From Mike
7-15-19

Dear Jeff...

Just a few other observations to report from Rockford, Illinois since my previous letter and radio interview with you last month.

The insect apocalypse continues. I have made it a point to search for crickets aqnd grasshoppers which were once plentiful in my area. Growing up, these insects were seen everywhere and easily. Crickets were especially noticeable due to their leg rubbing songs that would fill the summer nights at a level bordering on noise, often making it hard to sleep if you had your windows open. I cannot find any examples of either of these species no matter how hard I look, and I live backed up to a large park and small woods.

I have now seen 6 Monarch Butterflies all season. I have a large patch of milkweed in my backyard planted to attract them, and still their presence is frightfully small. You used to see them in large numbers all summer. I am grateful that I have seen even this many.

Back in the day you would have to use the squeegy at the gas station regularly to get the bugs off your windshield, as we live in the heart of farm country despite being in a mid-size city here. Not any more. We also used to have to scrub the front ends of our cars every week to get the bugs off the bumper and grill. Again, no more.

As recently as a few years ago in the summer, I would always call me wife when I was returning home after my second shift job, in order to remind her to turn off the front porch light. There would be so many bugs attracted to it, you would have to walk through a literal swarm to get inside. No more. There are barely a few that hover around the light now. Same with the street lights and parking lot lights. You rarely see any insects swarming in any mass around these anymore.

The presence of birds is likewise shrinking. The typical species for this area, like cardinals, bluejays, sparrows, red-wing black birds, grackles, starlings, and even robins are in sharp decline, just like the crows as I reported before.

Sunburn, as officially reported by local tv news meterologists, is incurred in 15 minutes or less on exposed, unprotected skin, and has been this way for many days now! As we spoke about, you can feel the sting of the increased UV rays go right through your clothing. No wonder thee tress are frying out. They can't move, or seek shade nor shelter like we can.

Temperature readings are being regularly under-reported every day. I can fully concur with Dane Wiggington's reports on this happening. My vehicle's and my home's thermometer show that the actual temp is always 5 to 6 degrees above the reported temps on the news or cellphone apps. As Dane says, this is an obvious ploy to keep the public misinformed on the dire nature of what we are facing with the climate.

Take care, Jeff.

-Mike (Rockford, IL.)