In fall 2019, students from journalism, geography and environmental studies at Humboldt State University collaborated on projects to change the narrative on climate science. Instead of reporting on the doom and gloom, these students focused on climate solutions to tell the stories of people doing the right thing for the environment.
The collaboration involved students in Journalism Professor Vicky Sama’s Video Production class and students in Nature and Culture taught by Environmental Studies Professor Sarah Ray and Climate Change Ecosystems taught by Geography Professor Rosemary Sherriff.
Solutions stories, anchored in credible evidence explain if how and why responses are working or not. The goal of this journalistic approach is to present a more complete view of the issues, helping to drive more effective citizenship.
Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary
By Haley Agueda, Adriana Wright and Leo DiPierro
Arcata’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary plays a vital role in the health of the ecosystem, attracting more than 100 different bird species to the wetlands and marshes every year. Haley Agueda, Adriana Wright and Leo DiPierro take viewers on a tour of the plant to see how the city’s liquid waste turns into a positive resource.
Zero Waste Solutions
By Sergio Berrueta, Regine Familara and Klara Hernandez
Waste reduction is at the forefront of climate solutions at Humboldt State University. The campus organization Waste Reduction Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) puts forward the idea of zero waste management.
Native Planting
By Vanessa Flores, Joey Hajduk and Jose Herrera
Monty Caid is the owner of Native Plant Nursery and oversees Lost Foods, an organization that seeks to revive native plants in urban areas. Caid says that by planting native plants within our respective lands, we can change the tide on climate change one plant at a time.
Solutions from the Sun
By Freddy Brewster and Grace Caswell
Climate change has the potential to cost the Humboldt County upwards of $2.5 billion. But at least one Native American tribe is combating the problem with the help of HSU researchers.
Climate Debt
By Andre Hascall, Gianna Vendrell and Maria Espinoza Vazquez
How can more well-off countries help less fortunate ones in solving the climate crisis? We talk with Political Science Professor Noah Zerbe on the topic of climate debt.
Transportation Solutions
By Dakota Cox, Valentina Dimas, Nicholas Nugent and Julian Pelayo Bracamontes
Here’s a look at sustainable methods of transportation and the impact it can have on climate change.
Education Solutions
By Sigrid Arenas, Noah Schwerdtfeger and Cuahutemoc Flores
Community education is important for disseminating information on climate solutions. Here we look at interacting with the natural environment and community.
Homegrown Solutions
By Seth Finnegan, Sara Daniel and Tony Pignone
Tule Fog Farms and CCAT are both doing their part to mitigate their carbon footprint and introduce helpful solutions to climate change.
Food Not Bombs
By Karen Castaneda, Reza Omori, Jacquelyn Perez and Malachi Arthur
Food Not Bombs and Cooperation Humboldt are making food resources accessible to the community in an environmentally sustainable way.
Reusable Materials Solutions
By Lindsey Graul, Emily Al-Yagout and Mackenzie Celaya-Rice
SCRAP Humboldt encourages people to seek out reusable materials as a solution to the climate problem.
On December 9, 2019, we held a public viewing of the above projects at The Sanctuary in Arcata. Below are the audience comments written anonymously on blue note cards at the end of the night.
“If I wasn’t already a student at HSU, I would definitely want to come now! I feel proud to be associated with such a talented student body.”
“The WRRAP video had great shots and interviews. The Native Plants video was a really moving video as a real climate solution. Overall, these videos were so touching, it was a great collaboration.”
“I think it is amazing that students can have an alternative to the original assignment. I think students should present their own productions and say something about the experience about making it. I love learning about local resources and sustainability around the Bay.”
“I feel inspired by all the different perspectives and effort put into each project. Cheers!”
“I thought Chloe Robinson’s promo video for HSU was super sick. The editing was great!”
NOTE: In October, Humboldt State University and much of Humboldt County experienced several days of widespread power outages. In response to this climate challenge some students were given the opportunity to produce alternative projects for this assignment. You can view those under the “Promotion” tab at the top of this page.
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