergic reactions in humans to potentially death if swallowed by dogs. You can visit IDEM’s website to learn more information.
Goshen to host statewide climate summit this week
Earth Charter Indiana, along with title sponsors the McKinney Family Foundation, are partnering on Indiana’s fourth annual gathering of mayors and city and county officials to discuss resiliency in the face of climate impacts. The event takes place Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Goshen College.
Trump Challenges California Power to Control Auto Pollution
The Trump administration on Friday launched an all-out assault on California over automotive mileage rules, telling state officials that only the federal government has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy.
A new Indiana antennae array monitors migration across the state
Tracking migratory animals is an increasingly important part of assessing the overall environmental health of our planet. To aid in these efforts, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute recently installed a powerful new tool. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System, installed at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site in Nashville, Indiana, is part of a global network that aims to deepen our understanding of the habits of migratory species.
Energy Department Rolls Back Rule Requiring More Efficient Light Bulbs
In a move that could prevent households across the country from saving billions of dollars in energy costs, the Department of Energy finalized a rule that prevents Obama-era efficiency standards for lightbulbs from taking effect early next year.
ERI Fellow Matthew Houser found that, overall, Hoosiers believed that climate change was real and was happening. Around 80% of respondents reported believing that climate change was occurring “somewhat” or “to a great extent.”
Trump administration proposes weaker monitoring of major greenhouse gas
A newly proposed Trump administration rule would allow for weaker monitoring of methane, a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
Former EPA official Janet McCabe to lead IU Prepared for Environmental Change initiative
Indiana University has appointed faculty member and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official Janet McCabe as the next director of the Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative, the second project developed and funded through IU's Grand Challenges Program.
Upon establishing the Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) at Indiana University, the leaders and visionaries reported four main goals. The first goal stated that the supported research would create “accurate predictions about coming changes in weather patterns, water, plants and animals, and disease risk.” This goal focused on directly predicting what Hoosiers would have to face, such as economically-costly extreme weather conditions or an increase in tick-borne diseases. Equally important, the ERI wanted to create predictions about biodiversity, an indicator of the health of an ecosystem that provides countless services to society.
Local Air Testing for Toxic Gas Closer to Reality
Several Metro Atlanta communities are moving forward with plans to test air around two sterilizing facilities amid public pressure and concern about the release of toxic pollution in those areas.
Expert says toxic contamination goes beyond 'Don't eat the fish or play in the soil' strategy
Parents are fearful that their children will be exposed to lead and mercury air pollution from a proposed steel-dust recycling facility. But the highest exposure could come from contact with lead in the soil surrounding the plant and from consuming local fish containing methylmercury.
Climate change conversations can be difficult for both skeptics, environmentalists
Having productive conversations about climate change isn't only challenging when dealing with skeptics, it can also be difficult for environmentalists, according to two studies presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.
Former EPA Officials Fight N.C. Clean Air Act Exemption Effort
A proposal by the EPA to exempt certain North Carolina industrial sources from Clean Air Act limits during startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions would set a dangerous precedent, a group of former agency officials say.
Hoosier Life Survey to gauge values, environmental attitudes throughout state
A statewide survey administered by the Environmental Resilience Institute, part of Indiana University’s Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative, aims to capture Hoosiers’ values and attitudes toward the environment and extreme weather occurring in their communities.
Federal Report Indicates End of Decades-Long Air Quality Improvement
Air pollution in some Indiana counties has worsened, and a decades-long improvement in national air quality has slowed since 2015, according to a new federal report.
What’s at Stake in the Trump EPA’s New Approach to New Source Review?
The purpose of the U.S. Clean Air Act (CAA) is to ensure that the quality of the air people breathe does not threaten their health. Since its passage in 1970, emissions of air pollution have decreased, air quality has improved, and the national economy has moved forward. Given this record of success, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) moves under the Trump Administration to weaken New Source Review (NSR)—an essential source-by-source permitting program—are disconcerting.
Goshen getting its first glimpse at collective energy use
In the wake of the historic flooding we experienced in February of 2018, a small team from the IU Environmental Resilience Institute came to visit Goshen. They wanted to hear a bit about what the flood experience had been like, how we were recovering, and what steps we might be looking at to prepare for future flood events.In the background was a larger question about what we might be willing to do to become better stewards of our resources in Goshen, especially in light of long-range, climate-change projections from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment (INCCIA, Purdue University). Larger and more frequent flood events are a key feature of these projections.
Indiana Newsdesk with Janet McCabe
Janet McCabe sits down with Indiana Newsdesk to talk about the implications of a new report on extreme heat and its impact on the health of Hoosiers.
Five takeaways from a week of educating for environmental change
The week of July 8, eighteen middle school and high school teachers and thirteen elementary school teachers from across Indiana became the newest cohorts in the ERI-sponsored Educating for Environmental Change (EfEC) teacher professional development program. This marked the second year of the middle/high school institute and the inaugural year of the elementary institute.
Summer Science Institute Helps Indiana Educators Teach About Climate Change
The Educating for Environmental Change Summer Science Institute welcomed Indiana elementary and secondary-school teachers to the Indiana University-Bloomington campus to learn how to better educate young Hoosiers on climate-related issues.
New wildlife tracking station adds to international network studying migration habits
Researchers with Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute, founded as part of IU's Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge Initiative, are now tracking the migration habits of animals such as birds and insects thanks to the addition of a new Motus Wildlife Tracking System station at T.C. Steele State Historic Site in Nashville, Indiana.
Why is this bird wearing a backpack?
Changes in birds' feeding habits can provide scientists with clues about how climate change is affecting the environment and the spread of diseases. Alex Jahn, a biologist at Indiana University, is using tiny GPS "backpacks" to track the movements of the birds.
What do Hoosiers think about climate change?
Climate change is bringing a host of adverse consequences to Indiana communities—more frequent rainfall, increased risk of flooding, more days of extreme heat, and new stressors to agricultural production, among others. Confronting these challenges through policy depends largely on Hoosiers’ awareness and acceptance of climate change’s impact.
IU embeds students in cities across Indiana to study climate change
For the first time ever, IU students have been placed in 13 Indiana cities and one county, from Gary to Evansville, to inventory greenhouse gas emissions in partnership with local governments, businesses and nonprofits as part of Sustain IU’s Resilience Cohort.
Terre Haute Meets Air Quality Standard For Sulfur Dioxide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday Terre Haute and the rest of Vigo County now meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for sulfur dioxide.
Ticks may be expanding reach, bringing pathogens with them
While it's common to be concerned about ticks when preparing for a hike or going into a wooded area, experts say there has been an increase in the amount of ticks in areas that may seem the safest.
What Does Trump’s New Carbon Emissions Rule Mean For Kentucky?
“The level of ambition is an order of magnitude different in [the Affordable Clean Energy rule], which I think helps people understand why so many people are saying that this is a rule that does very little,” said former U.S. EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation Janet McCabe.
We helped write the Clean Power Plan, and Trump's do-nothing replacement is an outrage
When the Trump EPA released its do-nothing rule, it disregarded the Clean Air Act and instead required the worst system of emission reduction. The agency relied on an extraordinarily narrow interpretation of the law to tie its own hands, limiting its authority to do anything more than require utilities to consider a small list of minimal technology fixes at power plants—and in some situations allow plants to forego reductions altogether.
Trump admin submits final rule to kill Obama Clean Power Plan
The Trump administration Wednesday finalized a rule to repeal and replace a capstone Obama-era carbon pollution regulation that they argue exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority.
Michigan City is getting pretty good at this environmental thing. The city's sixth annual Conference on the Environment attracted more than 200 visitors as part of the celebration of Coastal Awareness Month. The primary purpose of the event is to “provide information about the Great Lakes, Indiana and federal environmental programs, and many of the projects being implemented in Michigan City and Northwest Indiana," said Michael Kuss, general manager of the Michigan City Sanitation District.
IU picks Gary to gather data for greenhouse gas emissions
Gary is one of 13 communities that will spend the summer collecting information about community-wide and local government operations’ greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the cohort, Gary will have access to technical resources, a peer network, and training through ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, a nonprofit that specializes in helping local governments with emissions inventories.
Scientist measures the impact of invasive species using IU’s Carbonate and Big Red 2
Ecologists study the relationships between living things and their environments; one of the field’s foundational questions asks, “why are there so many species?” Current estimates quantify the number of species on earth at 8.7 million; while many theoretical answers to this question exist, a clear explanation remains elusive. Ranjan Muthukrishnan, an Invasive Species Ecology Fellow at the Environmental Resilience Institute, who arrived at IU in the fall of 2018, runs simulations to test theories about the relationship between invasive species and phenotypic plasticity.
IU to acquire fastest university-owned AI supercomputer
Indiana University and Cray Inc. have announced IU's acquisition of the fastest university-owned supercomputer in the nation to support its advanced research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and scientific and medical research.
Summer homework: Evansville taking stock of greenhouse gas emissions
Evansville is one of 13 cities in the state collecting the information as part of a new Indiana University project called the Resilience Cohort, creating an inventory that takes stock of how cities may contribute to climate change.
Students working with Indiana cities to inventory their greenhouse gas emissions
This summer as part of the Indiana Sustainability Development Program, Indiana University students are working with several local governments in Indiana to complete community-scale greenhouse gas inventories.
Fort Wayne City Utilities, Goshen helping with greenhouse gas project
Fort Wayne City Utilities and Goshen city staff are collecting information about communitywide and local government operations’ greenhouse gas emissions as part of research by Indiana University.
Area farm helps net information on birds
Eve Cusack may be on summer break from her teaching position at Bloomington Montessori School, but she’s busier than ever — capturing, collecting information and sharing data about migratory birds that fly through a 90-acre farm east of Bloomington on Kent Road.
Janet McCabe on Regionally Speaking
Janet McCabe, the assistant director of the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute, tells us about the work that I.U. students are doing this summer in Gary and Michigan City to collect information about greenhouse gas emissions. The cities are among 13 across the state involved in I.U.'s first Resilience Cohort. The data will help residents and public officials create action plans to reduce emissions and to improve air quality. The cities will get the data collected later this year.
Study will track Goshen's gas emissions
The goal of the study is to provide a baseline for just how much greenhouses gases are produced locally and what the sources are. That information will be used in the future to “help Goshen employees identify greenhouse gas-reduction strategies for the municipality,” according to a news release from Mayor Jeremy Stutsman’s office.
Native plant species may be at greater risk from climate change than non-natives
A study -- led by researchers at Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute, part of IU's Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative, and Michigan State University -- has revealed that warming temperatures affect native and non-native flowering plants differently, which could change the look of local landscapes over time.
An Increase In Tornado Activity Is Catching Indiana By Surprise
An Indiana University professor says more research is needed before scientists can determine whether there’s a direct link between climate change and an increase in tornadoes.
Indiana leaders on climate change react to most recent federal opposition
According to reporting this week by the New York Times, the Trump administration has ordered future projections to stop at 2040, instead of 2100. This would reduce the projected impacts of climate change in a move many see as an effort to stifle work to combat climate change.
Columbus to take part in summer study about greenhouse gas emissions
The City of Columbus will spend the summer collecting information about local government operations greenhouse gas emissions as one of 13 communities selected to be a part of Indiana University's first Resilience Cohort.
Cities takes stock of greenhouse gas emissions as part of IU inaugural resilience cohort
Cities will spend the summer collecting information about community-wide and local government operations greenhouse gas emissions as one of thirteen communities selected to be a part of Indiana University’s first Resilience Cohort.
Marching for climate change may sway people's beliefs and actions
Americans have a long tradition of taking to the streets to protest or to advocate for things they believe in. New research suggests that when it comes to climate change, these marches may indeed have a positive effect on the public.
“Climate change is happening. It’s real. It’s our fault because we’re putting a lot of carbon in the atmosphere. And we are not doing a lot to stop doing that.”
America’s natural kidneys need more protection, not less
Farmers gave up on this marginal land in the last century, defeated by frequent floods. In the 1960s the area won national protection. An earthen berm was built to keep the lake in place. The restored wetland was a rare success. Tramping around its muddy edge, Adam Ward of Indiana University says that nine-tenths of the state’s wetlands have been filled in, farmed or built over. In some other midwestern states the loss is almost total.
City of Michigan City partners with Indiana University to study greenhouse gas emissions
The City of Michigan City will spend the summer collecting information about community-wide greenhouse gas emissions as one of thirteen communities selected to be a part of Indiana University’s first Resilience Cohort.
Birds outfitted with 'backpacks' to research environmental change in Indiana
"One question in bird migration research is: Why do some birds travel all the way to the tropics every year to spend the winter, while others don't?" Jahn said. "We want to know more about different migratory strategies -- the distance, the speed -- as well as which birds are at greater risk from climate change based upon their particular behaviors."
'Grand Challenge' Takes Hoosier Pulse on Climate Change
Findings from an Indiana University Grand Challenges initiative survey indicate Hoosiers are feeling the effects of climate change. The statewide survey, commissioned as part of the $55 million Prepared for Environmental Change effort, finds that 75 percent of respondents support efforts to address the impact of climate change in the Hoosier state.
Cut through the white noise of environmentalism
We're inundated with a constant flow of projections of impending environmental doom. And then there's the political perspective that wants to deny global warming, man's role in accelerating it and the looming catastrophic impact — despite overwhelming scientific evidence. But if you really care about future generations, you should, as Lyndon Johnson suggested decades ago, shake off the numbness of environmental apathy and take action.
There’s still time to mitigate dangers of climate change
The frightening forecasts can leave us feeling hopeless, or worse—apathetic. But a new survey by the Environmental Resilience Institute, part of the Grand Challenges program at Indiana University, shows Hoosiers are aware and they care. Eight out of 10 Hoosiers believe climate change is happening. Seventy-five percent support efforts to address its impact. And 65 percent are more concerned about climate change than they were five years ago.
IU bringing rural residents, state leaders together to strengthen communities at IU Rural Conference
The first Indiana University Rural Conference will engage local leaders, professionals and residents in discussions and sessions focused on the issues of greatest importance to Hoosiers in rural communities on May 13 and 14 at the French Lick Springs Resort.
Scientists warn a million species at risk of extinction
One million animal and plant species are at imminent risk of extinction due to humankind’s relentless pursuit of economic growth, scientists said on Monday in a landmark report on the devastating impact of modern civilization on the natural world.
A New Narrative for Climate Action in the Midwest
As the world marked the 49th Earth Day on April 22, our collective response to climate change and its effects is evolving in a region where such change is not often expected: in the heart of the American Midwest.
Environmental Change: Indiana Matters
The majority of people in Indiana believe in environmental change, but there are still skeptics. This episode features an in-depth discussion with experts from across the state on the effects of environmental change already taking place and what could possibly happen in the future. Indiana Matters is a co-production of WTIU, the IU Office of the Vice Provost for Research and the IU Media School.
Survey: Majority of Hoosiers say climate change is happening, support efforts to address it
A new statewide survey commissioned as part of the Indiana University Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative reveals that four out of five Indiana residents believe climate change is happening, and three out of four support efforts to address the impact of climate change.
Goal is cleaner air in Michigan City
Michigan City has been chosen as one of 15 cities in Indiana to participate in a community Green House Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventory technical assistance program. The Indiana Sustainability Development Program is funded by the McKinney Family Foundation and implemented through Indiana University.
IU's Environmental Resilience Institute fellows are combating climate change
This team of ambitious researchers from across the globe -- whose areas of expertise encompass the scientific, sociological, legal, historical and artistic challenges of climate change -- are fellows at the Environmental Resilience Institute at IU. Together, they're working to understand environmental changes' impact in Indiana from every angle and produce insights that can translate into actionable steps to help Hoosiers prepare for the challenges that environmental change will bring to the state.
When the things we can’t see matter: the plant vs. environmental change edition
Farmers are facing new challenges in the age of global change. Drought is a major stressor for crops in Indiana and other regions of the U.S. and is forcing farmers to face the question: to irrigate or not to irrigate? Irrigation equipment is incredibly expensive, but is often the best quick solution to water crops and guarantee their survival during the growing season. Research in the Lau lab may be able to provide some answers about the effects of irrigation on plant survival under drought stress and how microbes may be another important player in this story.
IU's Environmental Resilience Institute names Hoosier Resilience Heroes
In celebration of Earth Week, the Environmental Resilience Institute, founded as part of Indiana University's Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative, is recognizing 10 Indiana residents as Hoosier Resilience Heroes.
Sustain IU: Energy and Climate Work On and Off Campus
Indiana University is committed to sustainability within and beyond the Sample Gates. Our Bicentennial Strategic plan identifies “sustainability, stewardship and accountability for natural, human, and economic resources” as a core value of the University. This commitment reflects an understanding of the environmental changes we are experiencing and can expect in the future.
A night at the museum takes us back to the future!
Graduate students across disciplines agree: as your years of graduate education increase, your knowledge and skill sets become incredibly specialized. Cue Liam Neeson in Taken, “I can tell you that I do not have money, but what I do have… [is] a very particular set of skills.” So when I asked Dr. Tara Smiley, a Research Fellow at IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute, about the most unique research she has conducted, I fully sympathized with her answer: she described sitting in a museum’s collections department, nicely dressed for an elegant birthday dinner later that evening, giving rodent specimens delicate haircuts with a pair of curved nail scissors. A very specialized skill indeed!
Under the Weather: How Climate Change is Messing with Monroe County
Indiana’s seasons aren’t quite what they used to be. Wet springs that lead to floods are often followed by summers with dangerously high temperatures. Winters can be strangely warm and dry, or just as easily bring record-breaking blizzards and below-zero temperatures. It’s all due to climate change—and it’s influencing what we eat, how we feel, and even how long some of us will live.
'Chasing Ice' filmmaker, environmental photographer James Balog to visit Bloomington
James Balog, an internationally acclaimed photographer, filmmaker and environmental educator, will visit Bloomington and the Indiana University campus April 9 and 10 to give public talks, screen two of his documentaries and visit with students, faculty and members of the public.
Research highlights promise of IU's newly signed agreements with Sorbonne
A study led by David Kehoe of IU Bloomington and Frédéric Partensky of Sorbonne University was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, or PNAS. The work, which explains for the first time a key part of a process that allows a widespread ocean bacterium to efficiently convert sunlight into oxygen, is the most recent in a streak of high-profile publications to emerge from a collaboration between their labs over the past 12 years.
Hoosiers Rally For Renewable Energy Policies In Indiana
Eight organizations rallied at the statehouse Wednesday for policies that support renewable energy in Indiana.
IUPUI researcher co-authors Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment energy report
IUPUI's Peter Schubert co-authored the latest Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment report, "Climate Change and Indiana's Energy Sector," which was released today.
EPA Takes a Toxic Turn by Backing Away from Mercury Regulation
Mercury is one of the most toxic substances on earth. When inhaled or ingested by humans, mercury can cause severe neurological damage, cardiovascular harm, endocrine disruption, kidney damage and muscle coordination issues. When pregnant women are exposed, their babies can suffer IQ and motor skills impairments that will last their lifetime.
Climate change is threatening Indiana bird populations, study finds
Indiana bird species could diminish over time because of unusually warm weather created by climate change, according to research from the Robert Cooper Audubon Society, an environmental organization dedicated to wildlife conservation.
WFIU show aims to expand environmental reporting on Indiana and beyond
A new show from Indiana’s WFIU looks to provide more coverage of environmental issues in Indiana and across the nation. The program, which has a working title of Ecosphere, was pitched to the Bloomington station by leaders of Indiana University’s Prepared for Environmental Change (PfEC) Grand Challenge. The initiative aims to address environmental problems facing Indiana communities and to foster communication about them.
Media School-funded news outlet fills environmental reporting void
IER is an online publication — located in the sub-basement of Franklin Hall — dedicated to reporting on environmental issues affecting Indiana. Its stories are available to media outlets throughout the state for free.
IU's environmental Grand Challenge brings bird banding station to Bloomington
The IU banding station is a part of MAPS, the international Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship program run by the Institute for Bird Populations. IU's MAPS banding station is at Kent Farm, part of the IU Research and Teaching Preserve about seven miles east of Bloomington. The MAPS station is sponsored by the Movement Ecology working group, one of six working groups at the Environmental Resilience Institute.
EPA Says Limits On Mercury, Air Toxics Too Expensive For Power Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering the reasoning behind its rule that limits air pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants. An expert says that could lead to the standards’ undoing and more coal pollution in Indiana.
