Caroline Jones
This month's Sustainability Champion is Caroline Jones. Caroline is a senior studying Environmental Studies and International Studies with a concentration in World Politics and Diplomacy, and minoring in Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies. She is the President of Green UR and a member of Greeks Going Green.
What initially sparked your interest in sustainability and the environment?
I studied abroad for the fall semester of my junior year of high school at an environmental school in the Bahamas called the Island School. I lived on the entirely sustainable-systems campus with 47 other high school students from around the world for 100 days. During that time we studied the local environment, learned about sustainability, connected with the local community, and assisted with scientific research being conducted by the partner institute on the psychological and physiological effects of longline fishing on nurse sharks.
This experience almost entirely sparked my passion for environmental protection (especially protecting oceans and marine life), sustainability, and climate change and my drive to have a career working on these issues.
My mom has also always been environmentally-minded. Growing up, we had recycling and compost systems at our house, so coming back into that environment at home upon my return from the Island School helped continue my commitment and passion.
How do your two majors, Environmental Studies and International Studies, work together to give you a wider understanding of sustainability?
I became an Environmental Studies major because of my experience at Island School, but I just added my International Studies major this past spring. I have always been interested in International Studies and thought it would give me a great foundation in the international community and global policy issues for a potential future career in international environmental policy. Climate change is an inherently global issue, of course, and the International Studies major has helped to give me an international perspective on the issue. I think it's important to look at other nations as models for combatting climate change and environmental degradation, and to work together as a global community for solutions. If I want to be a part of these solutions in my career, then I need to understand the nature of this community and its members.
Have you been involved in sustainability-related work this summer?
I assisted with international and domestic environmental policy work as a legislative intern on Capitol Hill this summer.
Can you describe your involvement with Green UR and Greeks Going Green?
I have been a member of GreenUR since fall of my freshman year, and I joined GGG in the spring, following recruitment. I became Vice President of GreenUR my sophomore year, and became President this past spring. I have remained a member of GGG and both groups work to collaborate on our sustainability efforts. I try to keep my sorority and the wider Greek community really involved with sustainability and off-campus groups as much as possible.
How have your roles with Green UR and Greeks Going Green helped you understand sustainability better?
My involvement in these organizations has definitely given me first-hand experience in how difficult it can be to mobilize people around issues that they contribute to and have the power to change, but don't know or care enough about. There's a lot going on at UR between classes, sports, and other extracurriculars, and it can be easy to get lost in the mix. Through my involvement with Green UR and Greeks Going Green, I've learned about the importance of making environmental issues easier to understand, more fun, and easier to connect with. Through this, I now have a better understanding of how to portray sustainability in a way that works on campus.
How will your interest in sustainability and the environment impact your career after UR?
My desire is to make an impact on the environmental movement throughout my career, hopefully in the environmental policy field. I work to have a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle every day and I hope that will translate over into my career. I would like to be back in DC and hope to explore the various opportunities that the many think tanks, nonprofits, intergovernmental organizations, etc. present for a career in environmental policy.
What advice would you give to students interested in getting involved with sustainability on campus?
First and foremost, go to Spiderfest, or whatever campus organization fairs and events there are! That's how I found out about GreenUR and it's a great way to learn what's going on around campus and in Richmond. The Office for Sustainability has so many fantastic people working alongside it doing incredible work, and that's always a great resource for learning more and getting involved. Between internships, events, festivals, etc. already happening that you can attend, plus all of the events you can get involved in planning and creating in the future, there are virtually endless opportunities both on and off campus.
Thank you, Caroline, for all the work you do for our campus community. Do you know someone who should be featured as a Sustainability Champion? Let us know at sustainabilty@richmond.edu.