OUR VISION
The name ‘In the Green’ comes from the business phrases “in the black” and “in the red” and the most recognizable symbol of sustainability, the color green. When a company is “in the black,” it is breaking even or better; when a company is “in the red,” it is experiencing losses. We chose to name ourselves In the Green because companies often profit from “going green,” or adopting more sustainable practices. Our name neatly embodies our mission as a sustainability club to share ways that benefit people, businesses, and the planet.
A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
October 16th, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for all. Like many other clubs, In the Green migrated its presence online during the 2020-2021 school year. Our general meetings and guest speaker events were hosted over video conferencing tools instead of physical classrooms, and our members had to assimilate to communicating, working, and collaborating virtually. Conditions were not optimal, but we continued to strive towards our goals: promoting sustainable, responsible business.
During the 2020-2021 school year, we continued writing insightful content on sustainability topics through ItG Publications (formerly Stories), heard from respected experts from the water management and climate advocacy, continued our collaboration with Certified B Corporations and B Local Orange County, and hosted two virtual speaker events during Earth Week featuring current students’ sustainable lifestyle tips and Certified B-Corporations Burnham Benefits, Arbonne, and Aspiration, respectively.
After approximately 18 months away, In the Green, along with the majority of students, has returned to the beautiful and bustling campus of UC Irvine. This past summer, we took some time to freshen up our branding and reshifted our focus to better serve UCI students and the Orange County community. Everybody has a vote in their dollar, and we hope to provide information and support for students to become more responsible consumers and have more purposeful careers. Education on sustainable, responsible business remains paramount. ItG Publications will continue to push out educational pieces, and our social media seeks to keep UCI students updated on major news and trends from the realms of renewables, environmental events, climate policy, and more. We’re also planning on bringing back our revamped newsletter in Winter Quarter 2022. Throughout the year, we’ll continue to host speaker events and other interactive activities to engage the community. Most importantly, we started an intern program to support all these new initiatives, and we’re so excited to see what these passionate and talented students bring to the table.
To past and present members of In the Green: thank you for your hard work, commitment, and persistence. We’ve only made it this far because of you, the club will continue to rely on your creativity and passion to achieve its goals.
I’m excited for what we’ll achieve this coming school year.
With appreciation and optimism,
Justin Chen
In the Green at UCI