IU sophomore Corben Andrews is working to make a more sustainable world

IU

Growing up, Indiana University student Corben Andrews experienced early on the effects of poverty and the impact one can have on the world.When he was 5 years old, he accompanied his parents and church on a mission trip to Mexico, where the group built houses for people in need. Then in high school, Andrews volunteered, again through his church, at an orphanage in Guatemala, where he helped build and paint buildings for the young children living there.
"I grew up with an appreciation of what we have in America and our impact on the rest of the world," said Andrews, a sophomore majoring in environmental science.
It was during that trip to Guatemala that Andrews' interest in sustainability was also piqued, after he witnessed a community living among a trash dump and drinking water from a stream polluted with that nearby garbage.
"It was terrible to see," said Andrews, a Bloomington native. "I saw all this trash and these people having to suffer from all these nasty chemicals. I came back home and got connected with some sustainability groups here."
Andrews working at Hilltop Gardens and Nature Center. Photo by IU Communications.Throughout high school, Andrews was involved with his school's environmental club, helped build a school garden, volunteered at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank garden and was a member of Bring Your Bag Bloomington, a local group focused on the issue of single-use plastic bags.
When it was time to attend college, Andrews knew he wanted to continue to focus on sustainability issues and study at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
In addition to his studies, Andrews has served as a 2020 Sustainability Scholar through IU's Office of Sustainability. As part of his work, which he is continuing this academic year, Andrews worked with Heather Reynolds, an associate professor of biology, to study the effectiveness of turf grass ...

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