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Photos: Indiana sustainability leaders gather to share climate solutions

Photos: Indiana sustainability leaders gather to share climate solutions

By: Gillian Paxton

Thursday, February 22, 2024

On Feb. 9, more than 360 Hoosier sustainability professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and community leaders gathered at the IUPUI Campus Center for a day of networking and knowledge sharing during the 2024 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference.

Hosted by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI), the conference highlighted actions being taken in Indiana and elsewhere to counteract the effects of climate change and reduce the environmental impacts of human activities. Groundswell CEO Michelle Moore delivered the keynote address, focusing on the role public utilities can play in expanding access to renewable energy and connecting rural communities to the green economy.

Supporters of the event included the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the McKinney Family Foundation, and Cummins, Inc.

Scroll through the photos below to view highlights.

The conference opened with remarks from ERI Executive Director Gabriel Filippelli and Managing Director Sarah Mincey that summarized the unprecedented rate of climate disasters experienced in the United States and around the world in 2023. On the brighter side, more states, communities, and businesses are expanding their commitments to sustainability and investing in the green economy, including in Indiana. “There’s so much more to do, but I think we can say that 2023 is the year where the path toward sustainability in Indiana became more than a vision,” Filippelli said. Photo by Gillian Paxton

Todd Cavender, director of environment and sustainability for the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), spoke to attendees during the morning session. Cavender’s talk highlighted the work IAA is doing to be an international leader in sustainability among airports. IAA is currently updating its sustainability master plan, the largest plan ever funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the first to focus on environmental resilience. Photo by Gillian Paxton

Conference attendees enjoyed a vegetarian menu throughout the day. Studies show that eating more produce and less meat reduces environmental impact associated with diet. Photo by Gillian Paxton

In the afternoon, Zolboo Dashmyagmar, a Fulbright scholar pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at IU Bloomington, shared her experiences as an international student with a passion for sustainability, including her time helping the City of Columbus, Ind. develop a climate vulnerability and risk assessment as a McKinney Climate Fellow. Photo by Justin Casterline

Keynote speaker Michelle Moore, author of “Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America’s Hometowns Through Clean Power” and CEO of Groundswell, spoke to the audience about her experiences collaborating with communities on solar and energy efficiency projects as a way to improve lives and build economic resilience. “When you put people at the center of your local clean energy future, you can really change people's lives,” she said. Photo by Justin Casterline

Following the keynote talk, IU students asked questions from the audience related to building relationships with communities and taking advantage of existing tools and models to start new sustainability and resilience projects. Photo by Justin Casterline

During the conference expo, attendees had the opportunity to connect with and learn more about supporters of the 2024 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference. Photo by Justin Casterline

The conference featured 12 breakout sessions covering topics such as disaster resilience strategies, corporate sustainability, sustainable agriculture, deploying solar equitably, and more. Zach Schalk, Indiana program director of Solar United Neighbors, presented on the solar boom Indiana is currently experiencing and shared methods to keep solar accessible and sustainable for all. Photo by Justin Casterline

In the afternoon, Yash Pinapati of Willdan, presented on his company’s $15 million decarbonization plan for the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation during a breakout session focused on climate resilience implementation. Other session speakers shared flood resilience strategies adopted by Goshen, Ind. and practices that reduce the risks posed by extreme heat to workers. Photo by Justin Casterline

Warm winter weather drew attendees out to the 4th floor patio of the IUPUI Campus Center for conversations throughout the day. Snowy winters and extreme cold events are becoming rarer in the eastern US under climate change. Photo by Justin Casterline

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: Indiana sustainability leaders gather to share climate solutions

Environmental Resilience Institute resources

Additional links and resources