O’Neill Cooper, a rising senior at Miami Palmetto High School, has taken a significant step in environmental advocacy by establishing the Green Roof Initiative.
The organization aims to raise awareness about the benefits of green roofs primarily through social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, as well as by delivering public lectures.
Cooper recognizes the importance of education in this realm, stating, “We want to spread awareness about green roofs.”
As part of the initiative, the group is involved in research, with a paper recently published in the Technical Education Research Centers, TERC, in the Hands-On 2024 Fall Edition.
Cooper explains that this research is a continuation of a previous project that began as a competition for the Technical Educational Research Center.
“Our original study was about social media. They liked all of the research,” he recalls, highlighting the positive response to their findings.
A critical aspect of green roofs that is particularly relevant to Floridians is their ability to withstand hurricanes, with Cooper mentioning a green roof located on the University of Miami’s Lakeside Village Campus.
“It can withstand a Cat Five,” he affirms, explaining that the structure’s design secures it firmly to the foundation, incorporating webbing and canvas within the soil to anchor the plants effectively.
The Green Roof Initiative focuses primarily on homeowners to emphasize the financial benefits that come with installing green roofs.
Cooper explains, “We talk about how green roofs can save you money.”
He further elaborates that green roofs can coexist with solar panels, and it’s unnecessary for them to cover the entire roof area.
Another cost-saving feature of green roofs is their insulation properties.
Cooper states, “That soil serves as a massive layer of insulation. It can save certain buildings hundreds of dollars.”
The initiative collaborates with organizations such as Fairchild Tropical Gardens, the Village of Palmetto Bay, and the Palmetto Bay Gardening Association to provide educational lectures to the public.
“We need to talk to people about how they can save money,” Cooper remarks, noting that most homes built after the 1980s are structurally sound enough to support green roofs.
In addition to his work with the Green Roof Initiative, Cooper is the vice president of Green Initiatives for the Science National Honor Society.
He is also bringing back environmental presentations at Palmetto titled Cleo.
His commitment to environmental issues extends beyond this initiative as he has participated in the Fairchild Tropical Gardens Challenge in the environmental debate category for his Science National Honor Society.
Moreover, Cooper serves as the vice president of the Amnesty Club, which focuses on human rights discussions.
“This year, we wrote letters to the fire department and brought in lectures for the Holocaust for our school,” he mentions, reflecting on the club’s activities.
One of his aspirations is to organize a field trip for the club to the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.
Additionally, Cooper is the fundraising chair for the Debate Club, where members actively participate in debate tournaments statewide.
His leadership extends to various academic clubs, being a member of the National Honor Society, the Japanese Honor Society, and the Asian Culture Club.
Over the past three years, he has also volunteered at Fairchild Tropical Gardens, predominantly in horticulture.
Cooper contributes to significant events like the mango festival and the chocolate festival, showcasing his dedication to community engagement.
Furthering his commitment to public service, he interns at Palmetto Bay Mayor Cunningham’s office and serves as vice chair of the Palmetto Bay Youth Council.
In addition, he volunteers with Small Spaces Big Impact, an organization aimed at creating micro parks in underused areas.
“We made a small garden in an area that had been overtaken by non-native plants in West Kendall,” he explains, emphasizing the importance of nurturing public spaces.
Cooper also participates with the Miami Digital Literacy Project, which seeks to educate South Florida residents about digital literacy.
Looking ahead to his college education, Cooper plans to major in Environmental Policy and Law.
His college aspirations include notable institutions such as Duke University, UC Berkeley, Columbia University, Oregon State University, Florida International University, and the University of Florida.
With his diverse involvement and dedication to environmental advocacy, O’Neill Cooper exemplifies the spirit of youth leadership and community engagement.
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