Student Seeks to Create a Balanced Ecosystem


April 2, 2019

Deepti Bansal Gage

Deepti Bansal Gage, 2L, was named a Planet Forward Storyfest finalist in the “Shareable/Short Video” category. Planet Forward is a project of the Center for Innovative Media at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs with a mission to teach, celebrate, and reward environmental storytelling by college students. The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards recognize the best and most compelling student-told stories illuminating environmental issues and solutions. Ms. Bansal Gage spoke to us about her Storyfest project and how her interest in the environment shaped her path to law school.

Her project, “Nature’s Small But Mighty Fix For Algae Blooms,” sheds light on the issue of algae blooms, colonies of algae in the sea or freshwater that produce toxic effects on living organisms, and offers water fleas as a natural solution. She hopes viewers gain an appreciation for small things that make a huge impact, like water fleas, and feel empowered to take simple actions to help the environment.

Ms. Bansal Gage’s interest in law began as an undergraduate student studying business and the environment. While studying abroad in Costa Rica, she met with members of the Boruca, an indigenous group. “The Boruca explained that their ancestral land, which includes forests protecting a number of endangered species, was going to be flooded out by the creation of a hydroelectric dam. They were trying to stop it from being built but didn't have legal representation. This shocked me and helped me realize that if I wanted to help the environment, I needed a legal degree,” she explained. From her experiences in Costa Rica, Ms. Bansal Gage learned the value of law and policy in protecting the environment and creating a more sustainable future.

Ms. Bansal Gage was inspired to submit a project to Storyfest after attending a Planet Forward summit in 2018. “While environmental journalism may seem completely unrelated to law, it’s actually an important tool in shaping policy and thus the law. Without being able to effectively tell a story, how can one be an effective advocate?” she asked. “I thought this would be a good opportunity to branch out from traditional law school activities and do something I care about while sharpening a skill relevant to my legal career.”

While at GW Law, Ms. Bansal Gage has served as Secretary of the Environment and Energy Law Association, a research assistant to Associate Dean LeRoy C. Paddock, student co-chair of ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee, and a member of The George Washington Law Review.

Ms. Bansal Gage encourages students interested in environmental law to try storytelling outside of legal writing. “It teaches you other approaches of getting your message across in an effective and creative manner,” she explained. For students interested in submitting a Storyfest project, she recommends they not be intimidated even if they do not have a media or journalism background. “Just do it! You have something you can contribute, and you will learn a lot along the way.”  

To support Ms. Bansal Gage’s project, give it a thumbs up under the question asking: “Do you think this story helps move the Planet Forward?” Doing so will help increase her chances to win the Storyfest award, which involves a storytelling expedition with National Geographic to the Galapágos Islands.

"Nature’s Small But Mighty Fix For Algae Blooms"