By Bree Karlson March 4, 2018

Last fall, amid my transition from a community college to a university, I wanted to find a way to get involved and meet people at my new school. Being a Conservation Biology student, it was my goal to find a group in which I would be putting my time into making a positive impact on the environment. When I stumbled upon a Defend Our Future table, I knew right away it was exactly what I was looking for.

In just one semester, I’ve learned so much more about how climate change is already affecting our lives and how important it is for young people to be actively voicing their opinions on these issues. Not only have I personally gained a lot from the experience, but this internship also gives me an opportunity to show others how they can make an impact. It’s a good feeling when you can help give a voice to someone you meet who doesn’t know how they can make a difference.

With that said, one of my favorite parts about my internship with Defend Our Future is how much fun we have! Whether I’m tabling, making phone calls, or visiting a Senator’s office, I’m constantly getting to try something new and talk to different people. We are also always in the process of planning fun events with food and guest speakers, like Defend Our Beer. Aside from being fun to plan, everyone always has a really good time at these events, and it’s a unique way to get the word out about what we do and why it is so important to get involved.

Overall, my internship with Defend Our Future has been an exciting and engaging way for me to get out, get involved in my community, and work on causes that matter to me.

Bree Karlson is a sophomore at Colorado State University.