My Vision: No more toothless policy. Finding ways to change the world for the better, not just writing about it. Equitable Mitigation: Centering frontline voices in policy design to prevent marginalized groups from bearing climate costs. Climate Education: Mandating K-12 environmental literacy to empower youth as changemakers. Every project I undertake—whether planting trees, tutoring, or lobbying—is guided by the conviction that real change starts from the ground up. The children I teach, volunteers I train, and activists I collaborate with remind me daily: a sustainable future isn’t just possible, it’s being built block by block. Who I am: I’m a climate advocate rooted in the belief that equitable solutions emerge when communities lead. As a soon-to-be Environmental Policy Masters student at UC Davis, I blend research, grassroots action, and policy in an effort to empower those most impacted by climate change. My journey began in Washington D.C., restoring parks as an Eagle Scout and constructing training equipment for rescued animals—these experiences served as early lessons in the ripple effects of local action. Now, I research wetland mitigation strategies to protect flood-vulnerable communities and analyze gaps in climate policy. Beyond academia, I’ve helped allocate $200K+ in sustainability grants through UC Davis’ Green Initiative Fund. What fuels me is focusing on what I can control. While working with Teach For America, I tutored K-12 students in STEM, weaving climate literacy into lessons to spark curiosity about renewable energy. At Tree Davis, I’ve planted 100+ trees in underserved areas, training residents to combat urban heat islands. Through Sprout Up, I brought hands-on environmental education to 500+ students in Title I schools—proving that even small programs can ignite lifelong stewardship. My advocacy extends to policy: I've worked on grassroots political campaigns, gone to protests, and sent countless emails to my local legislators. While advocacy work is not always rewarding, it is always fulfilling. When we lift our voices together we can create change—powerful people fear an organized working class. Let’s connect to reimagine climate policy through community action: 📧 alex.c.liesegang@gmail.com