Anjali Doria
Senior, Unity Environmental University, New Gloucester, Maine, USA
Anjali is a senior at Unity Environmental University, where she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Passionate about giving back to her community, she spends her free time volunteering with local conservation organizations. Anjali’s sustainability interests include food insecurity, soil health, food waste, and ocean conservation.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Powerful, Educational, Inspiring, Community, and Game-changing.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 was creating a FLOSN meal with my family. We were able to make a filling, delicious, FLOSN meal for less than $4/person. It was eye-opening to see that this healthy meal cost a third of the price of our average meal. However, what made this experience the most memorable was including my family. I can’t express how much joy it brought me to see my family support me in this Project Green journey and go out of their way to participate with me. It was the first experience within the challenge where I realized how much my community motivates me and how eager I am to show my community that I support it as well.
CAP Project : Manchester Food Forest
Anjali’s Climate Action Project (CAP) focuses on creating a food forest at a medical center in Manchester, Tennessee to address food insecurity and restore soil health through regenerative agriculture. Early harvests will provide fresh, organic produce to residents in need. As the forest matures, the goal is to replace Unity Medical Center’s cafeteria offerings and support the Daily Bread food distribution program. Success will be measured not only by food output, but also by soil improvement and community engagement.
Full CAP Summary here
Barbára Villanueva
Freshman, Universidad Anahuac Mayab, Mérida, México
Bárbara has known from a young age that her mission in life is to help others. She has led recycling initiatives to encourage peers to adopt sustainable waste separation habits, and now studies Environmental Engineering at Anáhuac Mayab University. Bárbara is committed to preserving Mérida’s rich biodiversity. Alongside her PGC Team Eco Rise, she believes that Project Green Challenge will help her fulfill her mission of inspiring environmental change.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Transformative, Challenging, Insightful, Collaborative, and Empowering.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
One of the most memorable aspects of PGC 2024 was the intense teamwork experience I had throughout the program. From day one, we were encouraged to collaborate and support each other in every activity. What stood out to me was a simulation session where we had to solve an environmental challenge within a limited timeframe. Each team member brought their own perspective and skills, which led to innovative ideas. I remember how, at first, we faced disagreements about the direction of the project. However, through open communication and everyone’s willingness to listen, we managed to find common ground and build on our differences. This experience not only reinforced our ability to work together but also fostered an atmosphere of trust that allowed us to be creative. By the end of the program, we not only presented a viable solution to the problem, but we had also built a strong sense of camaraderie. Seeing each of us grow in confidence and skills was truly inspiring. This experience taught me that teamwork is not just about reaching a goal; it’s also about building meaningful relationships and learning from one another along the way.
CAP Project : Lu´um Kuxtal (Earth Life)
Bárbara and Team Eco Rise are focused on addressing water scarcity in Maxcanú, Mexico. Their CAP involves installing a rainwater harvest and filtering system at the local church to provide reliable access to clean water. They will plan future visits to implement workshops to raise awareness, aiming to foster a sense of community and strengthen their relationship and responsibility with water. They hope their project will create a model for other rural communities to follow.
Full CAP Summary here
Callyan Lacio
PhD Student, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Callyan is an Indigenous-Hispanic American and first-generation student studying the impacts of human activity on seal vocalizations and behaviors, and the impact of research in Indigenous STEM education. From rural Kansas, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoo Science and Conservation Science from Friends University. Her diverse background includes roles in dolphin and manatee rescue and rehabilitation, PFAS, and marine biology camps. Callyan’s goal is to balance marine research with local Indigenous community collaboration and foster STEM connections for future generations.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Unexpected, Community-driven, Synergistic, Pioneering, and Hands-on.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
By far the most memorable was doing accessible outdoor adventures in the “Outdoor” and “Forests” challenges. I’m someone who is from the middle of the US, hadn’t seen the ocean until I was 22, and didn’t get to take family vacations due to being in a low socio-economic family. It would’ve been life changing for me, especially as a young kid, to be able to explore nature outside of the farm. I was almost in tears thinking about my younger self and how transformative an experience that would’ve been. I’m thankful to know the fantastic resources I learned about through those challenges. The Outdoor challenge allowed us to do in-person adventures or online adventures. While I’m so thankful and privileged to live in a state now where I have access to forests, the ocean, large waterways, etc., I think it is important not to take that privilege for granted. By doing the online option, I am much more informed and feel confident to share those with others. It is a great thing to see for those who don’t have the physical, financial, or any other ability to experience it in person. Someone I’ve been following on social media for a long time is @benkielesinski and in his adventure videos he says “Want to come on an adventure with me? Too bad- you’re coming.” and he takes you along on 1st and 3rd person adventures. I love that these PGC challenges gave me the same warm feeling that Ben’s videos do.
CAP Project, Voices of Science
Callyan’s CAP aims to empower and amplify Indigenous voices while highlighting the coexistence of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with contemporary science. Initially focused on creating an education day for the Wampanoag tribe’s Preserving Our Homelands camp, the project has expanded significantly while maintaining its core mission. It now includes monthly meetings between the tribe and external organizations, outreach to integrate the tribe into local community conversations, and the development of a workshop on revitalizing seal subsistence hunting. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable, community-driven initiatives that the tribe can manage independently, ensuring they have the resources to continue amplifying their voices.
Full CAP Summary here
Césaire Kouadio
Graduate Student, Universidade Técnica do Atlântico, Mindelo, Cape Verde
Césaire is a graduate student from the Ivory Coast pursuing a Master’s degree in Climate Change and Marine Science at Universidade Técnica do Atlântico in Cape Verde. His passions have led him to research ocean dynamics, food security, and drivers of marine productivity. Césaire also works with Mon Potager Bio, helping women farmers practice organic and sustainable farming methods. He aims to advance climate resilience by applying his research to support sustainable practices in vulnerable communities.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Engaging, Inspiring, Transformative, Learning, and Wonderful.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
PGC 2024 Challenge is one of the most cherished experiences because I was challenged to think too much about my actions and their chances to correspond with my values. Each daily challenge provided some opportunity for me to venture into different aspects of sustainability, however Day 1 and Day 15 are the most exceptional. Day 1’s “Imagine” challenge brought to life a burning desire to see what the world could look like if we all became environmentally friendly. It was indeed an incredible way of kick-starting the journey. Fast forward onto Day 15, the aspect of focus was on soil health, which was quite eye-opening as it showed me the possibility of restoring systems and increasing food supply through regenerative designs of which I love to help out communities with their projects at MON POTAGER BIO. Another fundamental element of why PGC was such a great experience in my life was how it created links between all those individual impressions and an action-based agenda. The daily tasks, however, not only described the problems and issues on the global map but also outlined the way how one could make the global trends work for him given his circumstances. Naturally, that encouraged and inspired me, but also brought a proper modesty in me since I knew that there were also other people participating. This is further consolidation of my resolve regarding sustainable advocacy and more importantly it gives hope that change can happen even at the smallest of levels and consistency can build the change over time. PGC 2024 was a set of challenges rather, it was a journey that changed the perception towards one’s self, one’s actions and the way one fits in the whole context of sustainable movements.
CAP Project : The Circular Economy Marketplace & Repair Hub
Césaire’s CAP is a sustainability initiative in Mindelo, Cape Verde, envisioned as a permanent hub over the next five years for eco-friendly products made of upcycled or repaired materials. Initially focused on two workshops, the project has expanded to also include artisan engagement, beach cleanups, repair competitions, and one grand workshop. It empowers youth artisans, students, and communities to convert waste into usable products, thereby spurring innovation in upcycling. The initiative is establishing a strong foundation for long-term impact of the circular economy in Cape Verde through networking, community engagement, and fundraising efforts.
Full CAP Summary here
Godfred Owusu
Senior, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Godfred is a climate activist and community leader from Ashanti, Ghana. His passion for sustainability and environmental justice was ignited during Project Green Challenge, where he engaged with pressing environmental issues affecting his community. Godfred’s journey through PGC transformed his awareness into action, empowering him to envision a sustainable future, spark home, and galvanize people to drive change.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Transformative, Empowering , Collaborative, Inspiring, and Impactful.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 was the collaborative spirit fostered among participants. Connecting with fellow activists, sharing ideas, and learning from their experiences created a sense of community that fueled my motivation. The discussions we had about our projects and the challenges we faced were not just inspiring; they were a reminder that we are not alone in this fight. The friendships I formed during this challenge will continue to support my activism long after PGC ends.
CAP Project : Kumasi Waste Free Project
Godfred’s CAP addresses the pervasive problem of plastic waste in Kumasi, Ghana, by creating a sustainable, community-driven recycling model that fosters entrepreneurship, provides employment opportunities, and promotes environmental responsibility. Through the collection, processing, and transformation of plastic waste into valuable products like bins, school desks and reusable bags, it aims to reduce plastic pollution, empower vulnerable populations, and build a more circular and sustainable economy.
Full CAP Summary here
Jack Yu
Senior, Team Penguin, Polar Bear and Turtle, Hamden Hall Country Day School, Hamden, Connecticut, USA
Yuanzheng (Jack) Yu, a senior at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Connecticut and part of PGC Team Penguin, Polar Bear and Turtle, is passionate about data science and climate change. As the founder of the Carbon Footprint Club, he encourages his peers to consider their environmental impact. Jack and his friends developed CarbonTrackApp.com, a platform where users can log their carbon-reducing actions, earning credits that can be used for rewards and competitions. He believes that creating positive feedback for carbon reducing actions will foster sustainable habits.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Teamwork, Surmount, Connect, Share, and Reflect.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
PGC left me with the most memorable aspect is the richness and comprehensiveness of the resources in each day’s challenge. One of the most memorable moments for me was the 3D nude eye exploration of the magnificent expansive forests of Alberta, Canada under the greener title of Day 11’s challenge on forests. Without this challenge, I would never have been able to sit at home and explore and appreciate the evolution of the forest and learn about how indigenous people do their best to help face the forests on which they depend. It made me even more determined to create more green spaces in our neighborhoods that can be enjoyed and balance air pollution.
CAP Project : CarbonTrack
Jack and Team Penguin, Polar Bear, and Turtle have created a youth-led carbon accounting platform designed to promote environmental education and daily green action among teenagers worldwide. Through a website and app, users log eco-friendly behaviors, calculate CO2 emission reductions using authoritative, research-based algorithms, and use the “Carbon Credits” they earn to compete on leaderboards and exchange gifts in the “Credit Mall.” This gamified process incentivizes young users to repeat positive actions consistently until a green lifestyle is formed. To date, 12 high schools worldwide have joined this movement, engaged over 145 active users, and cumulatively saved 158 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Full CAP Summary here
Janet Herrera Hualpa
Senior, Team Green World, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Perú
Janet is a Civil Engineering student in her final semester at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and part of PGC Team Green World. Janet is committed to contributing to Perú’s sustainable development. Inspired by her parents’ stories of natural beauty, she developed a deep admiration for nature, which has driven her to explore Perú’s landscapes. Witnessing climate change’s impact firsthand has fueled her commitment to environmental advocacy. Through her engineering work, Janet aims to create sustainable solutions that will protect Perú’s biodiversity for future generations.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Commitment, Self-reflection, Will, Empathy, and Responsibility.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
For me, the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 was the commitment I upheld with each challenge that came up. Sometimes I would arrive feeling exhausted, but as soon as I saw the proposed topic, the motivation to research and write about it made my fatigue disappear. Each topic was so interesting that I genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to dive deeper and share my perspectives. This experience was significant because it pushed me out of my comfort zone, as I hadn’t previously expressed myself publicly on these subjects. PGC not only inspired me to learn more but also to connect and communicate in a way I hadn’t explored before.
CAP Project : Yaku Sumaq
Janet and Team Green World are addressing plastic pollution in Perú’s oceans through an educational and environmental CAP. The project seeks to foster ocean awareness and sustainability through active citizen engagement, with a strong emphasis on developing student-led environmental leadership. Grounded in innovative pedagogical strategies, it empowers young participants to become agents of change within their communities, promoting the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems.
Full CAP Summary here
Kylie Chalise
Junior, Team Sustainable Souls, Jericho High School, Jericho, New York, USA
Kylie is a junior at Jericho High School in Long Island, New York, with a passion for environmental sustainability. Her commitment to addressing environmental issues and finding innovative solutions was strengthened throughout Project Green Challenge, as a part of Team Sustainable Souls. Kylie works with the nonprofit STEM to Flower, empowering young girls to explore STEM fields. She strives to inspire her community to take action for a more sustainable future.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Fun, Inspiring, Challenging, Meaningful, and Engaging.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
What has perhaps been most unforgettable from PGC 2024 is how connecting to a community of people who are highly concerned with the desire to make a difference acts. Every day, I encountered people with diverse backgrounds that shared unique insights and stories about their personal environmental journeys. These contacts served to reinforce the understanding in me that, when people come together toward the same purpose, a change can occur. Another highlight of PGC for me was the involvement in the hands-on challenge that actually made me think out of the box for solutioning, making me resourceful. I had to find sustainable solutions given the limitation in the resources, which was quite challenging yet rewarding. This taught me the essence of adaptability and reminded me that environmental change can be achieved even just by small adjustments. Finally, the daily articles and reflections were transformative, offering the ability to connect global environmental issues with personal action. Reading stories of communities already suffering from the effects of climate change instilled a great sense of urgency and purpose in me, making each challenge feel impactful. Such moments have turned the PGC into an event, not just something that happened, but an important experience reshaping my commitment toward sustainability.
CAP Project, Sustain and Sprout
Kylie and Team Sustainable Souls have worked to close the loop on food waste through sustainability and community engagement. The system transforms everyday food scraps into compost to nourish plants in a community garden, creating a cycle: scraps to soil, soil to plants, plants to plate, and plate back to scraps. Planted vegetables are used in the school cafeteria or FACS classes to make nutritious meals. Additional workshops on making “seed bombs” to scatter in neglected places and help pollinators and restore ecosystems encourage the school community to rethink waste, take actions for the planet, and embrace sustainable practices that contribute to a healthier, greener world.
Full CAP Summary here
Mahmudur Rahman
Senior, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mahmud is a fourth-year Environmental Sciences student from Dhaka. His love for the environment began in childhood with visits to rural areas. Mahmud’s commitment is evident through his involvement in various environmental communities and forums. He is particularly interested in researching water quality and biodiversity along the coasts of Bangladesh. Mahmud aspires to become a climate activist who works collaboratively to combat climate change.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Transformative, Inspiring, Educational, Empowering and Eye-opening.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most cherished facet of PGC 2024 has to be the vibrant sense of community it nurtured. It’s the people – passionate, diverse, and spread across the globe – who made this journey unforgettable. In this digital realm, I found a global family, all united by a common purpose: safeguarding our planet. What made it truly memorable was the collective synergy. I, myself, alone, would be hesitant to share environment related content daily on my Instagram. The camaraderie that blossomed as we shared ideas, stories, and solutions was electrifying. It was like a mosaic, with each participant contributing a unique piece, forming a beautiful, environmentally conscious tapestry. Moreover, the creative challenges opened the floodgates of ingenuity. Witnessing innovative eco-solutions emerge from this creative cauldron was awe-inspiring. It illuminated the immense potential of collective action to tackle even the most formidable environmental challenges. In this shared journey, I discovered that individual actions, when woven together, create a vibrant tapestry of change. It was a profound reminder that our collective efforts can shape a better, more sustainable world. The memory of this spirited, united front against environmental adversity will remain etched in my heart as a testament to the power of global collaboration
CAP Project : Project AquaRevive
Mahmudur’s CAP is an initiative to tackle the growing water salinity crisis. The project focuses on mitigating harmful effects of shrimp aquaculture, which contributes significantly to seawater intrusion and salinity, disrupting livelihoods and ecosystems. The aim is to promote eco-friendly shrimp farming practices, alternative livelihoods, and sustainable agriculture solutions.
Full CAP Summary here
Marria Peduto
Masters, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Marria is pursuing a Master’s degree in Marine Affairs at the University of Washington, while working as a researcher in the Coastal Fisheries Ecology Lab. She serves as Co-Chair for the U.S. Youth Action Committee for the UN Ocean Decade and previously researched coral reef restoration in Bali as a Fulbright fellow. Marria co-founded the Food for Thought Project to address food insecurity during COVID-19. She is focused on the intersection of marine resources and community resilience in a changing climate.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Thought Provoking, Actionable, Reflective, Inspiring, and Educational.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
I felt that the prompts I expected the least from were some of the one’s I felt deeply compelled by. For instance, I was flabbergasted by the difference in my perceived water consumption in a given day versus my actual calculated water usage. That prompt made me fundamentally reconsider my water usage and I am actively working to improve my water conservation in my new home. Similarly, I was not expecting the Wellbeing day to impact me as much as it did. In writing my letter of gratitude to my friend, I became deeply emotional when reflecting on the impact he has had on my life. I feel like I seldom express my gratitude in the written form, so taking the time to verbalize and document our stories, memories, and his impact in my life was both cathartic and stirring. After sending the letter I felt anxious as to what his response would be since it was rather heartfelt and deeply personal, but he was touched by my vulnerability and responded with kind words of his own. Both of these challenge days presented welcome surprises that really stuck with me throughout the project and I’m thankful that I completed those prompts.
CAP Project : Waste Not, Want Not: A Food Waste Initiative
Marria’s CAP tackles household food waste by raising awareness and promoting sustainable habits among college-aged individuals in the US. Through a social media campaign @MarriasKitchen and cooking workshops, the CAP aims to inspire teens and young adults to adopt small daily actions that reduce waste. The goal is to foster a culture of sustainability, empowering individuals to make lasting, responsible choices around food.
Full CAP Summary here
Megan Garber
Freshman, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois, USA
Megan is a sign language interpretation student at Illinois Central College with a background in Chemistry and Mathematics. She is passionate about understanding the environment and working with others to start healing the Earth. Megan is active in her community, from providing foster care support to volunteering with Communication Junction to teach young children sign language. With her scientific background and her skills in advocacy, she hopes to inspire others to make meaningful changes for the planet.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Empowering, Engaging, Collaborative, Eye-Opening, and Impactful.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable aspect for me was writing a song on the vote day. This song was a reflection on the different challenges and what I had learned about them. From deforestation to indigenous ownership from regenerative framing to air and water pollution from soil erosion to extreme natural disasters, it all plays a part into what is occurring in our current climate situation. Creating this song helped me to put all of the piece of the puzzle together and know that I have to speak out and advocate for change in order to make change happen.
CAP Project : Stone Soup Society
Megan’s CAP is an educational program designed to empower at-risk youth by teaching them to use their families SNAP benefits effectively for FLOSN ingredients. The program will address food insecurity, food waste, and ingredient repurposing, equipping students with lifelong skills to manage and understand their food choices. By fostering stronger and healthier relationships with food, Megan aims to break cycles of food insecurity.
Full CAP Summary here
Mila Shih
Junior, San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo, California, USA
Mila is a Taiwanese-American student at San Luis Obispo High School with a dream of becoming a plant and soil scientist. Inspired by a science and gardening teacher, she learned the importance of respecting nature from an early age. During the pandemic, Mila discovered how natural solutions like fungi and plants can replace synthetic chemicals, sparking her passion for sustainable practices. Influenced by the book The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, she believes that nature holds solutions to many environmental challenges.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Empowering, Enlightening, Enriching, Eye-opening, and Motivational.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
The most memorable part of Project Green Challenge has been learning SO MUCH more about environmental issues and their sustainable solutions. It has been amazing to wake up everyday with a new theme to learn about, realizing that our actions spark a chain reaction that can significantly impact environments, for better or worse. I was stunned to discover the trillions of tons of plastic and food wasted each year, and how our daily habits can be changed to become WAYYYY more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
CAP Project : A Fruitful Future
Mila’s CAP aims to bring awareness to the San Luis Obispo community and beyond about urban food forests’ potential to solve a plethora of issues facing metropolitan areas, including air quality, the urban heat island effect, water scarcity, biodiversity, and food insecurity. Work includes in-depth research, outreach to local businesses and organizations, and educating students about the potential of systemic change in how people think about their relationship with water, the environment, and urban spaces as a whole. The results have already been seen in connecting with and encouraging SLO residents to begin converting lawns into food forests.
Full CAP Summary here
Sarah Q
Junior, Westover School, Middlebury, Connecticut, USA
Sarah is a high school student at Westover School in Connecticut. Her passion for environmental science began in middle school during a competition to design a sustainable city. Sarah is particularly interested in the issues of fast fashion, food waste, advocacy, and innovative environmental solutions. She hopes to deepen her understanding of the natural world and make a meaningful impact. Sarah plans to major in Environmental Science in college, continuing her commitment to sustainability.
What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Empowering, Transformative, Eye-opening, Global, and Connection.
What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
Participating in PGC has been an unforgettable experience, but the most memorable moment was when I met Ivanna, a fellow participant from Mexico. I had been wanting to connect myself with other participants but was nervous, and the challenge on Day 17 gave me the perfect opportunity. It was so inspiring for me to meet someone who shared similar passions and aspirations despite our different backgrounds and locations. Ivanna’s enthusiasm made me more excited; she was an incredible listener and also talked to me about where she comes from, what she cares about, and her personal life too. What I remember most, though, was both of our desires to learn and grow in terms of climate advocacy. She told me, “I don’t care about winning each challenge, I want to work hard on the challenges,” which was evident in the quality and time she put into her posts, like her produce pals! I didn’t realize that a single conversation with another like-minded student could make me feel more supported and inspired. I understand that the summit for finalists allows them to attend a meeting to learn and to grow, but also to make friendships and connections with those around them. I am especially excited for that aspect of meeting people who are truly passionate to make a difference in the environmental movement.
CAP Project : Style Cycle
Sarah’s CAP is a sustainability and social impact initiative that brings together fashion, environmental awareness, and a sense of community. It was inspired by learning about the extreme impacts of fast fashion and consumerism on our earth through PGC, specifically how the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, which is 1.2 billion tons annually. A campus Swap Shop allows faculty and staff to donate clothing while also picking out new items! The CAP helps reimagine how fashion is viewed on campus and beyond.
Full CAP Summary here
