Environmental Crusader

Senior Meghan Tighe cannot pinpoint exactly what piqued her interest in the environment. The best she can do is to cite a combination of influences from her experience growing up in Park Ridge, Ill., her home town.

“My parents were both involved in local politics, and I picked up many of the Jesuit ideals such as working for justice while attending Loyola Academy,” Tighe says. “Meanwhile, climate change was receiving increasing attention in the public sphere — and upon learning about it, my interest simply snowballed.”

Whatever the source, Tighe decided to make environmental studies an integral component of her education, and declared it a concentration during the first semester of her freshman year. It was during this time, too, that she decided to get involved in Eco-Action, the student-driven environmental group at Holy Cross.

“I got to Holy Cross and saw room for improvement,” says Tighe. “I knew that moving our economy beyond its dependence on fossil fuels was one of the greatest challenges facing our generation. So one of my goals was to ensure that these issues were front and center on Eco-Action’s agenda.”

Tighe spent much of her sophomore year raising awareness through Eco-Action, spearheading a number of events and initiatives such as Holy Cross’ participation in the Step it Up! Day of Climate Action and a compact fluorescent light bulb giveaway. During her junior year, Tighe studied abroad in León, Spain, and though she did take two ecology classes there, environmental studies was not her primary reason for going.

“I knew I could spend a year away from the Hill without losing interest in ‘Eco,’ ” she says. “While my program did not center on environmental studies, it was, nevertheless, a wonderful opportunity to learn a second language and live in a foreign culture.”

After returning to Holy Cross, Tighe resumed her role on campus as an advocate for sustainability. She became co-chair of Eco-Action and began work on her environmental studies capstone, Tax and Trade: The Future of American Climate Policy, which examines the characteristics of potential federal cap and trade legislation and evaluates their ability to actually reduce greenhouse emissions cost-effectively. Tighe and fellow Eco-Action co-chair Sarah Bolthrunis ’09, both economics majors, approached associate professor Katherine A. Kiel about the project in fall 2008. Kiel supervises the project and holds a weekly seminar.

“We think the issue is extremely pertinent, considering the fact President Obama has included the policy as a part of his budget and a number of bills were considered in Congress during the last term,” Tighe says.

Tighe and Bolthrunis will present their research at Holy Cross’ Student Academic Conference on April 23.

As for post-graduation plans, Tighe is confident that her career will heavily involve her strong interest in renewable energy and sustainable development, but for now she is open to expanding her horizons.

“Unfortunately, these problems aren’t going to solve themselves in the next few years, and so I am in it for the long run. Nevertheless, I’m not opposed to doing something different,” she says.

Next year, Tighe will be working for a lobby group on Iraq and immigration issues in Washington, D. C.

One thing is certain, though: Eco-Action has become stronger over the past four years, and much of the credit goes to Tighe and the other enthusiastic students who invest their time and energy in Eco-Action.

“We just hope we’ve left a good legacy,” Tighe says.

By Anthony Curotto ’09

Related Information:

• Campus-based efforts from Eco-Action student group have global reach • Semester studying in South Africa helps environmental advocate Bolthrunis ’09 pinpoint her passion