Newsletter- November 2023 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
November 22, 2023
Make your voice heard on the Indiana Climate Action Plan today!
Hi Supporter,
In this newsletter - a spotlight on our Energy Committee, take action for Indiana climate, Sierra Club rises up to protect the Ohio River, spotted lanternflies in Indiana, updates on our work, plus all our regular features and upcoming events!
Happy reading!
Spotlight on our Energy Committee
The Hoosier Chapter Energy Committee is made up of Chapter members who advocate for clean, renewable and affordable energy for all Hoosiers. We envision an Indiana where energy generation doesn’t harm our health, air and water or devastate our climate. We’re committed to understanding the impacts of energy policies on local communities, including those who are historically marginalized such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and low-income Hoosiers.
IDEM to develop first ever Climate Action Plan for Indiana - take action today!
This year the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) received a grant through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to conduct a statewide greenhouse gas inventory and launch a process to draft a historic and first of its kind Priority Climate Action Plan for our state. This plan will determine how much federal IRA funding will be made available to benefit Hoosiers.
You can take action and make your voice heard with Sierra Club by signing our petition at sc.org/INClimate.
IDEM wrapped up a series of four public meetings in Ferdinand, IN on November 8. (Left to right: Robyn Skuya-Boss, Mark Nowotarski, Jean Webb, Joab Schultheis)
Sierra Club rises up to protect Ohio River
On November 14, 2023, the Sierra Club and Environmental Integrity Project sent a notice of intent to sue the Alcoa Warrick aluminum smelting plant in southwestern Indiana for repeated violations of the Clean Water Act, including dumping illegal amounts of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, into the Ohio River. The Warrick smelter violated its water pollution control permit at least 101 times between 2018 and 2023. Thirty-two of these violations in 2022 and 2023 were for releasing illegal amounts of mercury pollution into the Ohio River.
"The Ohio River doesn't belong to Alcoa to pollute with impunity; it belongs to everyone to use and enjoy without fear of being poisoned," said Joab Schultheis, Energy Committee Chair, Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club. "I'm hopeful this notice will be enough for Alcoa to agree it needs to comply with our clean water safeguards." - Groups Take Legal Action to Stop Aluminum Factory’s Illegal Mercury Pollution in Ohio River (Press release)
A lanternfly spotted in New York City earlier this year and photographed by our Chair, Julie Lowe.
Spotted!
Sierra Club staff and volunteer leaders are passionate about getting out there and spreading the word about issues that matter to Hoosiers!
Above: Members of Uplands Network and Winding Waters Group gathered at Bloomington Green Drinks Wednesday. In his presentation, Dr. Michael Hamburger of IU explored the connections between “Natural Disasters, Pandemics, and Climate Change.”
Right: On Thursday, October 26th, a group of hearty Sierra Club volunteers hiked down to the creek at "bluebell" bend on the Hays Trail and eradicated an enormous patch of Japanese Barberry.
Bottom right: Earlier this month, Uplands Network folks hiked the Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve, a 3 mile loop illuminating the stunning valleys of Bear Wallow in Brown County. It was windy at the top, but we quickly warmed up.
Sierra Club volunteers Liz Brown, Laurie Elliott, Cindy Duffy, Marilyn Bauchat, and Greg Grant.
Sierra Club supporters and volunteers Mary Reardon, Amy Henn, Laurie Elliott, Liz Brown, Greg Grant.
Readers' Photos
Above:
Mike Gavin: "On the morning that I shot the photo, the leaves were near peak. When I got to Brown County State Park, leaves were half coated with heavy frost. That explains the scene I hope. As the morning progressed, the leaves all changed to brilliant color under the autumn sun. The park is a half hour from my home in Bloomington Indiana."
Right:
Jeffery Abney: "The joy of fall beauty in Indiana"
Thank you Mike and Jeffery for sharing these beautiful photographs with us!
Do you have a photograph of Indiana nature that you would like to share? We'd love to see it and perhaps feature it in a future newsletter!
Use the button below or email
rebecca.dien-johns@sierraclub.org
The annual Green Gift Shop is back again on Thursday, November 30, 2023, 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the newly renovated Carmel Clay Public Library. Join Carmel Green Initiative for a green holiday shopping experience for gift ideas that are local, organic, natural, recycled, reused, repurposed and eco-friendly.
