The Global Impact
Aluel Deng Arou: Growing Up in the Midst of War and Living Through Environmental and Public Health Issues | By Fabiola Garcia
The Scottie Climate Stories were submissions to a course (PH/ESS 202) taught by Dr. Viniece Jennings entitled ‘Environmental and Public Health Communication.’
The course focuses on communication practices and theories related to public health, the environment, and sustainability. It includes a particular emphasis on strategies for promoting behavior change as well as empowering individuals and communities. Storytelling is a technique used in the course to achieve its goals and learning objectives.
In this assignment, students were tasked to develop questions, conduct an interview and write an article geared to a lay audience. The task also developed an understanding of how personal experiences of the interviewee influence their knowledge, beliefs and actions related to climate change. “Scotties have powerful stories of passion and resilience,” shares Dr. Jennings, “this project allowed students to learn about those stories and be the conduit to share them with the world. They have powerful experiences that inform their perspectives, leadership approach and overall educational experience.”
Fabiola Garcia (she/her) is a rising sophomore at Agnes Scott College. She was born in Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico and raised in South Texas.
“For as long as I can look back, I’ve always loved our planet. I always knew there was a problem and I wanted to be able to help solve it. I don’t have a direct relationship with any cause or organization, but I am an advocate for our changing climate and the problems we face due to it. Personally, I see the effects of climate change affect my home, Texas, drastically. In the past few years, there have been natural disasters we never even knew were possible here, things people here aren’t prepared for.”
