Morgan Sweet at the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Photo courtesy of Morgan Sweet.
As the school year wraps up, seniors are saying their goodbyes to Coronado High School and are getting ready to embark on new academic journeys. Some are choosing their next chapter to be environmentally focused.
With the ever-changing job market and increasing environmental concerns, environmental-related majors have become more popular. According to a 2022 article from Keystone Education Group, “the number of environmental science degrees awarded each year has increased by 24 percent since 2016.” There are two main fields of study, environmental science and environmental studies. Environmental science concentrates on new scientific technologies to protect the natural world, whereas environmental studies is more humanities based with a focus on human-nature interaction and the connection of science and policy.
CHS seniors have expressed their preservation passions as members of myriad environmental clubs on campus, like Stop the Sewage Club and Emerald Keepers Club, and by taking classes, such as marine biology and Advanced Placement environmental science.
But what was their initial draw to the environment? We asked two seniors about their decisions to focus on the environment in college.
Emily Novotny has always had a love for nature. Photo courtesy of Emily Novotny.
“What sparked me into majoring in environmental science is the fact that I love nature, being outside, and caring about the Earth,” said senior Emily Novotny. “I love the idea that people want to do something to help the Earth. My parents inspire me in the field of environmentalism since they've always been super ‘hippie.’ They have made me fully enjoy nature, the ocean, and they have always been great at finding more ethical ways to consume.”
Senior Morgan Sweet said, “Environmental studies is a way for me to gain an environmental conscience. I want to know what actions are right or wrong for the environment to keep my choices, as well as others’ damage-free. This is why I want to participate in environmental management and protection. I am inspired by anyone who has fascination and appreciation for what resources we are naturally given for free. It helps remind me that there are people on my side to fight for what humanity really needs when I feel that the world is hopelessly self-destructive.”
Coronado 365 Magazine is a reader-supported publication. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber.
These students have seen growing changes in activism and politics when it comes to the Earth’s environment. “My biggest environmental concern is global warming because that is the ‘level one’ issue to all problems,” Novotny said. “It messes up the whole ecosystem, food chains, and weather patterns.”
Locally, global warming and the resulting sea-level rise means the ocean could reclaim parts of Coronado. However, it’s not just global warming that has seniors concerned.
“There are sadly so many [issues] that I'm not even aware of yet, but of the ones I know, I believe synthetic material is my biggest concern,” Sweet said. “The chemical compounds used in plastics are fascinating, but it is depressing to know that they are most likely in your bloodstream. I feel that it is a matter of motivation and perspective to do something. Caring for the environment is more than consuming solar panels and electric cars but also a matter of small things, self-awareness, research, self-control, and consuming less. Environmental improvement isn’t easy, but it doesn't have to be treated like a burden, but a second chance.”
This fall, Novotny will be heading for Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu and will be majoring in environmental science with a minor in marine biology. She chose the school because of its stellar ocean conservation efforts and location.
Although Novotny isn’t sure what specific job she wants, she said, “Environmental studies really interest me. It’s all I can picture myself doing, being fully indulged in the environment and everything that comes with it, good or bad.”
Sweet will study environmental management and protection at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “This school is perfect for me because of their hands-on learning and small class sizes despite being a medium/large sized school,” Sweet said. “It is perfect for environmental studies because San Luis Obispo is close to many beaches as well as California’s agricultural lands and farming population.”
Best of luck to these two Coronado High students, as well as the hundreds of other passionate Islanders who will be moving on to their next chapter in life.
Maria Laguna is a Coronado High School senior and an Emerald Keepers intern.
Coronado 365 Magazine is a reader-supported publication. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Love seeing young people focus on the environment!