OCTOBER 2024

“The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery, not over nature, but of ourselves.”

—Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

As the leaves change and a chill settles over college campuses, October brings more than just midterms and fall festivities. This month, urgency intensifies on campuses nationwide as the 2024 Presidential election looms closer. With debates intensifying and voter registration drives in full swing, student civic engagement takes center stage. From swing-state universities hosting spirited get-out-the-vote efforts to campuses overcoming barriers to student voting, higher education has become a crucial battleground for democracy. Amid this political tension, there’s also a parallel story of resilience, innovation, and action.

At Duke University’s campus farm, summer crops of okra and peppers give way to kale and cabbage as food security efforts expand. As students prepare the soil for the new season, they are also sowing seeds of change ahead of Election Day. At West Chester University, voter registration efforts are combined with bake sales, as students encourage each other to make their voices heard. However, with momentum come new obstacles—27 states have enacted restrictive voting laws, and Purdue University has lost its on-campus polling site, underscoring the ongoing fight for voter access.

In our “Spotlight on RCC Campuses” section, we highlight a new partnership with sustainability leader American University. The RCC’s roots at AU run deep, as Director of Communications Claudia Steiner is an American alum who led the final, successful fossil fuel divestment campaign there. This collaboration expands our National Campus Network to 70 members and amplifies our collective efforts for a just and sustainable world.

Meanwhile, Catawba College, a proud member of our Campus Network, has been recognized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) as one of the world’s top performers in carbon reduction. This milestone reflects the commitment of students, faculty, and staff, and underscores the broader movement across campuses, where activism, elections, and environmental challenges intersect.

In western North Carolina, the devastation from Hurricane Helene lingers. On the banks of the Cape Fear River, Rachel Carson Council CEO and President Dr. Bob Musil steps off a biofueled bus and onto the boat Henrietta with students from various North Carolina universities for a dynamic discussion about the inequities stemming from wood pellet corporations such as Enviva and Drax. The journey illustrates how climate change not only damages landscapes but also exacerbates disparities, leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk. Back on shore, Dr. Maggie Sugg of Appalachian State University has received $1.5 million in funding to study the mental health impacts of climate disasters on youth—a timely reminder of the link between environmental and personal resilience.

In our “RCC Fellows Speak Out” section, our fellows share insights on topics ranging from urban ecology, the intersections of the LGBTQ+ community and climate change, to Native Nation climate resiliency. Their firsthand accounts offer a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of environmental advocacy, reflecting a generation’s unwavering commitment to justice and sustainability.

This month, our “Roots of Resilience” section celebrates a new, diverse environmental trailblazer, John Francis, “The Planetwalker,” who shaped critical policy and advocacy related to oil spills. His story reminds us of the enduring impact of dedicated individuals working at the intersection of activism and education, mirroring the voices of our own RCC Fellows and university students today.

Our “Books” section features Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, celebrating its 75th anniversary with a new edition, and Growing Up in the Grassroots by our very own Assistant Director of Policy and Programs, Joy Reeves, which chronicles her journey from young activist to national climate leader.

From researchers investigating PFAS contamination in North Carolina’s oysters to the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation’s efforts to heal the Bear River, this month’s RCC Campus Dispatch is filled with stories of perseverance and progress. Yet, as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs face mounting rollbacks and universities debate “institutional neutrality,” it’s clear that struggles on campuses mirror those in society at large. This October, as campuses navigate the convergence of elections, environmental challenges, and social justice, they remain vital arenas for both hope and action. The paths forward are as varied as the stories within this issue, but they share a common thread: a determination to build a more just, sustainable, and engaged future.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us in amplifying these critical stories from campuses nationwide.

 

Diego Tovar — Assistant Director of Campus and Civic Engagement
Diego Tovar, Assistant Director of Campus and Civic Engagement, holds his master’s in Global Environmental Policy from American University and an undergraduate degree as a Udall Scholar in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability with a minor in Political Communication from Colorado State University. Diego has worked for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Navajo Nation Washington Office focusing on climate justice and climate adaptation.

Sustainability Leader American University Joins RCC

Rachel Carson’s impact on environmental awareness continues to resonate in our nation’s capital. In 1963, Carson addressed Congress, warning of the dangers of environmental contamination. Her testimony before the Senate Government Operations Subcommittee sparked a movement that transcended mountains, rivers, and borders. Carson emphasized the growing threat of pesticides and chemical poisons, urging lawmakers to confront environmental hazards that, as she cautioned, infiltrate every aspect of life—air, water, soil, and even our bodies.

 

Catawba College Honored By The International Organization AASHE For Excellence In Carbon EMission Reduction and Reporting Transparency

Catawba College has been honored by the Association of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). In its 2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), the college was recognized as a top performer in air and climate reporting.

 

A New Season at Duke Campus Farm

Duke Campus Farm explores new ways to serve the Duke and Durham communities

On a late summer afternoon, Amy Curran, Duke Campus Farm’s Assistant Director, looks out across an expanse of okra and pepper plants in the middle of their summer yield and rows of eggplant and cherry tomato plants clinging to the last fruits of their season. Nearby, trays of cool-weather plants such as kale, collard greens and cabbage wait their turn to be sewn into the dark soil.

 

Leading the Charge in Sustainability

Ingeniously woven throughout the College experience, Lafayette’s sustainability efforts are a cut above the rest.

At Lafayette, sustainability isn’t just an ambition: It’s a beating pulse that’s felt throughout campus. The College’s innovative approach to integrating sustainable practices and scholarship into virtually every facet of the campus experience—from classroom learning, to schoolwide operations, to community culture—has distinguished Lafayette among its peer institutions

Cape Fear Cruise Exposes Environmental Injustice

The big biofueled Greenway Transit bus rolled to a stop at the Wilmington, North Carolina Riverwalk, a popular tourist spot not far from where the historic battleship USS North Carolina is permanently berthed. Out poured an eager, but slightly groggy busload of Duke University undergraduate and graduate students (and a faculty mentor) who had boarded the ecobus at 6 a.m. in Durham nearly three hours away.

Polling Place Locator - Vote.org

Vote.org is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan voting registration and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) technology platform in America. Our organization exists to remove the barriers that keep voters from making their voices heard at the ballot box.

 

How to Vote - Rock the Vote - Election Information for Your State

In 1990, music executives founded Rock the Vote in response to the censorship of hip-hop and rap artists. Our first partnership, with MTV, promoted the message that “Censorship is Un-American” and activated millions of young people across the country to exercise their rights and represent their interests. For over thirty years, we have continuously adapted to the changing landscapes of media, technology and culture to breakthrough and empower each new generation.

PFAS and Heavy Metal Contamination in North Carolina Farm Raised and Wild Caught Oyster Populations

Coastal Carolina Riverwatch (CCRW), in partnership with Duke University researchers Dr. Lee Ferguson and Dr. Heileen Hsu-Kim, has launched a critical project to investigate the contamination of farm-raised and wild-caught oysters in North Carolina. This research, funded by the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program, focuses on detecting PFAS and heavy metals in oyster populations within the White Oak River Basin (WORB).

‘Long and Difficult’ Recovery Ahead in N.C.

Parents of students throughout western North Carolina anxiously await contact from their kids as power and cellular outages continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The storm may be over, but the cataclysmic flooding and power outages that Hurricane Helene unleashed have left university campuses across western North Carolina in shambles and many students disconnected from their families.

 

Helene’s Aftermath: Classes Canceled, Students Relocated

Colleges in western North Carolina have little cell service and are cut off from the rest of the state after historic flooding caused power outages and wiped out roads.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville canceled classes until Oct. 9 as the university and surrounding community recover from Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding, which wiped out roads, bridges and homes, largely cutting off western North Carolina.

 

App State’s Dr. Maggie Sugg Awarded Over $1.5 Million to Study Climate Disasters and Youth Mental Health

Dr. Maggie Sugg, associate professor and honors director in the Appalachian State University Department of Geography and Planning, has been awarded two grants totaling more than $1.5 million to continue her research on how climate disasters impact youth mental health. Findings from Sugg’s research could be used to improve existing and future intervention efforts.

‘Fossil Fuel Companies Are Hijacking Our Universities’: 6 Top Schools Received Over $100 Million in Funds From Polluting Industries Since 2003

Elite universities in the United States — which conduct important climate research — are raking in millions from fossil fuel interests, potentially creating conflicts of interest.

This is according to a collection of new reports compiled by student organizers and released by the student-led Campus Climate Network, as The Guardian reported.

 

Cows and Solar Panels? In a New Jersey First, Project Melds Farming With Electricity Generation

Federal, state and university officials are inaugurating a research and demonstration project at Rutgers University-New Brunswick with the purpose of advancing a technology that could produce renewable energy while making farms more sustainable. The New Brunswick project, part of a $7.4 million effort, consists of 378 vertical bifacial solar panels that can generate electricity whether the sun hits the front or the back of each panel.

 

Miami University Receives $5 Million Donation to Help Create Brand-new Sustainability Park

The announcement came during a public celebration on Tuesday to "flip the switch for sustainability." Longtime Miami University and sustainability supporters Sharon Janosik Mitchell '73, Graham Mitchell '73, and M.En. '76 gave a $5 million gift that will help accelerate Miami's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. In total, the park will cover the future Western Geothermal Solar Field, walking paths, and connect to nearby trails in Miami University's natural areas.

 

NCCE Partners with Food Lion to Fight Hunger for the 6th Year

It’s Launch Week for the 14 campuses participating in the 2024 NC Collegiate Hunger Challenge! Competitors are kicking-off the challenge with food drives, awareness events, and other creative activities to spread the word about the Hunger Challenge on their campuses. NC Campus Engagement is partnering with Food Lion for the 5th year for the 2024 NC Collegiate Hunger Challenge, a competition where college students are empowered to create awareness about food insecurity and compete to collect the most food for neighbors experiencing hunger.

Harris Holds Massive Edge Over Trump Among College Students. It’s Even Bigger in Swing States.

A new Inside Higher Ed/Generation Lab survey shows Harris leading nationally by 38 points, with around a third of students reporting they are more likely to cast a ballot because she’s top of the ticket. A whopping 57 percent of college students say they’re going to vote Democratic this November—and President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race seems to have made a substantive impact on that number.

 

College Students Could Have Big Sway in This Election. Here’s How Philly-area Campuses Are Turning Out.

At West Chester University earlier this month, students held “Bake a Better Tomorrow,” an event to encourage classmates to register to vote, while handing out cookies. Clipboards in hand, others walked the campus pavements, asking passersby if they were registered. That same week, students from the College Democrats club on campus gathered for a watch party as their candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, took on former President Donald Trump.

 

New Laws in 27 States Could Keep Students From Voting

Dozens of restrictive laws passed since 2020 could impact student voters this year, from shortened timelines for absentee ballots to new restrictions on using student IDs.

In the last presidential election, an out-of-state student going to college in Ohio wouldn’t have to do much to vote in the state beyond registering and bringing proof of residence—a bank statement, a utility bill or even a paycheck listing their Ohio address—to the polls.

 

Student Wellness Tip: Supporting Students in Political Uncertainty

As colleges and universities prepare for the 2024 presidential election, mental health experts recommend providing spaces for student to connect and set boundaries in their news consumption.

Supporting students’ freedom of speech and their overall health and wellness is one challenge college leaders are navigating this fall as the presidential election creeps closer.

 

Removal of On-Campus Voting on Election Day Sparks Uproar at Purdue

Employees and students must vote off campus in November for the first time in years. Voting groups say such changes are a common, albeit subtle, form of voter suppression.

This November, for the first time since before 2008, students, faculty and staff will be unable to vote on Purdue University’s campus on Election Day.

 

How Campus Leaders and Election Officials Can Be Strong Partners for Smooth Campus Voting

More than 8 million young Americans will reach voting age ahead of the 2024 presidential election. For many, their first time voting, an exciting and celebratory milestone, will unfold in a college setting. In the coming weeks, election officials and campus leaders can take important steps to ensure that the experience is as smooth as possible for these voters. From an election administration standpoint, preparing a college community for an election is different from preparing the general public in several ways.

A Look at DEI Eliminations at Colleges Across the US

We’re rounding up some of the most recent rollbacks to diversity, equity and inclusion amid a Republican-led crackdown against such efforts.

A Republican-led crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education is ramping up at colleges across the country. Opponents argue that DEI offices and programs create division and exclude wide swaths of campus from accessing resources.

 

Federal Agencies Aim to Boost Research at HBCUs

A newly launched, HBCU-specific $10 million grant program from the National Science Foundation is part of the federal government’s broader push to diversify scientific research and the STEM workforce.

In the 14 years Michael Curry worked as a chemistry and materials science professor at Tuskegee University, he and his colleagues got research funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies.

 

A Battle Over Florida’s General Education Courses

Florida International University faculty have raised concerns about course revisions designed to comply with state law, a process undertaken quietly across the state. Florida International University’s Board of Trustees voted last week to drop 22 courses from the core curriculum, including Anthropology of Race & Ethnicity, Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies, and Sociology of Gender. The move follows last year’s passage of SB 266, a sweeping higher ed bill that, among other things, limits the scope of general education courses permitted at public universities.

 

What’s Behind the Push for ‘Institutional Neutrality’?

Since last Oct. 7, several institutions have pledged to refrain from speaking on political and social issues. But what does it mean for a university to go neutral?

In the two weeks after George Floyd’s 2020 murder, more than 200 U.S. colleges and universities issued statements mentioning his name, according to a joint report from associations representing student affairs administrators and diversity officers.

A Decade Later: The Flint Water Crisis

When Dr. Benjamin Pauli moved to Flint, Michigan, in June 2015, the town was already one year into a water crisis without knowing it. He was to begin his role as an associate professor of social science at Kettering University in the heart of the city and just feet from the glittering Flint River.

“We heard when we moved into the neighborhood there’d been issues with the water, but we were given the impression it was under control. We weren’t given any indication of a public health threat or a direct threat to our family,” says Pauli.

Weary but together, we rebuild

“No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of life in this stricken world. The people had done it to themselves.” ― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson writes of a town devastated by chemical pesticides. We have all lived that story. This one is about bees. I have always been fascinated by bees. They are incredibly intelligent, unselfish team players, and so damn pretty. We don’t know all that much about their behavior and communication, but we are sure of two things: they love their queen, and most of the time, when you leave them alone, they return the favor.

 

The Northwestern Band of The Shoshone Nation are Healing the Bear River

On a warm August morning, I set out from my home in northern Utah’s Cache Valley to where my favorite river winds through a landscape of hot springs and green hillsides dotted with grazing cattle. In my green Subaru, I made my way through the rural countryside of northern Utah and southern Idaho — a place where beauty meets solitude. A place where you can reflect and listen.

Though seemingly untouched, this land has been shaped by human hands over the past couple of centuries.

 

Double-Edged Sword of Nature

When my friend proposed backpacking in the White Mountains to our group of crew friends, I was a little hesitant. The most hiking I had ever done was in the Blue Hills of Massachusetts, which hardly qualifies as hiking. With a little bit of convincing, the trip officially commenced.

It was August of 2020, right after things started to open up during the pandemic. The world reeled from the crisis and inequality that bubbled to the surface. The only respite seemed to be in nature.

 

The Birth of an Environmental Justice Documentary

Near the beginning of my senior year of high school, I received an email from my guidance counselor about an opportunity to work as a storytelling intern at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) in New Orleans, Louisiana. While I had some previous experience in editing and video production, all of my work was no longer than two–minute long promotionals or journalism segments on my school’s news show. The idea of what went into a long and detailed film production eluded me.

 

The At-Risk Rainbow: Climate Change and LGBTQ+ Communities

Even as an openly-queer woman, I confess that the intersections between sustainability and LGBTQ+ issues seemed initially obscure to me. A key part of my coming-out story did certainly involve the comfort I found in the natural world–thank you, Big Bend National Park–but I still failed to see how queer issues could be incorporated into more extensive discussions of environmental justice. Perhaps this lack of understanding is unsurprising. After all, race is the largest determinant of environmental injustices.

 

Consumerism and Conservation: How my Asian Upbringing Shaped my Perspective

Growing up as a second-generation immigrant, my Taiwanese grandparents have always taught me to be frugal with resources. I would be reminded to “store away all plastic grocery bags to be reused as trash can liners,” “heat a pen cartridge when the pen runs out of ink instead of throwing away the plastic body,” and “eat every grain of rice on your plate because there are kids who don’t have any food.” We always needed to turn off the lights right after we left the room, shut off the faucet when brushing our teeth, walk or bike within a five-mile radius.

John Francis: “The Planetwalker”

John Francis, later known as “The Planetwalker,” was a young man when disaster struck the San Francisco Bay in 1971. A devastating oil spill blackened sea waters, choking life from beaches and poisoning countless birds and sea creatures. John threw himself into the recovery effort, scrubbing the shores and saving wildlife coated in thick petroleum. But even as he worked, he felt an urgent pull—this wasn’t enough. He needed to do more, something that would truly reflect his commitment to the Earth.

75th Anniversary Edition: A SAND COUNTY ALMANAC by Aldo Leopold, with a Foreword by Barbara Kingsolver.

A timeless, introspective exploration of our relationship with nature.

As relevant today as it was 75 years ago, Leopold’s classic asks: What does it mean to live ethically on this Earth? In this landmark collection of essays, Aldo Leopold reflects on his experiences as a conservationist, philosopher, and keen observer of the natural world. A Sand County Almanac takes readers through the seasonal changes on his Wisconsin farm, offering observations on everything from the migratory habits of geese to the humble beauty of a bur oak. Each entry reveals Leopold’s deep reverence for the land and his growing awareness that humanity’s exploitation of nature is leading to irrevocable loss. His famous call for a “land ethic” resonates throughout, urging us to expand our understanding of community to include not just humans, but all living things and the landscapes they inhabit.

Leopold’s narrative is understated, never preachy, but packed with insight. His prose meanders like the rivers he writes about—calm, contemplative, yet capable of carving deep into the reader’s conscience. Though rooted in his time, Leopold’s words feel urgently modern, addressing ecological challenges that have only intensified in the decades since its 1949 publication. The 75th anniversary of this work offers a chance to reflect on what has been lost—and what can still be preserved. While it lacks the high-stakes drama of more sensational environmental literature, A Sand County Almanac remains a quiet, powerful meditation on stewardship, one that continues to inspire new generations of readers to reconnect with the land.

Click here to purchase

 

GROWING UP IN THE GRASSROOTS by Joy Reeves

An inspiring, personal look at the power of youth-led environmental activism.

The Assistant Director of Policy and Programs at the Rachel Carson Council finds her voice amid the climate crisis, building a movement from the ground up.

Joy Reeves’ debut book, Growing Up in the Grassroots, is a powerful testament to the impact young people can have on the world, especially in the fight for climate justice. With a blend of personal anecdotes and political insights, Reeves recounts her journey from a high schooler attending local climate rallies to a leader of a national youth movement. The book tracks her evolution from attending small-scale protests in her community to organizing large-scale actions, lobbying politicians, and speaking on panels, all while navigating the challenges of adolescence.

Reeves weaves in stories of the people she meets along the way—mentors, fellow activists, and those impacted by climate disasters—painting a vivid picture of a diverse, passionate movement. Her writing is accessible and earnest, striking a balance between informative and heartfelt. She digs into the intricacies of grassroots organizing, offering practical advice for anyone looking to start their own movement, while also reflecting on the personal toll activism can take on young leaders. Reeves doesn’t shy away from the emotional highs and lows of her work, making this book both a rallying cry and a deeply human portrait of resilience.

Click to purchase

RCC prides itself on its National Campus Network of 70 colleges and universities. We are working to engage faculty members, students, and administrators in our efforts for a more just and sustainable world. With our growing fellowship program, our presence on campuses across the country has never been greater. Contact RCC today to bring our staff to your campus for lectures, workshops, or meetings to help find the best ways to engage your faculty and students in the efforts against climate change, environmental justice, and the work of the Rachel Carson Council.

Campus Visits with RCC President, Dr. Robert K. Musil

RCC President & CEO, Dr. Robert K. Musil, a national leader in climate change, environmental justice and health is again available to book for in-person campus speaking events! Musil has been called “informative, challenging and inspirational all at once.” He is “motivational” with “intellectual depth” and “extraordinary impact.”

Dr. Musil is available for campus lectures and visits involving classes, meetings with campus and community groups, consultations with faculty and administrators, or for Earth Day, Commencement, and other special events. Stays range from one to three days. Reduced fees are in place for 2024-2025 and can be designed to meet reduced budgets.

To arrange a campus visit with Dr. Musil, contact the RCC President’s Office at office@rachelcarsoncouncil.org.

The RCC also offers talks, classes, and workshops on student engagement, activism, sustainability, and the RCC Fellowship program with: Director of Communications, Claudia Steiner; Assistant Director of Campus and Civic Engagement, Diego Tovar; Assistant Director of Research and Policy and Programs, Theo Daniels and Assistant Director of Research and Policy Programs, Joy Reeves.

To arrange, contact Assistant Director of Campus and Civic Engagement, Diego Tovar.

 

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