As climate change accelerates, the impacts on our environment and society become increasingly concerning. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that global temperatures could rise by as much as 5 to 10℉ by the end of the century, based on current trends of carbon emissions. Evidence of the impacts is already clear, with wildfires blazing in California, average sea levels rising, and threatened biodiversity. As communities face these serious challenges, grassroots efforts (especially those led by young people) are essential. At the Bronx High School of Science, the Green Team showcases how students can take the lead in encouraging sustainability and driving positive change in their communities.
Green Team, which consists of about 15 dedicated members, is led by Sophia One ’25, Suri Wang ’25, Maysha Chowdhury ’25, and Noah Jouvert ’25 and meets every Monday in room 336. One of the club’s secretaries, Maysha Chowdhury ’25, said that Green Team’s mission is “to promote sustainability within our school and local community. Although we’ve made significant progress, there’s still so much more we can achieve.” The Green Team focuses on exploring innovative solutions that promote sustainability, motivating them to empower their peers and inspiring them to adopt eco-friendly practices. They understand that sustainability is a shared responsibility that requires involvement from the entire school community, not just their individual efforts.
Suri Wang ’25, Green Team’s vice president, highlights the educational component of their mission. “Green Team’s mission is to not only educate our members on environmental issues but also on how to take action,” she said. Many recognize the urgency of environmental challenges but may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to contribute. Green Team’s dual emphasis on awareness and action, however, provides students with knowledge and creates a culture of sustainability at Bronx Science.
The dynamics of Green Team’s weekly meetings are anything but ordinary; each session features unique discussions and plans centered around ongoing tasks and challenges. Most meetings kick off with a check-in. Members provide updates on various projects, ranging from Instagram campaigns to upcoming blogs. This collaborative atmosphere promotes a sense of community and encourages members to take ownership of different initiatives. For example, Chowdhury said they discuss upcoming events, like Climate Action Days, and assign tasks to ensure that everyone is engaged and informed.
“A typical meeting can focus on a specific issue,” said Wang. Recently, they addressed the topic of light pollution, to gear up for a Climate Action Day focused on energy consumption. These meetings often include informative slideshows and videos giving members a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
The reasons for joining Green Team differ among its members, each contributing a unique viewpoint to the group. Chowdhury, for instance, has a passion for both fashion and nature. “I’ve always been interested in fashion and had a love for nature but never realized how interconnected these two ideas were until I got older,” she said. This realization heightened her awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion, driving her to seek change through the Green Team. By addressing this connection, she aims to inspire her peers to reflect on their own consumption habits and the effects they have on the planet.
Similarly, Wang’s path into environmental advocacy is deeply rooted in her upbringing. “I have always been a strong supporter of sustainability, raised in a family where that was one of the fundamental values my parents instilled in me.” This solid foundation inspired her to connect with others who share her passion through the Green Team, enabling her to take meaningful actions toward change. For both Chowdhury and Wang, their experiences highlight an increasing awareness among young people regarding the link between lifestyle choices and environmental sustainability.
Reflecting this commitment, Mr. Geoffrey Hockert, Green Team’s advisor and a social studies teacher at Bronx Science, said, “Sustainability has been an interest and passion of mine for many years because I feel that access to a healthy environment is a basic human right, and that the natural world deserves to be preserved. I want to support and encourage young people to take these issues on.”
One of the Green Team’s most notable achievements has been coordinating volunteers who monitor the trash, recycling, and compost bins in the cafeteria, ensuring that students know where to dispose of their waste. Wang describes this accomplishment with pride, saying, “While it was something that had been in the works for a while, the fact that last year it really did come to life was something I am very proud of.” By facilitating this volunteer effort, the team has helped create a more eco-conscious environment during lunch. “Having people monitor the cans and ensure everything goes in the right place has been an amazing achievement,” said Chowdhury.
In addition to their internal initiatives, Green Team strongly emphasizes community engagement. Their annual Earth Fair is a standout event, attracting participation from various clubs within the school and engaging a wider audience in sustainability discussions. Wang recalls the excitement of collaborating with organizations like the Bronx Science Institute of Fashion (BIF) and League of Environmental and Animal Protection (LEAP). “It was really fun, and I felt that it was a good way to involve more of the student body and showcase the intersectionality of caring about the environment.” By working with other clubs, the Green Team has successfully created a lively platform for sharing knowledge and building a sense of community around environmental issues.
Chowdhury reflects on her favorite event, the clothing swap held on Earth Day. This event created an opportunity for students to engage with sustainability in the realm of fashion. “Fashion is such a hot topic with people our age, especially with the rise in popularity of thrifting,” she said. The clothing swap not only promoted recycling and reusing but also ignited important discussions about the environmental impact of consumerism, making sustainability relatable and engaging for students.
Looking ahead, both Chowdhury and Wang express their hopes for ongoing progress and growth within the Green Team. Chowdhury aims to inspire others to consider their environmental impact, stressing the urgency of collective action. “We are the ones who are going to be dealing with the impacts of climate change and need to work together if we want to help our planet,” she said. Her dedication to environmental advocacy serves as a reminder of the responsibility that today’s youth have in tackling climate change.
Wang shares a similar vision, wanting to weave sustainability into the daily lives of Bronx Science students. “While many people recognize that the environment is a concern, I hope to make sustainability something that Bronx Science students incorporate into their everyday lives.” This reflects a broader goal of fostering lifelong sustainable habits among students, ensuring that the values of environmental stewardship carry on beyond their time at school.
The significance of initiatives like the Green Team cannot be overstated, especially as the fight against climate change escalates. They contribute to a more sustainable future by inspiring a generation of environmentally conscious individuals, one initiative at a time.
“I hope to inspire others to, at the very least, reflect on their environmental impact, embracing sustainability and becoming more mindful about their carbon footprint. We are the ones who are going to be dealing with the impacts of climate change and need to work together if we want to help our planet,” said Chowdhury.
As the club continues to grow and evolve, there is no doubt that the Green Team will play a crucial role in shaping the environmental consciousness of future generations, both within Bronx Science and in the broader community. With their innovative ideas and unwavering commitment, the members of the Green Team are proving that even small actions can lead to meaningful change.
“We are the ones who are going to be dealing with the impacts of climate change and need to work together if we want to help our planet,” said Maysha Chowdhury ’25.