At this moment, there is more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere than at any time in human history. As the climate crisis worsens, it’s more important than ever for all humans to be active environmentalists by doing their part in saving the planet. This is the message that Dulaney High School teacher John Enders and student Gabriela Roberts spread to members of Dulaney’s community — specifically, through the school’s Environmental Issues Club, with Enders as advisor and Roberts as president.  

Enders has been at Dulaney since 1996 and currently teaches Earth Science and Horticulture, while additionally advising both the school’s Environmental Issues and Horticulture Clubs. Known for his wonderful plant-filled classroom and livening Dulaney’s hallways with greenery, Enders is a firm believer in giving back to the community environmentally.  

“One of our goals of Horticulture Club is beautification… It’s part of making Dulaney a safe space. Plants have a calming effect and increase the air quality; those things turn the school into a home. If it’s just a stark concrete building, I don’t think that holds the same magic as a room full of plants. Having our connection to nature is important,” Enders says. 

Maintaining a strong connection with the natural world calls for consistent care of the environment. Dulaney has won Baltimore County’s Clean Green 15 Challenge for the past six years, which encourages schools to clean up the community. The past grant money we have won through this challenge has gone towards improving Dulaney’s environmental literacy, emphasizing resourcefulness.

The Environmental Issues Club has a goal of waste reduction, which they carry out in many ways, including campus trash pick-ups and sustainability projects.  

Roberts says, “we’ve told teachers if they have Crayola markers, they can put them in the office and we’ll refill them using ink instead of throwing them away. We also collect Keurig K-cups from around the building and find ways to repurpose them, giving teachers reusable cups to refill instead of the single-use ones.” 

Both Enders and Roberts are adamant on the idea of “not being a waster.” They encourage students to rethink the things they over consume on a daily basis — from leaving light switches on to drinking several plastic water bottles. Doing away with these excessive lifestyle behaviors makes a difference in the long run, even if it may feel like a single person’s actions can’t generate significant change.

“We’re approaching 8 billion people on the planet, so everyone making a choice for the higher good is certainly going to contribute. I personally know that it’s the right thing to do and get to live knowing that I’m doing what is right for the planet,” Enders says.

Dulaney’s Environmental Issues Club offers a great opportunity for students who want to get involved in climate change activism, with two incredible leaders paving the way. They meet every Wednesday afternoon in Room 214.