PROFILES
Katherine Oberman
ISC Community Relations Chair​
Chair of Grow at UCSD
B.S. Sociology, Major
Masters of Education
How did you become interested in sustainability?
The first time I remember feeling an interest in sustainability was in elementary school when my friend and I tried to convince the principal to replace the styrofoam cafeteria trays with paper or reusable ones. We even collected recyclables from families in the community and brought them to the recycling plant to raise funds because we thought it could contribute to the initial cost of switching the trays. I have always tried to look at how we could change systems for the better!
Were you involved with any sustainability organizations on campus while at UCSD and if so, could you talk about your involvement?
I joined Ellie's Garden in ERC as soon as I arrived as a Freshman, and I went on to be chair of the garden next year. I also joined the Inter-Sustainability Council, and I am currently the chair of Grow at UCSD, which acts as the coalition of student gardens on campus. I joined Grow early as a representative for Ellie's Garden, and I've been a member ever since!
Could you talk about any projects you have that are in the working?
Grow at UCSD has been working on increasing communication between gardens, as well as between the administration and student garden leaders. We are all residents of our campus community in some way, and I love how our campus gardens work with the various departments on campus to improve the community atmosphere by providing healthy food, beauty, and engagement. I love learning about the systems used to get things done all over campus, and thinking about how they could change or work together to improve parts of campus in one way or another.
Why are sustainably minded projects important to you?
I appreciate how diverse sustainability-minded projects can be. They could be existing projects that get tweaked to lessen their climate impact, or projects with an explicitly sustainable focus. Most projects fall within that continuum, which means everyone has plenty of opportunities to make a difference with their sustainable impact!
Kortni Washington
Associate Vice-President of Environmental Justice Affairs
3rd Year Public Health Major
How did you become interested in sustainability?
Growing up, I was very inquisitive about the world around me and the problems/issues that arise. I remember in elementary school watching a video about the 6th mass extinction and the loss of extensive amounts of biodiversity. I instantly began to wonder why exactly we can discuss these issues and acknowledge their existence yet not actually create any substantive change that would protect us. Being a 10 year old, I did not realize that simply purchasing an upcycled backpack for that school year wouldn’t eradicate climate change. However, the idea that I was using my privilege of being able to be sustainable is something I still hold value.
What is the Office of Environmental Justice Affairs?
On-campus, I am the Associate Vice President of UCSD Associated Students’ (ASUCSD) Office of Environmental Justice Affairs (EJA). My office is ASUCSD’s entity that is responsible for educating the campus about the intersections of environmental and justice, as well as being a part of the decision making process in order to make our campus a more equitable and environmentally conscious space.
What initiatives is are you working on currently?
Recently, we just hosted our first panel of the school year, Think Globally, Act Locally. In this event, we discussed ways to become engaged within environmental justice spaces and gained insight from those directly working in the field. Our panelists came from EJA backgrounds both on and off-campus, so it was nice to have a range in showing ways for students to get involved.
We also have begun our first round of case studies to be released. Our case studies are brief research projects diving into different EJA topics both domestically and internationally. This quarter’s theme is surrounding Indigenous relationships with the land, and case study topics including Standing with the Kumeyaay at the border and the history of California wildfires.
Why are sustainably minded projects important to you?
A lot of the projects my office wants to focus on surrounds education and outreach for EJA issues. Education in regards to environmental issues and sustainability as a whole is one of the most accessible ways to both impact the community and allow the community to find ways/niches to get involved within this space.
Barbara Hamilton
Sustainability Officer,
UC San Diego Health
How did you become interested in sustainability?
I grew up in southeast Minnesota, playing outdoors and enjoying nature. As a young girl, I was a proud, card-carrying member of the Smokey the Bear Club. I was influenced by PSAs at the time with Woodsie the Owl, who said, “give a hoot, don’t pollute”. I was also influenced by an article in National Geographic about the growing issue of trash, and the possibility of shooting it out into space to “get rid of it”. This of course sounded like a crazy idea, and inspired me to think about conservation in a more comprehensive and holistic manner.
What are the key areas of focus for your work at UC San Diego Health?
My focus is guided by the UC Sustainable Practices Policy and best practice as shared by Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm. Our policy focuses on 9 key areas: Green Building Design; Clean Energy; Climate Protection; Sustainable Transportation; Sustainable Building Operations; Zero Waste; Sustainable Procurement; Sustainable Foodservice; and Sustainable Water Systems.
Could you talk about any projects you have that are in the working? What were some of the most valuable things you gained/learned from those experiences?
We are “Greening the OR” (GOR) and developing a Green Clinic/Unit Certification program. One of the most valuable things that I have learned is how excited staff is to participate, and when they are engaged, how we can really get things done. GOR successes so far include the elimination of desflurane, an anesthetic gas that is over 2500 times more harmful to the atmosphere than CO2. We also have plans to install over 2500 LED lights in the OR ceilings, along with increasing proper waste segregation, reprocessing single use devices, and recycling for packaging and blue surgical wrap. The Green Clinic/Unit Certification program is being developed by two UCSD students, Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI) Fellows. The Green Certification program for our medical centers will help us to achieve environmental sustainability goals, financial savings, and staff engagement. In partnership with campus, the certifications will provide real-life learning opportunities for students to deploy the program: conducting evaluations, preparing recommendations, presentations, and recognition.
Why are sustainability-minded projects important to you?
There is a great nexus between sustainability and health. With an aim of “health in all policies” we have an enhanced ability to address multiple intersecting issues, such as reduction in chemicals of concern, combatting climate change, racial and social inequities, health disparities, and increased investment in thriving local economies.
Jesse Garcia
Meter Technician and Recipient of the 2020 UC San Diego Principal Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year Award.
How did you become interested in sustainability?
Having worked in the private sector for Facilities and operations, my initial introduction was building maintenance. We kept costs down in our department’s bottom line. When I came to work for UC San Diego this changed completely. The University views our role as stewards to what we have. We are not just consumers but caretakers to our environment. We all take an active role in preventing waste to ensure that those after us will have clean reusable energy while preserving the environment that is cherished by all.
Could you talk about your projects In Utilities & Sustainability?
My job responsibilities have been focused into energy conservation and environmental issues on campus. Preventing loss such as in water use has been an enriching experience. I have been fortunate enough to work with coworkers (Carly Kupka and Michelle Perez) that are exemplary stewards to sustaining and protecting our world’s limited resources.
Why are sustainably minded projects important to you?
To me, sustainably minded projects project our resolution into meeting the present and future needs of our society. Projects that keep this in mind will ensure that our present energy needs will not compromise our limited resources and ensure that future generations will have sources that will meet their needs.
Can you tell us about the award you received?
This year was special to me. I was honored to be chosen Principal Exemplary Employee of the Year by the University of California San Diego. I am grateful for this being bestowed to me and want to thank you.
Jarrod Russell
UC San Diego Alumnus
Co-founder of Impactree
How did you become interested in sustainability?
Since I can remember, I've always loved being outside and had a reverence for nature. The earliest memory I have related to sustainability is actually watching the animated film, Fern Gully. I would have been 9 years old at the time. It opened my eyes to deforestation. I attribute this strange but beautiful cartoon to sparking my early environmentalism. (It also apparently gave James Cameron some inspiration for a film you've almost certainly seen called Avatar).
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Could you talk about any projects you have that are in the working? What were some of the most valuable things you gained/learned from those experiences?
I co-founded a civic engagement platform called Impactree, which makes it easy for people and communities to take action on the issues they care about most--and measure their collective impact at an individual and organizational level. Last week we just reached 25,000 actions on our platform across key issues like racial justice, gender equity, and sustainability. We've also partnered with great organizations, ranging from nonprofits like Color of Change to cool B Corp brands like Alter Eco chocolates that are showing that business can be a force for good in the world.
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What was your involvement in sustainability at UCSD?
Yes, during my graduate program at the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) I was part of three student groups related to sustainability. I was part of The Baja Project, supporting community development initiatives in a small fishing village in Baja California, such as access to health, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and community solar power. I was also the President of the Net Impact Chapter at GPS, which is a national organization that "inspires and equips emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world". Lastly, I co-founded the UN Climate Dialogue, which was GPS' first student delegation to the United Nations annual climate summit. In the climate policy world, COP stands for the United Nations' Conference of Parties -- the first one that I attended was COP-16 in 2010 and it was held in Cancun, Mexico. This annual UN conference is literally the town hall of the world, with folks of all different backgrounds coming together to try to find common ground around climate solutions. While it certainly has issues and challenges, this gathering is truly a remarkable sight to behold and participate in.
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Why are sustainably minded projects important to you?
I've been increasingly interested in regenerative agriculture as a lens for how I view lots of things in the world. How we grow responsibly, how we heal our communities, and how we chart a course toward a better future. I believe that finding ways for each of us to promote healthy communities and a healthy planet for generations to come is a beautiful pursuit for us all to be a part of, to be in service to one another.
Student Sustainability Collective
How did you become interested in sustainability?
Kelly, Co- Director of Internal Affairs: “The effects of climate change have a disproportionately negative impact on those who contribute to climate change the least. My family comes from these communities, and because of that, I have become interested in sustainability.”
Amy Wong, Director of Operations & Resources: “Sustainability is important to me because growing up, I've always been fascinated with nature and learning about different kinds of animals. Marveling over Earth's natural biodiversity always makes me happy and I want future generations to be able to experience this sense of wonder too. This passion was further solidified when I learned more about environmental justice and how a degrading planet impacts populations disproportionately. Helping the planet also helps people, so why not do both?”
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Why are sustainably-minded projects important to you?
Sustainability, like we have emphasized in the SSC mission and values, is social justice meets sustainable development. Any form of injustice is unsustainable and therefore requires to be redressed in our inclusive climate planning.
Because of which, outside of the SSC, many directors have additional jobs and responsibilities to bring a holistic approach to sustainability. Director of TGIF & Finance Qianni volunteers at the San Diego Humane Society; it is also where she adopted her adorable pup! Camila, Director of Marketing and Media, is an intern at UCSD Women’s Center. Vanessa, Director of External Affairs, sits on the committee of University Centers Advisory Board (UCAB) to devise budget planning and the use of recreational spaces on campus.
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SSC's projects and valuable experiences that you've had?
Here at the SSC, we focus on community advocacy, collaboration, and education on the intersectionalities of climate justice. Our Corporate Accountability campaign, led by Director Naomi for example, works extensively with the Kumeyaay Community Garden to create and maintain the Kumeyaay garden in Thurgood Marshall College. Kayleigh, Director of Public Health, keeps the SSC followers updated on the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and rollout as it happens in real time. And most recently, Director of Energy and Waste Guadalupe publishes a 4-part series collaboration with Sigma Pi Alpha to discuss the disproportionate impact waste has in Latin American countries.
Follow the SSC on Instagram and Facebook at sscucsd / UC San Diego Student Sustainability Collective to stay updated on our newest projects!
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Why sustainably-minded projects important to you?
Jarrett, Director of Water: “It wasn't until I arrived at college that my eyes were opened to how expensive and exclusive popular forms of sustainability often are (solar panels, electric cars, etc.). As soon as I learned this, I wanted to do everything that I could to promote more practical and accessible forms of sustainability.” Hence, our Water campaign has a legacy project - occurring annually - to educate folks on tap water (spoiler: it is totally safe to drink!) in order to help you save money and plastic waste.
Sustainability-minded projects, like Jarrett said, should be accessible, affordable, and attainable. Individual actions like drinking tap water or biking (advocated by the Urban Development and Transportation Justice campaign) emphasize our community’s ability to take back agency and demand change from bottom-up, without compromising our priority to dismantle systemic pollution (i.e. the Coca Cola expose, courtesy of the collaboration between Civil & Human Rights and Water campaigns) and call out institutional racism (i.e. “What Is Ecofascism”, External Affairs campaign).
