By Riley Harper
As a concept, sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary in nature. Prioritizing economic viability, ecological resilience and social equity – the triple bottom line of sustainability – is something second-year student Abigail Trachtenberg embraces. Through majoring in Sustainability Studies, Trachtenberg is learning the scientific and socioeconomic foundations of sustainability and its long-term benefits for individual and global health. Additionally, she applies what she studies to make a positive change. As the lead organizer of genCLEO, she prioritizes empathy, sustainability and climate advocacy in her daily life and professional career by educating herself and others about local and national policies affecting civil rights and the environment.
genCLEO is UF’s student-led chapter of the CLEO (Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities) institute, focusing on climate justice and education. Along with their general body meetings, workshops and rallies, their main annual event is Earth Advocacy Day, where students visit Tallahassee to meet elected officials and make public comments on Florida climate legislation. Trachtenberg recalls heading to the state capitol last March, “it not only showed me what policy actually looks like, but it gave me the confidence to continue in my advocacy work”. Trachtenberg notes the importance of personal experiences in social justice as the chance to witness the change determination and passion can make. When asked about the importance of local organizations for promoting sustainability she states, “I think we have the ability to do a lot of hands-on grassroots work here, especially considering we live in a place like Alachua County, where there are so many opportunities to get involved in sustainable initiatives with stuff like GRU, RTS and the Office of Sustainability closing”.
UF’s Office of Sustainability closed August 4, 2025, after 20 years of service prioritizing the school’s use of clean energy and enforcing the Climate Action Plan, a project helping UF reach its goal of carbon neutrality. In an email, a university spokesperson claimed that a separate office within administration was not needed as sustainable initiatives are already embedded in university business practices. On this, Trachtenberg says, “Sustainability is something that is inherently budget efficient. It is useful, and it’s very practical, especially in a climate change state. Having an office of sustainability is vital”. The announcement of the office closure shocked students, as it provided internships in biodiversity and acted as a motivation for climate-oriented student organizations like genCLEO. More than that, its closing made some students feel unsupported and unsure about the university’s commitment to their efforts.
While the concept of climate change and its solutions may seem overwhelming and out-of-reach, implementing small sustainable practices is the first step towards making a difference. Trachtenberg does this by carpooling, avoiding red meat and fast fashion companies like SHEIN and Temu, but she made a clear point: “I think sustainability is about finding a good balance between healthy and unhealthy habits in a way that benefits the natural environment and yourself”. In her opinion, educating yourself on current events and participating in community organizations is paramount. In her hometown of Boca Raton, she volunteered at Gumbo Limbo Nature center, a sea turtle conservatory that helped her recognize the importance of community outreach and witnessing the positive environmental changes she could make through sea turtle rescue and hatchling releases. She stated that the experience “completely changed [her] perspective on sustainability and empathy and nature’s role in the world…seeing it with my own eyes and being able to do something about it completely changed my life.”
Our interview concluded with Trachtenberg elaborating on GRU, a topic she listed when naming how living in Gainesville opens several doors for sustainable opportunities. Gainesville Regional Utilities, GRU, is the current advocacy focus of genCLEO until November 4. She states that the city of Gainesville has an authority board in charge of utilities that was not elected by the city, but by Governor Ron DeSantis, which she argues has “removed community input and control over our municipal utilities.” She goes on to say that previously there was a referendum that “passed a motion to remove the governor-appointed authority board and put back in a city commission, but that got overturned and challenged in court. So, now we’re back doing it again.” She emphasizes the importance of this, “If you want to have some sort of a say in your public utilities, it is not going to happen through a governor-appointed authority board because they don’t work for you.” Trachtenberg urges people to get out and vote on November 4. To a greater extent, Trachtenberg serves as a role model for sustainability as she reminds us that it begins with careful study, grows through community engagement and endures through resilience and zeal.