Environmental Outreach & EducationIDEM Initiatives for Hoosiers

Environmental Education SymposiumJune 26, 2008

Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP CommissionerIN Department of Environmental Management

IDEM Mission Statement

IDEM’s mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment while allowing the environmentally sound operations of industrial, agricultural, commercial and government activities vital to a prosperous economy.

Pilot 2006 & 2008 Environmental Performance Index

Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy Yale University

Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN)

Columbia University

http://www.yale.edu/epi/

“Wealth correlates highly with EPI scores. But at every level of development, some countries achieve results that exceed their income-group peers. Statistical analysis suggests that good governance contributes to better environmental outcomes.”

Healthy Economy = Healthy Environment Both can exist together Neither can exist for long without the other

Future generations will need to know how to have that balance

Your role as educators is vital in helping students understand this balance

IDEM’s Performance Metrics

Increase the percentage of Hoosiers that live in counties that meet air quality standards

Increase the percentage of Combined Sewer Overflow Communities with approved programs to prevent the release of untreated sewage

Decrease the permit backlog (decrease the number of days it takes to issue a permit)

So where does Environmental Education fall in IDEM’s Performance Metrics?

It’s necessary in each metric!

We can’t have clean air and water unless everyone (businesses and citizens) takes responsibility for their part

To do this, we all need to understand what we could be doing better

For example, do Hoosiers know what they could be doing in their everyday lives to reduce air emissions? Do they know where the storm drain on their street empties?

Breaking Bad Habits

Currently, we spend a lot of time trying to convince adults to change bad or old habits

It’s much easier though to create good habits in children that last a lifetime

Environmental Education at IDEM

Educates children (starting good habits) and adults (breaking bad habits)

Focuses on Indiana specific environmental issues and priorities

Provides ideas for simple steps anyone can take at home, school, in the car, and at work to make a difference

Draws connections between personal daily choices and how the impact adds up when thousands of other Hoosiers make the same choices

How Is IDEM Protecting Hoosiers and Our Environment through Environmental Education?

Here are just a few ways…

Ozone KnockOut ‘08

Take the pledge to help your employees reduce ozone

Encourage carpooling Provide flexible

schedules Install bike racks

Be Air Aware

Provides simple steps to decrease air pollution and protect our health

Saves gas money, too!

Provides tips for your car, home, and work

Pollution isn’t just Rubber Duckies

Provides simple steps to reduce water pollution from households

Addresses contaminants that could flow down storm sewers

Fertilizers, trash, grass clippings, and more

Teaches that pollution from many households adds up fast

Use Your Brain, Don’t Pour it Down the Drain

What happens to things you pour down the drain? Where do they end up?

Provides safer alternatives for disposal of household chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and grease

Earth Day Challenge

IDEM partnered with Region V EPA to promote and help track local collection events for pharmaceuticals and electronic waste

During April, events around the state collected 305 pounds of pharmaceuticals and sharps

Hoosiers Care

Launched at Earth Day ‘08

1000 Citizens pledged to take simple steps at home to reduce their impact on the environment

1000 CFL bulbs were provided

Pledges will also be available at State Fair

Earth Week 2008

50 IDEM employees from across the state volunteered

80 schools participated in Earth Week

12,180 students participated in the two week event

1,151 adults participated in the programs

IDEM’s Environmental Education Curriculum

Indiana’s Environment and You is available for educators at no cost

Designed to help students recognize the importance of the environment

Students will gain an understanding of what can be done to improve the quality of our air, land, and water

IDEM Funding

School Recycling Learning Grants

Waste Tire Fund Recycling Market

Development Program Clean Water Act: Section

319(h) Grants Pollution Prevention

Grants

For information on any of these initiatives, stop by the IDEM booth.