As a part of Environmental Action Week, students gathered in the Jamrich auditorium on Sept. 23 for the Power Mapping for Environmental Justice event. In this event, students collaborated to design their own grassroots campaign involving environmental or social justice. 

In small groups, students started the process by brainstorming an environmental or social issue that impacts NMU or Marquette. They were encouraged to work with local activists in the room.

“The whole point is to connect with local activists,” said Ryan Stock, assistant professor of environmental science. “All of this has the purpose of trying to catalyze social and environmental change.”

Students focused on topics they are passionate about. One group focused on making public transportation more accessible, while another brainstormed ways to make the food pantry on campus more accessible for students.

Next, students identified people in power to get in contact with who impact their issue.

“You cannot make policy or teach about the environment without having a deep understanding and a healthy critique of  power,” Stock said. 

In his presentation, Stock explained that not all policy change comes from people in power; sometimes it takes a group of motivated people, even students, to inspire change. 

After the event concluded, students had a newfound understanding of grassroots campaigns.

Junior environmental studies and sustainability student Clare Maurer said she now realizes how influential grassroots campaigns can be. 

Students also found that Stock’s section of the presentation about collaborating to make change was inspiring.

“Locally, we need to group together in order to make real change happen,” Maurer said. “Building from the ground up is one of the most important parts of the process.”