Serving Kent, Portage County and Beyond Welcome to the February 2020 issue of the Kent Environmental Council newsletter.

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MoreThan50Individuals,GroupRepresentativesGatherforKECAnnualMeeting,NetworkingEventLocalfoodresilience...incentives,ratherthanpenalties,forgreen-energyinitiatives...thechangingmarketforrecyclables.Thesejustahandfulofthemanytopicsofferedbymorethan50participants--communitymembers,politicians,activistsandrepresentativesfromotherorganizations--atanetworkingeventheldaspartoftheKentEnvironmentalCouncil'sannualmeetingonFebruary17.TheSocialJusticeCommitteeoftheKentUnitedChurchofChrist(aKECmemberorganization)offeredthecongregation'sfellowshiphallfortheevent.

BusinessMeetingTheeveningbeganwiththeannualall-memberKECmeeting.ReneeRuchotzkewaselectedchair,andBobHeathwaselectedvicechair.BobWilsonandBradBrotjecontinuedintheirrolesoftreasurerandsecretary,respectively.AdeclarationofappreciationwasapprovedforLisRegula,whohadservedformanyyearsasKECchairbeforerelocatingtoColumbusforanewjobinmid-2019.Thebusinessmeetingwasfollowedbyapotluckdinnerasothermembersofthecommunityjoinedthegathering.NetworkingFacilitatorRuchotzkeusedArtofHosting(https://www.artofhosting.org)principles--afacilitationstylethatmakesspaceforallofthevoicesandexperiencesintheroom.Roundtableswerelabeledwithatopic,suchasfood,recyclingandrenewableenergy.Participantschoseatopicofinterestandsatatthattable.Theindividualsateachtableinteracted"councilstyle"usingaprocesscalled"rounds,"whereeachpersonatthetablesharedandwaslistenedtointurn.

Participantsengageinthefirstroundofnetworkingconversationsattablesgroupedbytopic.

Making a Difference for the Environment Locally and Globally Since 1970

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Eachpersonateachtablesharedwhytheywerepassionateaboutthetopicandthensaidwhattheyweredoinginrelationtothetopicandwhattheywantedtodo.Therestofthetimewasanopportunitytosuggestideasaboutconnections.Attheendofasetamountoftime,participantsrotatedtoadifferenttableandtopic.Bytheendoftheevening,theparticipantswereaskediftheywantedfuturenetworkingevents,andtheyenthusiasticallyendorsedtheidea.Hereisasummaryofthetopicsandthemesdiscussedatthemeeting:Food(Local/Natural/Sustainable)

• Itseemstoconnecttoalloftheotherissues.• Weneedtoprepareforresiliencyasclimate

changes.• Itcanbeanopportunitytobuildcommunity.• Weshoulddomoretoconnecttoandsupport

thelocalfoodsystem,especiallybyeating

locally.Conservation(Land/Water/Wetlands)

• Helppeopletounderstandthatwetlandshaveanimportantfunctionforwaterqualityandcarboncapturing.

• Createopportunitiesforchildrentolearnmoreaboutandfeelconnectedtonature.Recycling(Plastics/WasteStream)

• Thereseemstobeahugeknowledgegaparoundtheimpactofwaste,especiallyplastics(e.g.,bags,microplastics).

• Therearemixedsignalsaboutwhatisandisnotrecyclable.• TrashfromotherstatescomingtoOhio.• Needmoreopportunitiesforreuse(e.g.,refillableglassmilkbottles).• Shareinformation,suchasthevideo"TheStoryofaSpoon."(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg-

E1FtjaxY)PoisonsandPollution

• Stopthelocaluseofglyphosate(commerciallyavailableasRoundup).• Stopthelocaluseoffrackingbrineasadeiceronlocalroads(commerciallyavailableasAquaSalina).• Stopsprayingformosquitoes.

RenewableEnergy/PeakOil

• FrustrationsthattheOhiostategovernmenthasmissedopportunitiestopromoterenewables;instead,theyarediscouragingtheuseofrenewables.

• Chooserenewableoptionsfromcurrentelectricproviders.• Needmorelocalcontrolbecausethestateisfailingus.• Moreinfrastructureforelectriccars.

PromotingAwareness(Social/Psychological/Educational)

• Weneedtochangeheartsandmindstohelpwithactionsteps.

• Engageyouthandyoungadults.

Participantsdiscussissuesrelatedtolocal,naturalandsustainablefood.

Participantsdiscussissuesrelatedtorenewableenergyandpeakoil.

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• Focusongrassrootsactionsbecausetheycanhaveacascadingeffect.PreparingforDisruptions(Shortages,ClimateRefugees)

• Weshoulddoalotofnetworkingandconstituency-buildingnow.

• Preparetowelcomeclimaterefugeesintoourhomesandcommunities.

• Developmorecommunitygardens.• Developasociallyresponsibleprepper,orsurvivalist,

mindset(e.g.,developredundantfood,waterandmedicalsupplies).

• WorkonaCommunityClimateActionPlan.PoliticalAction

• Changebuildingcodestomakeiteasiertoinstallsolarpanels.• Workonhomeruletopreventbigmoneyfromhavinganegativelocalimpact.• Voteforcandidateswhocareaboutmitigatingclimatechange.• CommunitysolaronlandssuchasthecontaminatedfieldsonMogadoreRoad.

IndigenousRights

• Howmightwebeinarelationshipwiththelandinthewaytheoriginalinhabitantswere?• Howmightwere-wildpartofourcounty?

--ReneeRuchotzkeKECSpearheadsFormationofCrookedRiverEnvironmentalNetworkAsapartofthevisioningforthenext50years,theKentEnvironmentalCouncilrecognizesthatalothaschangedsinceitsinceptionin1970.Environmentalawarenesshasincreasedsignificantly,andmanygroups,organizationsandindividualsareworkingtowardgoalssimilartotheonesforwhichKECcontinuestoadvocate.KECthereforehasdecided toformawidercommunicationandactionnetworktobeknownastheCrookedRiverEnvironmentalNetwork(CREN).Thegroup'sfirstnetworkingeventwasheldonFebruary17,andthefeedbackwaspositive.Staytunedformoreinformationandopportunitiesforconnection.--ReneeRuchotzkeChangesDownontheFarmTimestheyareachangin'downonthefarm.Andthat'snotgood.Producersdependonknowledgethey'vegainedovertheyearsand,insomecases,knowledgepassedontothemfromfathersandgrandfathers.Knowledgethattellsthemwhattoplant,howtoplant,whentoplantand

LogobylocalartistKevynBreeden.

Participantsdiscusswaystodisruptionssuchasshortagesandclimaterefugees.

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whentoharvestisgainedfromlong-termpractice,withtheimplicitassumptionthatthereisaconstancyinweatherpatterns.

Nooneknowsbetterthanfarmersthatnotwoyearsofweatherarethesame.Someyearsarewetterthanaverage,somearedrier,somearehotter,somearecolderthanaverage.Sometimestherearedroughts;sometimestherearefloods.Butoverthelonghaul,thingsaverageout,don'tthey?Farmerslearntodealwiththeficklenessofday-to-dayweatherbecausetheyknowtheoverallweatherpatternisthesame,andtheycandependonthat.Theyknowwhattodointhecontextofdependableweatherpatterns.

Whathappensonanygivendayregardingtemperatureandprecipitationis"weather";thepatternsofweatherare"climate."Knowledgeoftheoverallaveragesofweatherpatterns--theclimate--iswhatfarmersdependon.Ingeneral,springrainsarefairlyregularandnottoointense,withoccasionaldrydaysthatallowplantingequipmentonthefields.Inthisarea,farmerscan

dependonplantingcornaroundmid-May;mostplant108-daycorn.CorngrowswellifitgetssomerainaboutonceeveryfourdaysfromlateJunethroughAugust.Cornplantedinmid-MayshouldbereadytoharvestinearlySeptember.Gettingheavyharvestersonthefieldsdependsonsomedrydaysinthefall.Thesepracticesdependonageneralweatherpatternofaspringwithdrydaystoplant,thenasummerwithregularrain,followedbyafallwithdrydaystoharvest.

Whatifthoseweatherpatternschange?SpoilerAlert:WeatherpatternsinOhioarechanging,accordingtoDr.AaronWilson,directoroftheStateClimateOfficeofOhioatOhioStateUniversity.Since2000,anewnormalhasbeguntoemerge.Ohioisnowgettingwetterwinters,wetterspringsandwetterfalls;thesummersaregettingdrier,eventothepointofgettingdroughty.Dailylowtemperaturesareincreasingfasterthandailyhighsinall

seasons;wintertemperaturesareincreasingfasterthansummertemperatures.Rainstormsarebecomingmoresevere,andfloodingisbecomingmorecommon.Thismeansthaterosionofsedimentandnutrientsfromagriculturalfieldsisbecomingmorefrequentandofagreaterconcernthaninthepast.Thisnewnormalleadstolongergrowingseasonsbutundermoredifficultconditions.Inmanyways,thenewnormalisaworst-case

scenarioforfarmers.Wetterspringsresultinlaterplanting.Droughtysummersleadtosuboptimalcropmaturation.Wetterfallsmeanlaterharvesttimesandconceivablylostmarkets.Wetterwintersmeanthatbestmanagementpracticesofwhentofertilizemayneedtochange.Ifclimateischanging,especiallyifit'schangingrapidly,farmersneedtoadapttothosechanges--orpossiblylosethefarm--literally.Anincreasingportionoffarmersarebeginningtousecovercropstoalleviatesomeoftheproblemscausedbythesechangesinclimate.Theuseofcovercropsrequiresmakingplansmonthsinadvanceoftheproblemtobesolved.Solvingtheproblemofwinterandearlyspringerosionrequiresplantingacovercropinmid-Augusttomid-September.Plantingacovercropfor

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nutrientamendmentortoincreasesoildrainagemayrequireplanningaheadbymorethanayear.Buildingupsoilorganiccontentcantakeaslongas10yearsofcontinuouscovercroppingbeforemeasurableresultsareseen.Furthermore,acovercropmaygivedisappointingresultsinthefirstyear;goodresultsmaybeseenonlyafterthesecondorthirdyear.Also,thechoiceofwhatcovercropstogrowdependsontheintendedresultsorproblemtobesolved.Nocovercropmixdoesitall.Takehomelessons:Planaheadandbepatient.Thesefindingswerepresentedatahalf-dayconferenceattheDeerfieldFarmsSoilHealthPartnershipeventsponsoredbythePortageCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictattheDeerfieldTownHallonDecember6,2019.Wanttoreadmoreabouttheseissues?Thencheckoutthesesources:StateClimateOfficeofOhio(https://climate.osu.edu)

SoilHealthPartnershipProgram(https://www.soilhealthpartnership.orgDeerfieldFarmsSoilHealthPartnership--BobHeathEnergyChoiceOhio:WhatItIs,HowItWorksOhioisoneofahandfulofstateswithderegulatedenergymarketplacesforelectric

andnaturalgassuppliers,whichmeansthatOhioresidentscan choosetheirenergysuppliersbasedonfactorssuchasprice,term,feesandgreenoptions.Whilethechoicebetweenmultiplecompetingsuppliersmaybedaunting,theEnergyChoiceOhiowebsite(https://energychoice.ohio.gov)providestrueapples-to-applescomparisons.Whenyou'reonthesite,chooseanenergydistributor(i.e.,OhioEdisonforelectricor

DominionEastOhioforgas)firstandthenselecteitherelectricorgasresidentialoptions.Youcansortbyprice,variableorfixedterms,lengthofterm,fees,renewableoptionsandsoon.Youtypicallywillpaymoreforlongerterms,butthepriceisguaranteedforthedurationoftheterm.Also,beawareofearlyterminationandotherfeesthatmaybeimposed.Finally,notethattheEnergyChoiceOhiositeallowsyoutospecifywhatpercentage(upto100%)ofthepowercomesfromrenewablesources(typicallywindpowerfromtheMidwest).Somemunicipalities,includingKent,havechosentoaggregatetheirresidentsandhaveselectedNOPECastheirelectricsupplier.NOPECisanonprofitorganizationthatcontractswithsupplierstoprovidecompetitivepricingandtermsforelectricandgascustomers.OnNovember13,2019,NOPECsentanopt-outlettertoallhouseholdsinthe44240ZIPcode(including

FranklinTownship).IfyoudidnotrespondbytheDecember13,2019,deadline,youwereautomaticallyenrolledintheirelectricgovernmentalaggregationprogramwithNextEraEnergyServicesOhioasyourelectricsupplier.WhoisNextEra?NextEraEnergyResources(awholesaleelectricitysupplierbasedinJunoBeach,Florida,andasubsidiaryofNextEraEnergy)generateselectricitybyusingwind,sun,naturalgasandnuclearpower.They

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areoneoftheworld'slargestgeneratorsofrenewablepowerfromthewindandsunandbelievethatprovidingenergytopowerthenationshouldhaveminimalimpactontheenvironment.Ifyouprefernottochooseanenergysupplier,thenauto-enrollmentinNOPECforelectricandgasmaybeagoodoption.Ifyouwanttomakeyourownchoices,thenyouwillneedtocontacttheenergysupplierbyphoneandenrollinthatsupplier'sprogram.ThereisnoearlyterminationfeewithNOPEC,butitmaytakeonetotwobillingcyclestomakethechange.Finally,ifyouhavegrid-tiedsolar,verifythatyourelectricenergysupplierparticipatesinnetmetering.PublicutilitiesinOhio,suchasOhioEdison,arerequiredtoparticipateinnetmetering;however,privateenergysuppliersmayormaynotparticipate.--AlBarberKECBoardVotestoSupportKSUEnvironmentalCommunicationResearchStudyTheKECboardsupportsandencouragesyoutoparticipateinaKSUresearchstudyonenvironmentalcommunication.Seedetailsbelow.Todownloadandprintaflyer,clickhere.

--KECBoard

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StateSenateCandidateBetsyRaderSpeakstoKECBreakfastGroupaboutHerConcernsforOhio'sEnvironmentBetsyRader,acandidatefortheOhioStateSenateinthe18thdistrict,askedtomeetwithKECtodiscusshercandidacy,herplatformandherconcernsabouttheenvironmentinOhio.JohnEklund,whoholdsthatseatnow,cannotrunin2020becauseoftermlimits.RaderspokeatKEC'sinformalbreakfastonNovember8,2019.RaderisanemploymentattorneyandchildadvocatewhogrewupinpovertyinNewark,Ohio.Afterhighschool,RadergraduatedfromOhioStateUniversityandwentontoearnalawdegreefromYaleUniversity.Radersaidthatlikemanypeople,shefeltasenseofhelplessnessasaresidentofOhiogiventhewayinwhichthestate'svotingdistrictshavebeengerrymanderedtodisenfranchisemanyvoters.Thebeliefthatchangeswereneeded,saidRader,promptedhertorunfortheU.S.HouseofRepresentative(14thCongressionaldistrict).ShelosttoincumbentDavidJoyce.RaderspokeabouttheneedforcompetitiveracesinOhioandherconcernsfortheenvironment.Theseconcerns,shesaid,arewhatmotivatedhertojointheracefortheOhioSenate.Sherecommendedtwobooks:DarkMoney(astudyofmoneyinpolitics)byJaneMayerandAmityandProsperity(thestoryofWestVirginiaandthefrackingindustry)byElizaGriswold.TofurtherunderstandthethreatoffrackinginOhio,RadersaidshestudiedmapsofOhioMarcellusshaleformations.Sheexpressedherconcernthattherightofhomerulehasbeenpreemptedbythestate.Thispreemption,saidRader,makesitdifficulttoimpossibleforlocalcommunitiestolimitorprohibitfrackingindustrypractices.Raderaddedthatsheworriesabouttheenvironmentaldamagethatthistypeofwelldrillingcancausetosoilandwater.Onthepoliticalside,shebemoanedthepressureappliedatthestatelevelbycorporatepoliticalactioncommitteemoney,theCitizensUniteddecision,andtheinfluenceofdarkmoney.RadersaidthathercampaignacceptsnomoneyfromPACs.RadernotedthatshehasbeenalongtimememberoftheSierraClubandhelpedwithaGeaugaCountyParksdistrictfundingcampaign.--BradBrotjeRiverofBlueIfyouwanttoknowmoreaboutclothingsustainability,watchthisvideo(https://praxisfiberworkshop.com/uncategorized/indigo-banners-draw-a-connection-from-cuyahoga-river-fire-to-our-blue-jeans/)ontheeffectsthatclothinghasonwatersources.It'stheofficialtrailerofthedocumentary"RiverBlue."--AnnWard

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FourMust-ReadBooksabouttheClimateCrisis,SaysClimateRealityProjectTheClimateRealityProject,anonprofitorganizationinvolvedineducationandadvocacyrelatedtoclimatechange,saidinNovember2019thatthefollowingaremust-readbooksabouttheclimatecrisis.Caution:SeveralKECmemberssaythesebooksareexcellentbutcanbedepressingtoread.TheUninhabitableEarth:LifeAfterWarmingByDavidWallace-WellsTheUninhabitableEarthiseasilyoneofthemosttalked-aboutbooksoftheyear,andit'sfirstsentenceputstheclimatecrisisintoincredibleperspective:"Itisworse,muchworse,thanyouthink."Theauthor,adeputyeditorandclimatecolumnistatNewYorkmagazine,doesnotmincewordsonthechallengesfacingourplanet--fromthepossibilityoffoodshortagesandrefugeeemergenciestoclimate-drivennation-statedestabilization.Buthe'salsoanoptimistandwellawarethattherightactiontodaycanstaveoffdisastertomorrow.AnInconvenientSequel:TruthtoPower:YourActionHandbooktoLearntheScience,FindYourVoice,andHelpSolvetheClimateCrisisByAlGore

AlotofpeoplehaveheardwhatformerVicePresidentAlGore,thefounderandchairmanoftheClimateRealityProject,hassaidabouttheongoingclimatecrisis.Justasimportant,however,isthemessagethatpeoplearoundtheworldcandosomethingaboutit.AnInconvenientSequel:TruthtoPowerisbothacompaniontoGore'smostrecentdocumentaryofthesametitleandacomprehensivehow-toguidefullofconcrete,actionablewaysyoucanjointhemovementforsolutionsandhelpturnthetide.Thebookapowerfulreminderofwhatcanhappenwhenpeopletakeastand--whentheyusetheirvote,theirvoice,andtheirchoicestotakeactionwhenitmattersthemost.

TheSixthExtinction:AnUnnaturalHistoryByElizabethKolbertElizabethKolbert'sNewYorkTimesbestsellerandPulitzerPrizewinnerdetailsthefivelandmarkeventsinthedistantpastthatwipedoutmostplantandanimallifeontheEarth.Buttoday,we'rewitnessinganewphenomenonknowntoscientistsasthe"sixthextinction."Unlikethefivepreviouscataclysms,thissixthoneisnotanaturalevent.It'shuman-made.Andit'shappeningrightnow.Weknowitastheclimatecrisis.TheSixthExtinctionisbothadeeplyresearchedexplorationofpastextinctioneventsandacautionarytaleabouttheoneunderwayrightnow.Itpresentsourpresentsituationinstark,plainterms--whichisexactlyhowweneedtounderstandthemifwe'regoingtofightandwin.

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Drawdown:TheMostComprehensivePlanEverProposedtoReverseGlobalWarmingByPaulHawken(Editor)

Ifyou'relikemostpeople,you'veprobablywonderedwhatitwillactuallytaketohaltrisingtemperaturesandsolvetheclimatecrisis.Drawdownhastheansweryou'vebeenlookingfor.Well,80ofthem.Compilingmeticulousresearchbyleadingscientistsandpolicymakersfromallovertheglobeandwrittenbyanall-starteam,thebookranksthe80mostsubstantivesolutionstotheclimatecrisisinone253-pagevolume.CreatorandeditorPaulHawkendescribestherobustreviewprocessthatwentintoeverysolutionpresentedinthebookinaninterviewwithDianeToomeyoftheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies."Wehave70researchfellowsfromaroundtheworld.Eachofthemtookoneor,in

somecases,twosolutionsandwrotebasicallyamaster'sthesisonthem.Theydidaliteraturereview.There'sabout5,000referencesforthose80solutions,whicharenowbeingpublishedonthewebsite,"hesaid."Ourgoalistransparency.Themethodologywasathree-stepreviewprocess.It'sreviewedinternally,it'sreviewedbytheadvisors,thenthemodelisreviewedbyoutsideexpertsciencereviewers."Drawdownisamust-readforanyonelookingtoknowexactlyhowwebeatthisthing.

AndTwoMoreBookRecommendations...fromKECMembersTheOverstoryByRichardPowersWhileallofthebooksreviewedaboveareworksofnonfiction,climateisshowingupmoreandmoreasamajorthemeincontemporaryfiction.Andthereisoneimportantandverynotableworkthatabsolutelycannotbeoverlooked.TheOverstory,releasedin2018,wonthePulitzerPrizeinfictionandwasshortlistedfortheManBookerPrize.TheWashingtonPost,Time,OprahMagazine,Newsweek,ChicagoTribune,andKirkusReviewsallnameditamongthebestbooksof2018.Itisvery,verygood.Aworkofincredibleimaginationsprawlingacrosscenturiesandcontinents,TheOverstorytellsthe,well,storyofninemaincharacters,allexistingatdifferentperiodsoftime.Buttherealprotagonistsofthenovelarenotmenorwomenatall.They'retrees.TheOverstoryisanovelaboutthedestructionofnatureandtheneedtopreserveit--orelse.

--RecommendedbyIrisMeltzerSilentThunderByKatyPayne

Anaturalhistoryrichinobservationoftheanimalworldandhowhumansparticipateinit,SilentThunderalsoisapassionatestoryofscientistKatyPayne'sspiritualquestassheturnsakeeneyeonherroleinthisworld.Startingwiththestoryofherrevolutionarydiscoverythatelephantsuseinfrasonicsounds--soundsthatarebelowtherangeofhumanhearing--tocommunicate,PayneshareswhatshelearnedfromherfascinatingfieldresearchinAfrica,researchthatrevealsnewinsightsintoelephants'sociallives.Whenfiveoftheelephantfamiliesshestudiesarethevictimsofculling,Payne'sapproachtoherresearchchanges,asshefightsvaliantlytoprotecttheelephants.Theresultofherresearch,thetouchinginsightsgainedfrom

Africanssheworkedwith,andtheelephantsshestudiedgiveavividimpressionofPayne'sviewfromthefrontlinesofthenaturalpreservationeffort.LikePeterMatthiessen'sTheSnowLeopardandthewritingsofJaneGoodall,SilentThunderdemonstrateshowacommitmenttoalllifecanbringone'sownintoanewfocus.

--RecommendedbySwannyVoneida

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EPAandEnvironmentalWatchWell,PresidentDonaldTrumpdidnotgetremovedfromofficeafterhisimpeachmenttrialintheSenate,andhisadministrationcontinuescutbackenvironmentalprotectionsandotherprograms.Ofgreatestimportance,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineershaveagreedtochangesthatnarrowfederalprotectionsundertheCleanWaterAct,whichputintoplace50yearsago.Thesechangesendfederalprotectionformillionsofmilesofstreams,arroyosandwetlandsthatwillleavewaterwaysmorevulnerabletopollutionfromdevelopment,industryandfarms.Builders,oilandgasdevelopers,farmers,andotherswhohavesoughtsuchcutbacksforyearsechothefederalgovernment'srationalethatthechangeswillresultinbothabetterbalancebetweentheenvironment/waterwaysandstates'rights/privatepropertyownersandmoreconsistentrulesaboutfederaljurisdiction.Environmentalgroups,however,stressthatthegovernmentactionisagifttopollutersandthattheeffectsofmorepollutionwillharmpeopleandwildlifewhoneedcleanwatertosurvive.Environmentalistsalsosaythatthechangeswillweakenwaterstandardsandincreasepollutionacrossmorethan67%ofOhio'sstreammilesandresultinalossof10%to20%ofthestate'swetlands,whichalreadyaremuchdiminished.Intermittent(i.e.,ephemeral)streamsthatrunonlyafterrainfallorsnowmelt(includingtheRioGrandeRiver)willbeespeciallyhard-hit,astheynolongerwillbeprotected--yettheyprovideamajorityofthewaterfordrinkingandirrigationforsomedryWesternstates.Ohiolawsdonotgoasfarastheformerfederalregulations.Statesarestillfreetoenacttougherregulations.TheOhioEnvironmentalProtectionAgencysaysitwillbemonitoringtheimpactsinOhio.Trumpalsohasproposedrollbacksoffederalenvironmentaloversightofconstructionprojectssuchasnewroads,bridgesandtunnels.Theadministrationclaimsthatthelawwillmodernizethepermittingprocess.Environmentalistspointoutthattherelaxedstandardswillworsenclimatechangeandharmpublichealth,enablethecompaniesseekingapprovalofprojectstodiscounttheirimpactonclimatechange,andallowpolluterstooperaterightnexttowatersupplies.EnvironmentalistsalsostressthattheproposedlawundercutstheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,whichhasbeeninplacefor50years.Theproposedchangesareinthepublic-commentperiodoftheapprovalprocess.AsfortheproposedEPArollbackonmercuryandothertoxicemissions,eventheutilitycompaniesareagainstit.Industryexecutivessaythereductionsareunnecessarybecausetheindustryhascompliedwiththeruleforyears,makingthesectormuchcleaner.TheEPA,however,ismovingtofinalizethecuts,arguingthatitisnotappropriateornecessaryforthegovernmenttolimitharmfulpollutantsfrompowerplants.Thisreasoningcouldleadtotherollbackofotherregulationsthathavebeenhelpfultotheenvironmentandcausesomeutilitycompaniestoturnofftheirpollution-controlsystems,therebymakingAmericanssicker.ItshouldbenotedthatwhiletheEPAstillhasascienceadvisoryboardtobereviewtheagency'sscientificmethods,thenumberofindustryexpertsonthatboardhastripledsinceTrumptookoffice,whiletheportionofacademicshasbeencutnearlyinhalf.Totopitalloff,Trump'sproposedbudgetcutsonequarteroftheEPA'sbudget,nottomentionproposedcutstoMedicareandtotheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesrightinthemiddleoftheglobalpublichealthpanicaboutthecoronavirus.Forexample,nomoneywasincludedinthebudgetforinfrastructureattheBrandonRoadLocknearJoliet,Illinois,thatwouldpreventtheAsiancarpfromreachingtheGreatLakes--eventhoughTrumpmadepromisestoincludethemoneyatarecentrallyinMichigan.TheArmyCorpsof

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Engineershadalreadyapprovedtheprojectandwasplanningtobeginconstructionnextyear.Withouttheaddedinfrastructure,theAsiancarpwillhavedevastatingeffectsonLakeErieifthespeciesmigrateseastward.OnecanonlybegratefulthatTrump'sproposedbudgetisnotgettingtoofar,giventheDemocraticmajorityintheHouseofRepresentatives.Andthenwehavethelatestefforttocutscienceoutofpolicymaking.Ifenacted,Trump'snew"restrictedscience"policywouldmakeitnearlyimpossibleforEPAregulatorstoconsiderthousandsofrelevantpublichealthstudieswhenmakingrulestokeepAmericanssafe.Thepolicywouldallowpoliticalappointees,notscientificexperts,choosethestudiesthatregulatorscanconsiderwhensettingpollutionstandardsanddoingenvironmentalsafetyreviewsforpublichealthandsafety.Whodoyoutrusttotellyouwhichproductsaresafetoeat,touchandbreathe:ascientistoralobbyist?IhavetogiveTrumpsomecreditforatleastseemingtoembracetheTrillionTreesProjectbycommittingtojoinit.Whodoesn'tlovetrees?ButheknowsyoungRepublicansarereactingnegativelybecauseofhisdismissalofclimatescience,andallofhisactionsarebasedonthatpremise.Plantingthesetreesforcarboncaptureisagoodidea,butitdoesnotnegatetheneedtoreducecarbonemissionstosavetheplanet.Sources:AkronBeaconJournal,January10,2020;AkronBeaconJournal,January24,2020;AkronBeaconJournal,February18,2020;Record-Courier,January5,2020;Record-Courier,January25,2020;Record-Courier,February13,2020;UnionofConcernedScientists,December17,2019;ColumbusDispatch,February14,2020.--LorraineMcCartyTheEnvironmentintheNewsExpansionofDakotaAccessPipelineApprovedLakotaPeople'sLawProject-February20,2020TheNorthernDakotaPublicServiceCommissionapprovedtheexpansionoftheDakotaAccessPipeline(DAPL)byavoteof3-0.IfgovernmentofficialinIowaandIllinoisalsoapprovetheexpansion,thecapacityoftheDAPLwilldoubleandcarrymorethanamillionbarrelsofoiladay.Whilethecommissionclaimedtheexpansionwasinthebestinterestofthestate'scitizens,theyignoredtheconcernsofthenearbyNativeAmericantribesaboutpipelineleaksthatposethreatstotheirwatersupplies.SixtyleaksfromtheDAPLhavespilledmorethan42,000barrelsoftoxiccrudeinNorthDakotaaloneinthepast15years.TheLakotaPeople'sLawProject,anorganizationcommittedtoprotectingtheFirstAmendmentrightsofNativeAmericanandtheirallies,isplanningmajorinitiativesonvotingintheupcomingelectionaswellasamajorfestival/teach-intobringmusicians,activistandscientisttogethertofocusontheclimatecrisis.EnergyCompanyAgreestoPay$2.6MillionforRefineryViolationsRecord-Courier-February18,2020BP-Huskyhasagreedtopay$2.6millioninfinesforlongstandingair-pollutionandrecord-keepingviolationsatarefineryinOhio.Thestatewillreceive$200,000;theremainderwillgototheU.S.government.FossilFuelProjectsBan350.org-February10,2020DuringMayorBilldeBlasio'sstateofthecityaddressearlierthismonth,heannouncedthatNewYorkCitywillbanallnewfossilfuelprojects.Thisisthelargestmunicipalbanofitskindever.

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AntarcticaHits65,WarmestTempEverRecordedAkronBeaconJournal-February9,2020This65-degreereadinginAntarcticaexceedsthepreviousrecordof63.5degreestakenonMarch24,2015.Cracksintheicearegrowingrapidly.Thisusuallyfrigidregionisoneofthefastestwarmingregionsintheworld,gainingfivedegreesinjustthepast50years.About87%ofglaciersalongthepeninsula'swestcoasthaveretreatedinthattimeandhavebeendoingsoatanacceleratedpacesince2008.Eventhoughthereisdecade-to-decadevariability,theunderlyingtrendiswarming.ItisexpectedthatAntarcticawillcontinuetosetrecordtemperaturesagainandagain,evenifitisn'teveryyear.Photosof'KingTides'GloballyShowRisksofClimateChangeRecord-Courier-February6,2020Anetworkofvolunteerphotographersaroundtheglobearetakingpicturesofso-calledkingtidestocapturehowhighthewaterlinegetsandwhereitgoes.Theythenuploadtheirimages(sometimeswithembeddedgeologicaldata,sothatscientistsandpolicymakerscanstudythedata,addittodatacollectedbysensorsinvulnerablelocations,andpreparefortheeffectsofclimatechange.Kingtidesoccurabouttwiceayearincoastalareasworldwidewhenthesunandthemoonaligntoenhancethegravitationalpullthatproducesnormaldailytides.WetlandsWatch,anorganizationinVirginiathatdescribesitselfas"theonlystatewideorganizationintheeasternUnitedStatesworkingatthegrassrootslevelwithasingularfocusonsavingwetlands,"estimatesthatkingtidesshowwherethewaterwillbeinabout2050.ThevolunteerphotographersarepartoftheKingTidesProject,aninternationalinitiativetodocumentextremehigh-tideeventswithphotos.Theprojectbeganin2009inAustraliaandhasspreadsincethentomorethanadozencoastalstatesintheUnitedStates,BritishColumbia,NewZealand,Mauritius,andbeyond.Projectparticipantssaytheyaimtoeducatethepublicandtogainaclearunderstandingabouthowclimatechangewillaffecteverydaylife--fromfloodedroads,parksandfarmlandtopopularbeachesswallowedbywaves.EmpowerWomentoSavetheEarthTime-February3,2020Beforeshewas16yearsold,JadeHameisterskiedtheNorthPoleandisoneofthefewwomeninhistorytosetanewroutetotheSouthPolefromthecoastofAntarctica.Hertravelingsofarontheiceconfirmedforherthatglobalwarmingisanundeniabletruth.Now18,shewantstobeoptimistic,saying,"Itstaggersmethatnooneisfocusedontheexponentialgrowthinthehumanpopulationasthebiggestthreattoourenvironment."Shenotesthat130milliongirlsaroundtheworlddonotattendschoolandstressestheneedtoeducatetheseyoungwomentoempowerthemtofollowtheirdreamsandtomaketheirowndecisionsabouthowmanychildrentohaveandwhentheyhavethem.LanternfliesFoundabout15MilesfromOhio-PennsylvaniaBorderThePlainDealer-February2,2020LanternfliesareaninvasiveandverydestructivepestoriginallyfromAsiathatcouldreachOhioasearlyasthisspring.Whenpestdoesarrive,itwillwreakhavoconcropsandtrees,challengingfarmersandforestersalike.TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturesaysthatlanternfliesliketofeedonalmonds,apples,blueberries,cherries,peaches,grapes,andhopsaswellashardwoodssuchasoak,walnutandpoplar,amongothers.Pennsylvaniahasbeenbattlingspottedlanternfliessince2014byremovingeggmassesandapplyinginsecticidetreatments.

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WhattheWorldSeesasAustraliaBurnsTime-January29,2020ReportersforTimemagazinesaytheysawfamilieshuddledonabeachastheirhomesburned,babykoalasclingingtotheirmothersasthefiresragedbehindthem.Twodozenpeopleandmillionsofanimalshavediedinthisyear'swildfiresandcausedbillionsofdollarsindamage.Thesearenotordinarybushfiresseeninthepast.Thisyear,thefiresburned25.5millionacres(thesizeofSouthKorea),and1,800homesweredestroyed.ThereisnoquestionaboutthelinkbetweentheAustralianwildfiresandclimatechange.Thewarmingclimatehasledtoworseningdroughts,killingoffvegetation,creatingtinderforthefiresandcreatingfurnace-likeconditionsinwhichthefirescaneasilyspread.Coal-miningisasignificantindustryinAustraliaandhasapowerfullobby;theAustraliangovernmentthereforehasnotpushedboldactionstoreducegreenhousegasemissions,andthecountry'sprimeministerarguesthathishandsaretiedbecauseAustralia'semissionsareonly1.3%oftheglobaltotal.Sixty-onepercentofAustralians,however,believethattheircountryshoulddomoretocombatclimatechange,evenifitiscostly.Australiacannotdoitalone.Allcountriesneedtoboldlyreduceemissions.PennsylvaniaHighCourtUpholdsDrillingPracticeAkronBeaconJournal-January24,2020ThePennsylvaniaSupremeCourthasupheldalegalprincipleinplacesinceatleast1889thatallowsdrillerstodrainoilandnaturalgasfromoutsidetheirpropertylines.Thislegalprinciplealsoisknownasthe"ruleofcapture,"whichmeansthatoilandgasinreservoirsbelongtowhomeverpullstheresourcesfromawellfirst.GroupEndsEfforttoBlockBailoutforOhioNuclearPlantsRecord-Courier-January23,2020Opponentsofthe$1billionfinancialrescueofthestate'stwonuclearpowerplantshaveendedtheirattempttostopthebailout.Theyranoutofmoneytocontinuethefightincourtformoretimetogathersignatures.ThirstProjectClubAimstoEndWaterCrisisKentWired.com-January13,2020JenneGilbreath,afreshmanatKentStateUniversity,broughttheThirstProject,anonprofitorganization,toKentStatefromherhighschoolbecauseshebelieveswaterisahumanright.TheWorldHealthOrganizationestimatesthat2billionpeopledrinkcontaminatedwater,andGilbreathpointsoutthatmanywomenandchildrenwalkforhourstofillwatercontainers,whichkeepsthemfromgettingjobsorgoingtoschool.TheThirstProjectwasformedin2008toraiseawarenessabouttheglobalwatercrisisandtohelpenditbybuildingfreshwaterwells.Theorganizationhasraisedmorethan$10millionandhasbuiltwellsforpeoplein13countries.Thelocalgroupisacceptingdonations.CityPledges$3MilliontoSummitLakePlanAkronBeaconJournal-January28,2020AkronCityCouncilisenthusiasticallybehindtheplantoredevelopSummitLake,whichmembersdescribeasoneofthecity'smostscenicanddisinvestedassets.Council'scommitmentistoaseriesofprojects,includinganamphitheatertothewest,anartinstallationandaboatlaunchtothenorth,afountaininthemiddle,andatrailloopingallthewayaroundthewater'sedgealongthehistoricOhioandErieCanal.Residentsaroundthelakeparticipatedintheplanningprocess,andmanybelievethatdoingsohasbroughttheircommunitytogether.

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StreetsboroHasSetbackinCasevs.ShellyMaterialsRecord-Courier-January23,2020TheOhioSupremeCourthasdecidednottorehearthecity'smotiontorehearthecase,sendingthematterbacktotheNorthernOhio11thDistrictCourtofAppeals,whichisconsideringseveraloutstandingissues.ThecityistryingtoblockShellyMaterialsfromsandandgravelextractionatSahbraFarmsandbelievesthecourtofcommonpleasignoredcertainevidencebeforemakingtheoriginaldecision.Whilethecityisencouragedthatthecaseisnotdead,damagestothecompanyforlosttimewillcontinuetoaccumulate.Shellycontendsthattheappealscourtshouldnothavetakenupthecasetotrytosecond-guessthedecisionofthecourtofcommonpleas.OhioSeeksContractorstoPlugWellsAkronBeaconJournal-January3,2020TheOhioDepartmentofNaturalResources'DivisionofOilandGasResourceshasaskedcontractorstobidbyJanuary20tobecertifiedtoplugorphanwellsinthestate.Orphanwellsareonethatwerenotpluggedproperlyandnolongerhaveanownerwhocanpaytohavethecorrectiveworkdonenow.Thesewellscanleakoil,gasandbrineorcauseexplosionswhennaturalgascollectsinbuildingsnearaleakingwell.Nearly1,000wellsin71countieshavebeenidentified,buttherecouldbemanymore,giventhat280,000wellshavebeendrilledinOhiosincethemid-1800s.Moremoneythaneverisavailabletoplugthewells,andthestateistryingtopackagemorethanonewellinaprojecttomakethejobsmoreattractivetopluggingbidders.Officialsalsoarerevisingaprogramtoallowlandownerstocontractwithapluggerwhowouldbepaidbythestate,whilethelandownerwouldberesponsibleforensuringthattheworkisdoneaccordingtoregulations.AssetManagerWillStressClimateChangeAkronBeaconJournal-January18,2020BlackRock,theworld'slargestassetmanager,oversees$7trillioninfundsfromdozensofcountriesaroundtheworldandwillmakeclimatechangecentraltoitsfutureinvestmentdecisions.Thecompanysaysitisexitinginvestmentsincoalusedtogeneratepowerandwillbegintoaskcompaniestodisclosetheirclimate-relatedrisks.GiventhesizeandreachofBlackRock'sholdingsmeanthatthecompany'sshiftinfocushasthepotentialforwideramificationsintheinvestmentindustry.Climate,thecompanysays,istheissueraisedmostoftenbyitsclients.Investorsarelookingforenvironmentallysustainablefunds,andmanyinvestmentcompaniesarelookingtomeetthesurgingdemand.GoldmanSachstoStopFinancingNewDrillingforOilintheArcticTheGuardian-December2019InvestmentbankGoldmanSachsisthefirstintheUnitedStatestoestablishano-gozoneintheoilandgasdrillingsector.Thecompanyalsowillnolongerinvestinnewthermalcoalminesanywhereintheworld,citingthescientificconsensusontheclimatecrisis.Environmentalistsareurgingotherfinancialinstitutionstomakesimilarpledgesthatcouldrenderthecoalindustry"unbankable."Analysis:'Horrific'BirdLossesTouchEveryStateRecord-Courier-January5,2020Accordingtotwomajorresearchprojectsreleasedthisfall,thelossofbirdshasbeenseeninalmosteverystateandconfirmingwhatbirdwatchershavebeenreporting.The"BillionBirds"reportpublishedinScienceconcludedthat2.9billionbirdshavevanishedinNorthAmericasince1970--adeclineofabout30%,afinding

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thatsurprisedeventhestudy'sleadauthor,KenRosenbergofCornellUniversity.Thevanishingbirdpopulationisnotmovingelsewhere.It'sjustplummeting--withmeadowlarksandquailsufferingthebiggestdeclineinthegrasslandareas,wherecattlegrazinglandshavebeenconvertedtomoreintensivelyfarmedcornfields.Otherfactorsarehumanpopulationgrowth,feralcats,climatechangeandpesticidesthatkillinsectsthebirdsneedtofeedtheiryoung.InOhio,accordingtotheU.S.GeologicalSurvey,thefivebirdspecieswiththebiggestdeclinesarethenorthernbobwhite,grasshoppersparrow,vespersparrow,rig-neckedpeasantandbobolink.InaNationalAudubonSocietystudy,researcherslookedathowbirdswouldfareunderthreedifferentclimate-changemodelingscenarios.Thefirstmodelusedascenariowithjustlessthanthreedegreesofwarminginthenext35years.Theresearchersfoundthatatleast51of600speciesfacedahighriskofbeingwipedoutoratrendtowardthatendworsening.Thesecondmodellookedatwarmingoffourdegreesandthenfivedegreesinthecomingdecades.Whenwarmingincreasedfivedegrees,theresearchersfoundthatoverthenext65years,97%ofspecieswouldbeaffectedbytwoormoreclimate-relatedthreats.The"MillionBird"study,theAudubonstudyandothergroupsarestressingtheneedforconservation--whichisexpensiveandrequiresagreatdealofcooperation--beforeit'stoolate.Study:TapWaterTreatedwithChlorineProducesCarcinogensAkronBeaconJournal-January4,2020AnewstudyinthejournalEnvironmentalSciences&TechnologybyresearchersatJohnsHopkinsUniversityhasraisedconcernsaboutusingchlorineindrinkingwater--notbecauseofthechlorineitself,butbecausethechemicalleavesaresidueinpipesand,whenmixedwithphenols(whicharebothnaturallyoccurringandusedinpersonalcareproducts)producesby-productsthatarenotdetectedbutcanbedetrimentaltoaperson'slog-termhealth.Theseby-productsincludetwoformsofBDA,atoxiccompoundandknowncarcinogenthathadnotbeendetectedindrinkingwateruntilnow.Intheirstudytheresearchersaddedanaminoacid,suchaslysine,whichisfoundinthehumanbody,andthentestedthewater.Thepresenceofthesetypesofby-productshavepromptedsomeEuropeancountries,includingGermanyandtheNetherlands,toreducetheamountofchlorineintheirwater-supplysystemsortoeliminatethechemicalentirely.ClimateChangeandtheIncredibleShrinkingSongbirdAkronBeaconJournal-Opinion-December31,2019ScientistsfromtheUniversityofMichiganandresearchersfromtheFieldMuseuminChicagoexamined52speciesofbirdsthathadcrashedintohigh-risebuildingsinChicagotodeterminewhythecollisionsoccurred.Theireffortinvolvedthecollectionofthousandsofbirdsamplesfrom1978through2016.Afterthesamplesweremeasuredandweighed,thescientistsfoundthatbodysizeshranksignificantlyandwingspanselongated.Becausewarm-bloodedspecieshavelargerbodiesincoldplacesandsmallerbodiesinwarmplaces,andtemperatureshaverisenoverthepast38yearsofthebirdcollection,thescientistsconcludedthatclimatechangeisresponsibleforthelowerbodymass.Whilethelossofbodymassisnotenoughforthebirdstoshrinktothesizeofinsects,thescientistssaid,thefindingisanotherredflagthattheeffectsofclimatechangearerealandsomethingmustbedonetostopthosechangesfromcontinuing.LocalPlanPrioritizesBikingandWalkingAkronBeaconJournal-December25,2019TheAkronMetropolitanAreaTransportationStudyhasputforwardaplantoexpandbikelanesandpedestriantravelthrough2045.Thisissignificantbecausefundingforprojectsisguidedbythatplan.Asaresult,thebike-and-pedestriannetworkwillcontinuetogrow.Othergoalsintheplanincludezerodeathsfrombike/pedestriancrashes,increasedfundingforsafetyimprovementstorouteschildrentaketoandfromschool,educatingstudentsandothersabouthowtousetheroutessafely.

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OhioMayJump-StartElectricCarTaxCreditsAkronBeaconJournal-December24,2019Thefederaltaxcreditgiventothefirst200,000electricvehiclesbyvariousmanufacturersaredisappearingsoon,withthetimingdependentonthebrandofvehicle.AnOhioSenatebill,however,proposesa$500salestaxcreditforthepurchaseofanelectricvehicleforpersonaluse,$1,000foreachofupto10vehiclesforcommercialuse,and$1,500forconstructionofchargingstationsforeithercommercialorpersonaluse.Thecreditswouldendafterfiveyearsasthemarketforelectricvehiclesbecomesmorerobust.--SummarizedbyLorraineMcCartyKECMembershipWewelcomeanyonewhowantstojointheKentEnvironmentalCouncilandsupportourefforts.Ifyouarealreadyamember,youwillbereceivingareminderofrenewalbymailthemonthbeforetheexpirationdateforyourdues.Remember,duesarethemainsourceofincomeforKEC.Basic memberships help us maintain communication among our members for many of our activities. Sustaining, Organizational and Lifetime memberships enhance our ability to implement our education and advocacy responsibilities and to have a grant program to encourage innovative environmental projects.

Membership levels are Student: $5; Golden Buckeye: $15; First-Year Member Special: $25; Individual: $35; Household: $50; Sustaining: $100; Organization: $100; Lifetime: $500

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