Hope in Action: ECI’s 10th Annual Climate Leadership Summit
The author is a Junior at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a Director for YEPT.
In a world of climate uncertainty, between policy and peers, over two hundred passionate climate leaders assembled this September in Indianapolis, Indiana, for a day of professional, social, and societal development at the 10th annual Climate Leadership Summit.
Earth Charter Indiana, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainability, hosted the summit at Ivy Tech College, bringing together students, city leaders, and community partners. The convention was an inspiring affair, uniting like-minded climate advocates who might otherwise be strangers. Grace W., a Senior at Munster High School in Munster, Indiana, said, “Networking with sustainability professionals [at the conference] was enlightening, allowing me to connect professional ideas on climate action to my community.”
The 10th anniversary was more than a milestone, it was a reflection of Earth Charter Indiana’s impact. Over the past decade, the Climate Leadership Summit has grown to be a statewide affair. Along the way, in its other programs and initiatives, Earth Charter Indiana has awarded over $300,000 in grants to Indiana schools for sustainability projects, hosted climate camps to engage youth, and helped cities and schools develop sustainability plans of their own. [Editors note: In fact, YEPT is a program of ECI.]
Board members and staff of ECI enjoy a break between sessions. Provided photo.
During the summit there were nine presentations, with topics from energy efficiency to household solutions to climate change. I had the privilege of attending two: Climate Dashboard and Simple for Cities, Hope for Households. The Climate Dashboard session, led by just-graduated Indiana University student Sarah Gardiner, introduced an online resource for schools and municipalities hoping to begin their own Climate Action Plans. The Dashboard is a reliable, optimistic resource of climate information, with useful statistics, and explanations of important local solutions.
Dashboard creator Sarah Gardiner, a student from the McKinney Climate Fellows program, says, “We wanted to create a useful resource for climate advocates, without the pessimistic charge from climate sources in modern day.” And that she did! Her resource will soon become an important tool for climate leaders across Indiana, including youth. Grace W. noted, “The tool’s ability to use current climate action plans to inspire other communities is hope for our school and others.” [Editors note: Sarah Gardiner was a student in the McKinney Climate Fellows program at IU, and ECI receives funding from the McKinney Family Foundation.]
But it wasn’t just the illuminating presentations that created the resilient atmosphere of the conference, it was the people that led it. Shannon Anderson and Jim Poyser, two of the most dedicated climate advocates in Earth Charter Indiana-and even across Indiana, fostered an optimistic environment, while also highlighting the struggles faced against modern climate advocacy. [Editors note: Jim Poyser is adult advisor for YEPT.]
Sustainability professionals from Richmond, Bloomington, Indianapolis and Evansville discuss challenges and successes. Provided photo.
As the day came to a close, participants left with new knowledge, but also with a sense of community. The Climate Leadership Summit was more than a conference, it was a reminder to all climate advocates that there is hope in our future.
For me, the Climate Leadership Summit was a realization of why I advocate for the environment. I was inspired to learn from climate passionate people, like Sarah Gardiner and Grace W., who showed me that hope of our climate future can be tangible through advocacy, communication, and sharing Earth Charter Indiana’s purpose with others. Also, being able to speak with other high school students was comforting and has helped me feel supported by a youth community in the fight for climate advocacy that can otherwise be lonesome.
My hope is that the passion and resilience built at the Climate Leadership Summit grows beyond the ECI community, towards individuals and communities who might otherwise be oblivious to the threats inflicted on our environment. Although the threats to our climate grow each day, with the impacts of climate change and current legislation, the Climate Leadership Summit has instilled faith that joint climate advocacy can lead us into a bright future for our Earth.
Hope in Action: ECI’s 10th Annual Climate Leadership Summit © 2025 by Youth Environmental Press Team is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visithttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
