Riki Bertoldi

I grew up in Southern California, where I spent nearly every free weekend freediving off coastal coves. These experiences fostered a deep connection and respect for the natural world, which led me to pursue a BS in Conservation and Resource Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. While at UC Berkeley, I developed a strong interest in environmental justice, particularly the impacts of air pollution on vulnerable communities in Stockton, CA. This interest in air pollution eventually expanded to include other pollutants, such as those resulting from harmful algal blooms. For my senior thesis, I utilized remote sensing technologies to monitor and track harmful algal blooms in Monterey, CA, and studied their effects on nearby public health.

After graduating, I continued to pursue my passion for environmental justice by working at an environmental education nonprofit in San Francisco as a Sustainability Data Analyst. In this role, I collected and analyzed environmental and climate action indicator data for all TK-12 school districts in California. My analysis focused on identifying which school districts are most climate-resilient and which are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Through data-driven solutions, this work aimed to advocate for funding and resources for high-need school districts, helping to protect them from climate change impacts and create healthy, conducive learning environments for children.

Now, as a student at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE), I am eager to continue addressing environmental justice issues through the lens of industrial ecology. Specifically, I am interested in exploring industrial symbiosis—repurposing one industry's waste as raw material for another—to reduce waste and pollution, and to maintain healthy and biodiverse natural environments.