OPINION: Catlin Gabel’s climate crusaders
By Tia Chakrapani ‘27
In the world we live in today, where climate change looms as a formidable threat to the future of our planet, there is an urgent need for the engagement of young minds like never before.
This generation stands at the forefront of the environmental challenges ahead, actively shaping sustainable solutions and advocating for meaningful change through their engagement in climate activism.
“Young people are the ones driving the climate movements,” said senior Eva Vu-Stern, a leader of the Environmental Action Team (EAT). “It is our future.”
Members of the Environmental Action Team have been working diligently to make a more sustainable school and community. Focusing on both projects within the school and our greater community, EAT is a student-run club with teacher advisors. They collaborate closely with other faculty and administrators, brainstorming practical solutions to confront the pressing climate issues of our time.
In an interview, EAT leaders expressed their motivation to join the team to drive substantial systematic change. They said students will care more about these issues if students are the ones leading the movement.
“It is powerful to be part of the movement as a student,” said Vu-Stern.
The leaders of EAT stated that they joined the team to make real systematic change. In the previous years and particularly during the trying times of the COVID-19 lockdown, it became apparent that Catlin Gabel School (CGS) was not making the rapid strides in tackling environmental issues that many had hoped for. Given CGS’s progressive culture, they felt that the school should be a leader in the environmental movement.
Therefore, the EAT has organized many school-wide projects, including the merch swap and collecting used markers to dispose of them properly, and these projects are only from this year.
Vu-Stern, along with EAT co-leaders and CGs juniors Teresa Walsh and Julia Chun, stressed that in the coming years, they anticipate more impactful environmental projects in our CGS community. EAT has a multitude of ideas to enhance the CGS community. All will be carried out, with the student body's best interests in mind.
“Change is needed right now,” said Walsh. There is no time to spare joining forces to address these pressing issues.
The EAT has big plans for the school’s new gym. “Solar panels are a very high priority,” said Sharon Keisor, the chief financial and operations officer at CGS. EAT is working with the school administration to make the new construction as environmentally friendly as possible.
The EAT is overflowing with enthusiasm to ignite tangible change, creating a ripple effect that will not only lift the CGS community but also light the way for future generations as a source of transformation and inspiration.
If you want to be a part of the environmental change at Catlin Gabel, email EAT@catlin.edu or go to their website TheEATWebsite, to learn about current projects and events to get involved.