Our 2019-2020 Planet Forward Correspondents

Congratulations to our 2019-2020 team of Planet Forward Correspondents! Read below to learn more about the exceptional team of students selected, and be sure to click through to see their full profiles:

  • Rohan Agrawal, University of Mississippi, is a junior majoring in computer science with double minors in international relations and mathematics. He has a great interest in using his education to solve issues surrounding climate change and hunger.
  • Brooke Bowser, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a junior studying environmental sciences and life sciences communications, and also working toward a certificate in sustainability.
  • Devon Camillieri, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry,  is a junior seeking a degree in environmental studies with a concentration in communication and society. She's minoring in environmental writing and rhetoric.
  • Natalie Chun, Northwestern University, is a junior studying journalism and legal studies.
  • Codi Clark, Texas Tech University, is a junior agricultural communications major, with a minor in natural resource management and a strong interest in photojournalism.
  • Iana Davis, Misericordia University, is a senior studying mass communications.
  • Mahalia Dryak, Reed College, is a senior majoring in environmental studies-biology.
  • Lindsay Eberhart, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, is a junior majoring in environmental studies with a focus in policy, planning, and law.
  • Anne Flaherty, Eckerd College, is a senior majoring in environmental studies and minoring in film studies.
  • Valerie Gutierrez, Middlebury College, is a junior studying economics.
  • Elina Mariutsa, Northeastern University, is a junior studying international affairs and political science, with minors in Russian and history, while simultaneously working on her master’s degree in public administration.
  • Jake Meyers, University of Arizona, is a graduate student in the master's of development practice program and an aspiring development practitioner and social scientist primarily interested in climate change adaptation and international development.
  • Charles Olsen, SUNY Plattsburgh, is a senior environmental studies student, with a focus on environmental justice issues.
  • Max Sano, Franklin & Marshall College, is a sophomore majoring in government and environmental studies, with a minor in Arabic.
  • Cate Twining-Ward, George Washington University, is a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and minoring in sustainability.
  • Marisa Umeh, University of California, Berkeley, is a sophomore studying business administration and media studies.
  • Kelsey Woody, George Washington University, is a graduate student studying strategic public relations.

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

Essay: The impact of sailing on environmental, social consciousness

(Photos by Max Sano/Franklin & Marshall College)

Max Sano
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent | New York University
The combination of experiences from environmental and engineering sciences, coupled with working in nature and water systems, left a permanent, venerable impact on my relationship with the natural world.
Opinion | Beyond bans: Why wet market closures are just the tip of the zoonotic iceberg

Photographed in the forests of Palawan, a Philippine pangolin pup nudges its mother, rolled up in a protective ball. (Gregg Yan/Creative Commons)

Cate Twining-Ward
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
Pressuring governments to issue bans and closures of wet markets could prevent the emergence of infectious disease. But it does not solve the widespread issue of bushmeat circulation between hunters and their families.
Earth Day isn't canceled — it's gone digital
Anne Flaherty
Planet Forward Correspondent | Eckerd College
This year, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day unfortunately won't be celebrated in the streets. But many organizations are planning huge events online. Here's a rundown of three creative ways to celebrate.
In times of social distancing, people are reconnecting with green space

Hundreds of Tucson residents are using green spaces during the pandemic like the Loop, a 131-mile paved bikeway that now sees hundreds of daily users. (Jake Meyers / University of Arizona)

Jake Meyers
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
Green spaces not only help cities mitigate and adapt to climate change; they can help residents cope with the shock of COVID-19.
Opinion | Problematic perceptions of a growing desert locust plague

A recent investigation into the devastating desert locust outbreak spreading across East Africa has led me to some troublesome conclusions on the problematic nature of media coverage on Africa in the United States. (Adam Matan/Creative Commons)

Cate Twining-Ward
Planet Forward Senior Correspondent
A recent investigation into the devastating locust outbreak spreading across East Africa has led me to some troublesome conclusions on the problematic nature of media coverage on Africa in the United States.
Late Night for the Planet: Politics
Charlie Olsen
SUNY Plattsburgh
In this episode of our special late-night show, we were joined by the Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins! 
A journey around the world with Frank Sesno
Rohan Agrawal
Planet Forward Correspondent | University of Mississippi
Planet Forward founder Frank Sesno shares what motivated him to transition from CNN stalwart to champion and educator of the next generation of environmental storytellers.
Tourist attraction or environmental disaster?
Lindsay Eberhart
Planet Forward Correspondent | SUNY-ESF
Where do we draw the line between historical preservation and present-day environmental degradation? In the case of Glass Bottle Beach, where early 1900's garbage bleeds into the ocean with every tide, the line is surprisingly very fuzzy.
What do we do about urban heat islands? 
Mahalia Dryak
Planet Forward Correspondent | Reed College
The urban heat island effect is of increasing concern for cities around the world. But fear a little bit less--there are solutions in the works. 
From wastewater to drinking water: 2 experts share why water recycling is worth a second look
Kelsey Woody
George Washington University
Potable reuse, or recycled water people can drink, can both conserve and generate clean water. So why aren't more cities utilizing this as a part of their water treatment plans?

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