Indiana Youth And Environmental Policy

Photos by Chenyao Liu

It’s not every day that you see high schoolers writing legislation at the state level. But that’s what Confront the Climate Crisis is all about. Their most recent proposed bill, Senate Bill 335, got the public’s attention, and ultimately received a hearing at the statehouse.

Members of Confront the Climate Crisis have a front row seat for the hearing on their Climate Task Force bill, SB 335.

Confront the Climate Crisis, or CtCC, is a grassroots organization made up of high school students across the state. Their goal is to raise awareness about the issues facing the environment, and initiate specific action towards improving those issues in Indiana. Some of their projects have included community events, strikes, social media outreach and climate literacy programs. However, the main avenue to true reform is getting legislation passed in the General Assembly, the branch of the state government that makes bills into laws.  

But how does that work? CtCC is split into a few teams with separate but interacting roles, including internal relations, community outreach, event planning and legislation. The legislative team is where most of the political action happens. First, the team comes up with an idea for an effective policy. Then, as they refine and map out their idea, they reach out to government representatives and other organizations across the state for advice and support. 

“Before, I didn’t really think about how much of an effect that one person’s vote has on whether or not a bill goes into place, so I think it’s really interesting to learn about that,” Nassima Hamadou, a junior at Ben Davis High School and a member of the legislative team, said.

The bill in question here was Senate Bill 335, which called for the creation of a nine-person Climate Task Force in the state government that would “review issues related to sustainable and clean energy solutions.” It was drafted by the legislative team, and authored and supported primarily by Democratic Senator Shelli Yoder, along with Republican Senator Ron Alting and several others. Before it was accepted by the senators and submitted for review, it went through several revisions based on the criticism the legislative team received. 

“The language isn’t plain, but anyone with a decent understanding of the environment would understand what’s going on,” Hamadou said.

After a bill is authored, the next step is to receive a committee hearing, and finally, a vote on whether or not it should go into effect. The majority of bills do not get voted on, or even heard by a committee. This was the second year that CtCC had attempted to pass a bill for a climate solutions task force, and while they did not get a hearing last year, they heard from those that had rejected it and produced a new version that was more specific and better supported by experts. 

On Feb. 1, an event called ‘Act Now’ was held at the Indiana statehouse to raise support for SB 335. Speakers included state legislators, representatives from ally organizations like the League of Women Voters and the youth directors of CtCC. Following this gathering, they received great news that the bill was going to have a hearing on February 20th with the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee. CtCC began their hasty preparations; though they had been told that there wasn’t a real intention to vote on the bill, this hearing would make a much needed public statement.

CtCC students at the Feb. 1 event called Act Now.

“Even if it doesn’t [get a vote], our organization has grown so much and so many new people have decided to join, that I know this effort and this push is going to continue,” Co-Executive Director Chenyao Liu said. 

On the big day, an array of people testified for SB 335, led by Senator Shelli Yoder and CtCC Executive Directors Rahul Durai and Ashlyn Walker. A representative from United Autoworkers argued for the economic benefits of the bill and its ability to provide more jobs, while another representative from EDP Renewables called Indiana a “forward looking state” in terms of the potential to pass climate action. 

Climate experts also expressed their support, including Dr. Gabe Filippelli from Indiana University’s Environmental Resiliency Institute, whose research showed that 84% of people in Indiana are concerned about climate change, and Dr. Matt Huber from Purdue University, who stressed the reality of this issue as backed by science. Finally, SB 335 also found approval in the religious sector. Alexander Mingus, Associate Director of the Indiana Catholic Conference, discussed the “moral framework” surrounding a good relationship with the environment, as well as the importance of an investment in better health and well-being for all.

In total, the hearing lasted around forty-five minutes, and the small room was filled up with speakers, CtCC members, and other supporters. Despite the fact that the minds behind this bill are still in high school, the bill and its message have been taken seriously by the adults in government and elsewhere. The recent push by youth for climate action, while surprising for many, has also been encouraging. 

“It’s definitely showing our lawmakers that youth cares about the climate…We will work hard to get what we care about done,” Kye Benford, a junior at Lawrence North High School and another member of the legislative team, said.

Senator Shelli Yoder speaks in support of SB 335. Behind her, Ahan Bhattacharyya, a high school senior from Terre Haute, awaits his turn to speak.

As expected, SB 335 did not receive a vote. However, CtCC members remain proud of the progress they have made since last year, and the newly gained attention this effort has brought to environmental issues in Indiana. It usually takes numerous legislative sessions for a bill to pass, or even be voted on by a committee, and they are here to stick it out.

“We’re prepared to keep on going at this for years if that’s what it takes,” Liu said.

Editors note: Author Ana Rakita is a Reporter for YEPT; photographer Chenyao Liu is Director for YEPT; Raina Maiga, pictured above in the photo for Act Now, to the left, is also a Director for YEPT.