Georgetown University: Empowering students to tackle global environmental challenges

From melting ice caps in the Arctic to record-breaking heat waves across the globe, the effects of climate change are impossible to ignore. In 2023, Europe experienced one of its hottest summers, leading to wildfires and droughts, while floods devastated parts of Asia. These extreme weather events serve as urgent reminders of the challenges ahead. As environmental crises intensify, the need for action has never been clearer.

Young activists like Greta Thunberg have become global symbols of the fight for environmental justice, inspiring others to join the cause. Thunberg is part of a generation stepping up, understanding that their future is inseparable from the planet’s well-being. Another young environmental leader is Zoe Gutherman , a Georgetown University student who is passionate about environmental science and sustainability.

“I remember learning about climate change in my eighth-grade Earth Science class, and it was one of the first times I had to conceptualize how great of an impact human actions have on the environment,” she says.

That early experience sparked her interest in the environment, leading her to pursue a BS in Environment & Sustainability (BS-ES) at Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown University.

Georgetown University offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for environmental careers with global and hands-on experience in Washington D.C., the nation’s capital. Source: Georgetown University

Georgetown University, ranked #22 in the country, offers a unique interdisciplinary program that equips students to tackle environmental challenges from multiple angles. The Joint Environment & Sustainability program, a collaboration between Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences and the Earth Commons Institute for Environment & Sustainability, fuses science, governance, ethics, and communication, allowing students to engage with the complexities of climate change in a holistic way. It’s a great fit for students like Gutherman who are eager to make a difference.

“I chose the BS-ES because I love learning about the intersection of environmental science and how humans can adjust their actions to be more beneficial than harmful,” she says. “More than just the processes of how our planet works, this program offers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the processes between people and our environment.”

Georgetown’s program, which also offers an Environment & Sustainability minor, stands out for its rigorous academic training and hands-on experiences. The curriculum is designed to expose students to foundational environmental and sustainability topics while allowing them to pursue their own interests. During the first two years, students follow a more structured path, ensuring they build a strong knowledge base. In the final two years, they can explore specialized areas, tailoring their education to their goals.

“The greatest thing I have received from the program, besides the wonderful exposure to the intellectual material, is the ability to speak up for what I believe in and to make sure that my voice is heard,” says Sophia Rose Monsalvo, now entering her junior year.

Beyond the classroom, students gain experience through internships, environmental immersions, capstones, and more. These opportunities allow them to apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations and develop professional skills that will serve them well after graduation.

One of the program’s highlights is the environmental immersion experience. Students can choose to explore the ways that global problems and questions on environment and sustainability often manifest in local impacts, which in turn require local responses. This can cover a variety of topics and take place at different sites abroad, in the US, and/or in DC region.

The BS in Environment & Sustainability program prepares students for a future where they are integral to environmental solutions. Source: Georgetown University

The curriculum also emphasises the importance of policy, advocacy, and communication. Located in the nation’s capital, Georgetown gives students access to the nation’s biggest decision-makers and opportunities to influence environmental legislation and public awareness. With its custom pathways, experiential rotations, and Capitol Campus  location, the program prepares students to make a positive environmental impact at the highest levels.

One of Georgetown’s program’s strengths is its accomplished faculty, who bring a wealth of scholarship and real-world experience to the classroom. They are dedicated to not only teaching the science of environmental issues but also helping students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to spark solutions.

“With the BS in Environment & Sustainability, you’re part of something bigger: an incredible, global community dedicated to effecting change for the environment and building a deeper understanding through firsthand experiences,” says Professor Jesse Meiller, Co-Director of BS in Environment & Sustainability.

Diane Li, another student in the program, agrees. “This program has allowed me to combine my passion for the environment with my interests in humanities,” she says. “I aim to fully comprehend the systemic barriers that impede environmental justice. From there, I aim to combat such barriers and spark reciprocity in the communities that I’m in. My classes have inspired me to think in different ways and explore new topics, and I’m excited to see where my future studies take me.”

What’s more, Georgetown has a community that empowers students from diverse backgrounds to contribute their perspectives. Monsalvo reflects that as an African-American Latina woman in the program, she brings a unique perspective to these traditionally white-dominated spaces. “I feel the faculty within the program genuinely value my presence and contributions, and they support and challenge me to continue pushing barriers within it.”