Eagle Scout hopeful educates community on recycling and conservation

Fifteen-year-old Ethan D’Souza is on his way to earning the title of Eagle Scout, the highest attainable rank in the Scouts BSA program, after educating his community on environmental stewardship.

D’Souza hosted a workshop on sustainability at the Riverdale Y Sunday Market April 19, called “Creating a Sustainable Future.” He and 10 fellow Troop 240 scouts educated passersby on how making small, environmentally conscious changes in their everyday lives can help protect the earth. D’Souza estimated the workshop drew about 130 people in total.

“I wanted to do something that I was passionate about that would also bring awareness and help others,” D’Souza said.

The scouts quizzed marketgoers on the best ways to conserve energy, had them sort notecards that listed various kinds of waste into the right bin and handed out t-shirts that had been upcycled into shopping bags. “Creating a Sustainable Future” revolved around the three R’s, D’Souza explained: reduce, reuse and recycle.

To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout has to earn 21 merit badges, then plan and execute a project that services the community. D’Souza had already earned his merit badges when he set out to turn his passion into a service project. His concern for the environment emerged at six years old when he was living in California during a stretch of wildfires, he said.

D’Souza recalled an urge to learn how he could help protect the forests. That urge first arose  when he was a Cub Scout in second grade. One of the 12 principles of the Scout Law is  “Thrifty,” or “using time, food, supplies and natural resources wisely,” which inspired D’Souza. He continued to build on that mission  once he moved up to Boy Scout, as conservation is an integral part of Scouting America’s program.

Environmental learning took place outside of Boy Scouts, too. D’Souza’s dad taught him how to recycle, his mom encouraged him to not waste food, and his teachers told him how microplastics easily enter the body. Ultimately, it all led D’Souza to  “Creating a Sustainable Future.”

D’Souza worked on the project over five months, and said though it was difficult to balance research with school and swim practice, he was determined to push through.

Outside of Boy Scouts, D’Souza writes for his school’s publications, is a member of the debate club, on the water polo team and the varsity swim team, and is a black belt in Taekwondo. He said when he graduates, he might go on to study natural science or journalism. 

When D’Souza first got to the market, he said he was nervous to present, but built confidence as people continued stopping by. Though the presentation of his project is complete, D’Souza said he wants to keep coming to the market monthly to engage with the community on sustainability.