NOVEMBER 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 59
ACTS OF KINDNESS
CLEANER OCEANS INSTITUTE
THE GOOD FIGHT
BY SAMUEL PODOLSKY
Sanaalee Troupe, a sophomore at
Garden City’s Waldorf School, was
inspired to do her part to fight climate
change after an illuminating conversation
with her parents earlier this
year.
“They sat me down and we spoke
about topics such as water contamination
and the like,” says Troupe.
“This conversation served as a real
eye-opener for me; it really created a
burning passion for climate advocacy.
And it made me realize in order
to change the world, we would have
to implement the change we would
like to see.”
So she founded the Cleaner Oceans
Institute, an environmental advocacy
organization comprised of young
adults not unlike herself. Beginning
with an Instagram account, Troupe
created informational content aimed
at particular environmental crises,
catching the attention of other students
vying to be involved.
Today, Cleaner Oceans Institute has
a website and a team of 42 volunteers
worldwide. In her role as founder and
executive director, Troupe’s gaze is
squarely focused on raising support
on Long Island.
“I create articles and put information
on our website,” she says. “I additionally
get in contact with other students
from Long Island and New York City
to join or attend events, where we
will go to schools in New York City
and speak about climate change and
environmental sciences.”
Events have included participating
in the September 20 New York City
climate strikes and most recently
a series of cleanups held as Jones
Beach over a week. Inviting a host of
environmentalists, Cleaner Oceans
Institute and the volunteers used the
opportunity to rid the beach of plastic
and any other contaminants.
“Team members provided bags,
gloves, and other materials,” she says.
“Then we separate into groups. Some
people will sweep the sand, others
water, whatever they are comfortable
with. Our goal is to divide and
conquer.”
With an environmental summit
planned for March, and an affordable
sustainable clothing line in the
works, Troupe shows no signs of
slowing down.
“It’s just a really great way for people
who want to get into the environmental
field to be involved with a community,”
she says. “We do local events,
where we introduce the team and get
to know more about each other. We
are trying to create a community and
a family.”
11/30/19.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
