A complex problem– on a large scale– I would choose to tackle is climate change. I know I am no scientist or engineer, so although I cannot directly try to reverse climate change, I want to focus on the issues that contribute to climate change.

My problem pitch for Gateway to University Honors was sustainability. My group decided to take this big umbrella topic, and reduce it down to sustainability on a local, smaller level. We chose the University of Cincinnati’s sustainability efforts to focus on. We interviewed UC Sustainability, our approach was focused on how one of the biggest fallbacks with sustainability efforts is student participation.

Apathy of the student body– and on a bigger level, apathy of the world’s citizens– is a huge factor contributing to climate change. So, the complex problem I would really tackle is student participation in sustainable actions. Although I know that corporations, the fashion industry, and the meat industry are the biggest contributors to human-caused climate change, I am only one 18 year old girl. Those are bigger goals for possibly the future. But what I believe is: you start local, you get global. Small, sustainable, goals are where I will start.

I would choose this topic because ignoring this topic will not do any good. I think a big reason for why so many people are apathetic towards climate change is because people think that if they do not care about it, or if they do not live sustainably, they will not be affected by the harms of climate change. It is a big denial-based thing. It involves a lot of cognitive dissonance and pretending the problem does not exist so that the problem does not harm you.

Politicians (especially American ones) have made climate change a political problem even though it should not be. People like to pick and choose where science matters, but this is an important issue. We are ruining our Earth, and we only get one. We cannot depend on future people fixing the problem or shipping us off to Mars, we need to focus on not worsening our current problems. I am very passionate about sustainability and the power of individuals, and that is why this is a topic that I will focus on. The state of the Earth affects all of us, and if something bad ultimately happens to it, I can rest easy knowing that I took steps in the right direction.

I would begin my work with sustainability & students by working with Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection, which is a student organization that is exactly what it sounds like. I was elected as secretary for the upcoming year, so I would love to get involved in setting up educational events for students interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle. The organization was not as big as I had hoped it would be last year, but it has a lot of potential, and I think it should get more out onto campus rather than sticking just to their weekly meetings.

Starting my junior year, I plan to start my coursework for my environmental studies minor, since I will be finishing up with my marketing degree. This adds to my education and understanding of environmental issues. Environmental issues start to become not only something I am interested in, but something I legitimately study.

I would also like to volunteer or do paid work with UC Sustainability. I had a roommate this past year who worked for UC Sustainability, and she loves the work she does. I would love to help them get more involved on campus and help them to bring together LEAP, Fossil-Free UC, and other sustainable/environmental organizations. I would also be helping directly with sustainable initiatives.

This past year, I prepared myself to take these future steps by doing a few different things. When it comes to university-based things, I officially declaring environmental studies as a minor and I went to LEAP meetings almost every week (and running for the executive team).

I made personal choices that were sustainable like taking shorter showers, not buying new clothes, using a reusable water bottle, not wasting food, and having a recycling bin in my dorm. I also had rather apathetic roommates, and that apathy helped me to start my outward advocacy. I have a bit of experience now in telling other people why we should live sustainably, why climate change matters, etc. I am now ready to expand this advocacy to people I do not know.

It all starts with just one person. I never want my passion for sustainability to be just a personal choice. People should feel encouraged and incentivized to be sustainable, educate themselves, and take accountability. I am ready to take steps in the right direction. The Earth is not getting any younger, and neither am I.