Interview with Karen Pooley

On March 6, 2019, I interviewed Karen Pooley, a member of the Lehigh Sustainability Council who acts as the at large staff director of the Environmental Policy program and is on the education subcommittee. Throughout the interview Pooley was asked questions pertaining to non-native species and general education of the topic. Pooley responds that early education is the key to environmental change. She answers about different ways to encourage interest in the topics within the general public. The biggest issue with environmental topics is the lack of interest to people that could really speak up. Pooley also talks about how Lehigh’s campus is responding to these issues.

Below are the questions I asked her and her responses.

 

Why do you think there is no early education on the topic of non-native species?

It might not be too relevant yet. There has been early education about recycling, climate change, and energy efficiency. The topic hasn’t grasped the imagination of those with the power to influence the system. The topic doesn’t have a champion, no one to fight for the cause. Some people in CA during the drought decided to paint their grass while others opted for natural yards – stones. When people know of a problem their open-minded enough to change.

How would increasing early education of the topic impact the cause?

Kids will go home and tell their parents about what they learned in school. Then families try their best to enforce the life style tweeks to better the environment and set a good example for the children. Ex. Recycling

What is the best way to educate the public about the issue?

Early education will impact everyone. *see above question Maybe there needs to be a reward system too.

Is it possible to improve our situation if education is widespread to the public?

If the question is: will the public care? Yes, the public will care; even if it’s a small number of people at first. Eventually more and more individuals will join the cause. Companies will end up caring too, whether it be for environmental reasons or economic.

What will our ecosystems look like in the far future if education isn’t improved and nothing is done?

They’ll get worse and worse until we’re forced to pay attention.

Why aren’t there as many events for the sustainability program than other groups around campus?

Other groups’ activities are advertised more. There are so many things going on and the students can’t do everything. Some sports, classes make students obligated to go to the more educational events by offering incentive like extra credit.

How can we increase student involvement?

Different people do things for different reasons. The key is to aim for widespread attempt to draw in as many different groups of students as possible. Bringing in an alumni or giving the student an incentive could boost the attendance numbers. Having the lecture answer the question: How can they use the info to improve their futures? The students are here to better their futures, going to a lecture that will do that is more popular than you might think. Either way, there needs to be some kind of hook.

Other comments:

Mountaintop Campus has a native meadow in progress. It’s pretty, natural, environmentally friendly, and requires no upkeep – that’s nature’s job. Builders and contractors for all the new campus development are keeping the environmental impact of the new buildings and pathways in mind. The time to act is now! We are in a perfect position to intervene now.

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