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World We Imagine

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Higher-Education Environment Program (HEEP) At HEEP, or Higher-Education Environment Program, we are dedicated to tackling climate change on the micro-level. Environmental legislation is often roadblocked by partisan bickering as well as lobbying from the very organizations responsible for high emission output and unsustainable business practices. As a group of student environmentalists, we became tired of seeing this stagnation amongst policymakers and decided to take matters into our own hands. We began by identifying harmful practices and sources of waste right here on campus. Initially, we focused on small-scale changes such as adding recycling bins and limiting electricity usage. However, as we continued our research, we stumbled upon a nationwide habit that, if eliminated, could result in a monumental reduction of student greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We have since adapted our mission to focus on this singular issue: combining Thanksgiving and winter recesses across the US...
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World We Dare to Imagine: Post I

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I believe our generation's biggest challenge will be to slow the progression of climate change. However, through education, capitalist incentives, and diplomacy, I believe this is a manageable task.   Growing up in Washington State, I spent a lot of time in and around nature. I believe that the proximity of people to natural resources somewhat influences the liberal-leaning policies of this area. However, this is not the case for most people (and for most voters). We cannot approach environmental education from a naive position. Many people who protest environmental measures do so to protect their own livelihood. We must approach environmental awareness in a way that does not shame certain demographics (e.g. coal miners). Instead, we should spread awareness of the objective threats that climate change poses. Awareness, paired with national and global environmental measures, will help us to achieve our goal. These fundamental changes will require several tools, including in...
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Random, Post 2: Netflix Recommendations from My Quarantine, to Yours.

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Netflix Recommendations from My Quarantine, to Yours. Although Coronavirus is the main thing on everybody’s mind these days, I might lose any remaining sanity if I spend three paragraphs reflecting on it. So, instead, here’s a brief overview of some Netflix shows and movies I’ve watched during the pandemic that you might enjoy as well. TV Series/Miscellaneous Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness (2020) Director : Eric Goode Starring : Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin Description : I’m sure you’re sick and tired of hearing about this insane docuseries centered around ‘zoo’keeper Joe Exotic. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I can vouch that it is an entertainingly bizarre compilation that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. By the time you finish, you’ll be well-aware of the complete lack of morally redeeming characters, but by then you’ll be too emotionally invested to care. This miniseries is a binge-worthy show, perfect for waiting out the quarantine.  ...
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American Like Me: Book 2 Post 2

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Born in Los Angeles to Honduran parents, America Ferrera knows what it’s like to grow up in America living between cultures. However, when learning about the ‘American experience,’ she seldom found stories similar to her own. As a result she decided to seek out and publish a collection of these experiences. With contributions from Ferrera and 31 other prominent figures,  American Like Me  provides a firsthand look into living between cultures and forging an identity in modern day America. I was kind of blown away by this book. I suppose a part of me expected the different sections to be discordant with varying levels of entertainment, but I honestly learned something new and saw from a different perspective with every essay. Perhaps my favorite entry, is the first: Reshma Saujani was born and raised in a city called Schaumburg, right outside of Chicago, Illinois. As her name indicates, she is of Indian descent, but her parents were actually born and raised in Africa, an...
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AMDP Investment Proposal (Draft)

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To : Professor Clark Hansen, CEO, AMDP From : Rachel Orehek, R&D Analyst, AMDP Date : March 11, 2020 Subject : Recommendation to Invest in Aveda You requested information on potential investment opportunities with socially responsible businesses that support local living economies. After researching many companies, I have found that Aveda not only aligns with our organization’s values, but operates in a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and greatly profitable manner. AMDP Standards Let me first outline the AMDP criteria for investing opportunities. The Triple Bottom Line The Triple Bottom Line provides a framework that requires organizations to conduct business ethically and successfully. The three P’s of the Triple Bottom Line are: ·        People : Fair and mutually beneficial treatment towards all involved individuals (customers, employees, suppliers, and communities) ·        ...
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American Like Me: Book 2 Post 1

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For my second book, I have chosen to read American Like Me by America Ferrera. I was intrigued by this option because the author is primarily known as an actress ( Ugly Betty , How to Train Your Dragon , etc.), but the purpose of this book does not revolve around her own rise to fame. Instead, Ferrera features an array of first-hand accounts from other immigrant/first generation individuals. From what I’ve read on the blogs of my classmates, this book offers a glimpse into living life between two cultures and finding your own identity throughout the process.   I, myself, am not a child of immigrants- in fact, I believe my ancestors came to America as early as the 1890s. Although it can be fun to trail the lineage of my family tree (and even claim to be Italian, Slovenian, or Irish instead of, simply, another ‘white American’), the truth is that I do not have any direct connection to the immigrant experience. I also didn’t grow up in Southern California (which boasts one of the l...
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Random, Post 1: Comic Relief from the End of the World

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For the past five years, it has kinda felt like the world is ending. Beginning with the 2016 Presidential Race and crescendo-ing until now, it seems that every ‘breaking news’ alert brings us a tragic, dystopian story of something worse than the day before. When you’re constantly hearing about climate change, potential nuclear warfare, and the collapse of democracy, it can be easy to grow numb. It can be easy to stop paying attention, whether it be in the interest of your own mental health or simply due to desensitization. Many of us are undergoing an internal tug of war between the obligation to stay informed and the need to avoid constant negativity. Despite this conflict, I personally have continued to receive various news alerts from a few networks. One network that I’ve had a somewhat complicated relationship with is CNN. In my opinion, CNN lost quite a bit of credibility during the 2016 Presidential Election: Trump attacked the network, and in response CNN began p...
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