Chloe Reid
Reporter
There is no doubt that environmental change has become more visible than ever within the past few decades. Headline after headline seems to capture the consistent troubles of heatwaves, man-made fires, trash accumulating in unthinkable amounts and animals dying due to toxic environments. Throughout the years, sustainability has become more prevalent in our daily lives in an attempt to combat these current issues.
From reusable bags at grocery stores, reusable water bottles, composting and the newer implementation of zero-waste grocery stores where glass jars and reusable bags are used to purchase bulk items rather than buying items with packaging.
For a certain group of Idaho State University students, sustainability has become a much more recognizable problem, as they work to increase it amongst the Idaho State student body as well as the general Pocatello/Chubbuck population. Known as the Sustainability Club on campus, their mission statement states, “We work to establish and strengthen campus environmental consciousness and community among faculty, staff and students. The purpose of this club is to promote sustainability across the Idaho State University campus and the Pocatello/Chubbuck community.”
For anyone who has a passion for environmental change, or wants to contribute to helping the planet, the Sustainability Club could be a perfect match for you. No matter how big or small the change, the club strongly believes even the smallest amount of progress can make a big difference.
Even if it’s just to the Pocatello/Chubbuck area, the club believes that even such a small area has the potential to make an impact.
Eizaak Jordan, the current president of the club, stated, “The Sustainability Club was started because there’s a limited venue to engage in environmental action on campus. I joined the club because I’ve had a lifelong passion for the environment and there’s a drought of environmental activism in the state. It’s important that we have voices going against the forces that are taking a toll on the environment, and I wanted to be a small part of that.”
Linda Engle, one of the founding advisors in the club, stated, “Local action serves as the bedrock for addressing all environmental challenges; we aim to be a conduit for sustainability in our corner of the world.”
No matter what your idea for sustainability on campus is, the Sustainability Club has you covered. Despite whatever major or background you may have, being environmentally friendly is something that can fit into anyone’s schedule, and the club is welcome to new ideas. For anyone who is unsure of what to do, the club has several ideas in mind they hope to achieve in the coming years.
“There are a great variety of topics our members are interested in. These include but are not limited to lobbying Congress for the climate, creating environmental workshops, composting at ISU, reducing plastic waste, creating a pollinator and food garden and lots more,” said Eagle.
The idea for the Sustainability Club was created and founded in 2018 by a few students who had a passion for change in their local environment, and after an idea was pitched, it was made an official Idaho State University club in January of 2020.
Since June 2020, the club has had a recognizable amount of growth. Jordan is currently working with the Political Science Club to create a spring environmental forum, and the club has partnered with KISU to create a radio segment called Sustainable Idaho.
According to KISU’s website, “Sustainable Idaho explores why aspects of sustainability matters to Idahoans.”
Every Tuesday at 7:35 a.m., the radio station broadcasts a variety of topics, such as the 3 pillars of sustainability; economic, social and environmental, as well as topics such as climate, water, energy and agriculture.
If you’re interested in broadening your impact on the environment around you, wanting to learn more about sustainability, or wanting the support to create sustainable projects of your own, you can contact Jordan at ude.usinull@aziedroj for meeting times and more information.
