By Jacklyn Debald February 14, 2019

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I have always been interested in the environment, but once I got involved with Defend Our Future, I realized it was my passion. I recently declared a second major in Environmental Policy and Decision Making and I’m aspiring to be a conservation psychologist. Being an intern with Defend not only helped me grasp my dream job, but it has also given me a chance to start making the difference I had always wanted.

The environment is the foundation for all of the things that we love and need: clean air, clean water, being outside and being healthy. It gives us joy, meaning, and most importantly, it gives us life. However, it is something that is being taken for granted, and this truly is not fair. I believe that people who are passionate about the environment are the best kind of people because we want to make the world a better place, and I love working alongside other Defend Our Future volunteers and interns who all share that vision.

Just recently, I had the chance to have my letter to the editor published in multiple Ohio newspapers, including The Columbus Dispatch, calling for our Senators to protect mercury pollution safeguards. Not only am I very proud to have been published, but I’m also very grateful to be part of the Defend Our Future family, having experiences that allow me to grow as a student, an activist and an environmentalist.

Jacklyn Debald is a freshman at The Ohio State University.