Sustainability Highlight: Sophia Oakley ‘25

Photo courtesy of Sophia Oakley

Zodiac: Capricorn
Ideal date: A laid-back coffee or lunch outing—definitely not a candlelit dinner.

Reed College's sustainability efforts extend far beyond physical spaces like the garden and the Swap Shop, with social initiatives such as the Climate Care Collective and other student-led events fostering community and environmental consciousness. Among those leading these efforts is Sophia Oakley ‘25, who works to organize large-scale events that showcase how students can get involved in sustainability—even if they are unsure where to start.

“This is my second year on the sustainability team,” Sophia shared. “Last year, I focused more on events like Earth Day, where we collaborated with groups like the Gray Fund and Conference and Events Planning to highlight the incredible sustainability work happening in our community. This year, I’ve been working on the Climate Care Collective.”

The Climate Care Collective is a new event series aimed at addressing climate anxiety and grief in a supportive, low-pressure environment. “It’s about taking a moment to pause and connect with others who care about the same things,” she said. “By using somatic practices and intentional reflection, we build resilience to bring our best selves to climate work.” This creates a space for students to feel connected to each other through their shared anxieties about the climate.

Oakley went on to discuss both her favorite and least favorite parts of the job, “I love the sustainability team. Everyone cares deeply about what we do, and our boss, Rachel, is the best. She creates such a supportive space for us to grow and make an impact.” The team allows her to share her passion across campus with support and to work alongside a group of people who are just as dedicated to the care of the campus as she is.

Of course, challenges come with the territory. "Sometimes people think they need to be super involved to join events," she shared. "But that’s not true at all—our events are open to everyone. There’s no barrier to entry; we just want people to show up and care.” Another difficulty is navigating campus bureaucracy. “There are so many departments and individuals involved in sustainability, which is amazing, but it can make collaboration a bit tricky at times. We’re constantly working to improve communication and coordination.” Luckily, she enjoys a challenge.

Her biggest message to the Reed community is that sustainability work is for everyone. "You don’t need to be an expert or commit tons of time to make a difference. Just showing up and engaging is enough."

Sophia also emphasized the importance of community in sustainability efforts, “We want everyone to feel like they belong at these events. It’s not just about climate action—it’s about finding a space where you can connect with others and feel supported.”

She then expressed the many different ways people can involve themselves in the cause, whether that be attending the Climate Care Collective, joining an Earth Day celebration, or simply stopping by an event to learn more, the sustainability team invites all Reedies to get involved.

“Come as you are,” she said. “We’re here to create a welcoming, supportive space for everyone.”

For more information on events, reach out to Sophia Oakley at oakleysophia@reed.edu.