Clubs bring environmental focus to Lab community
April 24, 2019
Young people around the world are taking action to raise awareness and push for solutions to climate change. At U-High, students in Green Team and the Sustainable Oceans Alliance are spearheading the effort to make environmentalism a focus.
The Green Team members work for a sustainable community and promote environmental awareness. The club’s recent focus has been on composting. Club members have rebuilt the compost bin and now take out the compost on a daily basis. Members have also participated in Artsfest and Social Justice Week.
President Nikita Kumar said she feels that what matters most to the club is community improvement. I think a lot of people at Lab would say they care about the environment, but for us, it’s about demonstrating that right here. — Nikita Kumar, Junior
“I think a lot of people at Lab would say they care about the environment, but for us, it’s about demonstrating that right here,” Nikita said. “A lot of the current environmental situations are upsetting, but that’s why we exist, to educate and motivate people about these issues.”
The Sustainable Oceans Alliance is a nationwide organization founded in 2015. Nikhil Patel and Kepler Boonstra formed a chapter of the organization at Lab in 2017. The organization is dedicated to protecting and conserving the ocean, with the U-High chapter having an additional focus educating people about the pollution of Lake Michigan.
Kepler said he and Nikhil wanted to form the club at Lab to make students aware of the dangers that the oceans face as well as the irresponsible use of plastic at the school. The pair also hoped that the club could help those students who wanted to protect the environment find something to do.
“I think to us, plastic pollution and global warming are the two most important, detrimental issues occurring right now,” Kepler said. “They both lead to unbalanced ecosystems and affect our lives as well.”
He added that while very person may not experience climate change in the same way, it is having a global impact.
He said, “I personally get a little annoyed when members of the community justify or say global warming doesn’t exist because ‘the temperatures were below average’ or stuff like that.”
Club meetings mainly consist of planning lake cleanups and other events.
During fall quarter, the Sustainable Oceans Alliance sold $1,311 worth of reusable straws. Members plan to host lake cleanups throughout this spring and summer as well as partner with other environmental clubs.
Kepler said that the work of groups like Sustainable Oceans Alliance is part of a larger, generational trend.
“I think generally our generation is doing a really great job with getting involved with environmentalism,” Kepler said, adding that Lab has other environmental clubs like Green Team and Wildlife Conservation Club. “I think this demonstrates that there are a lot of key people willing to make change.”