I’m Alaska Fairbanks, a student passionate about sustainable business, equitable policy, and environmental design. By creating this blog site, I’ve explored the endless possibilities of these fields while simultaneously documenting my growth and development as an aspiring environmentalist.
Fighting Environmental Racism: elucidating community-based solutions for the adverse health effects of pollution
When I encountered the intersection between pollution exposure and neurodegenerative disease in the first days of my sophomore year, I felt my heart skip. Two years later, I have designed and conducted a novel study on the relationship between ambient air pollution and stroke incidence throughout counties of New York, including the South Bronx alongside Dr. Erin Kulick of Temple University. This experience inspired me to participate in direct outreach in the South Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven, volunteering in various community events and discussions while fundraising to provide 100+ portable child inhalers.
To learn more about the Clean Compass nonprofit, visit Clean Compass
Latest Blog Posts
Music moves us to action, a power that environmental nonprofit REVERB is harnessing to spur climate advocacy from millions of fans.
The ocean removes one-third of our annual carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Microplastic pollution threatens to inhibit this process.
Severe droughts in the American Southwest prompt tense debates as water becomes increasingly scarce.
How can we tap into our innate desire to interact with the environment while promoting sustainable living?
Arif Ullah, the Executive Director of South Bronx Unite, opens up on the organization’s most important initiative: protecting frontline communities from air pollution.
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has committed his company to fighting the climate crisis; instead of going public, this sustainably focused business is “going purpose”.
Sophia Michahelles, co-director of the Processional Arts nonprofit, details her role in creating art to stimulate positive change.
Retailers in search of sustainable business methods to reduce textile waste may have found an answer in 3D body mapping tech.
Visiting Copenhagen, a global capital of sustainable living, allowed me to experience the benefits of environmentally-based urban planning in action.
“Greenwashing” is the practice of corporate deception regarding the true sustainability of a company’s products. As consumers, how can we spot empty environmental promises?
A current member of South Bronx Unite and former chief of staff at the New York City Council, Dr. Fairbanks offers a unique insight into what the High Bridge means to the South Bronx community.
Coral bleaching is a seldom recognized impact of climate change. Educating today’s youth on this phenomenon can help raise awareness!
How can the implementation of Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics theory help global economies sustainably thrive in a post-pandemic world?
Fast fashion is affordable, accessible, and addictive. But, how is a disposable society affecting the environment?
Corporate enterprises are often significant contributors to the environmental detriment of the world. Nonetheless, these select companies have stepped up and begun prioritizing sustainability.
I co-lead a simulation of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference through my school’s Sustainability Initiative. Did the actual conference yield significant progress against climate destruction?
I attended a SBU Community Discussion to answer two questions: What issues plague local communities of color, and what methods of outreach can promote equity and amplify residents’ voices?
Explore my role as a summer intern organizing removal efforts of invasive water chestnut plants from local parks.
I visited Maya Lin’s exhibition in New York City, which shows her recreation of a barren forest that was once vibrant with life.
We can no longer ignore the pollution and waste produced by this new economic phenomenon.
Mott Haven citizens experience increased pollution exposure as their home becomes a corporate dumping ground.
How has the pandemic pushed us to find more enriching, environmentally-friendly ways to travel?
Championing schoolwide sustainability through awareness and peer education
As an active member and leader among my peers at my school’s Byram Hills Sustainability Initiative (BHSI), I regularly spearhead projects that promote environmental awareness and sustainable behavior, such as a Terracycle recycling program and collection drives of pop tabs, e-waste, and batteries, throughout the student body. Additionally, my fellow BHSI members and I create environmental content for elementary children in the district, aiming to educate younger students on how to combat daunting issues including plastic pollution and coral bleaching. To devise the best outreach methods to these prospective environmentalists, I can look to my experience teaching children about core science concepts as a Science Ambassador and giving art classes through EnterTeenment.
To learn more about this latter program, the Peer Environmental Leadership initiative, read my blog post about creating an educational content launch.
Member of:
The Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences
The American Public Health Association
The Environmental Design Research Association
Fossil fuels and air pollution aren't just a problem in every major metropolis; they're ravaging Alaska's wilderness.