Anya Bansal

Anya is a senior in high school, who was born and raised in New Jersey, where her love for the ocean and marine wildlife started at a young age, from going to the beaches and aquariums every summer. 

She started her environmental advocacy journey by participating in environmental summits and beach clean-ups, eventually deciding to start her own podcast, Ice-Breaker, where she works to educate people about various environmental issues in a fun and informative manner. Her passion for environmental justice in relation to water conservation has only grown since. She currently works as a Water Coordinator for the New Jersey Student Sustainability Coalition, recruiting volunteers around the state and working on webinars in order to push forward sustainability initiatives. She also works as an intern at the Environmental Education Fund, where she is working on passing the New Jersey Green Amendment by contacting local legislators and presenting to city councils in efforts of getting it on the ballot. She is also involved in organizations like Green2Go, a nonprofit that aims to reduce plastic usage, and has previously conducted research on combined sewer overflows' effect on human health with Montclair University's Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center. Anya is a firm believer in the power of the youth, and believes that we all have the power to create a greener world for our future.

In her free time, you can find her reading in a small nook, going for a walk outdoors, taking a nap, or listening to music.