This month, a group of excited young minds is set to embark on Global Explorers’ pilot Climate Change Academy traveling to Alaska.  We were lucky enough to hear from a couple of the students as they prepare to depart for this once in a lifetime journey.  Here is Jackson’s story…

Why did you apply for this program?

All I get is a semester course of environmental science in four years of high school, which is not enough for me.  I have a much greater interest in the topic than one semester course allows for.  This is also a unique opportunity to have hands on experience outside of the classroom. 

 

Why are you personally interested in Climate Change?

Climate change is such a pertinent topic but is still so often disputed, which intrigues me.  It is something that needs to be dealt with and I understand that I have the capability to help improve our situation.  Even if what I do does not have catastrophic effects, I am still helping… and I like that.

 

Why do you think Climate Change is an important topic for today’s society?

Climate change encompasses so many other elements of science. Our advances here will have impacts in so many other areas.  We are at a critical point in an advancing technological age where we have to consider the impact on natural systems. We need to think about a balance… and I am very hopeful that our generation will have a positive effect on this area of study.

 

What do you plan on taking home from this program?

I want to have this experience in Alaska so I can have more credibility when I talk to people about climate change.  I want to educate my peers; I have such an interest and I want to engage them in the topic.  I want to help people form their own opinions and not rely on media or attribute the topic to politics.