The road to a greener future

ISABELLA GILBERT

Over the past few years, the demand for more sustainable practices and initiatives has become a mainstream movement. From renewable energy to sustainable fashion, there is a rising consciousness toward ensuring a greener future. At NAU, many students have become involved in sustainable clubs and organizations aiming to combat climate change.

Some of the clubs and organizations on campus include NAU Green Jacks Students for Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening (SSLUG) and Fossil Free NAU (FFNAU). Each of these groups have seen significant growth in recent years, as more NAU students become interested in environmental awareness.

Green Jacks is a student-run club that encourages sustainability by hosting different events — including street clean-ups, clothing swaps and biweekly meetings to discuss future plans. Grace Meinema has been involved in the club since 2021 and is now the president. She said she advocates for the planet in any way she can.

“Green Jacks was founded around 2012,” Meinema said. “I became involved with it, though, during my freshman year. I was excited to make a difference with other young adults who are passionate about our planet.”

Meinema was asked to be president during the 2022-23 school year by the previous president of Green Jacks. She said she is honored to take a lead role in the club and aspires to help it reach its maximum potential.

Green Jacks has seen a significant increase in regular attendance at its events and meetings. The group has gained over 200 followers on Instagram and has a steady 15 to 30 attendees at meetings compared to five to 10 in previous years. Due to the pandemic, Green Jacks’ attendance dropped significantly. Meinma said Green Jacks has struggled to motivate students to come to their events and meetings.

“I hope that Green Jacks never stops growing and evolving,” Meinema said. “I hope each semester brings in new people, events and collaborations. I hope Green Jacks can become a regular part of many students’ routines and keep up with consistent attendance.”

Green Jacks has worked with multiple organizations on and off campus to grow its audience. Since January, they have collaborated with the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office, Flagstaff Water Services, NAU Green Fund, ASNAU, SUN Entertainment, Thrift Jacks, The Taylor Swift Society NAU, FFNAU, NAU Abaya Yala Organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Oak Creek Watershed Council and SSLUG.

SSLUG is a community garden that promotes sustainability and organic growing methods on campus.

Sarah Tabak is a coordinator for SSLUG. She said the garden was established to create a hands-on learning experience.

Tabak is a second-year graduate student studying sustainable communities and an AmeriCorps member at SSLUG.

“The SSLUG Garden was started by graduate students in the sustainable communities program about 15 years ago,” Tabak said. “The space outside of Social and Behavioral Sciences West was underutilized and they were looking for a way to bring in more green space.”

Like Green Jacks, SSLUG encountered issues with engagement. With students leaving NAU and social distancing, the club became less prominent and the garden was at risk of being closed.

Tabak has used her time with the club to bring the garden back to life and restore student engagement. Her commitment to outreach resulted in SSLUG having over 100 volunteers, an increase from the steady 25 volunteers seen in the first semester back with in-person classes.

“I think that environmental clubs have had a lot of increased engagement lately,” Tabak said. “With the climate crisis and everything, this kind of post-COVID reengagement has helped SLUGG.”

One challenge SSLUG struggles with is the continuity of leadership, as many members will be graduating this semester. With Flagstaff having a short growing season, most of the gardening takes place over the summer when some students are not in town.

Recently, they have grown into an established community allowing people to connect over sustainable practices.

Fossil Free NAU is another student-led campaign that has seen positive development in recent years. FFNAU’s goal is to create a future free of fossil fuel emissions that pollute the air.

Kim Curtis founded the club in partnership with Fossil Free Arizona. FFNAU collaborates with students minoring in community engagement to offer the opportunity to practice collaborative skills related to community involvement and sustainability practices.

By hosting weekly meetings, members of the club have worked to create a space for students to educate themselves on the climate crisis. As a club, FFNAU has also attended city council meetings and participated in protests together, urging the community to take a stand against actions that increase air pollution.

FFNAU member Alyson Horton said she hopes to spread her passion for the environment to the community through sustainability.

“A year ago, there were only four members in FFNAU and we struggled organizing,” Horton said. “Now, there are 12 to 15 members at our weekly meetings who are working hard to make a change in our community. We focus on building relationships with our community members which has helped our overall growth as an organization.”

Members of FFNAU have advocated for the NAU Foundation to divest from the fossil fuel industry. The club has reached out to the Board and the office of President José Luis Cruz Rivera to attempt to make this change.

Moreover, FFNAU works with other sustainable groups and organizations to bring awareness to the impacts of climate change.

“We will be focusing more on outreach and gaining support,” Horton said. “Thanks to the efforts of other community members and Ph.D. students, we don’t have to focus on the gritty financial details as much. We also hope to put on divestment teach-ins and informational workshops while continuously collaborating with other NAU clubs.”

By working together, these environmental groups are leveraging their collective power. As they continue to grow and expand their impact, Green Jacks, SSLUG and FFNAU are motivating students on campus to be aware of the effects of climate change.