Phoebe Johnson, BA International Studies; BA Philosophy, Politics & Economy; minor Business Administration ‘21
The Green Program Iceland: Renewable Energy Innovation and Sustainability
Reykjavik, Iceland
The time I spent studying in Iceland this past summer was an invaluable contribution to my educational experience at the University of Michigan. The type of interactive learning that I experienced in Iceland was truly unique. Though the lectures given on geothermal energy systems, hydropower dams, and other energy topics were fascinating, what really distinguished the experience were the site visits that directly followed. The opportunity to see firsthand the power plants and facilities that power Iceland brought the topics learned in the classroom to a new depth. Additionally, the information that was given by the plant operators and employees at each side visit added a non-academic voice to the conversation that was both informative and refreshing. Following the classroom and site visit portion of my time in Iceland, we drove two hours west into the Icelandic highlands for a three night camping trip. Though the camping trip was not a traditional educational setting, this was the portion of my trip that most profoundly contributed to educational goals. The main goal of this camping trip was to build skills in environmental stewardship and better understand the natural assets of Iceland that allow for energy production. These goals and more were fulfilled during my time in the mountains. The untouched beauty of the landscape and stewardship of the Icelandic people to their surroundings reminded me why I want to pursue a career in sustainability: to protect and preserve the environment such that the intrinsic beauty of nature can be enjoyed for generations to come. As most of my year is spent in urban settings, this opportunity to reconnect to nature was a much needed reminder of what is under threat by climate change. This trip reignited within me an urgency to come up with effective solutions to the climate crisis, an urgency that I hope to share in my environment classes on campus this fall. My heightened awareness of the pressing threat of climate change was brought to a head on a glacier hike that I completed on the last day of my program. As I approached the glacier to begin my climb, I stopped at a sign-post about a quarter mile from the foot of the glacier. Our guide explained that this post had been put up by children from the local elementary school to track the recession of their glacier. This sign indicated that in 2018 alone, the glacier had retreated a staggering 110 m. This was a sobering experience that brought into perspective what it means to be in the midst of a climate crisis. The glacier hike instilled within me both anger about our carelessness with environmental policy in the past, but moreover a hope to make change such that one day in the future, the children from that same elementary school can mark 0 m of recession.
Ellie Simon, BS International Studies; BS Earth and Environmental Science ‘21
The Green Program Iceland: Renewable Energy Innovation and Sustainability
Reykjavik, Iceland
My experience on the Green Program in Iceland has reinforced to me the reality of the climate crisis our world is currently facing, but also all the things that are being done to try to remedy that. During the time I spent in Iceland, I learned all about the different forms of sustainable and renewable energy that are used throughout the country. It is truly amazing how much Iceland has reduced their carbon footprint and continues to emphasize sustainability through new projects such as CarbFix, which aims to lower the CO 2 and methane emissions from geothermal energy by reinjecting the gases back into the ground. Additionally, through meeting and interacting with Icelandic people, I was glad to see how engaged and aware they were all about the climate challenges facing their country and the active steps that were being taken to solve those problems. At the same time, when I had the opportunity to hike on a glacier while I was in Iceland there was clear evidence of how far the glacier had retreated as well as lots of water that was currently streaming down as it melted. This was a reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure the future of our planet. In returning to campus, I am looking forward to drawing connections between the materials I learned in Iceland and my courses at the University of Michigan in order to continue to improve sustainability in the community around me. As part of the Green Program, I spent time brainstorming with other students on innovative plans to make our world more sustainable. Many of the ideas we discussed involved improving campus sustainability through better student education and engagement and I hope to see our campus continue to work towards a more sustainable future with ideas like these. I am planning on having a future career in sustainability, and the Green Program provided me with insight into what it is like to work in this field and the resources to continue to work towards this goal. I have gained a greater understanding of the possibilities for renewable energy resources not just in Iceland, but around the world. Not only did this program provide technical information about renewable energy, but it also offered the chance to look at the social and political aspects of renewable energy as well. This comprehensive view will serve me well moving into the future. The Green Program, through the support of the PICS Arctic Internship Fellowship, provided the unique experience of learning not just in a lecture, but through real life experiences, shaping my outlook on the future of renewable energy.
Cory Zayance, BA Political Science; BA International Studies ‘20
The Green Program Iceland: Renewable Energy Innovation and Sustainability
Reykjavik, Iceland
Thanks to the Program in International and Comparative Studies, I was able to join The GREEN Program for a nine-day study abroad and adventure program in Iceland. The focus of this program was to learn about the science of renewable energy, and the energy policy Iceland has implemented to help itself function without the assistance of any fossil fuel-based energy sources. This was extremely fascinating and relevant for my educational goals; I am very interested in global energy policy and how it affects both domestic energy policy and international security issues both at home in the United States and abroad. Energy is almost an entirely separate form of currency itself, so understanding how countries navigate the process of powering themselves is extremely important. Through The GREEN Program, I took classes on renewable energy science and policy at Reykjavik University, Iceland’s premier collegiate university. I took classes on the history of Iceland and its course of development, geothermal energy and its pervasive use in Iceland, hydrothermal energy, and Iceland’s energy policy. By studying Iceland’s renewable energy plants, I was able to vastly increase my understanding of how renewable energy works. I can now apply this understanding the United States’ renewable energy development, because I better understand how communities are able to rely completely off of renewable sources. Additionally, my study of Iceland’s energy policy and legislation is easily applicable to my studies of United States’ energy policy and attempts at energy policy (e.g. the Green New Deal, the Clean Air Act, etc.). Additionally, my study of Iceland’s energy landscape is very valuable for my focus in international security, norms, and cooperation. Energy, and more specifically oil, is key for international negotiations, and often prevents countries from taking somewhat disciplinary action against others for fear of losing their access to oil. Iceland is a country without these concerns, so studying and attempting to model its energy policy could be incredibly beneficial for the United States on the global stage. My experience in Iceland was one of the most enriching educational and personal experiences I have had in my time at the University of Michigan. Without the 2019 Arctic Fellowship Grant, I would never have had the opportunity to be a part of The GREEN Program and expand my understanding of renewable energy policy and its role in international relations. On behalf of the students and the people with whom they worked, and on behalf of the Program in International and Comparative Studies, and of the University of Michigan: thank you, thank you, again thank you, and Go Blue!
