By Joe Ulery
Indiana News Service
INDIANAPOLIS — A new report from the Rural Climate Partnership revealed a significant climate impact on rural Americans, including more than one in five Hoosiers.
The report showed rural areas of the country contribute at least 36% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Maria Doerr, program officer for the partnership, said the emissions are primarily from electric power generation, agriculture and transportation. Despite the outsized effect on the environment, she pointed out rural regions receive minimal climate funding.
“The emissions are about the same for rural people but rural people are paying a lot more to get that energy,” Doerr emphasized. “It’s interesting to see through this study that disparities are not just around emissions, but also around economic opportunity and access.”
Doerr called for urgent investments to reduce emissions, transition to renewable energy and boost economic conditions in rural communities. She stressed the need for an inclusive approach to climate action.
According to the Rural Health Information Hub, Indiana ranks 37th in renewable energy production, with wind as the primary source, followed by solar and biomass. However, coal still dominates, accounting for 59% of the state’s electricity.
Doerr argued rural Hoosiers need to step up their own commitments to a cleaner environment.
“We need rural communities to be the leaders of change for themselves,” Doerr urged. “Because solutions will not work if they come from out of state or from the coastal cities, while also creating more local jobs, economic development.”
Indiana aims for 10% of its energy to come from clean sources by 2025 but currently stands at about 7%.
