Marcela Petiplin and Andrew Pontius, two fourth-year students in the Sustainable Development Undergraduate Program (SDEV) program, have completed their capstone project at Columbia University's Climate School. They share their experiences and advice for students who want to pursue academic careers in sustainability.
![Photo by SDEV student Marcela Petiplin](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marcella-650x574.jpeg)
marcella petiplin Born in Flint, Michigan, I grew up with a passion for the outdoors, especially the water. Her family owns a Christmas tree farm and is passionate about giving back to the community. She currently serves on the board of the Flint Classroom Support Fund.
What attracted you to the Sustainable Development major or special major?
I was most excited when I discovered that the Sustainable Development curriculum focuses on the social and economic aspects of environmental and climate issues. I originally came to Columbia to major in environmental science, but I have always been aware of and interested in the important interactions between humans and the environment. Because for me, understanding these interactions is fundamental to making the big changes needed to combat climate change. and environmental deterioration.
What advice do you have for students who want to enroll in a sustainable development program?
My advice is to take as many cross-listed courses as possible. The Sustainable Development major is characterized by a wide range of courses offered by various departments, but I wish I had taken more advantage of courses in economics, engineering, and environmental biology. Through the Sustainable Development Program, I was able to not only build a strong foundation in earth and environmental science, but also how to build on them in the real world and make corporate and government priorities more sustainable. the future.
What is your favorite class in the Sustainable Development Program and why?
Energy law course michael gerrard It sparked my interest in renewable energy, motivated me to choose a career path in the energy sector, and gave me a solid foundation of invaluable knowledge.
How has this program shaped your understanding of sustainability?
This program most strongly expanded my view that sustainability is universally applicable. Sustainability is important and accessible to all people, all communities, and all sectors. Sustainability is not only a field in itself, but also part of all other fields. This certainly expands the scope of sustainability, but it also offers great hope for a future where sustainability becomes a ubiquitous practice for everyone.
Can you tell us about your capstone project?
The Pearl River in Jackson, Mississippi, has a major flooding problem exacerbated by local precedent for allowing development on its floodplain and bureaucratic gridlock within local, regional, and state officials. As a result, the city of Jackson has been unable to move forward with new flood control projects for almost a long time. 40 years. Through a partnership facilitated by the Community and University Partners Program (C2P2), our Capstone Project has collaborated with the nonprofit organization Mississippi Citizens United for Prosperity (MCUP).
We developed a detailed regional study to compensate for the historical lack of concrete data on flood magnitude and direct and indirect impacts on local neighborhoods. Our visit to Jackson and direct engagement with the local community greatly deepened our understanding of this issue. We found a lack of understanding of the relevant hydrological principles, available flood management options, and the private, non-profit, and political interests vying for public support. All of this is due to a lack of centralized information.
In the end, the capstone workshop turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic career. It has been very rewarding to work with MCUP to develop deliverables that will serve and positively impact the community. We advise future groups, groups working on MCUP, and in general not to underestimate or take advantage of locally embedded knowledge. There is a long history of privileged students parachuting into communities, often with backgrounds different from our own, to implement what we idealize as effective solutions; It is very important to remember that the people living there are rich in information and knowledge. , you need to be thoughtful and problem-solve at every step.
![Andrew Pontius, SDEV Student](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pontius-650x433.jpg)
![Andrew Pontius, SDEV Student](https://sotp.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pontius-650x433.jpg)
Andrew Pontius is from Bremerton, Washington. Before he joined Columbia University's Sustainable Development Program, he had an 11-year dance career in Seattle and Europe, touring and performing in both ballet and contemporary his dance. An outdoor enthusiast, Andrew has also lived on a yacht in Seattle.
What attracted you to the Sustainable Development major or special major?
While I was in Dresden, Germany, I had great roommates who encouraged me to be more mindful about my consumption and live more efficiently. So my concern about consumption and waste began, but upon returning to Seattle, waking up to ash from nearby wildfires strewn everywhere was a real eye-opener. I did. What would we have without the beauty of our natural world?
What advice do you have for students who want to enroll in a sustainable development program?
Do it! We all need to address issues of sustainability and how we can all share resources. There are so many great classes out there, so be curious and try something new. The work is difficult, but the teachers are very supportive. If you're looking for a way to connect with grassroots community organizations, we recommend completing the following capstones: Radley Horton.
What is your favorite class in the Sustainable Development Program and why?
As someone interested in the future of energy in the United States, Michael Gerrard's Energy Law class is one of my favorites and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about energy. The Catskills Watershed class was a really cool way to learn about New York City's deep roots and history of sourcing water. All of the sustainable development professors I have had the opportunity to work with have been kind, approachable, and inspiring.
How has this program shaped your understanding of sustainability?
This is an empowering degree and I am extremely grateful to have taken up such a rigorous yet fun program. This program taught me that sustainability means different things to different people, and that not everyone can afford to change the way they source and use energy or the products they buy. My class emphasized that sustainable development is a complex issue that needs to be approached from many different angles.
Can you talk about the capstone project and what it entails?
The Capstone Group in Jackson, Mississippi, collaborated with community organizations on flood-related research. Together, we created a comprehensive study and created an informative story map for your webpage. Additionally, we utilized the Problem Tree framework, an approach to problem identification and solution generation used in engineering, to identify and relate the various direct and indirect causes and effects of the Jackson Flood. Provided valuable insight to the community.
The best part of the Capstone Project was working with local community members and getting to know people who fight for the well-being of their communities. We conducted our research by visiting areas most affected by prolonged flooding. Of course there are job expectations, but it's also somewhat free-form, requiring you to push yourself to learn and contribute to the group. This project taught me about comprehensive social and earth sciences that impact both my personal and professional life.