Four Takeaways from the Anne Arundel Youth Environmental Action Summit
Anne Arundel Community College hosted the Youth Environmental Action Summit (AAYEAS) on Saturday, February 11th. The AAYEAS was an event that engaged high school students wanting to get more involved in climate action and climate resilience initiatives. Participating students had the opportunity to connect with environmental action experts, network with professionals in climate-related fields, and learn more about student environmental action from their peers.
Exchange Design was invited to participate in the Innovators Panel, which also included speakers Imani Black, Founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture; Kevin Haigis, CEO of Capital SUP & Co-Founder of Live Water Foundation; Gerardo Martinez, Owner of Wild Kids Acres; and Karl Schrass, Founder of Annapolis Compost. Panelists offered an opportunity for students to learn about specific community and regional environmental initiatives. Here are four takeaways from the event.
1. Climate Resilience Requires both Local and Global Solutions
The AAYEAS focused on local environmental issues and solutions. Members of the Innovators Panel represented organizations from the Maryland region that develop sustainable farming practices, promote environmental education through recreation, restore the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay through aquaculture, and reduce food waste through local composting solutions. Students who attended the sessions asked thoughtful questions about the intersection between community-driven solutions, regional policy efforts, and global climate change initiatives. What was clear was that both bottom-up and top-down initiatives were required to develop sustainable climate change mitigation solutions.
2. Careers in Climate and Environment are Multi-Disciplinary
One common element among panelists was that each had been a founding member of a small business or non-profit organization. As a result, students were keen to learn about the professional journey of each person. In addition to coming from diverse personal, professional, and academic backgrounds, most panelists arrived at their current profession after working in several different fields. From studying to become dentists and engineers, to working at the United Nations, the panel showcased the importance of multidisciplinary climate and environmental action approaches. Everyone agreed on the need to engage in regular problem-solving and work across communities - both geographically and sectorally - to develop sustainable solutions.
3. Data Analysis and Business Intelligence is a Critical Component of Environment and Climate Change Initiatives
Our work at Exchange Design represented the only digital technology organization on the panel. During the panel, I had the chance to speak about our active partnership with Spa Creek Conservancy. Spa Creek’s mission is to clean up Spa Creek from the headwaters to the Severn River, educate the public about the link between human lifestyles and the watershed's health, and seek funding for projects to reduce erosion, stormwater runoff, and pollution. Exchange Design actively supports weekly water testing through the development and maintenance of a data collection and analysis platform to manage water sample data.
Despite the panel not being a conversation about technology or digital solutions, panelists agreed that good data management and analysis practices were critical to their success. Data analysis is vital to any climate and environment initiative, from tracking supplies and budgets to communicating program results to policymakers and the public.
4. Students are Motivated to Develop Climate Change Mitigation Solutions
During the panel, students asked questions about the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and what panelists were doing to improve the ecosystem's health. The quality of questions, engagement with environmental sustainability, and clear concern for the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, showcased the importance of programs like the Youth Environmental Action Summit. Thanks to organizations like Spa Creek Conservancy, Chesapeake Family Life, Women in STEM, Biohabitats, and the Environment Center at Anne Arundel Community College, students have the opportunity to learn about careers in environmental action.
