(Photo by Aubreonna Chamberlain/DePaul University)
Environmental science major Beau Rass inspires climate justice at DePaul every day. With minors in Biology and Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies, Rass’ passion for sustainability extends beyond his work at the Vincentian Service Formation Office, which offers students opportunities to volunteer with marginalized communities through service immersion trips, scholarships and other programs at DePaul. Reflective of the wisdom of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, the VSF team’s community service integrates Mission and Ministry values, civic engagement, interfaith ministry and socially responsible leadership. Inspired by this framework, Rass’ research and climate change advocacy have traveled the world, making stops at the Philippines, El Salvador and other countries.
Junior Beau Rass has been traveling the globe building a coalition of students and resources to support sustainability. (Photo courtesy of Rass)In this Q&A, Rass recalls his journey becoming a climate justice advocate around the world, taking his dedication for conservation to new heights at DePaul.
What inspired your interest in sustainability?
I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which is a very agriculture-centered area. I was always focused on conserving this industry and being sustainable. In high school, I was a part of community service clubs like the Key Club, National Honors Society and the Future Farmers of America. Participating in these organizations encouraged me to pursue sustainability activism post-high school.
What sustainability initiatives have you participated in around the world?
The scope of my sustainability work has broadened a lot due to all the international experiences I’ve had. For example, I’ve been to New Orleans, studied ecology in the Galapagos Islands and worked on climate disaster relief in El Salvador. El Salvador was the only country in the world to have implemented a complete ban on all types of metal mining, and I traveled to Santa Marta, the city where this legislation was developed.
In January of 2024, I also co-wrote a paper about climate change impacts on slum dwellers. This paper was presented at the Famvin Homeless Alliance International Conference at Adamson University in Manila, Philippines. Recently, I travelled to Japan to work on a project called “Environmental Degradation and Social Responses: An Analysis of Nuclear Weaponry’s Impact on Affected Communities”. I was also just invited to the SXSW EDU conference this March in Austin, Texas.
Beau Rass in Japan (Photo courtesy of Rass)What plans do you have to increase sustainability awareness and activism at DePaul?
My community service work and sustainability projects led to my acceptance into the inaugural cohort of the Allstate Foundation’s National Youth Service Summit. The individuals in this cohort have worked on a variety of issues like domestic violence and climate change. Not only were we able to award $18,000 to Chicago NGOs, but we received $75,000 in service grants for future projects. I plan to use a portion of these funds to plant an “A-Bomb Tree” at DePaul through the university’s Bridgebuilding Fellowship.
Overall, I want to bolster collaboration with DePaul’s Climate Action Plan through the Student Sustainability Committee, which strategizes ways that DePaul can integrate sustainability around campus. My focus right now is how to connect students and faculty interested in sustainability at DePaul, especially in terms of composting and food waste. I want to help give them a voice.