一本道

一本道ampa鈥檚 Global Sustainability class spent the two-week May term exploring the south coast of Iceland, comparing its sustainability practices to those in the U.S.听

The trip followed a semester of study in Tampa, where they learned about sustainable practices by visiting a water and waste management plant and a regenerative farm.听

About a dozen students in the environmental studies major traveled alongside chair of the program, Dan Huber, to Iceland.

Once there, the students saw how a geothermal plant operates, which Chloe Lonas 鈥�27 said is 鈥渃ompletely different than any energy source we use here in Tampa.鈥澨�

The students toured the plant and spoke to one of its advisors, who explained how they extract energy and readmit CO2 back into the Earth, and how there are no noted negative environmental impacts, Lonas explained.听

They also visited the Iceland Ocean Cluster, a company that uses 100% of the fish that they catch to make cosmetics, fish leather, food supplements, 鈥渁nything you can think of,鈥� Lonas said. While there, she tasted an energy drink that contained fish collagen.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good drink,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 honestly wish we had them here.鈥澨�

A highlight for Emma Sic 鈥�28 was Fingler National Park, where after a mile-and-a-half hike, there is a view between the rocks of a waterfall.听听鈥淚t was one of the coolest and most beautiful things ever,鈥� she said. There鈥檚 a spot behind the waterfall where she felt the glacier water 鈥� 鈥淚t鈥檚 cold. Super cold.鈥澨�

They also went to the Blue Lagoon, which contains geothermal seawater, a good way to unwind after a taxing hike, Sic added.听

The group ate a lot of fish and chips and lamb soup while there, Lonas said, but one thing she declined to try was fermented shark.听Their faculty chaperone, Huber, studies sharks.听

鈥淚 don't know if I would feel right eating that,鈥� Lonas said.听

An upsetting fact, she added, is that Huber said that since his last visit to Iceland in 2024, the glaciers had melted a significant amount. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a real-life example of why I鈥檓 doing this major,鈥� Lonas said.听

Lonas is interested in pursuing a career in public health or wildlife conservation following graduation.听

鈥淚 really just want to make a difference in whatever way that looks,鈥� she said.听