“One of my biggest goals in life is to combat the climate crisis.” said Sophie Schaumann, a junior at Concordia College majoring in biology and environmental and sustainability studies. “I care so much about the environment, and I don’t like the impact humans are having on it, at all.”
Schaumann is also the president of the Concordia Greenhouse Club (CGC). CGC is comprised of roughly 20 members from a variety of backgrounds and majors, “Not just plant sciences or biology majors,” said Schaumann. Schaumann herself got involved after asking former Head of the Greenhouse, Chris Graf, if any positions were available. Graf told her about an upcoming greenhouse internship. “I love plants. And I loved the greenhouse whenever I got a chance to come in here. So, I took her up on that opportunity,” said Schaumann.
Schaumann worked the next semester organizing greenhouse volunteers into running events and working on plant projects. One ongoing project has been taking care of a living pond. “Professor Dr. Michelle Marko, who sadly passed away a few years ago, started this pond, and now we’re restoring it,” Schaumann said, “We have fish and snails. We also have lily pads, a cool bog area, and little waterfalls on the sides.”
Studies show that spending time in nature or around natural things can be a boost for mental health, so Schaumann and the volunteers of CGC are providing a sanctuary for students.
“I see the greenhouse as a spot where people can disconnect from the stress that classes and activities bring,” said Schaumann, “It’s a form of hope, particularly in the winter when it’s completely white and lifeless outside. You come inside the greenhouse, and it’s a breath of fresh air completely made by plants. It just makes people happy.”
Schaumann also runs an Instagram page, posting pictures of the greenhouse plants “just to brighten people’s days.” You can follow them at @cord_greenhouse.
Empower yourself and work in service of the climate crisis by making small changes at home. Try reducing the number of single-use plastics you consume by using bar shampoo. Buy laundry detergent from companies like Dropps in bulk, with friends or neighbors, to save on detergent and help save the planet. Toothpaste too comes in tubes that won’t degrade for thousands of years, so try Bites to eliminate that single-use plastic from your life. Three tips are enough for now, but keep an eye out for future content with guides on how to make more of these changes at home and within your community.
About the Author
Benjamin Velani is the Lead for America Climate Fellow and serving AmeriCorps member at West Central Initiative. He recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cornell University, majoring in Religious Studies and Government and writing an undergraduate thesis on the human and ecological effects of light pollution and dark night skies. He was formerly the Dining Editor at The Cornell Daily Sun, and he’s now taking the lead on West Central Initiative’s Climate Action Newsletter.
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