Meet Lauren Kral: Dedicated Climate Advocate and Aspiring Policy Leader
Lauren Kral’s journey into climate advocacy began in high school when her town faced evacuation due to a wildfire. “While no one was harmed, I remembered that experience vividly,” she reflects. This event sparked her curiosity, leading her to research the causes of wildfires and discover their correlation with climate change. “This was truly the beginning of my desire to pursue climate advocacy,” she shares. Lauren's experiences with environmental issues have shaped her understanding of the urgency of climate action, motivating her to take a stand for the planet.
"I love the outdoors and our beautiful planet," Lauren explains. "Watching it slowly disappear made me realize that it is everyone's job to help stop climate change. For me, I want to help advocate for government action to address this crisis."
Lauren’s Role in CCL: Driving Engagement and Education
As the Education and Engagement Intern for Fall 2024, Lauren plays a critical role in supporting CCL's training programs. Every Tuesday at 8 PM EST, she manages training calls, ensuring that participants are prepared to take meaningful action in their communities. “I find a lot of passion in all of the work I take on, so it doesn’t feel like work for me!” she says. Lauren also monitors CCL's chat forums, fostering a vibrant community where members discuss climate action, introduce themselves, and share ideas for driving change.
While managing these responsibilities can be challenging, Lauren embraces the learning curve. “The most challenging parts of the CVT calls are managing the slides, monitoring the chat, and juggling all the tasks at once. I’ve slowly gotten the hang of it, but it wasn’t easy at first!” Her resilience and commitment to personal growth shine through in her experiences.
When asked for advice for those looking to enter the field of climate advocacy, Lauren emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement. “It's impossible to become a climate advocate without learning and understanding the problems you are advocating to solve,” she advises. Attending trainings, such as those offered by CCL, and getting involved in local initiatives are crucial first steps. “These experiences pave the way for becoming someone who meets with congressional leaders and creates lasting change on climate action.”
Involvement Beyond CCL: Leadership at GWU
Lauren's dedication to leadership and advocacy extends beyond her work with CCL. At George Washington University, she’s an active member of the Model UN travel team, where she competes and helps organize MUN conferences for middle and high school students. Her passion for diplomacy and leadership also shines through her role as the executive assistant for her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta.
While juggling her various responsibilities, Lauren also manages to enjoy some personal time. In her free moments, you can find her walking around the National Mall—still taking in the sights like a tourist despite living in Washington, D.C. for a year—or cooking in her dorm kitchen. She’s also an avid reader and enjoys keeping up with new books, though her favorite is constantly changing.
Even though she’s far from home, Lauren always thinks about her chocolate lab, Holly, who she misses while she’s at school. Despite her busy schedule, Lauren stays grounded through simple pleasures like reading, cooking, and enjoying music. Taylor Swift is her favorite artist, while her go-to movie is Legally Blonde, and her favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls.
When asked to describe herself in one word, Lauren chose “dedicated”—a fitting choice given her commitment to climate advocacy, her studies, and her leadership roles.
Looking Ahead
Lauren’s ultimate goal is to bring her passion for policy advocacy to the forefront, helping push the government toward meaningful climate action. With her background in political science and peace studies and her dedication to educating and engaging communities, she is well on her way to making a significant impact.