Back-to-School Solar
Happy Summer!
Here are some green updates and programs…
Duke pollutes & profits
Feeling the heat—and Duke’s rate hike? Carbon pollution is heating up our planet fast. And with longer, hotter heat waves, your electric bill climbs right along. Ka-ching! Duke is the largest carbon polluter in Indiana. Why? Because most of its electricity still comes from burning coal and gas. And Duke has no real plans to invest in affordable, clean energy. Why should they? They’re making big profits by keeping old, inefficient coal plants running—while we pay the price in higher rates and hotter summers. It’s a costly, dangerous cycle—and it won’t stop unless we take action. What can you do tobreak the heat loop—for our wallets, our health, and our childrens’ future?
· Use less electricity: Turn things off when you’re not using them.
· Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
· Learn about solar below —it’s one of the best ways to cut carbon emissions and protect yourself from future rate hikes.
Back-to-School Solar
Back-to-school is a time to invest in our students’ future! Climate change is a growing threat to that future—and we have a responsibility to act now, starting at school. The Carmel Clay School district is one of the largest energy users in our community, making it the largest sources of carbon pollution in Carmel. That gives our school district a powerful opportunity—and obligation—to lead on climate solutions. One of the smartest, most cost-effective steps our schools can take is to invest in solar energy. Schools across the country—and right here in Hamilton County—are already making the switch. Fishers, Noblesville, and Sheridan schools have installed solar to cut energy costs and reinvest those savings directly into classrooms. Solar also protects schools from rising utility rates, creates real-world STEM learning opportunities for students, and reduces the carbon emissions that threaten our students’ future. If other districts can do it, so can Carmel. Now is the time to lead. If you support solar for Carmel schools, please sign the survey.
Solar 101
Join us on Thurs. Aug. 21, 6 p.m. at the Carmel Library to learn about solar basics for your home or business. It’s the cleanest energy you can get, right where you need it. After it pays for itself, energy from the sun is free! And, it protects against future rate hikes, which will just get worse as utilities build new power plants to meet the voracious energy demand from AI data centers. Also, learn how to take advantage of the 30% tax credit which according to Trump’s big bill ends on Dec 31 (7 yrs early). Read more and RSVP.
Congratulations to the Earth Day art contest winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Earth Day art contest winners! Luna Deye (Kindergarten), Ayaana Saini (1st Gr), Hazel Bancroft (2nd), Pravindi Dharmarathne (3rd), Hunter Kramarz (4th), Shiloh Spring (5th), Aria Williamson (6th), Genevieve Spicer (7th), Simone Downer (digital art), Summer Hurm (Facebook favorite) and Hannah Holtsclaw (Solential award). We hope you’re inspired by their art and moved by their profound environmental messages, see their art here.
The art contest is a fun way to celebrate our amazing planet while learning about energy conservation and sustainable living! It’s a success thanks to remarkable community support. Many thanks to the teachers, parents, youth leaders for green teams, girl scouts and faith communities who worked with our young people on this important environmental education program. Thanks to our judges and the volunteers who make this program possible: Kelli Curnutt, Linda Lutes, Madeline Schiffman, Amanda Downer, Roger Hurlbyte, Sharon Carlino, Ashley Knox, Cindy Muse, Madelyn Zalon, Alexia & Richard Lopez, Darcie Williamson, Aishwarya Ram. Many thanks to our partners and sponsors: City of Carmel, Carmel Library, Carmel Parks, Muldoon’s, Girl Scouts, Alphagraphics, Beth Maier Photography, Needler’s Fresh Market, Solential, Telemon, CCA Gallery, Indiana Artisan Gallery, Carmel Arts Council. Many thanks to Mayor Finkam for recognizing the winners! And a huge, huge thanks to Linda Downer for managing the art contest and coordinating with everyone!
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
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