Community emerged as the common thread woven throughout the Fate of the Earth Symposium, held in the MSU Union Ballroom from March 26 to March 27. The second annual conference, organized by MSU’s Environmental Science and Policy Program and the Office of Sustainability, focused on sustainability, whereas the first conference was centered on water systems.
The symposium featured final presentations for the Be Spartan Green Challenge, which showcased Michigan State students’ ideas to create a more sustainable campus. Finalists first entered the challenge by submitting a proposal addressing a sustainability issue they noticed MSU has overlooked. They then presented their ideas before a panel of MSU faculty judges, who evaluated each solution to determine the winner of the $1,000 prize.
The judges’ winning solution addressed RHS's recycling problem by converting closed and abandoned trash rooms in dorms into recycling rooms, making recycling a more convenient option for residents.
Aside from the winning proposition, there was also a people’s choice award voted on by the symposium’s attendees. This award went to journalism freshmen Amelia Hachenski and Samantha Plunkett, who proposed reducing dining hall food waste by placing leftover refrigerators in dorm hall lounges.
“Food is energy, and I feel like that should be accessible to all students across campus, and even students living off of campus,” Plunkett said. “Food insecurity is something that I think I'm really passionate about because everyone should have that same opportunity to have the energy to get through their day, to get their education, to do all the things that they need to accomplish.”
In addition to the challenge, a panel of recent alumni answered questions about what they’ve learned about sustainability beyond graduation while navigating the workforce.
To panelist Cody Evans, EGLE Community Programs Coordinator and a member of Michigan Class of 2023, building relationships was a foundational skill that helped him shape his career path.
“Any interaction that you're passionate about, make an effort to do the introduction, or share what you're passionate about,” Evans said. “I think it's super important, and you'll quickly see that one connection might lead to ten.”
Another keynote speaker, World Wildlife Fund Senior Vice President of Climate Change Marcene Mitchell, had some advice for people who want to make a positive change in the world, but don't necessarily know what path to take to make it happen.
Mitchell encouraged attendees to remember that even if it may seem like recent actions on the federal level are slowing progress for environmental movements, there’s a great amount of action being done at the state and local levels. She told students looking to make a difference to find the thing that they love and connect it back to sustainability.
“Think small, start where you are, you have more power than you think, right? Think around you. Engage your network, engage your family, engage your friends. That builds community, and that. And then, finally, think inside. Align your voice, your vote, your money with your values,” Mitchell said.
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