Carmel Green Initiative Newsletter – January 9, 2025
Happy New Year!
We hope your year is off to a great start. Here are some green updates, programs and events to make reducing your carbon footprint a priority in 2025. If we commit to rapid, sustained emissions reductions, we can still set younger generations on a path toward a safer, more stable climate future.
2024 Climate Review2024 is on track to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record, with the U.S. experiencing 24 billion-dollar disasters by November—one every 12 days on average, compared to 82 days in the early ‘80s. Hurricanes Helene and Milton were two of the most notable climate-fueled disasters of 2024. Helene carried record levels of moisture into the Carolinas, causing 500-, 1,000-, and even 10,000-year floods in some areas. Less than two weeks later, hurricane Milton intensified to Cat5, dropping 50 mbars in just 10 hrs due to record warm Gulf waters. Though damages from these storms are still being assessed, extreme climate events since the ‘80s have cost the U.S. over $1.4 trillion and nearly 7,000 lives. More intense and frequent disasters are occurring due to 1.2°C of warming caused by heat-trapping pollution. We need to take this very seriously. The 2024 State of the Climate report warns we’re on the “brink of an irreversible climate disaster.” The planet’s vital signs—rising air and ocean temperatures, along with melting ice sheets—are screaming emergency. Every fraction of additional warming worsens the crisis, pushing us closer to irriversible climate tipping points. These disasters highlight the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean energy. Yet in 2024, Duke Energy Indiana—the state’s largest climate polluter—proposed a rate increase that doubles down on coal and also proposed an energy plan with no clean energy investments for four years. These proposals, submitted to the IURC, would make extreme weather worse and push the world closer to tipping points; they show a callous disregard for our young people.
So what can you do?
Engage your KidsThe 2025 Earth Day Art Contest kicks off this week! This is one of our favorite community education programs to promote saving energy & sustainable living for kids and families. More than half of Carmel’s emissions come from electricity because Duke makes almost all (96%) of their electricity from burning fossil fuels. Learning about climate and energy savings is imperative for our children facing a changing world – the art contest is a fun way to learn! The contest is open to all Carmel youth grades K-8. Over 5,000 youth have participated over the years. Packets are available through Feb 7 and art entries are due Feb 14. Read more.
Stay Informed
The 2025 Indiana legislative session begins this week. It’s important to keep an eye on good bills such as community solar and bad bills such as a coal bailout.
Click here to see bills on the horizon.
Click here to find your legislators.
Click here for the new Hamilton County district map and contact info.
Meet your Legislators
The Onezone Eggs & Issues breakfast at the Bridgewater Club on 161st in Westfield is a good opportunity to get an update and meet with your legislators during the session. Let them know you care about sustainability and community solar. Registration is required.
Fri. Mar. 14, 8 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 25, 8 a.m.
Lobby for Renewable Energy
On Tues. Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Renewable Energy Day at the Statehouse will include a rally, renewable energy fair, a free lunch, and other activities. Throughout the event, supporters will meet with their legislators to urge them to support a renewable energy future. Read more and register.
Online training for Renewable Energy Day will be held on Tues. Jan. 14 at 12pm ET via Zoom. The webinar is designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to engage with your representatives effectively. You’ll hear from event organizers and partners about everything you need to prepare for Renewable Energy Day at the Statehouse. Learn more and RSVP
Learn about Solar Success StoriesJoin us on Thurs. Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Carmel library to learn about local solar success stories. This includes solar at Carmel’s library and water utility, as well as schools in Fishers, Noblesville and Sheridan, and solar carports at Capital Group! The discussion will be led by Carmel High School students, Howard Gu and Mira Nuthakki. Don’t miss this illuminating conversation! Read more and RSVP.
Learn about Solar for your Home or Business
Save the Date! Join us on Thurs. Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Carmel library to learn about solar basics for your home or business. Solar is the cleanest energy you can get, right where you need it and it protects against rising electricity rates. Read more and RSVP.
Easy Ways to Go Green
Make sustainability your top priority. Everything we do impacts our earth in some way. Change habits that will lessen your impact on our shared home. We can do this together! Here’s how to calculate your household carbon footprint and some easy ways to go green. In general, the big sources of carbon emissions for the typical household and business are electricity, transportation and CAFO beef.
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Sincerely,
Leslie Webb
President
Carmel Green Initiative
www.CarmelGreen.org
Become a member!