News

ERI awarded $5 million to help disadvantaged communities expand tree canopy

Thursday, September 21, 2023

ERI has been awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help disadvantaged communities in Indiana enhance their resilience to climate change through expansion of urban tree canopies.Over five years, the project aims to spur a 20% increase in the number of Indiana cities and towns engaged in equitable planning and management of urban trees. The grant also provides funds for planting and maintaining 2,500 trees in disadvantaged communities.

IUPUI student’s climate action planning efforts recognized by NSA Crane

Friday, September 15, 2023

As a McKinney Climate Fellow, Trilus played a leading role this summer in researching and drafting a climate action plan for Naval Support Activity Crane, a heavily forested 64,000-acre site in south-central Indiana that serves as a shore command of the U.S. Navy. For his efforts, he received a formal letter of appreciation from NSA Crane Cmdr. Luis Martinez, plus insight into how sustainability and climate resilience align with U.S. Department of Defense goals.

Building a green talent pipeline: A Q&A with Kerry Korpela

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

As a McKinney Climate Fellow in 2021, Kerry Korpela helped institute a sustainability  framework for Fort Wayne City Utilities projects. Today, Korpela is playing a leading role in implementing Fort Wayne's recently adopted climate action and adaptation plan.

New ERI partnership aims to boost Hoosier communities’ access to solar

Monday, September 11, 2023

Through a new partnership, Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) is helping Hoosier communities improve their solar readiness and benefit from the economic and environmental gains offered by renewable energy. As a SolSmart engagement partner, ERI will connect Indiana local governments to no-cost technical assistance that lower barriers to solar adoption for businesses and residents. Disadvantaged communities, rural communities, and communities that have not previously participated in SolSmart are especially being encouraged to join the program.

ERI, IU students facilitate community conversations on climate risks

Tuesday, September 05, 2023

During a summer of extreme heat and record high global temperatures, six Indiana local governments held community workshops to better understand their vulnerabilities to climate change and make plans to reduce risks.Part of a year-long climate resilience planning effort led by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, the workshops served as a forum to gather input from residents about the risks posed by climate change impacts, such as heat waves and flooding, being experienced with increasing frequency.

Funding hub assists Hoosier communities applying for federal climate and resilience grants

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

During an active summer, the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub selected the first four partners to receive intensive grant writing support, with projects spanning community walkability, transportation safety, and public outreach related to watershed management. In addition, the hub provided information and assistance to dozens of other Hoosier entities, primarily nonprofits and local governments.

Building a green talent pipeline: A Q&A with Halee Griffey

Tuesday, August 08, 2023

When Halee Griffey started college, she dreamed of working abroad to improve the lives of people in other countries. A virtual exchange program, however, convinced Griffey that she could have just as much of an impact by staying closer to home and creating a sustainable future for the Midwest.

Photos: McKinney Climate Fellows' summer of sustainability

Tuesday, August 01, 2023

This summer, 40 McKinney Climate Fellows—Indiana University undergraduate and graduate students interested in sustainability career experiences—spread out across the state to help Hoosier organizations advance climate and resilience goals.

Building a green talent pipeline: A Q&A with Jonathon Lewis

Thursday, July 06, 2023

When Jonathon Lewis arrived at IUPUI as a freshman in 2018, he didn’t know what sustainability was. After learning about the concept on the first day of his college career, he embarked on a career path that led him to McKinney Climate Fellows and a full-time job as a sustainability professional in Indiana.

IU researcher receives NSF award to study carbon-trapping mineral systems

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

An Indiana University researcher is investigating critical geochemical processes that trap carbon dioxide in rock to better predict the potential for atmospheric carbon removal and storage at scale.Chen Zhu, a globally recognized geologist and professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, has been awarded $736,000 from the National Science Foundation to solve long-standing gaps in scientists’ understanding of CO2-water-rock interactions that naturally remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.