Dear editor, Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” As young leaders, it is the job of our generation to create change and shift our realities.

Environmental issues such as global climate change, extinction, overpopulation and waste removal are all harsh realities our world is facing, yet many teenagers and people in general are unaware. As students of New Technology High School, we are taught to be innovative and create the world we would like to see. Our Environmental Science class would like to bring awareness to our community and to the global community by creating an environmentally sustainable merchandise line consisting of both clothing and bumper stickers. This clothing line will not only advocate environmental issues, but it will also inspire people to learn more about these issues and take action. It will promote an awareness and education through being made of only sustainable, environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton and bamboo, printed with only plant-based inks. Our goal is to make environmental awareness a trend and cultural norm and, by doing so, hopefully inspire change in the world.

Unfortunately, this vision cannot be executed without proper funding. In order to start this brand of merchandise, we will need a substantial fund to pay for initial costs such as the T-shirts and bumper stickers. Bringing our dream to fruition should not prove a challenge; we simply need the funding to do so. We desperately want to create a culture of caring and educated individuals and, with a little help, this dream could be viable. The Talmud says, “If not now, when?” This truly applies to us, the future leaders. We have one earth, please help us sustain it and create a better future.

Maya Weir, Jessie Williamson, Molly Levine, Tessa Levine, Reid Weber

New Technology High Environmental Science Class / Napa