IN THE SPIRIT OF SUSTAINABILITY
Bobcats Make an Impact Through Community Service
BY DISHA HOQUE ILLUSTRATION BY MEG REES
As the effects of climate change become more eminent globally, Bobcats have risen to the challenge of combating these effects by increasing sustainability efforts around campus. With multiple student organizations dedicated to spreading environmental consciousness and action, Ohio University’s student leaders have been focusing on leading a less-wasteful lifestyle in hopes of making a greater impact on the planet.
A large contributor to the recent growth of student awareness of environmental issues is the launch of the Sustainability Network at Ohio U. The student-run organization was formed last spring in hopes of bringing different environmental clubs together through common goals. Sustainability Network is not necessarily another club students are able to join, but instead a center for resources and networking for different organizations and initiatives around campus.
Samantha Holdaway, a junior studying environmental studies, is hoping to continue the positive influence the network had on Ohio U students last semester.
“A big part of why (Sustainability Network) started was that a number of us had noticed that there was a lot of overlap between sustainability groups on campus but not necessarily a lot [of] coming together and working together,” Holdaway said. “So rather than multiple groups holding really similar events, the idea is to bring them together to help collaborate on those events and then also just get the word out.”
The network works with multiple sustainability organizations around campus such as Ohio U’s Sunrise Movement chapter, which works to implement Green New Deal legislation locally, as well as the Sierra Student Coalition chapter, which organizes student involvement in environmental efforts both locally and nationwide.
Another campus initiative aiming to reduce waste produced is Ohio U’s Clean Closets, which offers fashion enthusiasts, environmentally conscious shoppers, or students looking to clean out their closets a space to bring in used clothing and exchange it with other students.
Started last spring by Riley Jensen, a junior studying forensic chemistry, the organization has a relatively straightforward concept. Members bring their unwanted clothes to meetings and are able to trade with others. This mutual exchange limits Ohio U’s landfill contribution, and offers students an easy and inexpensive way to update their closets.
Clean Closets began after Jensen noticed a lack of accessible second-hand shops on campus.
“I know a lot of people have the same issue where they’re like ‘I have 3,000 outfits I did not mean to bring to campus, but I don’t know what to do with them,’” Jensen said. “So I was like, ‘well, this might be a good idea.’”
With the limited access to eco-friendly resources that come with living on a college campus, Clean Closets is a way for students to reduce waste.
“Being on a college campus leads to a lot of plastic waste,” Jensen said. “I feel like having an opportunity for [students] to be sustainable in a way that doesn't cost a lot of money is a way for them to actually feel like they're making a difference.”
Jensen’s idea of a low-maintenance way to reduce waste and help the environment is mirrored in the Sustainability Network’s goals as well. Caden Hibbs, a junior studying economics and Co-Chair of the Sustainability Network, emphasizes that participating in seemingly undemanding activities can make a larger impact.
“[Ohio U has] organizations such as Plant Club, Bobcats Go Green, [and] Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors,” Hibbs said. “All three of them are very low-commitment organizations, but they do attract a lot of passion because their projects really do help out the Athens community. Picking up trash, having bike valets, little stuff like that — it can go a long way.”
Ohio U’s student body’s increase in commitment to environmentalism and sustainability is leading to changes around campus, but much work still needs to be done. With upcoming events and campaigns hoping to further improve Ohio U’s sustainability efforts, getting involved with a sustainability effort around campus is as easy as following Clean Closets’ Instagram or emailing the Sustainability Network. Student leaders in sustainability are making it possible for Ohio U students to make an impact that is felt far outside of Ohio U’s campus.
