By Jordan Hildebrand ’26, staff writer
In a highly politicized world, it is important to understand how some legislation can also affect our environment as well.
One student in particular, Ryan Talton, a junior political science major with a minor in environmental studies, is very interested in the crossover between political and environmental worlds and how government policies affect the natural world’s infrastructure.
In a time when policy of any kind is watched under very scrutinizing eyes, environmental policy stands out among that as holding some of the heaviest weight. The expectations of this generation, Gen Z, are high as the climate crisis grows steadily.
For Talton, having access to both areas of study—politics and environment—puts him on the right track to analyze and develop the skills to evaluate the policies we have in place, while being inspired to take action and identify areas that need improvement.
“A big part of my childhood was spent outdoors learning how to protect and preserve the environment,” Talton said. “Watching the recent rollbacks of environmental regulations has been troubling, especially at such a critical inflection point in climate change. It is important for individuals who care to step up and get involved before it’s too late. I want to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same outdoor experiences I have.”
So many elements of a well-lived life center around nature. Talton has always been a firm advocate for environmental protection, having grown up with a profound love and respect for the natural world. College is the perfect storm that enabled him to visualize how he could further his involvement with the environment.
“Ever since I was young, I have been heavily involved in the environment. I joined the Scouts when I was about 6, and every step of the way involved spending time outdoors,” Talton said. “These experiences started my interest in the outdoors and in wanting to preserve it. I interned with Elders Climate Action, where I drafted action letters to be sent to governors and members of Congress, and am currently the data science intern for the LVC Sustainability Advisory Committee, where I am in the process of calculating LVC’s carbon footprint.”
Talton’s passion goes beyond his own impact; he also encourages others to get involved, believing that as much help as possible is necessary to see a difference.
“It’s easy for anyone to get involved with the environment. Even something as simple as sending an email to your state legislator or member of Congress shows them their constituents support environmental legislation,” Talton said. “For LVC students, the Quittapahilla hosts clean-up days where volunteers can work to clean up and maintain a local nature park. Organizations such as the Sierra Club have chapters all across the country that individuals can join and help advance environmental priorities.”
It is in these ways that the true overlap of political science and environmental studies shines the brightest. Being part of a community means doing the work of reaching out to governing bodies and showing that love and care are essential to what makes our Earth so precious. Talton argues that any way you can get involved is important.
“Any position in environmental policy or environmental law is incredibly important right now. It’s important that anyone with the skills and enthusiasm do what they can to protect the environment before it is too late,” Talton said. “Combining the analytical and legal skills I learned in political science classes with the ‘hard science’ knowledge I learned in environmental science classes gives me the knowledge to write public policy that balances the needs of society with the needs of the environment.”
Having both avenues puts Talton at an advantage that he attributes to his love of politics and the importance of being politically aware.
“I’ve noticed the benefits of being more politically aware in numerous aspects of my life, the main one being in conversations with friends, family and colleagues,” Talton said. “Instead of blindly believing information, you look at the matter with a more critical eye. You can also support your stance with court cases, statutes, the Constitution, and agency regulations. I’ll be the first to admit that the current polarization can be overwhelming, but by staying informed, engaged, and voting, we can ensure public officials know there will be resistance to decisions that the people don’t like, especially when it comes to environmental concerns.”
The best advice is to stay alert and stay aware. Doing one’s own research will always be far superior to believing word of mouth. Stay up to date on the state of the environment and always remain politically conscious. The value of politics is just as important as the value of our Earth, and we have a civic duty to maintain and uphold the beauty and infrastructure of both ecosystems.