Change the World as a Sustainability Professional
Matanya Horowitz
Matanya Horowitz, founder and CEO of AMP Robotics, has combined AI technology with sustainability recovery efforts. He has used his engineering and economics background to reimagine recycling by developing AI technology that can accurately recover recyclables, removing contamination and ultimately creating high-value raw material for resale into the global supply chain. Matanya’s work is not only advancing our environmental and economic prosperity, but he is also pioneering for a smarter, sustainable future. There are many ways to combine technology with sustainability and maybe you are the person to come up with the next innovative idea. Look into taking some sustainability courses or technology courses to get you started.
Kabira Stokes
Kabira Stokes has been working towards building an inclusive green economy since 2006. In the past fifteen years, she has founded multiple e-waste recycling companies and social enterprises dedicated to creating good green jobs and opportunities for people who face systemic barriers to employment, particularly for those coming home from incarceration. Kabira is not only making a sustainable future for our planet but also, a more inclusive world for us all.
Lennard Joe
Lennard Joe of the Scw'exmx, Shackan Indian Band is a registered professional forester (RPF) and general manager of Stuwix Resources Joint Venture. While Lennard never thought of becoming a forester when he was younger, after attending university, he realized he could use his natural resources conservation degree to make a positive impact in forestry. And with his work in Stuwix Resources, a market logging company, he has done just that by ensuring every bit of fibre harvested is fully utilized but also taking care to ensure material is left on the cut blocks to encourage nutrient recycling and water retention. Stuwix Resources is both Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified and follows a Forest Stewardship plan. SFI’s standards are based on ISO requirements that any business can follow and earn its ISO certification to operate more sustainably and efficiently.
Michelle Botham
Another individual working in forestry is Michelle Botham of the Anishinaabe, Lac Seul First Nation band. She works every day to ensure that forests are fully regenerated after sustainable harvesting. She became a forestry technician at the age of 42, showing it is never too late in life to complete continuing education. Along with being a forestry technician, she also supervises summer students to encourage youth to get involved in sustainable forestry.
Start Your Journey
- Educate yourself by taking environmental courses
- Switch to using a reusable water bottle
- Limit fast fashion, shop secondhand
- Be mindful of printing paper
- Follow proper recycling protocols
- Put up a native birdseed bird feeder
- Research the companies you are supporting
- Use less hot water
- Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation when possible
- Join a local campaign group or donate to environmental charities (do your research first)
You don’t need to start an eco-friendly, sustainable, green business to change the world. Everyone’s journey starts somewhere! Make the changes you can make and voice your concerns to the people who have the resources to make those changes. We are in this together.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Written by Lindsay McKay
Comments
Post a Comment