Student Spotlight - Tiare Couto
Photo: Tiare Couto
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from, and what drew you to
the University of Utah?
My name is Tiare Couto, I was born and raised surfing on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii and ended up here at the University of Utah because of my family’s love for skiing!
What is your major, and why did you choose that academic path?
I am pursuing a double major in Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Political Science, driven by my strong passion for promoting sustainable change through policy and advocacy. I believe that these two diverse fields provide amazing outlets and opportunities for equitable environmental change in the world.
What are some of the causes or issues you are most passionate about, and how did you first become interested in them?
For me, its environmental racsim. Before I began college, my environmental fight sparked because of my love for the ocean. I grew up on such amazing and beautiful beaches, but as I got older, more and more people began to move to my hometown. I saw the direct effects of pollution on our ecosystems and started volunteering for ocean clean-ups and nonprofits like Suitable Coastlines and the Kokua Foundation at the young age of 12. I saw climate change affected the weather patterns in my home, causing stronger and stronger hurricanes every year and sometimes dryer winters, even inconsistent temperatures in the summer.
What impact do you hope to have in the world?
One of my biggest aspirations is to exemplify to those of ALL backgrounds that there are things they may not realize are reliant on the well-being and health of our planet and require our efforts to protect. You can be an environmental science major, a business major, a Republican or Democrat, raised by the beach, or in the middle of Ohio, to realize that the things you love won't be able to flourish without the protection of our planet, with the priority of our planet being put first in front.
How do you hope to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained at the U to create change in your community or globally?
I plan to use my knowledge of local and global law, with my understanding of how policies are formed, implemented, and executed, to create equitable change for our planet. I want to intertwine environmental injustices into the creation of regulations that will protect and prioritize the well-being of our people sustainably. Re-ensuring and exemplifying the importance of advocating for the representatives that we want to represent, not only our country but our states and communities that fight for the things that we each individually care about. I want to work with other countries, take bits and pieces from places that have found the relationship between the environment and governmental initiatives, and successfully implement those in my communities.
What advice would you give to future students who are passionate about making a difference but are unsure of where to start?
Immerse yourself in everything that you can. You don’t need to have your major or career path figured out right away, but attend all the guest speaker events, club meetings, and on-campus events to explore your interests and discover what you do or don’t like. Don’t be afraid to go up to people and ask how they got to where they are. I declared my major after talking with a professor one day after class, who shared their story, inspiring me to pursue my path in the field.
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