AP Environmental Science student Nathan, from Brophy Prep, Phoenix Arizona shares some insights into the student-led organization recently set up at Brophy, the Student Climate Coalition.
In the 2020-2021 school year, Brophy has witnessed the rise of an environmentally-conscious organization that is shaking the meta of conservationist policies on campus: the Student Climate Coalition. Headed by visual arts department faculty member Mr. Cooper Davis ’10 and upperclassmen students like Biplove Baral ’21, the Coalition is increasing Brophy’s awareness of environmental issues it perpetuates.
After being appointed as campus Sustainability Coordinator, Mr. Davis sought to bring broader engagement throughout the school by developing a student-based organization that is not quite a club on its own, but an interdisciplinary web of student leaders connecting clubs with the thread of environmentalism.
“We’ve accomplished an astounding amount in a year,” Mr. Davis notes. “We’ve gone from just a few motivated students to a robust board of directors, having engaged dozens of clubs in the issues of advocacy and sustainability.”
One of the most staggering instances of success the SCC has accomplished this year is through a convincing pitch to install solar panels in Brophy’s parking lot. According to Mr. Davis, the plan is not only appealing to the school board of trustees, but it boasts direct benefits for students, too. “It pairs both climate change action with financial responsibility by the school to help expand scholarship options. We’re doing good by doing good – it’s called ‘Solar for Scholarships.’ Brophy is going to save a ton of money by going to solar, and we think that money should go to offer more scholarships.”
Additionally, the SCC has worked to bolster efforts in protecting the sacred Oak Flat from destruction by a copper mining company. Students in the Brophy Native American club relayed 188 miles from Flagstaff to the landmark Chi’chil Bildagoteel and contacted Arizona Congressmen with objection. The impressive protest from activists around the Valley forced the Biden administration into delaying construction of copper mines in the region. Although construction has not been totally cancelled, participants in the fight for Oak Flat consider the deferral a significant step in protection of the land.
Mr. Davis continues, “We believe that all issues of environmental justice are affected by the climate crisis, so we do not limit ourselves to solely carbon emission concerns. Addressing any issue of water, land use, waste streams, or direct emissions through energy production are all great ways we can take on the current environmental crisis at large.”
Although the Student Climate Coalition has made efficient progress this year, there is still much work to be done. “Right now, we have a lot of habits on campus that are incredibly environmentally damaging, but we have the momentum to shift those—Brophy has the potential to be a more environmentally conscious institution.”
Already, there have been a multitude of minor “shifts” in Brophy’s environmental participation. The school cafeteria has reduced its plastic production, and the school implemented AstroTurf in the Pentagon courtyard to reduce water consumption and cost. However, waste production remains unruly, and more adjustments must be made for the school to be intentionally conservationist at its highest ability. “The idea is always to do the best you can with the resources you have,” Mr. Davis stipulates. “Brophy has immense resources to do immense good, and we need to continue to leverage those resources in the most environmentally conscious way we can.”
The Climate Coalition encourages students to join its dedicated team; above all, it desires diversity and broad participation across the student body, especially as it brings further environmental shifts to Brophy. “If you have a project you’re interested in or an environmental issue you’re passionate about, come to the SCC. We will help you organize and get change done. We want to be as collaborative as possible with as many people as possible.”
