Bios
Announcement: we are seeking bios from current members AND ALUMNI! Submit to thorndce@whitman.edu.
Bailey Arend
Chemistry 2010
Interests: Renewable energy, green jobs, sustainable food.
“I like efficiency in all its forms. Wasting the world’s resources is wasting people. We need the earth to be healthy and we need the people to be healthy in order to continue our civilization. There are many things that can be done to improve our lives and protect the environment simultaneously. Leadership needs to come from local, regional, national and international levels if progress is going to be made. I want to keep the oceans intact, the snow in the winter, the air and water clean and people healthy.”
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Will Canine
Politics 2010
Interests: Grassroots organizing for social change.
“Climate Change is the most pressing issue facing our world, and I’m committed to working with my peers and friends to stop it. When we do, we can continue to save the world from the other problems handed us by previous generations.”
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Abby Chapin
Environmental Politics Dec. 2009
Interests: The relationship between environmental and human rights.
“I care because this world and its people are beautiful and we are thusly obligated to recognize and preserve this beauty.”
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Lisa Curtis
Environmental Studies–Politics 2010
Interests: Ways of promoting clean technology in developing countries.
“I spent three months in Kenya helping to design a biodigester project to reduce reliance on the rainforest for fuel and improve the lives of women who previously spent hours collecting wood. Last semester, I worked at the United Nations Environment Programme office in D.C. where I helped launch the Kick the Carbon Habit Education Campaign. On campus, I’m involved in the majority of Whitman’s environmental groups and in constantly pushing students to get off-campus and find ways that environmental efforts can benefit lower-income people in Walla Walla. In my spare time, I love running, biking, blogging and dancing.”
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Ari Frink
Environmental Studies – Politics 2011
Interests: Solving water issues related to climate change/ faith and climate change.
“This movement has the ability to change many facets of our lives for the better, and the time to act is now. We need to reduce our carbon emissions and we can do this by investing in green energy and conservation measures. Climate Change threatens the stability and security of water all across the world, and we need to work to both adapt and prevent the dramatic destruction of these sources.”
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Robin Lewis
Environmental Politics 2011
Interests: Sustainable Food Systems.
“We only have one earth so let’s take care of it.”
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Elli Matkin
Environmental Studies – Sociology 2011
Interests: Environmental justice, green-collar jobs, a green economy (based on renewable energy and local, sustainable food)!
“I’m motivated by the aspiration to frame our present environmental crisis in a way that involves all parties and addresses all needs—not just a select privileged few. The movement to address global climate change cannot be solely an environmental movement, but a social and economical one as well. I’m sick of the nature versus human mentality. We are all interconnected and interdependent and we need to start acting accordingly. This goal requires a change in the way we treat our minority groups, where we get our energy, and how we grow our food. The time is now!”
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Jesse Phillips
Environmental–Humanities 2009
Interests: Human-scale technology, food as keystone of global climate change, living simply.
“I cannot deny that I am part of a natural community, and that ecological limits are tied to human health.”
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Camila Thorndike Environmental–Humanities 2010
Interests: Climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resources, people.
“I love my fellow CCCers as much as this climate mess breaks my heart, which is (a la Savage Garden) truly, madly, and deeply. From renewable energy initiatives on campus to water resource conservation through the OR and WA Water Trusts, I battle impending tipping points by creating win-win initiatives for people, nature, and wallets. Lately, I’ve been looking into a career in environmental conflict resolution, inspired by a semester studying env.-political issues in the West. Stargazing, cycling, and enjoying home-cooked meals with friends make me happy.”
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Gary Wang
Political Philosophy 2011
Interests: Climate Change and Intergenerational Ethics
“Climate change is the transcendental challenge of our generation. We, as a species, need to fundamentally rethink the way we organize our way of life and our daily lives so that we can live sustainably and justly. Institutions like schools, governments and corporations have to recognize the writing on the wall and take immediate action to start cutting carbon emissions in order to preserve our way of life. That’s why I care, because I should.”
