The Green Graduate series is a collective of interviews and conversations with environmentally-minded and eco-conscious NYU graduates. As these students move on to the workforce, graduate programs, and other opportunities, we are struck with how different the world seems today than it did a few months ago. Our hope with this series is to inspire, motivate and most importantly, honor our recent graduates.

In the mood for tips on greening the mind, body, and spirit? Look to Yvonne Cuaresma. As a Master’s student in Steinhart’s Food Studies department, Yvonne’s eco-consciousness is a driving force behind her daily choices.

Identifying as Filipina American, Yvonne has many rich childhood memories spent in the natural world. At seven years old, Yvonne’s family packed their bags to move to California, where her days were filled with adventures like camping, fishing, and trips to the lake or beach. While her love for these scenic landscapes grew, her parents made sure that love for the outdoors was coupled with something else. 

“About once a year, we would pack donation boxes and bring them to the Philippines,” Yvonne remarks fondly. “These family vacations exposed me to life in a third world country… Through moments in seeing other kids play with styrofoam boards and seeing trash scattered in the Phillippine Islands, I began to recognize my passion for environmental causes.” 

Acknowledging her ability to experience the world beautifully and comfortably came with the realization of the poverty, pollution, and corruption that plagued so many from reaching their full potential. 

Yvonne finds that her eco communication channel is through food. Within her personal sphere of influence, advocating for plant-based diets, reducing plastic food containers, and reducing food waste all allows her to explore the diversity of the eco-movement while strengthening her innovation at handling these problems. 

Finding her way to NYU seemed destined. 

“Lucky for me, one of the main reasons I attended NYU is because I knew that my colleagues and mentors would be just as passionate about sustainability. Although the food studies program had diverse pathways, I knew that social and environmental impact was going to be a common topic of interest.”

Utilizing the resources around her, a Green Grant with the Office of Sustainability enabled Yvonne and a classmate to host the Carry Your Own Campaign. Marrying her eco-conscious solutions with the power of reflection, Yvonne set out to launch another big endeavor called the Climate Journal Project. 

Started in June of 2020, The Climate Journal Project is a “practice to help alleviate environmental grief and climate change anxiety”. With participation in the challenge reaching all corners of the world, Yvonne and the team want to be able to launch an official journal book and these books and programs to marginalized communities. 

Because sustainability is so wide reaching, Yvonne’s future is just as ever-reaching. Her advice to fellow students? Reflect. Once you figure out what draws you in, what are your favorite parts of the movement, don’t be afraid to be flexible in pursuit of those drivers. Reflect in the constant evolving we go through and remain true to that driving purpose.