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 the class of 2020. 

Throughout his four years of college, Raunak Shrestha has seen many victories, large and small, towards making NYU Abu Dhabi a greener campus. 

As a first-year, Raunak joined the student interest group, Ecoherence, which works to promote on-campus sustainability through efforts like increasing student awareness and pushing the school to adopt more environmentally conscious policies.

His interest in sustainability stems from an early connection with nature, having spent time hiking and mountain biking around Kathmandu, Nepal. After taking a course on Environmental Systems and Societies in high school, Raunak worked on a research project that explored resource recovery from waste. Through this project, Raunak became more aware of the environmental and health impacts of waste and landfill sites. He began to consider ways in which people can more responsibly consume and dispose of waste, and this inspired him to further explore sustainable solutions.

Raunak got involved in Ecoherence as a way to turn this interest into action.

“I saw a great opportunity to engage with the community and join a group that was dedicated to the cause of environmental sustainability, bringing about tangible change.”

Raunak saw first-hand the power of advocating for sustainability. During his time with Ecoherence and later, as Chair of the NYUAD Student Government Sustainability Committee, he worked towards a variety of initiatives including the installation of a bio-digester to transform food waste into compost, and efforts to encourage his peers to use reusable water bottles. In fact, he identified connecting with his peers and hearing a wide range of environmental perspectives and experiences as a highlight of his experience with the Sustainability Committee.

“Every conversation that I have had has made me think hard about my environmental values and has contributed to shaping them.”

Raunak is heartened by his legacy and is motivated by the care and selflessness he’s seen from the NYUAD students, faculty, and administrators he’s worked with.

“After four years of involvement in sustainability initiatives at NYUAD, it has grown to be a part of my identity.”

Going forward, Raunak plans to continue to pursue sustainability, personally and professionally. He will be starting a Masters program in Water Engineering and Management at Asian Institute of Technology, and hopes to expand his work by designing resilient and sustainable water systems.