Is writing about the importance of environmental protection in your life too controversial for the common app? (since it can be considered a political topic by some.)
all opinions are welcome, thank you!
I would think it depends on the tone of the essay.
Write about what your are passionate about and what is important to you. If you can show that to the admissions committee (show don’t tell) then you have succeeded. I honestly don’t think environmental conservation is too political of a topic. Honesty if that is, just about anything is these days
Whether it’s controversial isn’t going to be your initial concern. Unless your essay is truly exceptional (ex started international 501©(3) organization that has briefed policymakers / influenced legislation), it will come off as supremely cliche.
Now, what I said above applies only if preservation is the primary theme of your essay. If it’s about self-discovery during, say, a WWOOF trip (but please, NOT a preservation trip your parents paid for to Costa Rica) with preservation as a tertiary theme, it could be fine. But be very careful.