Y Talk

We are stewards. That means caring for God's creations, teaching others, and learning what more we can do.

Raising awareness is the first step toward fixing a problem. That's why BYU students are talking about earthly stewardship with classmates, roommates, friends, professors, and loved ones all around the world in a peer-to-peer program we call Y Talk.

Any meaningful interaction—in person or online—counts. Working with BYU's amazing Geospatial Lab, we'll use mapping tools to show our collective reach and impact over time. Together, we'll raise awareness, explore solutions, build bridges, and change the world one dialogue at a time.

By study and by faith

Whatever our background, each of us can add something meaningful to the conversation. Leaders in economics, religion, journalism, politics, science, and other disciplines have visited BYU to discuss sustainability challenges. As Elder M. Russell Ballard put it, "I would hope you will continue to find creative solutions to help protect the future for all of God’s children in our world. We should do whatever we can to protect and preserve the earth, to make life better for those who will live here."

We can't do it alone. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU's sponsoring institution, have been urged to be good stewards. In a worldwide address, Bishop Gérard Caussé said, "Considering our individual circumstances, each of us can use the bountiful resources of the earth more reverently and prudently. We can support community efforts to care for the earth. We can adopt personal lifestyles and behaviors that respect God’s creations and make our own living spaces tidier, more beautiful, and more inspirational." Because God's creations include mankind, he added that we must "love, respect, and care for all human beings with whom we share the earth...work tirelessly for peace and harmony among all nations of the earth...[and] do our very best to protect and bring solace and relief to the weak, the needy, and all those who suffer or who are oppressed."

For more on faith and stewardship, visit the resource library of Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship, a nonprofit and BYU Sustainability partner, or the Gospel Library entry on environmental stewardship and conservation.

A student-led initiative

Y Talk student leaders include Sterling Kerr, Olivia Burns, Karoline Busche Elle Compton, Elisabeth Currit, Danny Dudley, Kala'i Ellis, Sean Fitzgerald, Atlas Goodrich, Eliza Hammari, Chad Hyer, Jayden Itejere, Elias Johnson, Shannon Lambson, Katie Lawrence, Alex Long, Flynn Moore, Jacob Neil, Matthew Oschwald, Harriet Parkinson, Heather Phipps, Valeria Prieto, Mary Proteau, Ryan Quade, Molly Thatcher, and Nathan Thompson.

Staff and faculty advisors on this project include Teresa Gomez, Dr. Ben Abbott, Dr. Brigham Daniels, Dr. Chip Oscarson, Dr. Andrew South, Dr. Neil Hansen, and Bremen Leak.