ISRC keynote: It’s up to states and communities to lead on climate

States and communities continue to drive progress on climate goals—with or without federal support. 

That was the message Gina McCarthy, former White House climate advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, delivered to more than 450 attendees at the 2026 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC), held Feb. 6 at the Bloomington Convention Center. Participants gathered to share knowledge and celebrate Hoosiers’ sustainability efforts across research, business, and local initiatives. 

In her keynote, McCarthy criticized actions by the Trump administration that she said have slowed climate progress, including blocking clean energy projects and extending the life of fossil fuel plants slated for retirement. She argued these moves have driven up energy costs and increased greenhouse gas emissions. 

The consequences have reached Indiana directly. In 2024, the state lost a $117 million EPA grant designed to help low- and moderate-income Hoosiers lower energy bills by expanding access to solar power. Last year, the administration halted the shutdown of two coal-fired power plants despite the associated costs. 

“I’m big-time ticked off,” McCarthy said. Yet rather than dwell on frustration, the 71-year-old Boston native said she is embarking on a global tour as co-chair of the America Is All In coalition, aiming to reassure international partners that most Americans remain concerned about the climate and are supportive of action. 

[Photos: Hoosier climate leaders gather at ISRC]

“Today our power lies in our cities, local communities, and in our states,” she said. “It is up to us to build better futures for ourselves and for our children.” 

To reinforce that point, McCarthy highlighted actions underway across the country to cut costs and improve quality of life through clean technologies and energy efficiency. She cited Boise, Idaho’s investment in expanding its urban tree canopy to boost air quality and praised local government-led efforts to convert contaminated land into solar sites, transforming idle acreage into productive assets. 

She also pointed to the ongoing dominance of wind, solar, and battery storage in new U.S. energy deployment as grounds for optimism. 

“All across the country, clean energy is unstoppable,” McCarthy said. 

Building on that message, McCarthy urged students and young professionals in attendance to pursue careers in public service and to devote themselves to cross-sector collaboration on environmental challenges. 

Where there is community, there is hope, she said. Where there is hope, there is strength. 

“There is still a long way to go, but we are well-suited to get the job done… [We must continue to believe in the] power and continuity of us.”

ISRC 2026 featured media

“Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference talks data centers, carbon emissions and more,” Indiana Daily Student, Feb. 7, 2026

“Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference Feature,” Grow with Glo, WFHB, Feb. 21, 2026

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.