Environmental Justice: Not Just an Esoteric Interest, But an Obligation
“We have forgotten that man is not only a freedom which he creates for himself. Man does not create himself. He is spirit and will, but also nature.” - Laudato Si'
In 2015, Pope Francis sought global unity towards Earth's protection. In his encyclical Laudato Si’ he implored humanity to preserve our common home. As one of the 130+ founding universities committed to Pope Francis’ 7-Year Journey towards Integral Ecology through the Laudato Si’Action Platform, Santa Clara University pledges to do just that. Aligning with Laudato Si’, SCU’s Center for Sustainability and Division of Mission and Ministry will undertake a one-year planning process to develop a Sustainability Action Plan through 2030. By unifying stakeholders across campus with shared goals, drafting initiatives to meet them, and implementing those initiatives, the plan will deepen SCU’s mission towards sustainability and increase its visibility through partnership with other academic institutions worldwide.
One of the ways in which Santa Clara University is embracing this program is through tUrn, a climate action and awareness project held on campus for one week during the fall and spring quarters. The purpose of this project is to invite students, faculty and staff to pause and lean into the climate crisis through altering their behavior, lectures, syllabus, and meeting agendas. In addition, tUrn weeklong events feature “Headliners” - keynote speakers from diverse disciplines - to educate and mobilize the SCU community on climate impacts, solutions, and opportunities to address climate change. Goals of tUrn are aimed at working towards a more equitable and flourishing world for everyone.
Partnering with tUrn as well as other climate justice organizations, five of the 2022 Jean Donovan Fellows shouldered the responsibility of the Pope’s call for action, working towards environmental change.
Hannah Trillo ‘23
One fellow, Hannah Trillo ‘23, utilized the summer to explore a range of topics related to the climate crisis. Spanning from disability rights and inclusion to migration justice, and the importance of the arts, her work shifted her perspective about tUrn and all social justice work.
“I often dismiss hope as an elusive ideal, given what I have learned about our current reality and projected future,” Hannah reflected at the end of her fellowship, regarding the lack of progress on climate change. However, her perspective on hope is still evolving.
“I have met so many people who actively choose it as a practice, and this is what makes their capacity so strong. I have also seen how hope can be cultivated in the shared efforts of a group. For my part, I am still developing my own sense of it, but this summer has felt like a significant step.”
Gabby Yabut ‘23
A second fellow, Gabby Yabut ‘23, observed climate change through the lens of a third world, frontline country susceptible to natural disasters. Partnering with the ABS-CBN Foundation on the Bantay Kalikasan program in the Philippines, she created science learning modules and adapted existing modules into activities for a 2-day Eco Camp in La Mesa Eco Park. One of the modules included the instruction of the creation of a bokashi ball and the other, urban agriculture. She explained,
“We learned how to create anaerobic bokashi, which can be used to create a bokashi mixture. This mixture can then be used to create a mud ball, a microorganism bomb which degrades pollutants in small bodies of water. The second module provided participants a way to source locally grown, organic, and pesticide-free food.”
Reflecting on her experience, Gabby remarked,
“Before this internship, I had given very little thought to the role that the natural environment plays in our current infrastructure and systems. I had previously viewed them as sort of detached from us, mostly valuing the environment for its own sake. But now I feel that intrinsically, taking care of the environment is a means through which you can take care of yourself.”
Grace Yonkers-Talz ‘24
Grace Yonkers-Talz ‘24 was another fellow who partnered with tUrn. For the duration of her fully remote fellowship, she researched climate justice, assisted with projects including ‘California Civil Rights Resource Guide’ and the ‘Darling Animal Rendering Plant Report,’ attended climate conferences and met with tUrn headliners over zoom, and prepared for tUrn for the fall quarter. As her internship came to a close, Grace reflected on the experience.
"Now that I am finished with this summer internship, I look back at everything that I have experienced and learned. I also look forward to the work that I will continue to do with tUrn and discovering my future passions and interests."
Pascale Wojcik ‘23
A fourth fellow, Pascale Wojcik ‘23, had the opportunity to work with tUrn as well as the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) where she amended their organic gardens. Perceiving the unity and purpose that her work provided her, she noted,
“The most unique thing I’ve noticed in my work with both tUrn and ACES in this first week is the sense of community that comes from fighting the same battle.”
As she looks forward, Pascale reflects on her hopes for the future.
"I continue to believe that the climate crisis is the most pressing issue in today’s society and I want to help the rest of the world understand that. I lay this project to rest feeling inspired, motivated, and determined."
Petra Glenn ‘23
The last fellow, Petra Glenn ‘23, worked with tUrn and assisted with a local organization, the Climate Action Coalition of the Wood River Valley (CACWR). For her work, she helped the organization with projects for Earth Week. She also worked on their social media and website and wrote briefs for city council meetings to increase member turnout. Recalling her experience, Petra drew a parallel between social justice work and Andre Gorz’s political theory on non-reformist reform. In his essay, she pointed out, Gorz asserted,
“Social justice work can seem so hopeless when huge structural barriers lie in the way. However, we can’t limit ourselves to what can and has to be done, but rather we need to focus on what should be done.”
As these five students disembarked from their newfound experiences with sustainability over the summer, they take a shared responsibility for climate justice with them through the academic year and will continue to care for our common home. After all, we all inhabit this home, regardless of one’s ethnicity, age, gender, spiritual background, or political beliefs. Yet, the human species has continually exploited the only planet that sustains us. As Pope Francis attests, human beings are all creatures of the Earth, but behave as if we have ultimate freedom and dominion. In response, this home is becoming less inhabitable than it has been since the dawn of our species’ existence. It is only when humanity unites to crusade against the torrential wave of climate change, will environmental justice no longer be the esoteric interests of a few individuals, but the obligation of all.
Works Cited:
“Laudato Si' (24 May 2015): Francis.” Laudato Si' (24 May 2015) | Francis, 18 June 2015
“Santa Clara University's Turn Project Climate Education and Engagement.” Bay Area Climate Leaders