Environmental Kindness Scholarship

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the changes in my environment. I was raised in a low-income apartment complex, navigating the difficulties of a toxic household that often left me feeling isolated and unworthy. My escape was the lush woods surrounding the complex—a place where others saw danger, but I found sanctuary. In the canopy of trees, I cultivated a deep love and respect for the ecosystems around me. Those woods became my refuge, nurturing my connection with nature and inspiring me to become a tree hugger, a bug lover, and ultimately, an aspiring environmental scientist. Over time, however, I watched these ecosystems vanish, replaced by luxury housing developments that not only destroyed my natural haven but also drove up the cost of living, making it harder for my mother to support us. This experience ignited my passion for both ecosystem preservation and social equality. While this was the start of my journey, my dedication has only grown. As I learned more about the devastating impact humanity has on the environment and how our actions threaten countless species, I felt called to take action. This is why I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology—to equip myself with the knowledge and tools to not only advocate but also conduct research that contributes to the fight against climate change. My goal is to protect not just the species we are endangering but also humanity itself. Mother Nature has been my protector since childhood; now, it’s my turn to protect her. When I first began learning about global warming as an adolescent, I was terrified and overwhelmed. But instead of succumbing to fear, I channeled it into action, researching ways to reduce my carbon footprint. I’ve been a vegetarian for six years, which has significantly reduced my environmental impact—vegetarian diets cut carbon emissions by about 50%. I also began to make more mindful choices in my daily life, from reducing energy consumption by being conscious of power and water usage to embracing recycling and upcycling. I stopped wasting clothes, choosing instead to donate or repurpose them, and I now shop exclusively at second-hand stores. Not only is this sustainable, but it has also been a financial lifesaver. I love sharing my favorite plant-based recipes with friends or taking loved ones to thrift stores to introduce them to more sustainable lifestyles. Ultimately, I believe that education is the most powerful tool for change—the more I learn, the more I can share with others. In summary, environmental advocacy is my passion, rooted in a desire for equality. My purpose is to fight for a world where the environment and social justice go hand in hand. Protecting vulnerable ecosystems is as important to me as fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. Both are essential to creating a healthier, more just world.

The environment had always been there for me, and it was time I showed up for it. As someone who grew up in and around Atlanta, GA, I was a self-described city slicker. Though I enjoyed the benefit of urban green spaces now and then, I had never truly appreciated the beauty of nature until I went to college in rural Virginia. It was there that I fell in love with the stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant ecosystems that surrounded me. As I took my first hike and steered my first paddleboard, I sparked a newfound love for the natural world. Here, I kick-started my thorough passion for the environment. When I was in a world of confusion, my passion for the environment grounded me. In my first year of college, I could not settle on a major. Though I initially had intentions of pursuing chemistry, I learned early on that my heart was not in the subject. In my desperate search to find a pursuit, my introductory environmental studies course combined natural sciences and social sciences in nearly perfect harmony. Since then, I have followed my heart to complete my undergraduate degree in Environmental Economics. Upon graduation, I have been advocating on behalf of the environment, creating content for public consumption, writing articles to find creative policy solutions to environmental issues throughout the United States, and developing content to bolster resilience among other climate advocates through a podcast focused on distributing climate stories. Realizing that I need more education to properly protect the environment to the best of my ability, I am going back to school to complete a Master’s degree. I believe that a sustainable environment is crucial for our well-being and the future of our society. Through the "Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management" Master’s program I am joining in the fall, I hope to deepen my understanding of the complex relationship between the environment, energy, and society. I am eager to learn about innovative technologies and policies that can help combat climate change, promote sustainability, and preserve our planet for future generations. I also realize that I cannot fight for the Earth on my own. To my friends and family, I say that reducing your carbon footprint can start with small steps that will improve your life instead of feeling like sacrifices. First, I suggest maximizing your wardrobe by swapping clothes with friends and family members. This is a great way to refresh your wardrobe while reducing textile waste, a worthy tackle against fast fashion. Next, this one is especially directed at my parents: save yourself time and consider opting for electronic bills, receipts, and documents whenever possible. Go paperless and reduce your paper waste. Finally, when time allows, cook from scratch. Cooking from scratch not only reduces your carbon footprint by reducing packaging waste, but it's also a fun way to try out new recipes and flavors. I am grateful for the kindness that the environment shows me each day, and I believe that it is my duty to protect it. I hope that you will consider me for this scholarship so that I can continue to work towards a more sustainable future for all.

Since my interest in environmental science was sparked, I have found connections in all parts of my life that I had never known were there. I always knew that what I chose to eat effects the environment, but I never knew to what extent. I knew that cutting down trees contributed to climate change, but I never knew how vast the affects were. I knew about soil erosion and ocean acidification, but never understood enough to realize the implications. I plan to major in Environmental Studies or similar major, depending on specific programs, with a focus on Environmental Policy and Resource Management. I also plan to minor in Political Science in order to balance my education and better prepare myself for a career in environmental advocacy. As of now, I plan to also pursue a Masters Degree in Sustainability. I hope to work specifically in marine advocacy, but I am interested in all aspects of environmental studies and hope to gain as much knowledge as possible during my undergraduate and graduate studies. No matter what specific career I end up in, my major goal is to protect the planet's natural resources from overuse, pollution and destruction. I want to help build a more sustainable society where we as humans thrive without destroying the planet we rely on. My family has been working to reduce our impact since I started bringing home what I learned from environmental science class. We started watching documentaries and investigative movies about climate change and in turn, altered a lot of our habits to become less impactful. Advice that I give my friends that is easily replicable is to reduce your overall consumption of meat and start with a small goal like Meatless Mondays; to take shorter showers; focus on recycling; thrift new clothes and donate your old instead of buying new and throwing out the old; use reusable water bottles; avoid using plastic bags and either ask for paper or use reusable ones; source locally and buy from farmers markets and organic sources; and the last and truly easiest option is to subscribe to an environmental news source and keep up with how climate change is affecting the world. I always find myself surprised as to how little people really understand about the environment. I want to work in environmental advocacy for that exact reason: I want people to understand that they are not helpless in the saving the planet and I want to educate them about how they can have a positive impact. I strongly believe that I shouldn't have had to take AP Environmental Science before I understood how harmful humans are to the environment. I think the information and conversations about the environment should be more accessible and common. I want to be a part of the mission to inform people, protect resources, save species and heal the planet.