Make wishtv.com your home page

Students to voice climate change concerns at Indiana Statehouse

Students to voice climate change concerns at Indiana Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Students from local high schools will have an opportunity to voice concerns at the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday while legislators are in session. 

State Representative Carey Hamilton is no stranger to this kind of work. She has been a strong advocate of climate action even before her time in politics. 

Hamilton shared a statement with News 8 ahead of the event. 

“I have been inspired by youth climate leaders across our state and wanted to put together an event to lift up their ideas and let them know that I’m doing my small part as a state representative to hand off a planet where they can breathe the air, drink the water and live without fear of the next big natural disaster,” said Hamilton. 

The student’s event schedule is below: 

  • Youth Climate Action Day Welcome (12 p.m.)
  • Brown bag lunch and cookie bar (12:10 p.m.)
  • Press conference (1 p.m.)
  • House session begins (1:30 p.m.)
  • Rep. Hamilton delivers Climate Action Resolution (1:40 p.m., approx.)  
  • Lesson on how to write a letter to your state legislator (2:00 p.m.)
  • Students watch part of the legislative session on the House floor (2:30 p.m.)

Students will also watch Hamilton deliver her climate action resolution, during which she will discuss three bills. 

  • House Bill 1227 – would repeal the supplemental fee to register an electric or hybrid vehicle.
  • House Bill 1228– would restore net metering for renewable energy, eliminating the rollbacks in 2017’s Senate Enrolled Act 309.
  • House Bill 1415 – would help communities across Indiana build climate resiliency by facilitating investments in stormwater management. This bill authorizes a county surveyor to use best management practices for regulated drains in certain circumstances.