A college course on climate change inspired Michelle “Shelly” Martin ’08 to travel to Bali for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

Martin says her interest in climate change was “cemented” in her junior year at the University when she took Climate Change Advocacy and Policy with Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Jon Rosales.  “Learning what an urgent problem climate change is furthered my commitment to finding a solution to the worldwide problem. Prof. Rosales’s passion for the subject has inspired me,” Martin commented.

Martin says she and Kate Olsen ’08 decided to incorporate their Senior-Year Experience projects into the trip.  The two received funding from several sources at St. Lawrence to travel to the UNFCCC for 10 days in December 2007. 

The best part of the trip was attending events pertaining to her scientific interests as well as observing the proceedings of the United Nations, according to Martin.  “I was amazed at the wide variety of groups involved, from church groups to coal companies,” she added.

During their one-day break from the conference, Martin and Olsen traveled around the island to see volcanoes, waterfalls and local temples.  “The Balinese people were the nicest I’ve ever met, so willing to help and sincerely kind,” said Martin.

Martin, of Stowe, Vt., is a Stowe Senior High School graduate.  An environmental studies and government double major, she studied in New Zealand in 2006.  She is also a guide for the Outdoor Program, a teaching assistant, a SLU Buddy working with an at-risk child in a local school, and president of the Ski Club.