This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Student Climate and Conservation Congress, in West Virginia, also known as Sc3, hosted by the Greens Schools Alliance. I learned about the program from The Green Dean of Fieldston, Mr. Howie Waldman, when he informed members of the environmental club. With 2023 announced as the hottest summer on record and a drastic increase in wildfires and hurricanes, we all have the responsibility to get educated on how to help alter the course of climate change to preserve our planet for us and future generations. Consequently, I chose to take my part by attending Sc3, which not only turned out to be a fantastic way to learn and collaborate with other high schoolers concerned about the planet’s future but to also have fun and make new friends. The week-long program included classroom learning with prominent environmentalists, hands-on workshops, and group presentations on specific climate solutions.
One of our speakers was River Guide Mike, also known as River Rat Mike, who spoke about the importance of caring for the Potomac River, connecting to nature, and the vicious cycle of overconsumption, which is a significant cause of pollution. The day after his lecture, Mike took us kayaking, and as we floated down the Potomac River, he led us in a moment of silence to help us learn how to connect with nature. The next day, another environmentalist ran a workshop in which we learned to identify whether a specific body of water or area was polluted. We spent an afternoon looking under the rocks of the Potomac River, and by examining the type of creatures that live beneath them and their sensitivity to pollution, we were able to conclude that the Potomac River is relatively clean.
In Sc3, we also spent a reasonable amount of time in the auditorium learning about the climate crisis and possible solutions from different speakers. We heard from Pete Dominick, a comedian, who filled the hall with giggles while teaching us the importance and ease of only using one paper towel to dry our hands. Ryan Harvey, a musician who played folk songs with upbeat tunes and lyrics underlying the urgency and importance of climate change, demonstrated the impact of protest music. He also told us how some nights he would only have ten people listening to him play in his basement, but those ten people were just as important to him as any huge crowd for which he had performed. We all can apply his lesson to our everyday lives. We do not have to be online preaching to thousands of people about climate change; we do not need a big platform to make a difference. If we engage and inform ten people, we can still have a significant impact as they can create a domino effect and spread the information to many more.
Some of the other speakers that we listened to were Mamie Parker, a biologist who worked as a senior executive in the federal government as the Fish and Wildlife Services, as Chiefof Staff and also Assistant Director of Habitat Conservation/Head of Fisheries, and Alejandro Morales Fast Horse, a specialist in Native American Partnerships and Native Environmental Science. We also met Casey Clemens, who showed us a slideshow and led a discussion on the effect of the meat industry on climate change. Other speakers, such as Rodney Stott, who brought his owl to the lecture, and Mr. Hoot, addressed different aspects of the climate crisis and discussed the existing solutions that can be applied to resolve them.
Much of our time at Sc3 revolved around the research for our final group projects: Green Technology and Economy, Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture, Education, Environmental Justice and Conservation. The different group presentations essentially aimed to answer the big questions: What is environmentally sustainable, and what changes need to be made in the future? These projects were mainly student-run with some help from our knowledgeable counselors and were not only an excellent opportunity to learn but also to enhance our public speaking skills. Before we selected our topic, we went through the process of “pollination,” where, for almost 8 hours over two days, we walked in between rooms designated for specific topics. Walking through the hall, popping into the different classrooms, buzzing with ideas from fellow students, helped pollinate a beautiful garden of hope.
Our group presentation was on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture. We focused on bringing awareness to nine problems and their solutions. My presentation was on ocean farming. Through my research, I learned and could share with my peers that ocean farming is a polyculture system that grows many species side by side, mimicking the natural balance ecosystem, and does not require fresh water, fertilizers, or pesticides. Ocean farming has multiple benefits as it provides new seafood sources for the high-demand industry, dietary alternatives for meat, ingredients for cosmetics, an alternative to plastics, and creates jobs. In addition, ocean farming can offer a more nutritional diet for cows by replacing corn, which reduces land usage. I expanded my knowledge through research on my topic. I also had the opportunity to hear many fascinating presentations on numerous issues regarding the challenges we face today and how to address them.
Sc3 was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. I remember thinking how amazing it is to be surrounded by people passionate about a common interest who can share knowledge and learn from each other. At this point in the climate crisis, recycling and turning off the light is not enough. I feel that no matter what path we take in life, being an environmental scientist or activist or channeling in entirely different directions, we all have to become a part of the future fight against global warming and take charge of the course of climate change to save our home planet Earth. An excellent first step would be to join the environmental club at Fieldston, which will provide many opportunities and may even lead you to the country roads of West Virginia and to the Student Climate and Conservation Congress.
