04/26/2026
It wasn't one single moment; it was a gradual realization. As her backyard grew browner and drier, heat waves intensified, and wildfire season threatened the people she loves, climate change stopped feeling distant and started feeling personal. "Climate change is very much a relevant, existential threat," shared Katinka Lennemann.
That realization reshaped her future. Instead of thinking about the type of work she wanted to do, Katinka started reflecting on climate change as the issue that she wanted to make a difference in. She's now looking for organizations and projects that address climate change.
When thinking about her peers, who may be overwhelmed by climate change, Katinka shares, "That's normal. And you're not alone. One of the most beautiful things about humans is the driving ability to persevere, and to persevere together. Should you feel ready, I would encourage you to join any sort of group who is making a difference, big or small. There is power in the collective towards having hope for the future."
As we approach the end of Earth Month, how are you creating space for students to turn concern into collective action?
