This year, the environment section has seen a big shift in leadership and content organization. 

Reese Lile began the 2025 year working as an assistant editor with editors Beza Zelalem and Mia Springer. Lile then took over this fall as the environment editor as Zelalem transitioned to work at the Magnolia magazine, and Springer graduated. As the new environment editor this semester, Lile supported writers and organized content through the whirlwind of environment news that has been shared this year. 

This section is proud to share stories that reflect the reality of what is going on in the world of environmental news around the globe. We are in a time when the future of sustainability and environmentalism is uncertain, which is why it is even more important that we continue to share positive stories and stay informed. 

The environment section has covered a variety of topics this year, from environmental successes and failures at the federal level, microplastics, different aspects of stormwater, the repercussions of Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires, how AI is really impacting the environment and fast fashion. Furthermore, this section covered the importance of being a feminist and an environmentalist, the value of our outdoor learning spaces on campus and public discourse about a natural gas pipeline expansion. Writers also met with people involved in different areas of sustainability, including a dining intern from the Wake Forest Office of Sustainability, two Outdoor Pursuits student employees, Sacoby Wilson and the CEO of National Geographic.

Our section has had the opportunity to cover an even wider range of topics this year thanks to the introduction of a weekly “Happy Climate News Column.” These short columns give headlines and brief summaries of cool, interesting and inspiring stories in sustainability around the world. This addition has been important to this section and our readers because it serves as a reminder that there are good things happening in the world of environmentalism. Real people are doing real work, and we believe that every effort, no matter how small, deserves to be recognized and shared. 

We want to thank our writers, who have done incredible work this year. It is inspiring to see people put so much effort into covering topics that they feel passionate about. Lile thanks the editors who have refined and perfected the amazing work done by the writers, as well as all of the readers who show up and support the environment section through major structural changes this year. 

As we look towards the coming semesters, the Environment section is excited to see what future coverage will include as technological advances, grassroots movements and politics keep the world of environment a dynamic place.