Spending the Summer with GIPL

Susan Kibler from Georgia Tech's Institute of Public Policy is interning with us this summer. Keep reading to find out what she's helping us create.

This summer, I am very excited to be interning with GIPL, where I am designing an environmental justice program that congregations in under-served communities can use to address environmental disparities in their neighborhoods.

GIPL's environmental justice program will help congregations recognize environmental justice issues and then how to take the steps to address those issues. We envision the training for this program occurring as part of a day-long event conducted by GIPL that focuses on the congregation and faith. These events could also include a Power Wise Energy Audit, a garden building event, or other GIPL programs.

As a former geologist working in industry and government, I saw first-hand the environmental and social degradation caused by industrial waste. Just understanding the scientific issues was not enough for me. I wanted to do more about the social aspects. This desire led me to Georgia Tech and the School of Public Policy where I am pursuing a master’s degree in public policy with a concentration in environmental and energy policy.

I am excited to be working with GIPL on environmental justice program because the opportunity allows me to pair my experience as a geologist with my interest in the social aspects of environmental and policy issues.