The INdiana Sustainability Alliance (“INSA”), a
statewide network focused on sustainability issues, is responding to the
overwhelming response to its launch on February 7.
INSA’s first event was held on March 19, 2008 in
downtown Indianapolis and was attended by more than 100 people.
The event included a presentation by Dr. Michael
Walsh. Dr. Walsh is an Executive Vice President of Chicago Climate Exchange,
Inc., the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding
greenhouse gas reduction and trading program for all six greenhouse gases with
offset projects worldwide. CCX’s affiliated companies European Climate Exchange
and Chicago Climate Futures Exchange host markets for futures products based on
European Union carbon dioxide emission allowances and U.S. sulfur dioxide
emission allowances. Dr. Walsh spoke at the event about CCX and answered
questions from the crowd about the opportunities available to Indiana
organizations.
INSA also hosted special guest, Jeremy Harris,
former Mayor of Honolulu, who gave a dynamic presentation introducing the
issues. Mayor Harris is a prominent speaker on making cities and towns more
sustainable. Mayor Harris served for more than ten years as the Mayor of the
City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, the 12th largest city in the United States.
He retired from politics in January of 2005. Prior to becoming Mayor, Harris was
Honolulu’s longest serving Managing Director, a position he held for nine years.
Under Mayor Harris’ leadership Honolulu achieved worldwide recognition. During
his three terms as Mayor, Honolulu was recognized as one of the best managed
cities in the United States.
INSA steering committee members, Alex Forman and
Paul Jones elaborated on the mission of INSA and their plans to involve
individuals and organizations going forward. In addition to its founding
partners, other organizations, such as Indianapolis-based Clean Wave Ventures, a
venture fund focused on cleantech, and Indiana-based Knoefler Enterprises, a
real estate firm focused on sustainable development, have pledged support as
partners. INSA expects to add more organizations as partners in the days
following the March 19th event.