“Information, interaction, inspiration”

The Earth Charter Summit on Oct. 8 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art is an event about helping people stay optimistic and proactive in a time when some might be tempted to throw in the towel on environmental issues.

Environmentalist and author Ocean Robbins

“We want to connect people who are already doing good things in our community and those who are looking for things to do,” said Earth Charter Indiana President John Gibson. “We want to inspire hope in everybody who sizes up some of the difficulties locally, nationally and internationally and wonders what the future is going to be like.

“We’re dealing with some pretty serious things going on in the world. So we want people to come here and find some reasons for hope.”

The summit, which costs $15 and runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., includes a variety of workshops, discussion sessions, musical performances, visits to the galleries and grounds at IMA and a box lunch by Wolfgang Puck. This is the fifth time for the event in Indianapolis.

Acclaimed environmentalist and author Ocean Robbins serves as keynote speaker. He’s joined by artist Nancy Noel, musician Earth Mama and many others. “We hope the workshops help people connect lots of dots with art, nature and justice,” Gibson said. “It’s going to be a day of information, interaction and inspiration.”

And Gibson hopes the summit will be a day that brings more people to action. “Anybody who has asked themselves questions like, ‘What can I do about the things going on in the world?’ and who wants to connect with likeminded people will find this a comfortable way to get started,” he said.

A full event schedule and registration information are available at www.earthcharterindiana.org.