The Bard CEP Eco Reader

The Politics of Survival: Orcas, Salmon, and Dams in the Pacific Northwest

In the summer of 2018, a Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) known as J-35 lost her newborn calf shortly after birth. She captured headlines around the world when she proceeded to carry it with her over an unprecedented 17-day, 1000-mile “tour of grief.” J-35’s calf was just one of three …

Putting the Future in the Hands of Locals

Cities lead on local sustainability action As climate action has stalled at the national level here in the United States, a growing number of local and regional governments are making commitments to lead the world into a sustainable future.  ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is one of the leading …

The Future of Our Air, Water, and Soil: Advocacy on the Forefront

By Isabelle Legare, M.S. in Environmental Policy 2021 I am often asked: “Why are you studying environmental policy?”  This is a loaded question because there are so many different ways to answer it. The other day, however, I had a revelation.  I attended a Facebook live event on PFAS (a …

Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire: Influence of Arctic Tundra Fire on Methane Dynamics

Putting Theory into Practice The Arctic is the fastest-warming place on Earth. It’s one thing to learn about rapid climate change as a Bard CEP Climate Science and Policy graduate student from textbooks and classroom discussions. It’s a wholly more impactful experience to directly contribute toward advancing our scientific understanding …

Corporate Water Management, Just a Drop in the Bucket

This summer, I’m working at Lauren Enright’s start-up business, Axiom Climate, as a Corporate Water Policy Research Consultant. The word “axiom” by definition is a statement which is of self-evident truth, accepted without controversy. The work Lauren and I have done so far explores some of the self-evident truths of …

More than a certification program: Connecticut municipalities are racing to address racism

Before George Floyd. Before Breonna Taylor. Before Ahmaud Arbery. Before Elijah McClain.   Before such devastating and horrific acts of violent racism and police misconduct renewed a sense of urgency for justice for Black lives, Sustainable CT has recognized the critical importance of anti-racism work at the municipal level since …

Looking Beyond Dams: An Innovative Experience in the Hydropower Sector

Through my research fellowship with the National Hydropower Association (NHA), I have gained a deeper understanding of the largely untapped opportunity for renewable energy revolution and climate crisis action through hydroelectricity.  Engagement with a professional experience such as this is required to complete my master’s degree in climate science and …

Biomimicry – Nature-inspired designs can make our low carbon future sustainable and efficient

Climate Change is one of the global challenges facing humanity. Climate disasters due to global warming have occurred almost everywhere. Yet, the world is still discussing how we might solve the problem, what action to take, and most of all, who is responsible? If we delay action, if humans allow …

We’ve Got the Receipts: Realizing the Sustainability Goals of a Small Hudson Valley Town in 2020

I’m interning with the Town and Village of Rhinebeck and analyzing their environmental policies—at a critical time in an uncertain COVID-19 world.