Despite planning to pursue environmental engineering, senior Carly Sutherlund never considered herself someone who likes science.
“I hate biology and I hate chemistry—in the nicest way possible, to all the biology and chemistry people,” Carly said. “I kind of didn’t realize I was into science until I realized more of the options that it offers. I really like ecology and environmental science, obviously, and I really like physics. That kind of stuff I didn’t really learn about until later on [in school].”
While not the biggest fan of the “traditional” branches of science, Carly realized her passion for sustainability after, ironically, an English class assignment. In her sophomore year, Carly was tasked with composing a 10,000-word essay. Encouraged to write about whatever she would like, Carly focused on various subjects of research. While she touched on a wide variety of topics (for example, philosophy and mental illness), she enjoyed writing about renewable energy the most.
From there, it dawned on Carly that sustainability is her passion.
“I am definitely someone who likes to research,” Carly said. “It’s part of why I’m going into [sustainability], and how I got into it all in the first place. I kind of fell down rabbit holes for a year of all the different types of renewable energy and the ways you can innovate with it. There are so many little things that not everyone hears about.”
With her love for research, it’s no surprise that the University of Michigan is Carly’s top choice for college. As of right now, she predicts her studies will be focused in mechanical engineering with a minor in either sustainability studies or renewable energy.
Within the broad field of her major, Carly has found her specific calling in energy engineering. As a “math person,” the field is an ideal blend of her interests and strengths. The area focuses on making energy generation more sustainable and efficient. This can include both innovating on current technologies—like hydroelectric dams and wind turbines—and inventing completely new ways to generate energy.
“I think it’s important to remember that energy doesn’t go away,” Carly said, “You can kind of get it from anywhere. There [are] types of energy that are created from human movement from walking on the street, and I think that’s awesome.”
Carly’s passion for energy is backed by three main reasons: a concern about the health risks of fossil fuels, an enthusiasm for conserving the environment, and an interest in helping communities.
Since the prices of fossil fuels stay in a relatively fixed range, she hopes to promote the installation of renewable energy sources for communities. For example, wind turbines can be a valuable investment, even though they may be expensive upfront. Requiring little maintenance, wind turbines can make energy costs cheaper in the long run.
Similarly, Carly stresses the importance of improving the systems that society already has in place—not getting rid of everything “unsustainable.” Essentially, she hopes to strengthen the idea that it’s possible to have the best of both worlds.
“I think [renewable energy] is so important,” Carly said. “There are a lot of aspects of environmentalism that are taking away things, but I think to actually benefit our society and continue [with] industrialism, you have to alter what we already have and learn upon that rather than saying, ‘Oh, we can’t have industrialism.’ In today’s society, that’s just not going to work. I think it’s important to just build upon what we already have rather than trying to take [anything] away.”
While Carly has her future of helping the planet laid out, she integrates sustainability into the present moment as well. Thrifting, for her, “hits all the marks.” As she is reusing existing clothing, minimizing unethical practices in the textile market, and providing herself with inexpensive outfits, shopping secondhand has become a habit for her.
She also acknowledges a less talked-about area of sustainability: the sizable waste output of many restaurants. While having to throw away resources is a natural consequence of food safety laws, she’s learned firsthand just how wasteful the restaurant business can be.
A two going-on-three-year employee of the fast food chain Culver’s, Carly sees how restaurants have a larger environmental impact than most people realize.
“I definitely think [working at Culver’s has helped me develop an awareness of sustainability at fast food restaurants] because I don’t think I realized how much waste happens just behind the counter,” Carly said.
Having Type 1 Diabetes, Carly noticed a similar pattern within the medical field. For example, she cannot reuse needles, materials that are essential for her everyday life.
However, almost every industry comes with its environmental trade-offs. Because of this, Carly recognizes that some degree of wastefulness is inevitable.
As advice for younger students interested in sustainability, Carly emphasizes focusing on attainable changes, no matter their size.
“[Don’t] get too hung up about things that are unsustainable,” Carly said. “Don’t worry if you have to throw away some stuff. Not everything can be recycled or renewed, and I think it’s important to note that change in any small way is always beneficial. So, just focusing on [small changes] rather than the harmful things that are just going to have to happen.”
