BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University Bloomington will launch its inaugural IU Climate Week from Sunday, Nov. 8, through Saturday, Nov. 14, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members for a campus-wide series focused on science-informed, equity-centered environmental solutions.
Organized by the Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) with support from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and additional campus partners, the week features academic seminars, research presentations, and community discussions exploring local and global environmental challenges.
Event Highlights
The week’s lineup includes key sessions featuring university leaders, researchers, and policy experts:
Webinar: What’s Happening at COP31? Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Online)
Members of an IU delegation participating as observers and researchers at the United Nations’ 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, will discuss the stakes of global negotiations and share initial observations from the international summit.
Ostrom Research Series: Investment Decisions for Future Generations Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | The Ostrom Workshop (513 N. Park Ave.)
Monika Foltyn-Zarychta, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland, will present research on climate investment criteria, intergenerational justice, long-term discounting, and cost-benefit analysis.
Environmental Justice Symposium: Universities and the Climate Crisis Thursday, Nov. 12 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | O’Neill School First Floor Commons
Featured speaker Shalanda Helen Baker—inaugural Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action at the University of Michigan and former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity—will discuss energy justice, the Justice40 framework, and the role higher education plays in advancing equity.
Environmental Policy Seminar: The Next Chapter of U.S. Federal Climate Policy Thursday, Nov. 12 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | O’Neill Graduate Center
Kevin Rennert, director of the Comprehensive Climate Change Program and Federal Climate Policy Initiative at Resources for the Future, will discuss domestic low-carbon energy policies, energy infrastructure development, and emissions reduction strategies.
Call for Community Event Proposals
Campus departments, student organizations, and local groups are invited to submit new or existing environment-focused events to be included in the official IU Climate Week schedule. The proposal submission deadline has been extended through Friday, Oct. 16. Interested organizers can submit event details via the ERI Qualtrics portal or contact ERI Engagement Coordinator Marie Renahan for additional information.
