As a Public Relations student in Eugene, Oregon, I’m currently taking a Sustainable PR class that’s really opened my eyes to how communication can drive meaningful change. We’ve been learning about frameworks like CSR and ESG—terms I’d heard before but didn’t fully understand until now. They’re not just buzzwords—they’re powerful tools to help communicate climate change in a way that’s strategic, honest, and clear. This class includes hands on activities to allow us to immerse ourselves in the world of Sustainable PR.
Something I keep coming back to is this: if we want people—especially our generation—to care and take action, we need to make the message accessible and real. It’s not enough to throw facts at people. We need stories, practical solutions, and ways to actually get involved.
One of the best resources I’ve come across is Mongabay. It’s an independent environmental news outlet that takes deep, complex issues like deforestation and climate change and breaks them down into understandable, engaging stories. I appreciate how grounded and trustworthy their reporting feels—especially in a world where misinformation spreads so easily.
Then there’s The Cool Down, which takes a totally different but equally valuable approach. It focuses on solutions—what can be done instead of just what’s going wrong. It makes sustainable living feel a lot more doable and a lot less overwhelming. This reminded me of something we discussed in class with Jennifer Peterson Rouda and David Harper from Eugene’s own 7Skyline—they emphasized how important it is to create hopeful, relatable narratives if we want people to get involved. The Cool Down really leans into that idea.
Locally, I’ve been loving Too Good To Go, an app that helps fight food waste by connecting people with local businesses offering extra food they have at the end of the day at a discount. It’s such a simple concept, but it has a real impact—and it’s a great example of how sustainability can show up in small, everyday actions right here in our community.
Another big influence for me has been the book Net Positive, which looks at how businesses can go beyond just minimizing harm and actually become a force for good. That’s such an important idea for anyone in PR, especially those of us who want to work with purpose-driven companies. It’s made me rethink what corporate responsibility really means.
All of these tools—Mongabay, The Cool Down, Too Good To Go, Net Positive—have shown me that good communication isn’t just about getting a message across. It’s about helping people feel informed, inspired, and capable of making a difference. That’s the kind of communicator I want to be—someone who helps bridge the gap between big issues and everyday action, both in Eugene and beyond.
slow growth 
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