{"id":218506,"date":"2022-06-22T12:10:47","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T16:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218506"},"modified":"2022-06-22T12:10:47","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T16:10:47","slug":"the-future-is-green","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/06\/22\/the-future-is-green\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future is Green"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now in its seventh year, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies\u2019 (PSEG ISS) Green Teams is in full force at Montclair State University. Each summer, students from universities across the country and in various disciplines, descend on campus for the Green Teams program. <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s 50 students are divided into 10 teams and paired with host organizations to survey, research, analyze \u2013 and ultimately report on \u2013 sustainability projects for partner organizations, including Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, PSEG, Weeks Marine, Inc. and the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition Essex Hudson Greenway Project. <\/p>\n

PSEG ISS supports research and community projects, including climate change in New Jersey, and energy and water studies globally. In its seven years of operation, the PSEG ISS Green Teams Internship Program has had 320 undergraduate students from 68 different universities and almost 120 degree programs go through the program. By the end of this summer, the 64 teams (including 10 from this summer) will have completed over 250 projects for 39 different hosting organizations, many of them repeat customers. The 2022 students hail from 31 universities and represent 45 degree programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the greatest group of students we’ve ever had,\u201d said PSEG ISS Director Amy Tuininga during the official launch of this year\u2019s Green Teams summer program on June 2 at the University Hall Conference Center. <\/p>\n

PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Director Amy Tuininga kicks off the 2022 Green Teams launch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This year, the Institute also partnered with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who told students that their work was crucial, was the keynote speaker at the launch. <\/p>\n

LaTourette was candid and said improvements need to be made if New Jersey is to meet its statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. \u201cWe’re not doing well,\u201d he told the students. \u201cWe’re going to need you, the work that you’ll do in this program and well beyond in your careers ahead, is critical. Each of us owns a part of this planet, and what we all do affects one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

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New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, right, discusses Green Teams projects with (left to right) College of Science and Mathematics Dean Lora Billings, Provost Junius Gonzales and PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Director Amy Tuininga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LaTourette said each of the Green Teams had a \u201cpoint of connectivity\u201d with his department and he urged students to reach out to NJDEP employees, many of whom were on hand to meet with students during the launch. He also touted the virtues of working for a cleaner and safer planet, noting that it is a rewarding career. \u201cSo, get out there. Do good work. Rely on us to help you in all the ways that we can. Stay in this place, it\u2019s a good one. You\u2019ll feel good about it \u2026 because you’re working on protecting the one thing that we have in common that doesn’t have a political identity and that is the environment that we share.\u201d
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Public Health major Jacyann Watson says she\u2019s excited about working on the Cooperman Barnabas project.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

\nMontclair senior and Public Health major Jacyann Watson says she\u2019s excited about working on the Cooperman Barnabas project and bringing her unique perspective to her team. \u201cI am looking forward to learning more about how hospitals work and creating ways to reduce their carbon footprint,\u201d she said. \u201cI’m excited to meet and learn as much as I can with the Cooperman Barnabas staff because they are all brilliant. I think it will be helpful towards my career because I will meet many people from different disciplines that I will learn a great deal from and gain experience.\u201d\n

Although the summer program just kicked off, Watson says: \u201cThis experience has already taken me out of my comfort zone. I am looking forward to gaining leadership skills, becoming a stronger public speaker and just becoming a more confident, well-rounded young woman.\u201d
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\nAnthony Grande, a Political Science major at Montclair, is on the New Jersey Natural Gas team which will help the company increase awareness of its energy efficiency and energy assistance programs.\n

\u201cWhat I am looking forward to doing the most in this program is connecting with and helping overburdened communities in New Jersey to help ease the many financial burdens they face in this state, while [also] being environmentally responsible,\u201d Grande says. \u201cThis is a very unique opportunity to learn more about my fellow New Jerseyans in ways you cannot get from reading articles or watching videos.\u201d <\/p>\n

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales welcomed the students and congratulated them at the launch, noting that the program was exciting beyond the work on sustainability.<\/p><\/div>

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Montclair Political Science major Anthony Grande was thrilled to join the Green Teams and is working on the New Jersey Natural Gas team.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe partnerships here with the different representatives from PSEG and the commissioner and others represent how you really need multi-sectoral commitment and involvement to get collective impact to tackle some of the world’s wicked problems,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hector Ferrer, senior ESG analyst with PSEG, told the students: \u201cThe work you’re doing is going to have a real impact with your partners. The work you’re doing is going to have an impact in the State of New Jersey.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Members of the NJ Transit team introduce themselves during the launch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tuininga says the students will spend 10 weeks with their hosting organizations to develop and deliver high-level sustainability projects that will be presented on August 3. The paid internships are supported by the PSEG Foundation, academic and corporate partners and grants from the National Science Foundation. Since 2017, Montclair State University has secured $2.9 million in National Science Foundation grants<\/a> designed to build more inclusive STEM workforces, connect students and their families to careers in STEM, and increase STEM literacy for all.<\/p>\n

An enthusiastic Watson urged others to apply to future Green Teams. \u201cIf any student, regardless of major or age, has the opportunity to apply, just do it! This internship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the individuals who have cultivated this program did a great job at creating an organized, diverse, well-rounded program. I have no doubt that when it’s over I will leave with much experience and great opportunities that stemmed from this program.\u201d <\/p>\n

Indeed, the PSEG ISS has been key in propelling participating students into internships, green jobs and graduate\/professional studies.<\/p>\n

The PSEG ISS projects and team members are as follows: <\/p>\n

AvalonBay Communities<\/strong> \u2013 The team will calculate water consumption and help develop a plan for reducing water consumption, conduct a competitor analysis for biodiversity best practices and inform people of programs where they can purchase green energy.<\/p>\n