Registration now open for the 2023 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference
Join 300+ Indiana sustainability professionals, scholars, and climate advocates on Friday, Feb. 17 at the IUPUI Campus Center for a day of knowledge-sharing and networking to advance climate resilience in the Hoosier State.
Year in review: ERI takes action through community, research and education initiatives
In 2022, the US made significant commitments to addressing climate change, passing the first federal law aimed at substantially decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. The year also marked noteworthy climate action in Indiana, as the Environmental Resilience Institute helped advance the sustainability goals of Hoosier communities, businesses, and nonprofits, published original research in climate and resilience, and supported the development of new educational curriculum focused on climate and environmental science.
IU researchers to lead study of rain-on-snow events in Great Lakes’ changing climate
When rain falls on established snowpack, it sets off a chain of events with significant implications for ecosystems, businesses, and communities. To better understand the ecological, social, and economic consequences of rain on snow, a team of researchers, led by Indiana University’s Darren Ficklin, is creating a hydrological model to simulate the impacts of the phenomenon under changing environmental conditions.
ERI, IU faculty host workshop on water equality and resilience
In October, ERI hosted academics, industry leaders, and government stakeholders during a virtual workshop aimed at identifying and prioritizing climate change-related challenges related to water resources. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Water Equality: Resilience in Climate Change was a four-part workshop that sought to identify existing research gaps in water resources and strategies for greater water resilience. ERI staff and affiliates organized and led the event.
ERI book documents challenges, opportunities climate change brings to Indiana
A new book from Indiana University Press and the Environmental Resilience Institute shines a spotlight on the potentially devastating long-term impacts of climate change in Indiana and what Hoosiers can do to create resilient, equitable communities.
Tree planting plans give Hoosier communities a roadmap to greater resilience
Nine Hoosier communities assessed the health of their local tree canopies and developed plans to expand them this summer in partnership with Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute. The resulting roadmaps give each local government a clear path for adding new green infrastructure that helps to offset the effects of climate change and maximize community benefits.
ERI brings expanded professional development opportunities to K-12 educators
To help Indiana K-12 teachers better teach climate and environmental science in the classroom and meet new state science standards, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute is offering expanded professional development opportunities, including single-day and multi-day workshops and greater access to teaching resources and IU scientists.
ERI part of NSF-funded collaboration exploring extreme heat solutions in Midwest communities
Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute is a partner on a new National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge grant to explore solutions to mitigate heat island effects in collaboration with Indianapolis and three other Midwestern communities.The grant, led by the Midwest Climate Collaborative of which ERI is a member, aims to design community-based solutions for equitable expansion of tree canopies by working with stakeholders and applying existing research and data.
IU researcher tracks rare Andean flamingos facing threats from mining, climate change
To better understand Andean flamingos and how to protect them, Indiana University researcher Alex Jahn, a research scientist in the Department of Biology and former research fellow with the Environmental Resilience Institute, is tracking the birds to find out where they go and why.
Richmond, Carmel become latest Resilience Cohort communities to adopt climate action plans
This summer, Richmond and Carmel became the latest Indiana municipalities to lay out a coordinated vision for how community leaders plan to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and protect residents and businesses from climate change impacts, such as extreme heat and precipitation. Since 2019, both communities have been involved with ERI’s Resilience Cohort, which provides guidance and support for Indiana city, town, and county governments to measure and reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and implement climate resilience strategies.
When a team of IU researchers noticed that observational data collected from weather stations along the coast of California showed cooling trends over the late 20th century, they suspected something was wrong with the data. The ensuing investigation led to findings that can help inform future climate modeling efforts relevant to regions, states, and cities.
Herbert Simon Family Foundation grant to support McKinney Climate Fellows
A grant from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation is helping to create professional opportunities for Indiana University students interested in climate and sustainability and bolstering efforts in central Indiana to counter climate change impacts, such as extreme precipitation and heat.
O’Brien awarded DOE grant to study extreme precipitation patterns
As extreme precipitation becomes more common in the Midwest and across the country due to climate change, Indiana University researchers are co-leading a project to better understand and predict weather phenomena that contribute to heavy rainfall, which can cause costly and life-threatening flash flooding.
McKinney Climate Fellows reflect on summer of sustainability and climate action
After a summer of climate action, McKinney Climate Fellows returned to their respective Indiana University campuses this fall for the start of the academic year. They bring with them new knowledge, technical skills, and an expanded perspective on career opportunities in climate and the environment.
Kravitz co-authors paper exploring realistic scenarios to artificially cool the planet
A new paper co-authored by Indiana University professor Ben Kravitz continues the process of bringing geoengineering research from the lab into policy circles, describing the results of several geoengineering scenarios simulated on high-performance computers that fit possible timelines for potential widescale deployment.
IU-hosted workshop to prepare Distinguished Humphrey Fellows for climate action
During the week of Aug. 5, 16 international fellows are convening to share knowledge about climate action and leadership in collaboration with Indiana University researchers and staff on the IU Bloomington and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campuses. The Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship is part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a Fulbright exchange, that provides accomplished professionals from countries with emerging economies with international enrichment opportunities in leadership and public service.
This year’s free, 3-day Summer Science Institute provided demonstrations and resources on climate change education to middle- and high-school science teachers from across Indiana and Illinois. The workshop is part of an array of professional development events for science teachers put on in collaboration with the Environmental Resilience Institute, WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology, and the IU School of Education.
Clarksville and Richmond develop heat management plans through Beat the Heat
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the United States, and climate change is only increasing the occurrence of high-heat days. As Indiana endures another summer featuring long stretches of hot and dry weather, two Hoosier communities recently shared plans to protect their residents from the public health impacts of extreme heat.
Honda awards ERI $100,000 for climate action planning
The Honda corporation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Environmental Resilience Institute to fund climate action planning in Indiana communities. The grant will partially cover program costs related to work being conducted this year in partnership with 10 local governments and one regional coalition to identify actions, policies, and programs to promote energy efficiency and eliminate locally produced, heat-trapping gases.
IU researchers develop K-12 curriculum to teach students about geoengineering
When it comes to climate change, much of the public discussion is focused on ways to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to keep global temperatures in check. One overlooked tool, however, could help humanity stave off the worst impacts of climate change and buy world governments more time: geoengineering, or the deliberate modification of the climate system.
Biodiversity module challenges students to connect climate change impacts to their local environment
This spring, Indiana University Professor and evolutionary biologist Armin Moczek stepped into Kirstin Milks’ AP biology classroom at Bloomington High School South to talk to students about three insects and how their future is tied to our own.
Science CORPS connects community college students to research opportunities
Research can provide students with a chance to gain professional experience and learn about careers in science. Unfortunately, these opportunities are rare for community college students seeking new educational experiences. Lana Bolin, a research associate with the Environmental Resilience Institute, was one such student. She started her academic journey at Minneapolis Community and Technical College in downtown Minneapolis. Today, she is pursuing a PhD in biology at Indiana University.
McKinney Climate Fellows spearhead sustainability projects across the state
In May, 39 Indiana University students began working with Hoosier communities, businesses, and nonprofits to advance environmental and sustainability projects across the state. The effort is part of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute’s McKinney Midwest Climate Project, an initiative to accelerate the transition to sustainable and climate-friendly practices in Indiana and the Midwest.
ERI research symposium highlights resilience-themed research across IU
Nearly two-dozen Indiana University faculty and students presented their research at the Environmental Resilience Institute’s Research Symposium on May 11 at the Indiana Memorial Union. An annual event, the symposium showcases the work of IU’s environmental resilience research community on topics ranging from the natural sciences, to human systems, to environmental policy, to education.
ERI helps Hoosier communities achieve recognition for solar preparedness
Three Indiana communities are celebrating recent recognition as SolSmart communities, signaling their readiness for solar investment within their borders. After participating in the Environmental Resilience Institute’s 2021 Resilience Cohort, Carmel, Michigan City, and Zionsville were designated as SolSmart communities earlier this year.
ERI-supported journalism wins honors for environmental reporting
ERI-supported independent media organizations garnered multiple awards for environmental reporting from Indiana’s Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in their annual Best of Indiana Journalism competition.
ERI recognizes 9 Hoosiers for contributions to Indiana communities and the environment
In advance of Earth Day, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) is recognizing nine Hoosier Resilience Heroes for contributions to their communities and the environment. The honorees include professionals, students, and volunteers dedicated to food insecurity, climate policy, renewable energy, sustainable business practices, and more.
IU renews its commitment to sustainability with new Climate Action Planning Committee
Indiana University has established a Climate Action Committee to develop comprehensive recommendation to identify short- and long-term opportunities to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from its various campuses and units.
Taylor shines light on racism in the American conservation movement during virtual talk
Dorceta Taylor, a professor of environmental justice at Yale University, discusses the long history of racism, sexism, and classism in the American conservation movement.
A group of eight Indiana local governments gathered virtually on Feb. 11 to share successful projects and brainstorm strategies to build more resilient communities across the Hoosier state. The meeting was the first of an eight part series hosted by the Environmental Resilience Institute for local governments who have completed the Hoosier Resilience Index Readiness Assessment, a tool to help cities, towns, and counties gauge their preparedness for the impacts of climate change.
Project helps businesses and government work together to prepare for environmental change
Leaders from several of Indiana’s largest employers and at nine cities across the Hoosier state are meeting to discuss how to better collaborate on resilience to climate change, through a federally funded project led by faculty at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and the IU Environmental Resilience Institute.
Conservation Law Center to help manage new federal land program in southern Indiana
The Conservation Law Center at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law will help manage a new designation of more than 3.5 million acres in southern Indiana as a Sentinel Landscape, a coalition to advance sustainable land management practices around military installations and ranges.
Ten local governments and one regional coalition will partner with Indiana University in 2022 to take action on climate change. Through a program led by IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI), Indiana communities will develop and expand plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore green solutions to extreme precipitation and heat waves being experienced more frequently throughout the state.
Interactive map reconstructs more than 200 years of human settlement in Indiana’s Southern Hills
Indiana University students, faculty, and staff have created an interactive map which documents the cultural, environmental, and topographical history of the Southern Hills ecoregion of Indiana, an area that cuts down the middle of the state from Greencastle to New Albany.
Nominate a 2022 Hoosier Resilience Hero
Nominations for 2022 Hoosier Resilience Heroes are open now through March 1. Individuals can nominate an Indiana resident by filling out and submitting an online form.
