Ecological champions raise ‘green alarm’ to need for consumerist change
As the grass returns under the warmth of a spring sun, The Green Alarm aims to wake students up to dangers the planet faces. The Green Alarm has served as an epicenter for education of the student body to environmental issues present in today’s society.
West Alumni Abby Furcy and Hannah Chung founded the club in 2020 in hopes of making changes and spreading awareness about climate change. Current co-president, junior Emmy Reichenberger, follows in their footsteps and carries their legacy into her current leadership of the club.
“Abby and Hannah were both amazing co-presidents and they were great leaders of the club, which makes tough shoes to fill,” she said. “I do look up to both of them and definitely use some of their ideas and strategies from past years to take a step in the right direction when making sure that this year is just as successful as last year.”
Since its inception, a main area of concern for The Green Alarm has been educating students and teachers of not only climate change but also small ways to maintain sustainability. Reichenberger recognizes the significance.
“I think that the most important part of our club is educating the student body and teachers about ways that they can implement being more sustainable in their everyday lives,” she said.
Reversing climate change and pollution is not a single-person task. Junior secretary Sophia Olmsted recognizes that environmental change may not happen instantaneously, but will still happen if done as a collective.
“Most people have the perception that not one person can take something as massive as cleaning our planet," she said. "However, an individual's choice to correct their own behaviors that harm our environment can inspire others to do the same. And that can make a real change.”
The Green Alarm has launched some successful programs, according to Olmsted.
“We have completed our yearly pick-up of trash around the building,” she said. “We have also maintained and replanted our courtyard by the LMC. The Green Alarm is out there often in the spring to weed the flowerbeds.”
Advisor Rebecca Kent attempts to align Green Alarm initiatives around sustainable events and drives for the school community.
“We do a lot of fun events during Earth Week and other times of the year to raise awareness among students about sustainability and taking care of our planet,” she said. “We have sold reusable straws, worked with the cafe to come up with ideas to reduce waste, and hosted a vegan food tasting to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of the meat and dairy industries.”
Environmental awareness needs to begin early, according to Kent.
“It is incredibly important to start sustainable habits young, so that students can make informed decisions that directly impact their future and the impact of our planet," she said. "We cannot change the way things were done in the past, but we can learn to be better and smarter in the future and protect our planet for generations to come."
Kent also enjoys the fruits of the impact the club can make.
“Helping students learn new things about sustainability, and seeing them form good habits is such a nice thing to see," she said. "It is even better when I hear them share what they've learned with their friends and the impact spreads even farther."
Reichenberger has always found a place for sustainability, and exercises that in her involvement in The Green Alarm.
“My family has always encouraged me to be sustainable since I was little,” she said. “I joined The Green Alarm my freshman year and I’m so grateful to be a part of something with such a great atmosphere and such a meaningful message.”
Olmsted agrees.
“It feels good to contribute to our school," she said. "On top of that, The Green Alarm is a very lively and joyous group. I always look forward to seeing some of my favorite people every week to tackle these issues together.”
Olmsted believes in the importance of student involvement in ensuring a better society.
“We as high schoolers are our future; it is important to know and use cleaner practices now rather than later. That is what The Green Alarm stands for,” she said.
by Anika Flowers
Published May 20 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue VIII