On April 16, 2023, Director at the Sierra Club, Aaron Mair spoke about climate action and diversity at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Aaron Mair is a former leader and current board member of the Sierra Club, a non profit organization that advocates for environmental and climate justice. He is also an activist for environmental justice and the director of the Forever Adirondacks Campaign, a campaign that raises awareness for clean water and protection of the wilderness in the Adirondack Parks.

Mr. Mair began his activism in the 1980s by working to shut down a solid waste incinerator, which burns waste to remove garbage from landfills, but also pollutes and emits toxins into the air. Mr. Mair continues to advocate for environmental justice today. Through Deerfield’s EcoReps program, the Academy sent  three students to Greenfield to listen to Mr. Mair speak. Jade Zimmerman ’25 reflected on the talk, stating, “Aaron Mair was really informative and talked about taking action against environmental injustices. I was amazed he shut down a solid waste incinerator that was causing illness in his family and community.” 

Finally, the students who attended the speaking event were able to ask Mr. Mair some questions, gather his advice, and learn more about his work with environmental activism. Mr. Mair stated, describing how teenagers can best advocate for their passions, “The right to petition is the most fundamental and foundational right for every American. Now, you don’t need to be old enough to vote, but the right to petition is guaranteed to every student. Right now your generation is leading that fight. And the more youth that engage in direct action protests and resistance, that is the most important thing that you can do. It’s that foundational step in building your knowledge and understanding of your right as a citizen of the United States. Exercise that right.”