Jun Gesteland is a fellow with CCL this summer currently finishing up his gap year before matriculating at the Rutgers University Honors College this fall where he will be majoring in chemical engineering.

Jun first became aware of climate change in middle school from the constant news reports covering climate disasters and temperature records. Upon beginning his gap year, Jun became involved in CCL in hopes of contributing to work that can make a difference.

As a CCL Wisconsin intern, Jun is leading a state-wide phone banking team that will mobilize non-voting Wisconsin environmentalists to go to the polls during the primary and presidential elections. As the upcoming CCL Great Lakes & North Wind Fellow, Jun will be turning his attention to CCL student chapter leaders in the Great Lakes & North Wind regions to maximize their chapters' potential while building climate communities. He is also working to mobilize more youth in the climate movement, especially in regards to voting.

Jun is thrilled to say he has already learned so much through his volunteering with CCL. From public speaking, deep-canvassing, event management, phone banking, to boosting self-confidence. As his work advances he hopes to grow as a climate leader and broaden his perspective through assisting student climate leaders, learning from other climate activists, pushing to stay optimistic, and becoming more informed about climate justice, policy, and initiatives.

In his free time you can find JunI playing the violin, cooking, bouldering, or hiking! He loves indie-pop and j-pop/j-rock specifically Aurora, Sasha Alex Sloan, Ricky Montgomery, Ado, Yoasobi, and Official Hige Dandism.

Overall Jun finds himself eager: eager to learn, eager to meet people, and eager to get involved in new and exciting ways that make him feel optimistic about the future!

Follow Jun on instagram @jun.n0t.june