Gillian Murphy is a senior in college. Dual Bachelor Program with Sciences Pocompleted his first two years of university in Reims, France. A native of Northern Virginia, Murphy has spent half his life in Southeast Asia, living in Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. Growing up in such a biodiverse region developed her deep appreciation for nature. But witnessing the various threats to the environment, including deforestation, air pollution, and the increasing number of natural disasters, also taught her the urgency of protecting the environment.
At Columbia University, Murphy spends his time outside of the classroom exploring New York City’s parks and museums and editing articles for magazines. Columbia Political ReviewAnd from this semester, Students Union for Sustainable Development (SUSD).
What attracted you to majoring in sustainable development?
In France, I became involved in environmental activities, which sparked my interest in a career in environmental policy. I studied Political Humanities at Science Poe, but when I learned about Columbia University’s Climate School and Sustainable Development Program, I decided to diversify my academic experience and gain STEM skills in addition to my social science background. I thought it was a great method. I wanted to think realistically about how I could spend my life working for the environment, and I loved studying with interesting and diverse people who seek sustainability in myriad ways. did.
How does this program shape your understanding of sustainability?
Until I joined the program, sustainability was a limited term for me that meant “going green” and maintaining a rational consumption of natural resources. After a year in the program, I am now thinking about sustainability in a broader perspective that applies to all sectors. In the field of policy, sustainability means designing flexible laws that evolve as environmental issues and needs evolve. In finance, it means investing in clean energy technologies and financing a just energy transition in non-industrialized countries. Sustainability is less about concrete solutions to the reality of finite resources on a warming planet, and more about how our actions can prevent harm and make the world better for future generations and non-humans. It is a perspective that everyone should apply in order to imagine how things can be maintained.
Some classes in particular shaped my understanding of sustainability. In other words, Sustainability and the meaning of placea travel internship to Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, taught them to think about sustainability at a more local level. It’s tempting to think about how environmental problems can be tackled on a global scale, but sometimes it’s more humane and better to prioritize community-level solutions and sustainability concepts. there is. This also allows for better inclusion of indigenous perspectives and ensuring environmental justice, while adapting to the particularities of local realities.
Please tell us about your recent internship.
I worked there this summer Environment and Energy Research Institute (EESI) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. EESI is committed to science-based solutions in environmental and energy policy, with a special emphasis on parliamentary education and public outreach. I was a development intern, and every day at work was different. For example, I wrote grant proposals, hosted information sessions on Capitol Hill, researched environmental and energy policy, and wrote articles on complex topics for the public ( for example, Carbon border adjustment mechanism (within the EU) and handled communication for donation campaigns. I found this position through an online search for “Environmental Internships in DC.” We were highly motivated by EESI’s optimistic message and long-standing reputation as a valuable resource for policymakers. With this fortunate discovery, I have learned a lot about how nonprofits work, what are Congress’ current environmental priorities, and how best to encourage involvement and support for environmental efforts. We had a wonderful summer of learning.
What skills from the Sustainable Development Program did you use in your internship?
This program has provided me with a strong knowledge base in the sustainability field. michael gerrard’s Climate change law and policy My law school courses provided me with a very detailed background on American climate and environmental law. This was helpful when attending hearings on Capitol Hill and researching federal funding. inflation control law. Much of my work involved breaking down environmental issues into accessible language and materials that policymakers and the public could understand. This is an important step in inclusivity that I learned about in various courses on environmental justice.
What did the internship have to do with your studies, and what do you plan to do after graduation?
The internship gave me a glimpse of the non-profit environmental field, and I knew I wanted to pursue that kind of work in the future. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and international affairs, with an emphasis in environmental policy. However, after graduation and before the master’s program, I would like to spend several years gaining work experience and solidifying my interests and aspirations.
