It’s no big surprise that the environment is in a state of utter disrepair. Every day, we are bombarded with horrific images of its destruction: barren forests filled with dead trees, polluted air filling cities with smog, hopeless animals trapped on icebergs as the polar caps melt. However, the environment is not typically at the forefront of our minds. It’s understandable, since it’s so difficult to feel as though we can make a difference these days. It takes dedication and patience to carry out an eco-friendly lifestyle and keep it up.

One Edina High School student, however, has shown us that it is possible: that if we dedicate ourselves to the cause, we can find many ways to help our planet. The student in question is junior Sophia Munic. When I went to interview Munic, she was slightly confused, as she felt she was just doing her duty to the environment, and not anything out of the ordinary. However, her passion speaks wonders.

Munic recalls that she has always somewhat been drawn to helping the environment. “I think that I’ve always really been drawn to nature… in the fifth grade, when we actually started to learn about how to take care of the environment… it really got me.” In fifth grade, Munic was part of a student environmental group called The Green Trash People that focused on environmental consciousness in Normandale Elementary School.

The group created an eco-conscious environment throughout the school, setting up compost bins and adding recycling bins to classrooms. Munic recalls being in the Edina Fourth of July parade where she and other group members carried around recycling bags and composting bags to pick up trash throughout the parade. “There were these little kids saying ‘Give me candy!’ and I was just like, ‘No, I’m taking your trash,’” Munic remembered.

Her lifestyle of eco-awareness didn’t end there, as Munic still carries the principles she learned in the group throughout her life.

“[Eco-consciousness] means that [in] everything you do, you’re trying to make sure that you can reuse or prevent [yourself] from taking too much,” said Munic. “I will take old peanut butter jars and old plastic shampoo bottles and use them to hold paint… I make sure I use the least amount of plastic possible.”

Munic also works hard to inspire others to act similarly. “If it was just me in the world, it wouldn’t change anything, but I think that one person can make a difference… other people will be drawn to it,” said Munic.

Munic believes that the environment should be a primary concern of more students, even in a time of economic woes and political problems. “[I believe that] even though you’ve bought your home and have your own property, the Earth is your home first… you need to take care of it.. you can’t walk if you have no ground to stand on,” Munic said.

To further voice her concern, last year Munic traveled to DC with the Religious Action Center and lobbied about the need to focus on the environment. Munic herself personally lobbied Amy Klobuchar on the topic of renewable energy.  “Everyone was able to pick a topic that they were really passionate about… it was a good way to show that even people who can’t vote… can show they are involved in this. If a lot of people show up, the representatives will listen to you.”

Sophia’s passion for the environment is evident as soon as you meet her. She never misses an opportunity to make a difference for the environment and is always ready to help others find ways to help.