News from UC Santa Cruz

30 Grads in 30 Days: Tony Bautista

B.A., environmental studies and economics

Tony Bautista (photo by Carolyn Lagattuta)

Name: Antonio (Tony) Bautista
Major: Environmental studies and economics combined
Hometown: East Los Angeles
UCSC college: College Nine

Favorite class or professor and why?
National Environmental Policy with Daniel Press, chair of the Environmental Studies Department. The class gave a larger picture of the past, current, and future national environmental policy in the United States. We also had to write a research paper examining the cement industry and suggesting policy that would clean up the industry. I felt that this class gave the political understanding to talk to my congress members about climate action policy.

Most memorable experience at UCSC?
My most memorable experience at UCSC was attending Powershift 2009 with a group of 25 fellow UCSC students. Powershift 2009 was a national youth conference on climate action. The first night we arrived there was a series of speakers that included [environmental activist] Van Jones, and after each speaker everyone went wild. I had never been in a room with 12,000 students going crazy about climate action. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to share this experience with 25 of my closest friends.

Favorite spot on campus and why?
There are so many spots on campus that are my favorite; I think it really depends on the situation. I love meeting up with friends at Stevenson café, having burritos with my friend Jill at Tacos Moreno, love to sit and read on the benches near the Music Center overlooking the ocean. But my absolute favorite spot on campus is Glenn Coolidge Drive--there is no better experience than bicycling down from campus after a long day of classes and meetings. As you ride down you get a breathtaking view of the bay that just makes me want to scream every single time.

How has UCSC shaped you?
UCSC has shaped me to become a leader in the climate change arena. The Student Environmental Center developed my leadership skills. The Education for Sustainable Living program (ESLP) developed my facilitation skills, and my ability to teach and inspire my peers. My participation with the Faculty Mentor Program has helped me develop my research and professional skills. My Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program climate action internship has helped further develop all my skills. And my course load has given me the theoretical background to advocate for climate action.

What are your future plans?
I will be applying to graduate school this coming fall. I will be looking at programs around environmental economics or environmental policy. I hope to be involved in the global fight against climate change, working with such organizations as the World Bank, United Nations, and others.

How did you choose your college, and how has your college affected your education?
On a campus tour I had the opportunity to visit College Nine, and I instantly fell in love with the College Nine/Ten dorms and their surroundings. I also wanted to be exposed to the global community, and I knew that College Nine could provide that experience because of its theme.

Accomplishments:
I’m currently part of the UCSC Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program. I serve as the climate action intern working under the Chancellor’s Council on Climate Change. As the climate action intern, I have worked alongside the council developing the UCSC Climate Action Plan. I’m also currently co-facilitating the "Ecocities and Sustainable Communities" Action Research Team (ART) under the Education for Sustainable Living Program. The "Ecocities and Sustainable Communities" ART explores how cities of today are moving toward ecocities, and has students participate in projects and develop their own sustainability project on the UCSC campus. Over the summer I helped develop the first ever zero-waste summer orientation for incoming students. Last year, as the green building coordinator for the Student Environmental Center, I ran a campaign to ensure the building of the Student Health Center was done as a LEED green building certification. Measure 35 was placed on the student ballot and passed with 68 percent of the voting population saying "yes," providing the necessary funds for the LEED building of the Student Health Center.