This past spring, undergraduate Dahlia Gietka (B.S. Earth & Space Sciences, graduating March 2026) brought together community leaders and students for a campus-wide climate forum, the first of its kind at UW. Timed around Earth Day, the event offered a space for cross-disciplinary dialogue focused on policy at the local, state, and national levels. The event aimed to give students a deeper understanding by providing a foundation for future conversations about climate policy and sustainability.

Dahlia first heard about the opportunity from EarthDay.org, an organization that partners with universities nationwide to host environmental advocacy events. Though she had recently stepped down from her role as Director of Intersectional Sustainability with Students Expressing Environmental Dedication (SEED), she didn’t hesitate to take the lead in continuing to plan and eventually execute the forum.

“I felt fulfilled doing the work and making an impact,” Dahlia reflected. “This [event] was important, and I was going to do it anyway, even if I wasn’t being paid. I’m proud of myself for doing that.”

With support from the UW Sustainability Office and the Earth Week Committee (which she joined), Dahlia assembled a panel that included voices from the Seattle City Council, the King County Executive Climate Office, and even a local advocate who chairs the Seattle/King County Climate Advocates’ Hub and 43rd District Democrats Environmental Caucus. The UW Executive Director of Campus Energy Utilities and Operations was also present. “The event was a cross- collaboration between science and policy. We need both people in the room,” said Dahlia.

Over 45 people attended, both in person and online. “It’s okay if the event was smaller this first year; we had to start somewhere,” she said.

Dahlia transferred into the Earth and Space Sciences department only a year ago, bringing a strong foundation in environmental science. Since then, her studies in ESS have helped her think on a broader scale. “Geology gives you a much broader understanding of processes than what’s happening in a single year or over the last couple of hundred years,” she reflected.

She credits ESS 433: Environmental Change in the Glacial Ages, taught by Prof. Terry Swanson, as a transformative class. “It’s been cool learning where the data comes from that policymakers use and asking questions about how we know what we know,” she said. The course also provided valuable context and showed how people can contribute to climate and environmental solutions beyond traditional environmental studies.

Dahlia Gietka

Outside the classroom, Dahlia has channeled her passion into climate education and outreach. Last summer Dahlia taught two nine-day Environmental Science and Sustainability programs at Yale University’s National Student Leadership Conference. Over the last year and a half, she has collaborated with Front and Centered, a coalition of frontline communities working for environmental and climate justice in Washington State, to develop a board game that addresses public transit inequity. “This is important because public transit is so much more environmentally sustainable,” she explained. The game encourages players to consider the barriers present in our current public transportation system, and to think creatively about solutions.

This summer Dahlia’s out in the field, literally and academically. She is currently enrolled in ESS field camp and hopes to spend time volunteering on local farms. Her interest in agriculture and food systems was influenced by Prof. Dave Montgomery through his courses and work applying geology to agriculture. “I have his book in my backpack right now!” she laughed. “He’s kind of who I want to be when I grow up. I want to do something that touches humans and impacts people every day.”

When asked what advice she’d give other students hoping to get involved in climate action or sustainability work, Dahlia emphasized starting small and working with others. “Ultimately, if it feels overwhelming, just do one thing. Go to one club meeting or talk to one person. Read one article. If you do enough small things, you will get somewhere.”

She encourages students to explore by joining existing groups, even briefly. “Bop around to different club meetings and groups and see what sparks your fancy. It’s okay to contribute and learn and then move on.”

And for those thinking about organizing their own events? “If you are willing to commit the time and energy to it, and if you try hard enough, you can pull off some crazy stuff. Be creative and willing to pivot when plans change. If you are diligent, wild ideas can come to life.”