My Adventures at the Tidelines Institute

My journey in environmental science began when I stepped off the boat and onto the rocky shores of Alaska. I had arrived at the Tidelines Institute, the place that would become my home and community for the next nine days. I initially had my worries, as this experience marked the first time I would completely immerse myself in nature, isolated from the comforts and distractions of everyday human life.

During these exhilarating days, my hours were filled with kayaking, campfires, gardening, climbing an over 3000-foot mountain, and adjusting to unique experiences, like using the compostable toilets beneath the vast Alaskan sky. But beyond these adventures, what stuck with me the most was the understanding I gained about the urgency of the environmental crisis we face.

At the heart of our journey was Dr. Zachary Brown, the co-executive director of Tidelines. He has demonstrated his dedication and passion for conserving the environment and educating future leaders. During his first lecture, I learned about the severity of global warming, but I also realized that much of my previous conceptions about global warming were false. The environmental crisis is not a personal issue; the blame shouldn’t be geared towards the common people for littering, not recycling, etc. It is a problem driven by powerful corporations that prioritize profits over the good of the planet. Renewable energy solutions exist, but fossil fuel companies continue to push the myth that these sources are unreliable. 

Hearing about this caused me to feel enraged to take action and seek climate justice, starting within my immediate community. I've decided to step into the role of EcoLeader for my dorm this school year, where we meet monthly to provide a platform to educate and advocate for sustainability. My goal is to embody the dedication and passion that Dr. Brown demonstrated during my stay at the Tidelines Institute, transforming environmental awareness into meaningful action.