For DonorsFor Applicants

SmartSolar Sustainability Scholarship

Funded by
$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Apr 1, 2023
Winners Announced
May 1, 2023
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Habits:
Making sustainable everyday choices

There is no greater threat to our lives and our livelihood than climate change. 

Modernity itself was built on cheap energy from fossil fuels but now those fuels are responsible for an ecological catastrophe. You can help solve the most pressing issue of our time, and SmartSolar wants to help you on that mission.

SmartSolar believes in living sustainably—and that doesn’t mean giving up the comforts of life! There are small choices we can make each day that won’t have a negative impact on the earth, and we want to reward one student who strives to make these good choices.

This scholarship seeks to support motivated students who actively fight against climate change and have goals for how to combat it in the future.

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who makes sustainable everyday choices may apply for this scholarship. 

To apply, tell us what you think is the most impactful way to combat climate change and how you strive to fight climate change in your life.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published October 27, 2022
Essay Topic

What do you think is the most impactful way to combat climate change? In what ways do you strive to fight climate change in your life?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Misha Dilmaghani
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences-JoplinBoca Raton, FL
As we live and breathe today, our planet stands slowly withering away. Big oil and production companies thrive economically at the expense of our future. While this truth is gradually causing our demise, we can change course. The beauty of our democracy is that we have a voice. The most impactful way to combat climate change is by making our voices heard by those in power. It was 2017, and the powers in Washington had just withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. We were no longer part of the collective nations that would promise to reduce our Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. As a South Floridian, I was outraged. GHG emissions are responsible for increasing our water temperatures. This has singlehandedly destroyed the Florida Keys' abundant coral reefs. Coral reefs are not only breathtaking, but they are home to millions, if not billions, of sea creatures. Coral reefs have the most abundant ecosystems, and because of climate change, only 1% of our beautiful coral reefs remain intact. If there was any time to fight against climate change, it was now. So I gathered my classmates and banded together to make our voices heard. First, we wrote letters to send to our congressional representatives and the Governor of Florida. We sat in a circle, expressing our emotions and providing compelling facts about climate change and the future of Florida's economy. Then, we labeled and sent our letters to our local representatives. A few months passed, and I had yet to hear a word. Then, just as I was about to lose hope, I received the first letter back from Congresswoman Lois Frankel. Ms. Frankel expressed her concern along with mine. She informed me of the legislation being put into place in the state of Florida to fight climate change. Lois Frankel sponsored H.Res.1145, which is a resolution put into place to recognize and accept the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in the special report on the impacts of global warming and express the sense that immediate action by Congress and the Administration is needed to reduce greenhouse gases. In her letter, she gave me other ideas to participate in democracy and make my voice heard on this issue, like rallying and speaking on social media. To know that our tiny voice could garner impact was the reassurance I needed to keep fighting against climate change. So, in addition to speaking to my local representatives, I started attending community rallies, minimized my personal waste consumption, and reduced my meat intake. I will continue to strive to fight climate change by making my voice heard and turning my words into action.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 1, 2023. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2023.