Student Sustainability Ambassadors

I’m a third year undergrad studying environment and sustainability in biology with a minor in political science. Growing up in farming communities in Germany and the USA, I’ve always been into interacting and working with animals, so when I moved to Florida, I quickly beelined to all the nearby zoos and aquariums, but my drive to sustainability started after I met Winter. Winter is a Dolphin from a local pod who was rescued and became the first dolphin to inherit a prosthetic tail. She was the inspiration for the movie, “A Dolphin’s Tale”. I remember talking to her like she was a person when everyone treated her like an attraction or object. When I left the aquarium, I felt the need to protect marine wildlife and began picking up trash on beaches before creating a community dedicated to educating tourist and new locals!

In 2019 September, I participated in a global climate change strike in Savannah, Georgia. Environmentalist gave speeches on the necessity of immediate actions for sustainable and greener futures. I was inspired by their energy and passion to act right now. Since then, I worked as a green ambassador during my undergraduate and researched Net Zero Energy Houses. Also, I decided to pursue my master’s in building engineering at Concordia University. During this Sustainability Ambassadors Program, I hope to expand sustainability to the various communities and engage more people for a greener and healthier future.

I’m a third year BSc student in biology, specializing in environmental and sustainability sciences. I started becoming more interested in sustainability after reading ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer and speaking more with my Cree Métis grandmother in her final years about the effects of the dams built along the Saskatchewan River Delta had on the Métis ways of life.

It’s blurry to pinpoint an original spark moment for my environmental interests. I think of visiting my mother’s hometown on the Ionan Sea as a child. The sea became my first love. As the abundance of life under the surface would go down with the passing years, random plastic would go up.

I am pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at JMSB. In my undergraduate degree I developed a keen interest for recycling and reusing waste we generate in our daily lives. Moving abroad I could see all of the strategies being practiced. I really like volunteering with the waste audits and at CUCCR. I believe we can do so much more to reduce waste from ending up in the landfill and instead reusing it in a more creative way. Using technology, waste management systems can be developed to sort in better ways, saving millions of dollars.

I am Semini, who is passionate about biodiversity and loves to share my knowledge and experience to ensure the sustainability of natural resources. I am currently doing my PhD in the department of Biology on the Loyola Campus, with a focus on tropical plant community ecology. I hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental conservation and a MSc in industrial and environmental chemistry. Since my field of expertise is inline with sustainability, I was thrilled to join as a Sustainability Ambassador. When I’m not doing my regular work, I spend time with nature, especially enjoying fresh air, water, and wildlife. 

Hello, I’m an undergraduate studying in Design. I’ve always been fascinated by nature! There’s always so much to discover, learn, and enjoy. I got into sustainability because I wanted to learn how to preserve these natural habitats while learning how as a designer/artist I could work with nature to hopefully create interesting and impactful works.

I am Pramila, a trained textile designer, plant lover, and community builder. I enjoy volunteering and learning about various cultures. After working within industry and various non-profit organizations designing textiles using natural materials, especially within fast fashion brands, I was always questioning the amount of pre-consumer waste. That led me to my current practice and PhD research abroad on sheep wool, Indigenous knowledge systems and how to implement them in our current climate situation to create a “climate positive” environment while building community. All my learning is informed by my early exposure of living on a farm with my dad and visiting my naani (grandmother) in the Thar desert. How mindfully they used local materials and created a fulfilling life around them.

Hello, I am Maya. I am doing a major in Human Environment and a minor in Sustainability and Business. My sustainability journey began when my father taught me to respect nature since it feeds us, heals us, and nurtures us. I am passionate about sustainable agriculture practices since I truly believe that everyone deserves to eat clean, healthy, and locally grown food. During my free time, I grow a food forest. 

Hi! I find sustainability truly captivating because of its intricate interconnections between the social, economic, and environmental spheres. Having lived in a bilingual/ multicultural city, I've come to realize the significance of topics like sustainability, as it encompass shared universal objectives that unite us all. My interest lies in discovering creative approaches to enhance mental well-being, I believe participating in sustainable practices can contribute to a healthier mind and ease external pressures.

Something hopeful about our environment and climate situation that I came across recently and that inspires me to be engaged in sustainability comes from the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  It dispels the popular idea that humanity only brings harm to the environment and instead introduces the concept that all living beings (including humans) are part of a reciprocal relationship with each other and the environment, and that we are also involved in an exchange of mutual benefits. 

My name is Love Benedict Mbata with a I have earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, and I'm currently pursuing a master's degree in the field of economics. I’ve always been very passionate about finding solutions to problems around me in a creative and sustainable way. It is my desire to heal the world around me in my small way.

Therefore, being a part of this program helps me accomplish all that. I’m interested in the environment and maintaining the pillars that make it habitable for all living things. Meeting the needs of the present day without having to compromise on the future is one of the goals of the United Nations. And that's a very important concept to meet too.

My involvement with the Sustainability Ambassadors Program fuels that goal and puts me in the right spot to make a significant impact. Not just in my present environment, but also in the future.

From a young age my mother has inspired me to care deeply for sustainability through her passion for the environment. Through my studies in environmental science, my passion for sustainability is every growing. I am particularly motivated by my interest in slow and sustainable fashion production.

Hi, I’m a second-year urban planning student. My inspiration in sustainability comes from my dying plants, which, you guessed it right! was due to over-caring. It made me think about my relationship with nature and motivated me to learn more. Now, I want to learn more about sustainability and the sustainability practices being used. This program provides me with a wonderful and fun opportunity to learn and participate in the community. And yes, my plants survive now 😉

I’m a third year undergraduate student studying environmental biology and Spanish culture. I grew up surrounded by sustainable practices at home and through multimedia. My mom instilled low waste and recycling into our home and exposed me to nature through park outings and documentaries. I also saw, sadly, a lot of littering on highways and in parks, so I would get involved in waste collection events in my town to help clean the Harbor Island park. I’m incredibly interested in conservation and the heat island effect in urban ecosystems.

My fascination with sustainability was sparked during my participation in Model United Nations conferences, where I became acutely aware of the pressing global challenges. This awareness was deepened through my educational journey in Australia and the United States. Now, my mission is to ardently advocate for the comprehensive goals of sustainability, striving to create a world that's not only inclusive and equitable but also environmentally responsible for the well-being of all.

I think I get it from my mother— a heart full of regard for nature and every creature born thereof. She taught to be mindful of resources and conscious of my choices at a very young age, and I’m grateful for that. There is so much beauty in realizing that you can take care of the things you love.

Hey, I’m Di, and studying in Electrical and Computer Engineering as a second year student. The thing that inspires me about sustainability is the nature, the mountains, and the waterfalls! I really like hiking. Every time when I reach the mountaintop after kilometers on a trails, the fantastic viewpoints remind me how beautiful our mother earth is, and also reminds me how important protecting our environment is. I am passionate about figuring out the relationship between mental health and urban green space. The reason why I want to do this is because I find I feel much more comfortable and natural when I drop myself into nature. So I do believe there is a strong link between mental health and nature, which can also help people who spend most of their time in the city to have happier moods with which to face and handle life. 

As someone who grew up surrounded by plants and flowers and little critters, I’ve always been interested in what was happening around me. To be a part of this and enact change by raising awareness and taking action is one of my biggest goals. It’s to teach us to love and appreciate our surroundings more.

Hello, My name is Anjali, and I'm pursuing a Master's degree in Construction Engineering and Management. My interest in sustainability began as a child when I knew about the pollution of the Ganga River. I became inspired to make a difference after witnessing personal environmental issues. During my undergrad I was an NSS and KTU Energy Cell Volunteer. Participating in sustainability projects taught me the importance of collective action, therefore I chose to become a sustainable ambassador. I'm dedicated to promoting eco-friendly habits, lobbying for policy improvements, and encouraging environmental stewardship.

I believe it is not too late to work together for a better future!!

I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, having completed my undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering in India. In addition to my academic background, I have undertaken a comprehensive one-year LEED Lab course with U.S.G.B.C. focusing on sustainable and environmentally-friendly building practices.  

Throughout my educational journey, I have actively engaged in various small-scale projects aimed at raising awareness about sustainable practices and government incentives within the community.  

I am keen to further expand my involvement in the field of Fairtrade, and I believe that collaborating with Ms. Claudette Torbey would provide me with invaluable guidance and mentorship in the realms of Fairtrade principles, implementation, and advocacy. Ms. Torbey's expertise and experience make her an ideal choice for fostering my understanding and promoting awareness of Fairtrade initiatives.