Making small, incremental steps was the message Tuesday, January 16, at the Indiana Statehouse as students, teachers, conservation allies and legislators celebrated the influence of the “Confront the Climate Crisis” team. This dedicated group of high school students is influencing even younger kids to get involved in environmental activism. Several of this group are high school seniors, including co-executive directors Rahul Durai of West Lafayette and Ashlyn Walker of Carmel
While the student’s Climate Solutions Bill was heard in the 2023 session and dismissed without a vote, leaders felt that the youths’ activism encouraged Governor Holcomb to accept the opportunity to begin planning for a State Climate Action Plan.
Representative Carey Hamilton asked for support for her two bills, HB 1172, Committee on climate resilience and economic growth and HB 1193, Community Solar Facilities in her quest for forward thinking smart development. Senator Shelli Yoder gave a big shout out to the youth for their activism in 2023 and reminded us that hope is our superpower and hope must be turned into action.
An 8th grade student shared how learning about climate impacts was a heavy burden until she asked a climate scientist if we can turn catastrophe around. “Yes!” was the answer she received. This encounter occurred during research for a play called “Dreamland,” a student created drama about the complex feelings our youth are experiencing about climate change. The play will be performed March 5 and 12 at the Athenaeum in Indianapolis. She shared that schools and community organizations can invite “Dreamland” to schools for a performance. Contact www.reactclasses.org.
Representative Chris Campbell of Lafayette emphasized the fact that pumping 100 million gallons of water a day to the LEAP project from the Wabash aquifer is not sustainable. Legislation needs to recognize the value of our freshwater sources and use them judiciously.
The only responsible thing to do in the face of climate change is to recognize that the problem exists. The supermajority at the statehouse has been reluctant to make that recognition, but each speaker encouraged every person present to make a commitment to stay the course, focus on the goal and help each other along the way.
As IFCL, we will continue to speak up for God’s creation. We ask you to carry that commitment with us.
Among the inspiration messages, Senator Fady Qaddoura reminded everyone of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now because I’ve been to the mountaintop… I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.”