From Polar Biology to Urban Sustainability: Amaris Greene’s Journey to the Pardee School
MLK Jr. Fellowship recipient Amaris Greene brings a unique perspective to the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies as a Global Policy MA student, blending her background in environmental sustainability with a commitment to social justice.
Greene’s academic journey began at Loyola University in Baltimore, where she graduated summa cum laude majoring in Global Studies with minors in History and Environmental Sustainability. “The Global Studies program at Loyola combined sociology, history, political science, and economics, which was perfect for me because I have a lot of interests and interdisciplinary tracks really speak to me,” Greene explained. This multidisciplinary approach allowed her to explore the complex intersections of climate change, social justice, and global development.
During her studies, Greene participated in a study abroad program in Copenhagen, focusing on environmental sustainability. This experience included a polar biology course, where she conducted PCR testing on invasive species in aquatic environments in Norway. “It was really interesting to learn more about polar biology. As someone more humanities-focused, it was one of the first times I felt the excitement of hands-on biology while also connecting sustainability to urban development. That intersection was fascinating to me.”
At Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s Immigration Legal Services team, Greene gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by migrants and asylum seekers. “We worked with an asylum seeker who had been living here for maybe four years and had truly constructed a life in the US with her children. Her country lacked the social protections necessary to keep her safe, but her chances of deportation were high all the same. Heartbreaking cases like hers quickly introduced me to US immigration policy failures,” Greene shared.
The intersection of environmental issues and social justice is at the core of Greene’s aspirations. She is particularly interested in addressing climate migration and humanitarian crises linked to sustainability. “I’m especially interested in the intersection between climate and humanitarian crises—like those related to climate migration or water security and sustainable food systems. Marginalized communities are often the most vulnerable and bear the brunt of these challenges across the world,” she explained.
Greene’s commitment to social justice principles, a key focus of the MLK Jr. Fellowship, is evident in her academic work and personal philosophy. She was particularly inspired by a course on Pope Francis’s concept of integral ecology. “Integral ecology centers on the extractive colonial histories that have contributed to our current environmental crisis. It emphasizes our social and economic issues’ intersection with ecological challenges,” she said.
At Backyard Basecamp, a nonprofit organization in Baltimore focused on urban farming and environmental education for BIPOC communities, Greene puts theory into practice. “I observed a change in mindset from our stakeholders. With a new sense of environmental responsibility, they realized ‘I have a duty to protect and steward our world in exchange for what it’s given me,’” she observed.
Looking ahead, Greene is considering various paths, including pursuing a Ph.D. or working internationally. She is particularly drawn to cities like London for their global work in environmental policy and development. “Environmental policy is at the forefront of everything we do. Ecological stewardship and sustainable policy-making is critical for both our planetary *and* societal health long-term,” she emphasized. As a recipient of the MLK Jr. Fellowship, Greene brings to the Pardee School’s Global Policy program a unique blend of environmental expertise and commitment to social justice, positioning her to address some of the most pressing global challenges at the intersection of sustainability and human welfare.