Reflections from My Internship and Study Abroad
By Caroline Weiss, Environmental Policy Advocate Intern
From delving into priority environmental legislation in Pennsylvania to exploring the policy and technology critical to Icelandic renewable energy, I was fortunate enough to have several experiences formative to my growth as an environmental advocate this summer. As the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter’s Environmental Policy Advocate Intern, I have worked under the guidance of Jen Quinn, the Chapter’s Legislative and Political Director, to learn how to analyze timely legislation such as Growing Greener III and the Conventional Oil and Gas Wells Act. Reading these bills and associated commentary, attending virtual hearings, and discussing future implications with Sierra Club staff have deepened my understanding of the intricacies of environmental regulations in my home state. Before this experience, I knew little about the complex debate over the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a critical carbon-reduction program Pennsylvania is on the verge of implementing, and the oppositional Senate Bill 119, which aims to block Pennsylvania’s participation, prior to this internship. Since campaign finance is a major aspect of political lobbying, one independent project I completed this summer was a spreadsheet to research campaign finance records of state level elected officials in the General Assembly. This information will be used in the future to strengthen support and funding for these key players in environmental advocacy. I have also been working on a power mapping project that will involve Sierra Club volunteers to identify who and what influences decision makers in order to better equip staff and volunteers for legislator meetings. Accordingly, I have provided written summaries of meetings and hearings, kept track of votes on environmental bills, and participated in phone and text banking.
In the middle of the summer, I paused my internship for a study abroad experience in Iceland where I studied renewable energy, technology, and resource economics. Throughout the program, I noticed several connections to my work with the Sierra Club. From studying the success of Iceland’s clean energy technology to seeing firsthand the public benefits of a very sustainable society, I could better comprehend the end goals of environmental advocacy in the States. Icelanders place great value on their environment and have implemented a broad range of policies that incentivize renewable energy development, land conservation, and green solutions such as composting and public transportation fueled by biodiesel. There is little to no controversy in Iceland about the dire threat posed by climate change or the responsibility of both individuals and corporations to reduce their environmental impact. Inspired by Iceland’s example, I conducted my independent research project on the lessons of Iceland’s renewable energy transition. Some of my findings focused on how the U.S. could learn from Iceland’s example, which included the importance of a comprehensive national energy plan, subsidies for sustainable projects, and public/stakeholder involvement.
Upon my return home at the end of July, I reentered my internship refreshed and with a more concrete vision of what a carbon-neutral, environmentally conscious Pennsylvania could look like. I have gained more extensive knowledge about how renewable energy works and the massive advantages of harnessing these abundant resources. Most crucially, I continue to hone skills such as policy analysis, persuasive communication, and open-mindedness, all of which enhance my effectiveness as an environmental advocate. With my broadened global perspective and skills gained from Sierra Club staff and volunteers, I am much more confident in my ability to fight for the kind of truly sustainable future that I glimpsed in Iceland.
This blog was included as part of the Fall 2021 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!