A new type of therapy aims to help people turn their fears into action. It’s called climate-aware therapy — and it’s so new that there’s only one person we know of who offers it in Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Transportation released its draft plan last week, which describes when, where and how it plans to deploy a network of electric vehicle charging stations capable of charging up cars in a matter of minutes ― and ensure this network is sustainable.

In most of the Indiana cities it studied, the average summer low temperatures have warmed by at least 1 degree since 1970. Indianapolis had the biggest increase where average summer low temps have gone up by more than 3 degrees.

The effort is years in the making and part of the larger Washington Park Detention and Minnie Creek Restoration project. New ponds will be installed in Washington Park and native trees and vegetation planted along Minnie Creek to decrease flooding conditions.

A five-person Fatal Crash Review Team will soon begin work to evaluate dangerous streets and intersections where deadly crashes have happened around Indianapolis.

Eventually, every large building will need to take part in the initiative, but right now, it’s completely voluntary. Businesses put their energy use information into a free online tool. It helps them track energy usage and find ways to cut back. Most of Indy’s electricity still comes from coal, so any cuts in energy use will lead to lower emissions.

The state must submit its implementation plan to the federal government by August 1, anticipating review and approval by September 30. Public comment on the unreleased draft plan will open on July 20 at in.gov/indot.

Extreme weather is causing increasing challenges for the power grid across the United States, and a report found experts are concerned it could result in coordinated power outages in several regions in the Midwest, including Indiana. But AES Indiana says it has a plan in place to avoid an energy shortfall.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, too much ground-level ozone can harm people and animals by irritating their respiratory systems, causing coughing, throat irritation and discomfort in the chest, aggravating asthma and other chronic lung diseases, reducing the immune system’s ability to fight off bacterial infections in the respiratory system, inflaming and damaging lungs, and causing permanent lung damage.

Indianapolis officials announced a wave of pedestrian-focused intersection improvements in the southern part of the city this summer, continuing to chip away at its overwhelming lack of infrastructure that exists for non-car users.

Fresh Veggie Summer targets food desert areas with limited healthy food access in Marion County. Free fruit and veggies are available at two pools, Frederick Douglass in Martindale-Brightwood and Willard Park on the Near East side.

Indiana already trails its Midwest neighbors in the adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and lingers in the middle of the pack across the country. But now, market forces — including hundreds of millions in federal dollars and rapidly approaching deadlines — are coming to bear all at once, driving an accelerated push toward transformation.

“Most of the pollutants that lead to ozone pollution come from motor vehicles compared to factories or power plants. Specifically, with respect to ozone, that’s where the effort still needs to be focused. Having cleaner motor vehicles and giving people effective options to driving,” said Maloney.

Solar power is about to become much more expensive for Hoosiers as a state policy meant to help boost the renewable energy in the state expires on July 1. Once that deadline passes, Indiana utility customers will no longer be allowed to participate in what is called net metering when they install solar panels on their roofs.

Knozone Action Days are issued when ozone or fine particulate matter levels rise above certain thresholds. On those days, the air quality may become unhealthy for sensitive individuals, especially active children, the elderly, and anyone with asthma, lung disease, COVID-19, or other serious health problems.

Survey results from more than 1,200 residents last year found strong support was given to EV charging stations and placemaking options. Placemaking could involve space for pop-up businesses, arts and culture or resource opportunities. The City wants to encourage mobility options including e-scooter stations or space for shared transit options.

Knozone Action Days occur when ozone levels rise above certain thresholds, making the air quality unhealthy for sensitive individuals, such as active children, elderly people and those suffering from any lung-related disease or health issue. These individuals are encouraged to stay inside.

On an average day, medics will respond to 0 to 3 heat-related calls, but this week medics are responding to around 4x that amount.

Breakdown on the number of calls this week:

• Monday - 7 calls

• Tuesday - 12 calls

• Wednesday - 13 calls

IndyGo has unveiled a new line of buses it expects will help with air quality, especially on air quality action days. The Allison-Glen Flex electric bus was rolled out Tuesday night on Monument Circle. The goal of the bus is to reduce the amount of emissions being put in the air, Carrie Black, a spokesperson for IndyGo, said.

The College Football Playoff says January’s national championship game in Indianapolis was the most sustainable championship in the event’s history. Through the CFP’s Playoff Green program, the organization says teams hand-sorted and recovered more than 117 tons of materials throughout downtown Indy over a two-week period.