Our 2017-18 Planet Forward Correspondents

Learn more about the talented team of students selected to be 2017-2018 Planet Forward Correspondents, and be sure to click through to see their full profiles:

  • Mariam Abdallah, SUNY Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, New York): A junior studying broadcast journalism, with a minor in political science, she hopes to become an international correspondent.

  • Katherine Baker, Columbia University (New York, New York): A graduate candidate seeking an MPH in Environmental Health Science, who hopes to focus her work on sustainable food systems and clean water.

  • Gillian Elizabeth Daley, Florida International University (Miami, Florida): A sophomore in International Relations and Political Science, with a strong interest in the environmental changes seen in the ocean.

  • James Ian Duffy, Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey): A senior studying Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, who says our challenge, moving forward, is to mature into the role of sustainable “planetary planners.”

  • Conner Elliott-Knaggs, Elon University (Burlington, North Carolina): A senior in Policy Studies, minoring in Human Services, he finds a challenge in getting engagement in sustainability issues and hopes to inspire action through his work.

  • Terrius Harris, University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi): A senior studying International Business Administration, French, Environmental Studies, International Studies; and Entrepreneurship, is interested in sharing the stories of indigenous communities that are losing their homes because of climate change.

  • Alaine Johnson, Yale-National University of Singapore (Singapore): A senior in Environmental Studies is interested in effects from climate change-related flooding and the exploitation of animals and the issues stemming from it.

  • Austin Keating, Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois): A graduate student in Journalism, focusing on Interactive Storytelling, said we should look at the shift in optimum growing conditions for plants due to climate change - and what that means for agriculture and food supplies.

  • Dakotah Kimbrough, Warren Wilson College (Asheville, North Carolina): A senior in Environmental Policy, he would like to focus on the cultural and individual disconnect from the natural environment that has arisen in our age.

  • Matilda Kreider, The George Washington University (Washington, D.C.): A sophomore in Political Communication is interested in public lands conservation and outdoor recreation, which, she says, is at the core of the American environmental story.

  • Maizy Ludden, Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York): A junior in Biology/Geology wants to look at the diverse stories behind how different cultures connect to the environment physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

  • Navya Pothamsetty, University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, California): A sophomore in Public Health and Public Policy hopes to highlight the stories of people who are working toward ways to make the planet better, and also what you can do as an individual to help the environment.

  • Hailey Smalley, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Syracuse, New York): A junior in environmental studies, she said she believes that we can combat climate change through continued small scale efforts.

  • Olivia Urbanski, Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, Illinois): A senior with a dual major of Environmental Studies and Global and International Studies, she wants to share the different ways communities are confronting climate change and how they are working together — far and wide — to make their communities and nations more sustainable.

  • Gavin Winter, Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts): A junior in Chemical Engineering, and coming from a science background, he’s interested in energy security issues, and issues with sourcing of materials for next-generation technologies.

All Correspondent work will be featured here. Check back frequently!

How do you move the Planet Forward? Tweet us @planet_forward or contribute to the conversation with your own story.

Hub Content

Alaska sunset

A sunset photo from on board the National Geographic Sea Lion, during my recent life-changing trip to Alaska. (Photos by Katherine Baker/Columbia University)

Planet Forward Senior Correspondent | Cornell University
Next in our Alaska series: While many still find climate change up for debate, perhaps the way to engage and persuade these individuals is by focusing on its effects in their own communities rather than in far away places.
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent | Cornell University
Next in our Stories of Alaska series: Learn about how climate change and overfishing are threatening marine species. But Alaska sets a prime example of how to maintain a sustainable fish supply.
Mountains near Glacier Bay National Park

Mountains near Glacier Bay National Park in southern Alaska. (Photos by Katherine Baker/Columbia University)

Planet Forward Senior Correspondent | Cornell University
Next in our Alaska series: Climate change isn’t just seen – it’s felt. Weather and temperature fluctuations aside, many experience health impacts caused or exacerbated by climate change.

(Laura Whaling/Planet Forward)

UC Berkeley
Part of our Stories of Alaska series, this piece explores the state through wildlife, plants and bioindicators, looking at today's challenges and accomplishments, and signs of what's to come. 

Here, a citizen scientist does sampling in Rocky Mountain National Park. (National Park Service)

UC Berkeley
Two scientific storytellers explain the communication strategies they use and talk about what the consequences of ineffective communication are in the modern era.

(Photo courtesy Andreas Carlgren)

Loyola University Chicago
Sweden's former Minister of the Environment, Andreas Carlgren, instructs students at The Newman Institute in Uppsala, Sweden, and in this Q&A, provides unique insight into the environmental consciousness that pervades the country.
Beef

Sustainable cattle farming creates a smaller carbon footprint in Freiburg, Germany. But is sustainable cattle ranching feasible on the large scale that the U.S. beef market demands? (Shandra Furtado/Planet Forward)

Planet Forward Senior Correspondent | Cornell University
Beef is a major player in our food system, but at what cost? Correspondent Katherine Baker discusses the effects of beef on the environment and our health in this op-ed. 

The responses to the Freshest Cargo truck have been really positive, said Danielle Hamilton, Education Program Manager at Fresh Approach. One of their regular visitors explains that in their hometown of Antioch, California, finding fresh produce is difficult, as “the closest decent grocery stores are over 10 miles away.” Additionally, prices, sustainable farming, and CalFresh discounts make this truck a great addition to the community. (Photos courtesy of Fresh Approach)

UC Berkeley
A California nonprofit uses an innovative, sustainable approach to combat food insecurity in the Bay Area, finding solutions by understanding the challenges communities face.
Loyola University Chicago
For my love of Nutella and the environment, I take a close look at one of the hazelnut spread's main ingredients: palm oil. Here's what I learned about it — and what companies are doing to reduce the environmental impact.

Lamppa Manufacturing welder Levi Niemi works on the fire chamber of a wood furnace. (Austin Keating)

Northwestern - Medill
Proposed changes in the deadline for new wood-fired furnace regulations is causing tension between manufacturers, the EPA, and Congress; some argue the economic stability of the industry relies on a delay.

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