Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) has been named a 2026 Climate Luminary Honors recipient for leadership and innovation in addressing climate challenges.
Second Nature, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating climate action through higher education, recognized ERI alongside five other colleges and universities during a ceremony at the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit in Chicago on March 10.
The recognition stems from ERI’s McKinney Climate Fellows, a workforce development program connecting IU students to career experiences in climate, sustainability, and community resilience through paid, full-time summer placements. Since 2017, more than 250 fellows have collaborated with public, private, and nonprofit partners across Indiana. Entering its 10th year, the program has contributed more than 100,000 hours to climate action and has helped nurture a growing in-state, multisector sustainability workforce.
“Many Indiana communities and organizations are prioritizing sustainability and resilience but need help making progress on their goals,” said Elspeth Hayden, ERI’s McKinney Climate Fellows program manager. “Over the last decade, undergraduate and graduate students from IU campuses across the state have proven they’re up to the task, implementing—and frequently leading—projects that boost community resilience, lower energy bills, reduce waste, and so much more.
“We’re honored to be recognized by Second Nature for the impact of this program and grateful for the long-term support of the McKinney Family Foundation and others for making it possible.”
