Joshua Kodis

Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a five-part series looking at local initiatives to become more environmentally-friendly.

Living green is a state of mind and the lifestyle for student environmentalist Audrie Thelen.

“My passion is sustainability,” the Grand Ledge senior said. “Being a part of the Student Environmental Alliance has helped me raise awareness to the student body in general.”

This is Thelen’s second year as president of SEA, and she said her involvement in the student group has been the catalyst for her participation in many other environmental programs and jobs.

She does her part by riding her bike to campus, recycling all that she can and owning a worm bin for composting.

Along with heading SEA, Thelen also is the Sustainability Coordinator Education Specialist for CMU. She works as a Student Recycling Coordinator, increasing recycling efforts across campus, and is the undergraduate representative for the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee. As a member of the Energy Optimizing Committee, Thelen finds ways to save the university money through energy conservation.

Recently, Thelen was given the responsibility of finding Facilities Management an electric car as a trial-run vehicle for possible large-scale use. After research, she was able to purchase the Miles Electric truck for the university to test in various job niches.

“Someday when I see that electric car fleet at CMU, I can say I helped get the first one,” she said.

Thelen also has been involved with finding a program to allow CMU to recycle all of the fluorescent light bulbs on campus.

“I did the research to consider which type of program works best for CMU,” she said.

Thelen also works for Environmental Quality in Alma at an old refinery where the soil is contaminated.

“I do a lot of system checks and well gauging,” she said. “When I find there is a contaminated area, I pump out the contaminants.”

When considering community efforts toward a more sustainable society, Thelen said becoming “green” starts with being educated and changing the way a person thinks about his or her everyday activities.

“I’d like to see a reworking of everything we know,” she said. “The way we build our houses, the ways we produce energy – so many things are connected.”

Through advocacy and lobbying events such as Powershift in Washington, D.C., Thelen has been able to make her voice heard along with thousands of others concerned about the environment. At Powershift, Thelen was part of a student environmental movement at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and had the chance to speak with Michigan representatives about environmental issues.

“It was really phenomenal to be there with 6,000 people all for the same reason,” she said. “I’m amazed at how easy it was to go talk with my representatives.”

The issues with climate change are not only an American issue but an international problem, Thelen said.

“It’s irresponsible for us to have high environmental standards when we buy from countries that don’t,” she said.

Thelen believes the reality of climate change is becoming more accepted by everyone and sustainable efforts are increasing.

“I think our generation is the one that’s going to make the most progress,” she said. “Our generation is more aware of what we can do.”

SEA member Jessica Gibbons believes Thelen has been an excellent president for the past two years.

“She basically planned Earth Day last year,” the Potterville senior said. “She’s very enthusiastic and passionate about SEA and the things that we do.”

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