Using Her Platform for the Planet

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Growing up just north of La Jolla in Carlsbad, California, Elise Nishimura developed an appreciation for the environment long before she arrived at UC San Diego.

Now a junior Environmental Systems major in Marshall College and member of the UC San Diego softball team, Nishimura has discovered a unique way to unite her academic interests with her athletic career. Through EcoAthletes, a nonprofit that empowers athletes to become advocates for climate change, she is using her voice to encourage teammates and others to make meaningful changes, one conversation at a time.

Growing Up with a Purpose

Long before she arrived at UC San Diego, Nishimura's interest in environmental science was already taking shape. Her father works for an environmental science company in San Diego, and as a child, she eagerly looked forward to the days she could accompany him to work.

"My dad used to take me in for Take Your Kid to Work Day," Nishimura said. "It was my favorite part of the year."

Those experiences sparked an early curiosity for science. While she enjoyed STEM subjects throughout school, it was the hands-on nature of environmental science that stood out most. Initially, she chose to major in business after beginning her collegiate career at UC Riverside, believing it was the more practical path. But something never felt quite right.

"I knew I didn't want to do business," Nishimura said. "I'd never really been interested in it."

Everything changed when her former head coach accepted the head coaching position at UC San Diego. After entering the transfer portal, Nishimura visited La Jolla and quickly realized she had found the place she had always envisioned. Growing up just 20 minutes north in Carlsbad, Nishimura had long dreamed of attending UC San Diego.

"I loved every single part of it," Nishimura said. "UC San Diego has always been known for its STEM programs and all the opportunities it gives students."

The transfer also gave her the opportunity to pursue the major she truly wanted. With encouragement from academic advisors, Nishimura switched to Environmental Systems, a decision she now describes as one of the best she's ever made.

Discovering a Team Beyond Softball

Nishimura's passion for environmental science eventually led her to EcoAthletes, a nonprofit organization that empowers athletes to become leaders in climate action. Founded on the belief that athletes have influential voices both on and off the field, EcoAthletes connects collegiate, professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes with scientists and climate experts to help them communicate environmental issues in meaningful ways.

Among its initiatives is the EcoAthletes Collegiate Cup, which encourages scholar-athletes to convert everyday physical activity into environmental action by supporting conservation efforts around the world.

When Nishimura first learned about the organization through former teammate Jaden Hill, she immediately knew she wanted to be involved.

"I spent the whole day looking through their website," she said. "I thought it was the coolest thing."

Since joining during her sophomore year, Nishimura has participated in weekly educational sessions featuring scientists, environmental professionals, and fellow athletes from around the world. The experience has expanded not only her knowledge of climate science, but also her confidence in discussing it with others.

"They educate athletes on how to educate other people," Nishimura said. "You don't have to come in knowing everything."

That message resonated. As an athlete, she already understood the value of discipline, perseverance, and leading by example, and EcoAthletes simply gave her a new way to apply those qualities.

Leading Through Everyday Actions

For Nishimura, environmental advocacy doesn't begin with large campaigns or sweeping policy changes. It starts with conversations.

She regularly talks with teammates about topics she's learning in class, from urban heat islands to coastal ecosystems, finding opportunities to connect environmental concepts to everyday experiences. Many of those conversations happen naturally, whether it means walking to class together instead of driving, picking up trash while walking across campus, or visiting the tide pools near the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to share what she's learned in class.

"I like hearing their perspective," Nishimura said. "It's just a friend talking to a friend."

Over time, she's seen those conversations make a difference. Friends who once admitted they simply didn't think much about climate change now tell her they're turning off lights when they leave a room, choosing to walk instead of drive, and becoming more aware of their daily energy use.

"They're not going to rent a ship and clean up the ocean," Nishimura said with a laugh. "But hearing them say they're saving electricity or walking instead of driving, that's still change."

To Nishimura, those seemingly small decisions matter.

"If you have the platform and you're educated yourself, I think it's important to bring the people around you in," she said.

Protecting What Makes Home Special

Growing up in North County San Diego gave Nishimura a deep appreciation for Southern California's coastline, a connection that has helped shape both her academic interests and her future career goals. She hopes to remain in San Diego after graduation, ideally working in conservation or environmental research.

One experience in particular helped solidify that vision. While accompanying former teammate Jaden Hill on a capstone project in San Diego Bay, Nishimura observed green sea turtles and learned about ongoing efforts to protect their habitat through increased conservation measures.

"The goal is hopefully to work in conservation down in San Diego," Nishimura said. "I love everything about San Diego. I love the weather. I love the people. I love the environment."

That sense of stewardship also influences how she encourages others to think about conservation. When teammates admire one of San Diego's famous sunsets, Nishimura sees an opportunity to remind them that the natural places they love require care and protection.

"Take care of them while you have them," she said. "The things we love might not always be here forever."

Passing It Forward

As one of the veteran members of the UC San Diego softball team, Nishimura recognizes that leadership often begins with the people closest to you. She hopes to introduce more teammates, particularly younger scholar-athletes, to organizations like EcoAthletes and show them that environmental advocacy isn't limited to science majors.

"It's never too late to get involved," Nishimura said.

Her message is simple: meaningful change doesn't require perfection. It requires participation. Whether that's reducing unnecessary energy use, cleaning up campus, learning about climate science, or simply having conversations with friends, every action has the potential to influence someone else.

"I just want them to understand the relevance of it all," Nishimura said.

Like the ripple effect she hopes to create, those conversations continue to spread from teammate to teammate, one person at a time.

More Than a Triton

Nishimura's accomplishments on the softball field tell only part of her story. The same determination that helped her earn Big West All-Freshman Team honors, transfer to her dream school, and become a steady presence in UC San Diego's infield now fuels a different mission: protecting the environment she has called home for most of her life.

Through EcoAthletes, she has discovered that leadership isn't reserved for championship moments or record-setting performances. Sometimes, leadership looks like picking up a piece of trash after practice. Sometimes, it means asking a teammate to walk instead of drive. And sometimes, it begins with believing that your voice can make a difference.

For Nishimura, being a Triton means using every opportunity, whether on the softball field, in the classroom, or within her community, to leave the world a little better than she found it.

Learn more about research and education at UC San Diego in: Climate Change