By Kewser Telha
Trinity Times Correspondent
Earth Day is a reminder that climate change is a global crisis – but for Trinity Washington University students, it is also something shaped by everyday actions on campus.
Observed April 22, 2026, Earth Day was created in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire people to take action to protect the planet.
At Trinity, climate-related challenges are explored through classroom learning, student programs and campus awareness initiatives tied to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2015, the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the SDGs – 17 interconnected objectives aimed at improving quality of life worldwide by 2030. Unlike earlier efforts such as the Millennium Development Goals, all 193 United Nations member countries agreed to participate, making sustainability a shared global responsibility.
For Trinity students, several goals are especially relevant: SDG 4 focuses on quality education, SDG 7 emphasizes affordable and clean energy, and SDG 13 highlights climate action. Learning about these goals helps students connect global issues to their daily choices.
Awareness plays a critical role in the effectiveness of these goals. Without an understanding of global issues, individuals are less likely to see how international policies affect local communities, according to the United Nations.
“If we do not have the knowledge of what’s going on, we will not be able to fix it,” said Jaysi Ramirez, a 17-year-old Early College Academy senior at Trinity Washington University, a dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to be enrolled in college at the same time.
Ramirez emphasized that education provides the foundation for understanding complex global challenges.
Primary school enrollment in developing nations has reached 91%, and the number of children out of school has decreased significantly since 2000, according to the United Nations.
“Education helps people understand problems like climate change, inequality, and poverty,” said Nichelle Calhoun, an educator who studies the SDGs at Washington’s Calvin Coolidge Senior High School. She added that without awareness, progress on these global goals often slows.
Community involvement also plays an important role in sustainability. By learning about the SDGs, students gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to sustainability efforts.
Even small steps – such as attending a workshop, joining a discussion or sharing information with peers – can help build a culture of sustainability on campus, Calhoun said.
Awareness ensures that students’ actions are not ordinary but intentional, informed and connected to a broader effort to create a more equitable and sustainable world, she said, adding that these everyday habits support goals related to climate action, sustainable cities and responsible consumption.
Communication and awareness remain essential. Understanding what the SDGs are and why they matter helps students see how their actions connect to larger outcomes, Calhoun said.
Progress on the SDGs depends not only on governments but also on public awareness and participation.
“Studying sustainability in class really changed the way I think about my choices,” said Tiffany Zheng, a 17-year-old Early College Academy senior at Trinity.
Her experience reflects how learning about the SDGs can influence daily decisions and encourage meaningful action.
At Trinity, students have opportunities to explore how global progress is shaped not only by world leaders but also by individuals and communities. By recycling, conserving energy and participating in sustainability programs, students contribute to the broader mission of the SDGs.
Recycling, for example, connects directly to SDG 12, responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13, climate action. Trinity students are taught that proper waste disposal helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources.
Making recycling a habit allows Trinity students to keep their campus cleaner while participating in a larger movement toward a more sustainable future.
By connecting their education to real-world challenges, Trinity students can see how their choices matter – and how small, consistent actions can create meaningful change.