By: Nola Bauer, Contributing Writer

Indoor plants are thriving all around Penn Hall at NCC courtesy of the Climate Action Network (CAN). The greenery sits at various windows and around student lounge areas, creating a calming atmosphere for any stressed students since their first potted appearance in 2021.

 “We were looking for a way to spruce up the campus after in-person restrictions from COVID-19 were just beginning to be lifted,” said CAN advisor, Dr. Anita Forrester. The indoor plant project’s purpose was to improve air quality, manage student stress, and spark climate conversation. Dr. Forrester continued, “It was one of our first actions back from the pandemic and [CAN] has really soared ever since.”

CAN has been around for nearly thirteen years, notably founding a campus chapter of the nationally acclaimed Climate Reality Project. Northampton, Lehigh, and Monroe counties have joined County Climate Commitment plans thanks to CAN campaign efforts in 2019. They host garden workshops at the NCC East 40 Community Garden. CAN also organizes off-campus sit-ins at Allentown and Bethlehem town meetings.

Dr. Forrester considers a community zoom meeting with former Senator Pat Toomey’s office as her most memorable moment of action with CAN as a club advisor: “To be able to talk with the people in power is so important during our current climate crisis.”

In addition to teaching Geography and Environmental Studies, Dr. Forrester is the Program Director of the Global Studies program and an advisor to both the NCC Climate Action Network and Sustainability Committee.

Students can look forward to participating alongside CAN on Earth Day in the Quad on April 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or join the weekly meetings every Thursday from 11-12 p.m. in Penn Hall 126.

Dr. Forrester says the doors are always open to join CAN: “It really does take a village. Solidarity and action are vital to our fight against climate change.