For three consecutive summers, record-breaking droughts have hit Indiana’s economy hard. Watering bans, devastating crop yields and fewer people able to take advantage of Indiana’s recreation opportunities have resulted. The heat isn’t just inconvenient for Hoosiers, it has also hurt Indiana’s businesses and industries.

Paul Douglas, a nationally-prominent meteorologist will deliver the keynote address of Greening the Statehouse, Indiana’s largest gathering of environmental advocates, which is annually organized by the Hoosier Environmental Council.  Douglas, who will speak on December 1st, will share his journey from skeptic to someone convinced in human contributions to climate change. Douglas will provide critical insight into this major environmental issue from a meteorological perspective.

“In the backdrop of Indiana’s record drought and declines in several of our state’s critical drinking water supplies, HEC has chosen to focus this year’s theme on climate change,” notes Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC). “We’re excited that Paul Douglas, who takes a no nonsense approach to climate change, will be our keynote speaker.  Douglas has been passionate about re-engaging Republicans, who once worked alongside Democrats on climate change issues, to show needed policy leadership on this far-reaching issue.”
The Hoosier Environmental Council’s 2012 Greening the Statehouse Forum is a day of learning and engagement about Indiana’s most pressing environmental issue. The event will be held at the University of Indianapolis, Schwitzer Student Center – UIndy Hall, on Saturday, December 1 with the keynote speech at 9:30 am.

In addition to Douglas, the Forum will include panels of legislators and policy-makers who will address some of Indiana’s most important environmental improvement opportunities, including public transit, clean energy jobs and environmental justice. The event will close with an interactive discussion about community engagement by advocates across the state, along with students from several Indiana universities and colleges.

“Whatever someone’s political persuasion, Greening the Statehouse will empower our attendees with information and tools to make an impact in improving our air, water and land quality, and in creating more sustainable communities,” continued Kharbanda.

Registration for Greening the Statehouse is $20 general admission and $10 for students. But, those who register by October 31 receive a $5 savings on registration. To register, visit http://www.hecweb.org/2012/09/28/save-the-date/

The HEC Greening the Statehouse Forum is made possible by generous donations from:
Mann Solar Energy Systems, Cummins, Chipotle Grill, League of Women Voters, BlueGreen Alliance, Carmel Green Initiative, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads, Improving Kids’ Environment, Edible Indy Magazine, Indiana Recycling Coalition, Indiana Public Health Association, Save the Dunes, and anonymous gifts from long-standing HEC donors.