The Fervor of an Environmentalist by Shelby

The Fervor of an Environmentalist by Shelby - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

My dream has always been for nature to be my office space, and studying environmental science would set my dream in motion. As a young adult living in an era of global conflict, constant overbearing news, and social inequality, one of my biggest concerns regarding my future is the state of the environment. Climate change, pollution, and the unsustainable use of Earth’s resources are putting our planet under physical burden, and it is an overwhelming thought to think of what world we could be living on in the coming years. However, I believe that my passion for altruism and helping my community is stronger than my worries about the future.
My academic plans will not only be centered around science, but also learning how our communities and planet can be sustained and protected. I want to learn about the effects of human activity on the environment as well as the effects of environmental issues on humans. This would include learning about adverse health effects of poor environmental conditions on humans, reasons for growing natural disasters, causes and impacts of environmental injustice within certain communities, economic effects of compromised resources, and so much more. I also want to learn about the connections between different cultures and their respective environments and ways to combat environmental degradation to protect these cultures, while also participating in volunteer work and service for environmental efforts. It is important to show people that what we give to the planet will be what we get in return, good or bad. The security of our world is the security of our people, and this principle of environmentalism is one I want to act on and teach while studying in college.
I am hoping to make a contribution to my community as a future environmental scientist by understanding the complexities between people and their rich, distinctive environments, while also giving my help to manage and sustain forests, beaches, animals, etc. My values as an aspiring environmentalist include passion, protection, and selflessness; being able to study global environmental science and gain the skills that are rooted in these principles would be immensely valuable to my moral aspirations for my future career.