Student Spotlight: Anna Moore

Post date: Mar 21, 2018 6:9:32 PM

How has your background in social psychology made you think differently about this program?

Given what I’ve learned about the power of public commitments, I wasn’t surprised when I noticed that the program helped me form some new sustainable habits. And I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the social norm aspect has helped the people who live on my hall, too.

What would you like to see changed about the Green Room Form or about sustainability at Oberlin in general? What do you think the college or students could be doing in terms of sustainability?

I think there are kind of two different levels. The college as an institution could be doing more to support sustainable behavior, such as making sure there is a recycling bin next to every trash bin or completely eliminating disposable products. But then there is an individual level and I think there are some places on this campus where it is considered strange to be motivated by environmental concerns (rather than convenience and self- interest) and I think those of us who are motivated by resource conservation or other environmental goals need to confidently assert that so that other people can follow that example without fear of being alone or being considered strange.

What would your perfect sustainable campus look like?

Well, first off recycling bins next to every trash bin! We also would not have very much trash at all because all single-use disposable products would be replaced by reusables. Student would not own cars, which would take away the temptation to drive places when they could walk or bike and (this lack of cars) would create the demand for more sustainable transportation sharing systems. In general, composting and sharing systems would be more available.

Do you have a biggest sustainability pet peeve?

Wasting food! Either taking too much food in the dining hall or letting food go bad in the fridge. As a side note, a research group in the community based social marketing class did a project on food waste in Stevie and they found that you are allowed to ask the server for more or less food. If you don’t ask, then you will get a standard serving size, but if you ask them they are supposed to give you more or less food.

On your form, you had some unique innovations that you got extra points for. These were that you rode the Amtrak train home and stayed on campus for fall break and that you took plastic film to IGA. Could you talk more about them and why they are important?

It takes a lot of energy to get an airplane off the ground and that is one of the reasons I love taking the train and I feel good about supporting it. In general, I’d love to see railroad infrastructure improve in this country and I want to support that with my decisions. I also find trains comfortable and I tend to get a lot of work done on the train but the main reason I take the train is environmental and this is one of the ways I am trying to be more public about the sustainability things I do. When people ask why I am taking the train, I could give them a variety of reasons, but recently I have been trying to focus of the environmental reason to help create that social norm of caring about the environment. I think too often people who are motivated by environmental concerns will cite other reasons for their behavior out of a norm we (society) has to be motivated by self interest.

Do you think that applies to food choices here on campus? I’ve observed that a lot of people are vegan or vegetarian and that some of it is motivated by environmental reasons, do you think people will cite another reason, such as animal rights, instead?

I don’t know, animal rights is also not a self-interest, it is still an altruistic motive. However, I think that animal rights still might be a more accepted answer to food choice than the environmental reason, especially when it’s framed as making the person feel better. Being vegan or vegetarian for health I think is an even more accepted reason, as it has more to do with self-interest.

I agree, the environmental reason for food choices can often feel accusatory towards people who are eating meat. Justifying why you are making that choice can seem like you are faulting another person for their choice, do you agree with that as well?

Yes, that’s a good point. Citing self-interest is a way to avoid criticizing other people.

Could you talk more about recycling plastic at IGA?

The recycling facility at Oberlin does not want you to put plastic bags in the recycling bins because when they end up at the plant they get tangled in the sorting machinery and clog the machines and to clean it out wastes time and money. Plastic bags and plastic film can be recycled if collected separately. Stores like IGA and Walmart have bins for plastic film at the front doors so I save up a big collection and take it to IGA.

Is there a place on campus where you can leave plastic bags to have it taken to IGA?

I don't think that is an option. The closest plastic bag recycling is IGA. Eliminating plastic bags would be the best option, but it would be good to have a place to deposit bags.

Why is sustainability in general important to you?

For me, sustainability has to do with recognizing the value of food, water, electricity, money, objects, and the people and the work connected to those things. I see sustainability as a matter of respect in that way.

How would you define sustainability?

Well as an Environmental Studies major, I’ve been told I need to be able to define this! I still do not have a definition I am fully happy with. I think of it as a combination of value and respect for material things and the people connected to those material things in the future and the past. It’s a bit vague but that’s how I think about it.

What activities or groups do you participate in at Oberlin that have a sustainability link? Are there things that you are particularly proud that you’ve been able to do at Oberlin?

I am the compost captain for my floor and I’ve loved being part of the community based social marketing research lab. I enjoy biking.

Your are on the basketball and track team, do you think people involved in things that take a lot of time such as sports or play have a harder time accessing sustainability activities?

I think managing time is a challenge for everyone and however you use your time you can use it as an opportunity to learn. Those time consuming things can be really important. For example, on the basketball team I’ve been able to observe group dynamics which is very relevant to social marketing.

Do you have plans for what you want to do in the future?

I am graduating in the spring and I’m hoping to do something relating to waste reduction, it really interests me.