Indiana’s Monroe County Adopts Historic Climate Resilience Plan to Combat Climate Change
Monroe County Government in Indiana achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first county in the state to adopt a Climate Resilience Plan (CRP). On February 27, the Monroe County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a CRP. This groundbreaking initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing climate vulnerabilities at the local level.
The CRP is the result of exceptional collaborative efforts. IU McKinney Climate Fellows Victoria Seest, Haider Attiq, and Todd Miller wrote most of this plan, and their work was instrumental in bringing this plan to a vote. Indiana University O'Neill School master students Madison Luna, Maegan Brejnik, and Reagan Robinson served as editors of the CRP; their work brought new information and insights to improve the CRP. The work does not stop with this historic vote.
The newly established Monroe County Resilience Commission will take on the crucial task of implementing over 100 action items outlined in the CRP. This commission will bring together County staff and community leaders, creating a diverse team with the skills and knowledge necessary to turn planning into tangible results in our community. This collaborative approach ensures that those results will be comprehensive and responsive to Monroe County resident's needs.
I recently highlighted the success of Monroe County's climate initiatives at the 2025 Indiana Sustainability and Resilience Conference (ISRC) organized by the IU Environmental Resilience Institute. The conference demonstrated the growing commitment to environmental action across Indiana, with passionate Hoosiers from throughout the state gathering to share concerns and solutions for our planet's future. This impressive showing of environmental dedication comes at a critical time, providing a counterbalance to regressive cuts in staffing and budgets at federal agencies EPA, DOJ, NOAA, and more. The enthusiasm and determination displayed at the ISRC underscore that local and state-level action remains strong despite federal challenges. Join me next year at the 2026 ISRC on the IU ERI website or by following ERI on social media.
Monroe County's leadership in climate resilience planning serves as an inspiring model for other communities looking to take meaningful action on climate change. Through collaborative planning, community-driven implementation, and active participation in wider sustainability networks, Monroe County is demonstrating that effective climate action can begin at the local level.
