Wills Point resident, Hamilton College senior Lilia Harlan organizes college Sustainability Fair

Harlan is an environmental studies and theatre double major at Hamilton

Clinton, NY (09/21/2021) — Early this summer, Wills Point resident and Hamilton College senior Lilia Harlan began to strategize about how to connect students and faculty who are concerned about sustainability, climate change, and climate justice. The result was a Sustainability Fair organized by Harlan and other Hamilton sustainability coordinators. Harlan is an environmental studies and theatre double major at Hamilton.

Harlan envisioned the fair, held Sept. 9, as a catalyst for further campus conversation and action this academic year and beyond. She'd like to see it become an annual event.

"It feels like a push toward a changing culture on campus. I've been seeing this change happen over the last three years I've been here, and I hope we create more spaces like this for important conversations and moments of connection between all kinds of people," she said.

At the heart of the event was a panel discussion that included representatives from other student organizations and the Hamilton sustainability coordinators. Panelists also included Hamilton faculty.

At one point during the discussion, an estimated 60 people gathered under a canopy on Dunham Green to hear panelists take on questions: Why are young adults and college students so important for the climate justice movement? Do you see a connection between climate justice and other issues students are raising on campus? Has Hamilton's climate action community been inclusive, and what actions can be taken or are being taken to make it more inclusive?

When the panel concluded, audience members joined small, informal groups to talk about issues such as climate change and social justice and emissions and climate action. Participants had a chance to mingle with faculty, members of Slow Food, the Sunrise Movement, and the Feminists of Color Collective, among other groups.

By holding the fair early in the semester, organizers aimed to introduce new students to the many opportunities for sustainability activism on campus.

Lilia Harlan is a graduate of Forney High School.

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