Bailey Dunn

Green Group students Mark Croteau ‘25 and Adrienne Rosenblatt ‘25 work hard in HB’s on-campus garden. The students describe the garden as a “safe space” for the plants, and students to grow. “Join us, you’ll love it,” says Croteau.

When thinking about the color green, people often think of it as just a color. As technology continues to grow and the earth loses some of its key properties, the term “green” has taken on a brand new meaning as it weaves through modern society’s environmental and social scene. The worsening of Earth as a result of human interference has inspired many new creative and progressive ideas to better the environment.

 Many people have now joined the race to adopt the new “green” concepts by dedicating organizations or projects focused on sustainability and protecting the environment. Hollis Brookline High School is one of many in the race for change.  

HB’s Green Group is an extracurricular service dedicated to “helping improve the school’s footprint and the surrounding Hollis-Brookline area”. Run by HB teacher Jordan Cormier, the group has a positive outlook when it comes to improvement on today’s environmental issues. “The reason why people should join Green Group and why it’s so important is because Green Group represents the future of our school and what we are striving to bring about in our school,” said Cormier. As humans’ relationship with the environment continues to worsen, people do need to start thinking about their future along with their deteriorating surroundings. Club leader Marc Croteau ‘25 has much advice for his peers. “We only have one earth and it’s running its course right now if we don’t do anything to save it,” said Croteau. On a path inhabited by our species, toxic pollution affects more than 200 million people worldwide. If this pollution were to continue at this rate, it could reach astronomical numbers. 

Whilst this problem has been one that’s occurred for thousands of years and has been discussed through literature, science, and politics for ages, its relevance still stands; maybe more than ever. The fact is, the environment plays a big role in our survival. Instead of finding ways to coexist with nature, humans become territorial and careless when interacting with the environment. “One of the most pressing issues of today’s society is the environment and what we can do to protect it,” said Croteau.

Although Green Group can’t collectively solve every environmental problem spanning the seven continents, it is a good way to take the first steps into local improvement. Another Green Group leader, Adrienne Rosenblatt ‘25, is ready to share the determination and hard work of the group. “The people in it are really serious about it… we all want to complete the same goals, and it’s a great community,” said Rosenblatt. 

However, the “great community” Rosenblatt dictates has somewhat gone unnoticed in the HB community. “We’re still finding our footing but currently our tasks are to create a plan of action to ask [Principal Tim] Grizone to purchase another recycling center, ” said Croteau. With these big goals in mind, the group also keeps working on expanding its tiny community through advertising and speaking out. 

So next time you pass through the HB hallways, maybe the signs that read “Join Green Group” in bold won’t go unnoticed.