By Nermin Redi
Trinity Times Correspondent
For Trinity Washington University senior Claudia Rosa-Rivera, climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality with significant consequences, and she is making it her mission in life to help address it.
As a chemistry major preparing to graduate this spring, Rosa-Rivera’s commitment to addressing climate change led her to become president of Trinity’s Sustainable Initiatives Club, where she actively encourages her fellow students to join her in raising awareness about the climate crisis.
She has seen a shift in attitudes toward the environment during her college years, which she attributes to the noticeable effects of extreme weather, such as the Canadian wildfires that spread smoke across the United States, underscoring the urgency of climate adaptation.
“Students are becoming more engaged because they are seeing the effects firsthand,” Rosa-Rivera told Trinity Times. “We try to make sustainability approachable through interactive initiatives, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.”
According to climate researcher Neha Iyer, rising temperatures, stronger storms, and more wildfires are clear indicators that the planet is warming, as detailed in a 2025 NASA report. This has made climate change one of the most urgent issues facing humanity, according to climate scientists and politicians around the world.
Climate scientists have repeatedly stressed that immediate action is necessary to mitigate the crisis and protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of extreme weather, drought, floods, and rising sea levels. The challenge, however, lies in bridging the gap between public awareness and meaningful policy action.
Climate experts and advocates at Trinity Washington University emphasize the role of education, activism, and systemic reforms in addressing climate change. From student-led sustainability initiatives to research on environmental justice, Trinity’s community is actively engaged in finding solutions.
However, legal, political, and economic obstacles continue to hinder progress.
Trinity provides both education and hands-on opportunities for environmental research and advocacy, including sustainable gardening projects and workshops on renewable energy. Additionally, the university hosts an annual Sustainability Fair, featuring guest speakers and interactive activities aimed at promoting environmental consciousness.
Rosa-Rivera’s passion for climate activism grew through hands-on research experiences. In the summer of 2023, she conducted air quality research, which deepened her interest in environmental issues.
At Trinity, she attended an Earth Day picnic in 2024 hosted by the Sustainable Initiatives Club. There, in an unexpected turn, she was offered the presidency for the following year. Seeing it as an opportunity to further her commitment to sustainability, she accepted the role.
As president, Rosa-Rivera has organized community events and collaborated with faculty on climate resilience research. Her continued involvement in environmental summits and activism ultimately led her to a Smithsonian research internship, where she developed a deep passion for environmental justice.
Students at Trinity celebrate Earth Day each year with a picnic, engaging in eco-friendly activities and climate awareness discussions. They also participate in letter-writing campaigns urging policymakers to enact stronger environmental protections and collaborate with local organizations to promote sustainability efforts in the greater Washington area.
Even with all the evidence showing how serious climate change is, there remains a significant challenge in turning awareness into real action through policies.
Emily Carter, an expert in environmental policy and a senior fellow at the Environmental Policy Institute, emphasizes the urgency of the situation in her 2023 article “Accelerating Climate Change: The Immediate Need for American Policy Reform” in the Environmental Policy Journal. Carter argues that immediate policy reform is essential to counteract the accelerating effects of climate change in the U.S.
Drawing from recent climate data and legislative analysis, Carter underscores the need for urgent action.
“The delay in adopting comprehensive climate policies is contributing to the acceleration of climate change,” she said. “And the longer we wait, the harder it will be to reverse these effects.”
Recent climate-related disasters, including record-breaking heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest, devastating hurricanes along the Gulf of Mexico, and prolonged droughts in California, exemplify the urgent need for policy action, Carter writes in her article. These extreme weather events, fueled by climate change, have caused widespread displacement, economic losses, and severe health impacts.
Environmental justice is another critical aspect of the climate crisis, said Shizuka Hsieh, a chemistry professor and environmental advocate at Trinity Washington University. She stressed that marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation.
“Historically, low-income Black neighborhoods in Washington have been disproportionately affected by pollution,” she told Trinity Times. “These communities face higher rates of asthma and other health issues due to their proximity to highways and industrial sites.”
Hsieh advocates for systemic solutions, such as urban tree planting, cooling centers, and stronger pollution regulations to address these inequities.
Environmental advocates have been pushing for legislative measures — such as stricter emissions standards, increased funding for green infrastructure, and community-based climate resilience programs.
While activism and scientific innovation are critical, legal and political barriers continue to hinder meaningful action, according to a Washington environmental attorney, who spoke to Trinity Times on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution to his clients. He added that policymakers have been reluctant to enforce strict environmental regulations.
“There is a disconnect between public perception and legislative action,” the attorney said. “Despite scientific consensus, economic and political factors often slow down necessary reforms.”
The attorney underscored the challenges of implementing federal and state policies, citing legal disputes and economic resistance as primary obstacles. While government agencies have the authority to regulate emissions, enforcement remains inconsistent due to competing interests.
“To effectively address the climate crisis, systemic change is necessary at every level of society,” the attorney said. “Real progress will only occur when economic, legal, and political systems align with the urgency of the climate crisis.”
The U.S. response to climate change is evolving, but experts agree that urgent action is required. Scientists warn that without comprehensive policies and increased public engagement, climate-related disasters will continue to escalate.
The newly inaugurated Trump Administration has prioritized fossil fuel industries, rolled back environmental regulations, and withdrawn support for renewable energy initiatives, raising concerns among climate advocates about the future of U.S. climate policy.
Trinity Washington University and its community members are actively contributing to climate change engagement through education, research, and activism, fostering awareness through sustainability workshops, guest lectures, and student-led campaigns advocating for policy changes.
By engaging in research and advocacy, students like Rosa-Rivera and faculty members like Hsieh hope to drive meaningful progress in addressing the most pressing challenges of human existence.
“Every action counts no matter how small,” Rosa-Rivera said. “The goal is to create a culture where sustainability becomes second nature.”