March mewled like a kitten as it came in this year. Forecasts called for 70 degree highs at times, leaving us wondering should we plant gardens already? Does March-as-May bode a hotter summer? A storm system on March 25 dropped 2.5 inches over a few short hours. Streets were streams for a bit, which leaves folks asking why storm water is draining so slow? Weather is no longer small talk. It’s changing. We have to do something about those changes or we are just adjusting like lobsters in a pot.
Winters and springs are wetter and warmer than 20 years ago. Downpours that flood the streets used to happen once every few years. Now they happen several times a year. Summers are hotter and drier, which stresses crops and heats up cities. As Robinson Meyer of The Atlantic writes, “the task of addressing the warming planet is no longer charged to scientists and activists. It now rests with engineers, marketers, coders, plumbers, teachers, lawyers, families and voters.” In other words, us. One way or another, we are working harder because of climate change, paying higher taxes and learning how to be more efficient about how we use energy and resist the damage.
Locally, Mayor Todd Barton and county officials have been working on environmental and structural improvements to waste water drainage, trash and the local electrical grid. The goal is a sustainable, affordable community that appeals to residents and businesses, and while there will always be work, here are accomplishments so far.
Crawfordsville’s solar electric grid is worth celebrating. We now have five solar parks that provide 28 megawatts of electricity for our municipality. On an average day, the city uses about 50 megawatts, though that climbs in the summer when everyone turns on their air conditioners. The city’s partnership with IMPA has kept solar power local to avoid transmission fees. As the city builds out new housing, we need to add another solar park on the westside to meet geographical distribution requirements.
We would also benefit from utilizing other forms of renewable energy. John Smilie of the League of Women Voters Environmental Committee notes that “our solar build out is great, but the loss of wind turbines was a knock.” To incentivize corporations to locate in Montgomery County, we need a robust electrical grid. Companies, especially those that use more energy, are looking for communities with renewable, affordable energy sources that can meet their needs.
All communities are now facing expensive infrastructure demands. A rapid increase in what we used to call “100 year events,” where we may get close to 3 inches of rainfall in an hour, may occur one or two more days a year than in the past, the Indy Star reported in January. Indy’s problem is that their two billion dollar, fifteen year project trying to resolve sewer overflow -— a problem that can result in e.coli, bacteria and chemicals in the White River- may be obsolete by the time it’s completed.
Here in Crawfordsville, the 6-inch storm drains can’t keep up when it rains that hard. Barton has worked with our waste water plant to separate storm and sewage drains, so that overflows don’t end up in Sugar Creek, poisoning the wildlife and water.
Larger cities are turning to trees and greenery to offset heat and water issues. Shade-tree planning is cheaper than replacing drainage pipes. Trees and plants drink excess water while their shade reduces urban temperatures in the summer. Cement and pavement suck up heat in the summer and discharge it at night, making cities hotter than rural areas. AC units discharge heat which exacerbates the problem. Here in Crawfordsville, the Main Street Association is helping the city with a tree inventory in order to replace older trees with native species in a timely manner.
The challenge looms large, and we will keep doing more. Other communities, Noblesville, North Putnam and Montgomery County (Maryland) have moved to electric school bus fleets, protecting children from harmful diesel exhaust exposure while reducing fuel costs. Our state can do as Maine has: provide tax incentives for homeowners to put in heat pumps that reduce the use of fossil fuels. Though we have robust, local recycling programs, changes in the industry may require us to adapt. Nationally only about 8-9% of plastic is being recycled.
The League of Women Voters continues to work with the mayor’s office on sustainable changes. We’re also excited by the help of organizations like Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light, which will help local faith communities move to 21st century solar energy. An upcoming Lunch with the League event will feature that program.
We’re also inviting young people to share their ideas. Smilie and the League are hosting a youth climate discussion at 7 p.m. April 22 via Zoom featuring the book Youth to Power by Jamie Margolin and guests such as Annabel Prokopy, youth activist with West Lafayette Climate Strike; Iris O’Donnell Bellissario, Resiliency Coordinator for Earth Charter Indiana; and members of Wabash College ‘23. The link to join is https://tinyurl.com/CvilleYouthClimate.
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan, multi-issue organization encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase public understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. All men and women are invited to join the LWV where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. For information, visit the website www.lwvmontcoin.org or the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, IN Facebook page.
