Student Essays, Opinions & Other Insights on a Sustainable UMD 2013-2014 Academic Year | Page 8

Hanum Wensil-Strow
Major: Animal Science and Environmental
Science and Policy
Class of 2014

I signed up for the sustainability pledge because I felt
like I had become inattentive to how my sustainable
my everyday actions are. As an Environmental
Science and Policy major and the daughter of a
climate change physicist and a farmer, I have spent a
lot of time learning about sustainability. I recycle, I
turn the water off when I brush my teeth, and I know
more about compost then most of my peers. However, I also leave my room light on sometimes, always grab a
plastic container for my salad, and drive to places within walking distance. While reading the pledge I realized
that recently I have not taken the time to create new sustainable habits and avoid my bad habits. I thought the
pledge would provide me with the opportunity to alter my actions so that they reflect my priorities.
As a child growing up on a farm my days were filled with playing with baby bunnies, picking carrots, and
climbing our cherry tree. This type of childhood helped me foster a deep respect for the world around me. It
also made me more aware of how our world is changing as the direct result of human actions. Currently,
fracking and gas drilling are threatening the long-term integrity of our farm, my mother is struggling to grow
vegetables in a more extreme climate, and urban development is destroying nearby forests. Since my idyllic
childhood, I have seen unsustainable actions threaten or destroy the places I care so deeply about.
In order to be more sustainable I believe the university should reevaluate whether or not lights are necessary
in “off hours” in their buildings. For example, the stadium lights are often left on for long periods of time.
Academic buildings are often lit at night and dorms lights are often on during breaks. Although I understand
that insufficient lighting can be a safety issue I believe a reevaluate of lighting protocol will help the
University show students their commitment to sustainability. Hopefully progressive actions by the University
will encourage students to also invest in sustainability.

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