Accelerate Climate Solutions Interns Learn about Advocating for Policy Change from Carolina Chimbanda

Carolina Chimbanda, a rising senior at Loyola University Chicago, presented to our summer interns on Wednesday, July 1st. She is an environmental policy major and experienced advocate for environmental policy legislation.

She joined us for an interview, followed by a presentation about her work with the Utah Wilderness Alliance, and wrapped up with a Q&A with our students. Lead Intern, Andrea Ramirez, began the interview by asking Chimbana about her background. Like many of our interns, she’s a Naperville local, having graduated from Neuqua Valley in 2023.

Detailing her early experiences, Chimbanda noted that she was often the only person of her generation and background at many conservation events. This prompted her to explore and find more opportunities, meeting new people from varying backgrounds that share values around environmental protection. She remarked that conservation and care for nature was a uniting cause for so many people.

Driven to shape conservation policy, Chimbanda has engaged on multiple layers of policy influence: directly drafting legislation with Illinois State Representative Janet Yang Rohr, making decisions as an executive member of the Illinois Sierra Club Chicago chapter, and lobbying as the midwest organizing representative for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. 

The enthusiasm of one person can have the largest impact on others. When asked why she focuses on peer to peer recruiting, Chimbanda remarked, “It's kinda funny, I wanted to inspire not the next generation, but my generation.” Reaching out to her classmates, Chimbanda found out that so many of her peers enthusiastically joined her. This reminds us of the importance of spreading climate awareness and that grassroots movements matter. 

Working on a larger scale, Chimbanda explained that protecting wilderness on federal land requires partnership and sponsorship across America for it to succeed. After learning about the  America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act (ARRWA), Chimbanda accepted a position with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance to protect natural wilderness by gaining congressional support in Illinois for ARRWA. 

Clearly, Chimbanda is devoted to safeguarding the environment both locally and nationally. As a young environmental leader, Chimbanda's final message to other youth leaders is, “you belong, you have a seat at the table.” Chimbanda repeated this message as a reminder to encourage the next generation of environmental and conservation advocates. 

With Chimbanda’s personal experience revealing the critical importance of preparing environmental leaders to empower grassroots movements, Accelerate Climate Solutions is providing the learning grounds, showcasing how to develop skills and experience. 

We encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and make your voice heard about this key issue. To learn more about how ACS is taking local action sign-up for our newsletter and follow us on social media!

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Note: Information and data was derived from Carolina Chimbanda’s interview and Utah Wilderness Coalition's presentation.