Overview
How do we talk about climate change—across scientific, faith and cultural divides?
Kick off this year’s Spirit & Place Festival with a virtual keynote and watch party featuring Katharine Hayhoe—Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, evangelical Christian and author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.
Embrace the spirit of community with food, fellowship and the chance to connect with event partners at our in-person watch party or bring that spirit to your place by connecting virtually. After Hayhoe’s keynote, join IU experts—online or in person—for interactive workshops exploring how to navigate tough climate conversations through dialogue, science and policy communication and improv.
Why a virtual keynote and watch party?
To reduce her carbon footprint, Hayhoe presents virtually. We’re pleased to offer both a communal in-person experience at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and an online Zoom option. All attendees will have a chance to explore what it means to talk—and listen—across divides.
Questions
Contact 317-274-2462 or festival@iu.edu.
Event Organizers
Presented by Spirit & Place, IU Environmental Resilience Institute, Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Indianapolis, IU Indianapolis Communicating Science Program, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Indiana and Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation.
Registration
Please register by October 23. Register Here.
More Event Details
- For online guests: While cameras won’t be on, you’ll have plenty of ways to join in! Use the Q&A function to engage with Katharine and then stick around afterwards for something special: a short, interactive session with a representative from the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their Constructive Dialogue work—practical, proven strategies for talking through the tough stuff. Curious about how to keep conversations open instead of shutting them down? You’ll walk away with a tool designed exactly for “important, complicated issues that can divide people.”
- For in-person guests: Arrive early at 5:30 p.m. for heavy hors d’oeuvres, live viola music by Colette Abel and a chance to mingle with our event partners before Katharine takes the virtual stage at 6 p.m. And don’t leave right after the talk—you’ll miss one of the evening’s most engaging experiences! Krista Longtin, IU communication expert and winner of Spirit & Place’s 2019 Award of Awesomeness (“A Faith Leader and a Scientist Walk into a Bar”), will lead a fun improv-based workshop that will get you laughing, connecting and reflecting on how to ask questions from genuine curiosity. You’ll practice communication skills that help build bridges and common ground, something we all need more of.