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Photos: Hoosiers gather to advance climate resilience

Photos: Hoosiers gather to advance climate resilience

By: Cody Smith

Thursday, March 02, 2023

On Feb. 17, more than 350 Hoosiers attended the Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC) at the IUPUI Campus Center. The conference, hosted by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute and IUPUI Sustainability, brought together students, academics, industry leaders, local governments, community groups, and others for a day of knowledge-sharing and networking to advance climate resilience in the Hoosier State.

Supporters of the event included the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the McKinney Family Foundation, Cummins, Waste Management, Knozone, the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability, Browning Day, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Interface.

Scroll through the photos below to view highlights.

US Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe delivered the ISRC keynote address, sharing the stage with ERI Executive Director Gabe Filippelli for a wide-ranging discussion on federal funding opportunities for climate solutions, the EPA’s role in Midwest climate solutions, and the agency’s approach to environmental justice. Recent legislation has infused the federal agency with around $100 billion for US communities to address climate change and other environmental challenges. "The opportunity we have right now is one that I haven't seen in my career in terms of addressing environmental challenges,” McCabe said. Photo by Liz Kaye

During the keynote and afternoon plenary sessions, IUPUI students collected and asked questions from the audience related to federal and local climate and sustainability initiatives. Photo by Liz Kaye

The conference featured breakout sessions covering topics such as natural climate solutions, decarbonizing Indiana, accessing federal funding for sustainability, and more. Above, professors James Damico (right) of Indiana University and Adam Kuban and Adam Berland of Ball State University discuss climate denialism, early climate science education, and effective sustainability storytelling. Photo by Liz Kaye

During a breakout session focused on sustainability careers, Lauren Guidotti of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway shared her story of building a sustainability culture within IMS. “You can impact change if you're passionate and the squeaky wheel,” she said. Photo by Liz Kaye

ISRC provided a forum for attendees from government, business, and nonprofit sectors to network and identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. Photo by Liz Kaye

Between concurrent breakout sessions, attendees had the opportunity to speak with supporters of the 2023 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference during an afternoon expo. Photo by Liz Kaye

One afternoon breakout session focused on what Indiana environmental organizations are doing to cultivate a more environmentally just state. The session, led by Earth Charter Indiana and the Central Indiana Community Foundation, centered the voices of black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and addressed the racial, cultural, and societal impacts of climate change on low-income and marginalized communities. Photo by Liz Kaye

Ray Wilson, an energy efficiency advocate from the greater Indianapolis area, spoke to attendees on behalf of the 2022 Hoosier Resilience Hero cohort. The Hoosier Resilience Heroes program, administered by ERI, recognizes the important contributions of Indiana residents to the state’s health and resilience. Photo by Liz Kaye

The ISRC afternoon plenary session featured local government representatives from South Bend, Indianapolis, and Zionsville. Each community showcased the creative programs they are implementing to advance the goals outlined in their climate action plans. Photo by Cody Smith

About the Environmental Resilience Institute

Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute brings together a broad coalition of government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest better prepare for the challenges of environmental change. By integrating research, education, and community, ERI is working to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.

Photos: Hoosiers gather to advance climate resilience

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