West Lafayette high-schooler saluted for contributions to Indiana environment
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Rahul Durai, a junior at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School and a climate advocate, is a familiar face around the Indiana Statehouse.
Rahul, the co-executive director of Confront the Climate Crisis, a statewide youth-led climate action organization, is being honored for his advocacy as a 2023 Hoosier Resilience Hero in recognition of his contributions to Indiana’s environment.
The recognition comes from the Environmental Resilience Institute, whose mission is to create "environmental resilience and climate solutions by integrating research, education, and community."
Rahul is among 12 Hoosiers recently named as heroes "in recognition of contributions to their community and Indiana’s environment," according to a news release. The awards come in advance of Earth Day, annually held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Earth Day was first held on April 22, 1970.
"The 2023 Hoosier Resilience Heroes include professionals, students, and volunteers dedicated to climate policy, renewable energy, sustainable business practices, and more," the release stated.
At the Indiana Statehouse this session, Rahul worked to pass bipartisan climate legislation that acknowledges the threat of climate change to the state and establishes a task force to address it. His persistence prompted a hearing on the subject in February 2023, but the legislation was not taken up.
That disappointment did not dampen Rahul's passion for broadening his audience, "from students to state senators," educating them on carbon mitigation, sustainability, resilience and equity.
"Despite the roadblocks to (Confront The Climate Change’s) goals," the release stated, "Durai remains a source of positivity and inspiration to those who share his vision for a climate resilient Indiana."
The 2023 Hoosier Resilience Heroes
As described in the press release, this year's award winners are:
∎ Darrell Boggess, a volunteer with Solar Indiana Renewable Energy Network, who has contributed to hundreds of new solar installations in south-central Indiana.
∎ Jim Brainard, mayor of the City of Carmel, who has championed climate-friendly and sustainable initiatives over the course of his 27 years in elected office.
∎ Todd Cavender, director of environment and sustainability for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, who is pushing Indianapolis International Airport to the forefront of sustainability and advocating for new low-carbon solutions.
∎ Rahul Durai, a junior at West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School, who is rallying young Hoosiers in support of a sustainable future and engaged elected officials on climate legislation.
∎ Megan Eigsti and Maggie Holohan, medical students at Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, who developed curriculum for the medical community about the health threats posed by climate change.
∎ Dana Habeeb, an assistant professor at Indiana University Bloomington, who is helping communities make plans to protect residents from the public health threats posed by extreme heat.
∎ Mike Keen, managing partner of Hometowne Development LLC, who is leading sustainable redevelopment of a South Bend neighborhood and is a long-time advocate for resilient community practices.
∎ Julia Lowe, chairwoman of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, who has devoted herself to raising the environmental consciousness of her community, policymakers, and Hoosiers across the state.
∎ Tim Maloney, senior policy director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, who has dedicated his career to finding policy solutions to Indiana’s most pressing environmental problems.
∎ Allyson Mitchell, vice president of Mobile reCell, who has educated thousands of Hoosiers on circular economy principles and advanced sustainable initiatives in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
∎ Zuleyja Prieto, an heirloom seed preservationist, who has organized her community to grow and preserve heirloom corn varieties and educated others on the cultural value of corn to Indigenous and migrant cultures in northern Indiana.
∎ Connie Wachala, a founding member of Highland Neighbors for Sustainability, who has galvanized the local sustainability movement in Northwest Indiana and engaged with elected officials on the benefits of climate action.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette high-schooler saluted for environmental contributions
