"I think she’d be amazed that I’m a real-life adult, somehow surviving in the world, all while doing work that helps real people and families."

"I am hopeful because I finally feel momentum behind the mission to fight against climate change and environmental destruction. When I first started out in this field, I was the only person I knew who cared about the environment. Media outlets didn’t write about it. Our politicians questioned if it was real. Even my friends asked why I would forgo a law firm salary to work for the trees. But today, we’re urged to make better choices for the environment in almost every space we’re in. If this much change can happen in 10 years, I’m hopeful about the progress we can make in the future."

"The link between the environmental burdens we face and racial injustice is undeniable. There are hundreds of thousands of polluting facilities and contaminated sites across the country. The environmental, health, and economic burdens of these industries fall almost entirely on Black and brown communities. This means that Black and brown communities are forced to subsidize industry profits with their health, and sometimes, their lives.

In every single environmental context, the needs of Black and brown communities are placed second to industry and supposed economic growth. Transportation infrastructure, including highway corridors, massive warehousing facilities, and bustling port complexes – all of which spew diesel and other pollution into the air, causing respiratory conditions and other illnesses – frequently cut right through Black and brown communities. The EPA’s own findings show that nonwhite people, especially Black people, face a greater risk of premature death from air pollution than those who live in communities that are predominately white. In fact, race, together with ethnicity and language spoken, has the strongest relationship to violations of our federal drinking water protections. Nearly 130 million people in the United States live with drinking water violations; and systemic racism and disinvestment exacerbates these problems in communities of color.

Let's be clear – these injustices aren’t just a coincidence. They are happening because of systemic racism, which has resulted in federal policies and federal laws that don’t protect Black people and other people of color. They happen because land use decisions made by our local governments have historically prioritized industry over the health and welfare of people of color. They happen because industries build facilities in communities where they don’t think people have enough political capital and power to fight against the harms they bring. There is no question that racial injustice is inextricably linked to the environmental problems we face. Many of us in the environmental field work to change this unjust status quo, in our work, in our relationships and personal lives, and in everything we do. "

"I would tell them to pour over the scientific literature – and digest the research of every single reputable scientist who has studied the question – then come back to me for a real discussion."

"One thing you can do is to research your bank to see if it is divested from fossil fuels. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, banks around the world have helped finance trillions of dollars in fossil fuel projects. And the banks with the largest fossil fuel investments happen to be many of our go-to banks: J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Bank of America. Consider switching to a local bank or a credit union, which often cater to more environmentally conscious investors.

If you are able to, invest in an electric vehicle next time it's time to get a new car. I switched to an electric vehicle a few years ago, and it is the best decision I’ve made. I haven’t been to a gas station in two years! It's been amazing for my environmental conscience and also for my wallet. "

"Shopping at farmers markets can definitely help you reduce your environmental footprint. Typically, our food travels hundreds or thousands of miles, first from the fields to distribution centers, then from distribution centers to big chain grocery stores. When we buy locally, we reduce the carbon costs associated with transporting our groceries all of this way.

Supporting local farmers is also great because farmers who sell locally are often also producing organically, which not only minimizes the amount of pesticides and chemicals used, but also reduces the possibility of exposure for farmworkers. And organic products are often less expensive when you buy them at farmers markets!

And of course, shopping at a farmers market can help reduce plastic and other packaging. Don’t forget your reusable bag!"

"I always recommend that aspiring environmental advocates read 'A Civil Action' by Jonathan Harr. It tells the story of a Massachusetts community that was ravaged by cancer because of contamination in the local groundwater aquifer. Eventually, after a civil suit and an EPA enforcement case, the companies responsible for the contamination had to pay to clean up the land and groundwater. It's a beautiful story with a purpose, and it motivated me to work towards protecting people and the environment."

"'How to Save a Planet' with Dr. Ayanna Johnson is a great podcast to listen to if you want to learn more about protecting our planet."

"'Always eat.' It was something my Great Aunt Hilda used to say. It sounds simple, but really it has a much more complex meaning. It means that, no matter what you’re going through, no matter how stressed you are about a case or a client, no matter how exhausted you are, always make sure to take care of yourself and your body. My Great-Aunt’s old saying has served me well, in so many ways."

"My grandfather on my mom’s side is from Iraq."