Happy New Year!

We hope your year is off to a great start.  Here are some updates, programs, and events to help go green in 2026. With shared commitment and smart choices, we can make meaningful progress for a cleaner, healthier, and more stable climate future for our kids and grandkids.

2025 Climate Review
The 2025 State of the Climate report warns that we’re heading toward climate chaos. Carbon pollution continues to heat the planet and intensify extreme weather, with 2025 tying 2023 as the second hottest year on record. Record-high ocean temps triggered the largest coral bleaching event ever recorded, damaging 84% of the world’s reefs and potentially pushing them past a tipping point. Record-low ice in Greenland and Antarctica raises concerns about tipping points that could lock in meters of long-term sea-level rise.  The U.S. experienced 23 billion-dollar weather disasters, including devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in January, and even Carmel felt the impacts with a damaging tornado in April. 

Despite these harmful impacts on Americans, the president signed an executive order to boost coal and eliminated the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Here in Indiana, Duke Energy raised electricity rates to keep aging coal plants running and announced plans for a new fossil-fuel gas plant—without investing in clean, affordable energy. As the state’s largest carbon polluter, Duke profits while families pay the price through higher rates, hotter summers, and more extreme weather. We can break this costly and dangerous cycle to save money and protect our community. Use less electricity by turning things off when not in use and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and lighting. And learn about solar—clean energy that can lower bills and protect against future rate hikes. Here are some things you can do?  

Empower your Kids
The 2026 Earth Day Art Contest is our favorite sustainable living program for kids. More than half of Carmel’s carbon emissions come from electricity because Duke makes practically all (96%) of their electricity from burning fossil fuels and the push for data centers means electricity will get more and more expensive.  Learning about saving energy and caring for our earth is really important for children facing a changing world – the art contest is a fun way to learn this!  The contest is open to all Carmel youth grades K-8.  Packets are available through Feb 6 and art entries are due Feb 11.  Read more.

Stay Informed
The 2026 Indiana legislative is underway and it’s a “short” session so bills will move super fast!   These are great resources to help you track good and bad bills: Citizen’s Action Coalition (energy & utility bills), Hoosier Environmental Council (environmental bills) and Solar United Neighbors (solar bills).  HEC also puts out a very helpful Saturday newsletter.
Click here to find your legislators. 
Click here for the Hamilton County district map. 

Solar Bills
There are good solar bills to support for plug-in solar SB74 (Sen. JD Ford) & HB1084 (Rep. Carey Hamilton) and for community solar SB196 (Sen. Walker). These bills would give families clean, affordable energy options. Unfortunately, the utility lobby discourages lawmakers from even giving these bills a hearing. So make sure your legislator knows you want a fair hearing.  Solar United Neighbors has an easy way for you to do that!  
Read more and contact your state reps.  

Renewable Energy Day
On Tues. Jan. 20, Renewable Energy Day at the Statehouse will include a rally, renewable energy fair, a free lunch, and other activities. Connect with fellow Hoosiers committed to clean, affordable energy and meet with lawmakers to urge them to support clean energy policies.  Read more and register.

Data Center Bills
On Wed. Jan. 21, join Purdue, Citizens Action Coalition, White River Alliance and the Hoosier Environmental Council for a panel discussion on the impact data centers have on our electric bills, our water supply and the quality of life in local communities. Learn about data center bills this session.   Read more and register.

IU Sustainability Conference
On Friday, Feb. 6, join IU’s Sustainability Conference in Bloomington to hear from special Keynote Speaker Gina McCarthy and learn about the latest developments in climate resilience! The conference will showcase experts, with training on a variety of topics for creating a healthy, sustainable and resilient future for Indiana! You’ll connect with and be inspired by fellow climate leaders, sustainability professionals, scholars, and advocates.  Learn more and Register.

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.

Composting Made Easy
Composting is an easy way to go green. Keeping organic waste out of landfills reduces methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas. Carmel Utilities has partnered with Earth Mama to offer residents a $5 monthly discount. For $15 per month, you’ll get composting supplies, education on what can be composted, and convenient pickup. This new partnership supports Carmel’s Climate Action Plan and reflects strong community interest in sustainable, cost-effective solutions.  Learn more.

JOIN US
100% of your membership supports CGI’s many free programs. Become a member today 🙂   

Sincerely,
Leslie Webb
President
Carmel Green Initiative
Become a member!