Winning the Gold Prize and taking the top spot, Sons of Sustainability won over the judges with Ignite the Rider Inside, a project aimed at increasing engagement in Bike to Work Week by targeting faculty members as agents of change.
Q. You recently won the Sustainability Challenge. How did you get interested in sustainability? What is the most important sustainability issue currently facing us, in your opinion?
I think growing up during a time in which we are constantly reminded of the impact human activities are having on our planet has resulted in us feeling a natural responsibility to understand what these impacts are and how we could help negate them.
We don't think there is a single largest quantifiable issue like say reducing fossil burning. We are a consuming society and as long as we continue to consume this will deplete natural resources, no matter what they are. We believe that sustainability needs to be incorporated into all aspects of life, from an individual to a world scale.
Awareness is the biggest issue for us. To reduce our pressure on Earth we need a properly informed and sustainability-conscious society.
Q. Why do you think it is important to prioritize conservation and sustainability?
The world is changing. Right here off of the BC coast we are already seeing the negative effects ocean acidification can have on the local shellfish industry and biodiversity. With an ever increasing population size, we need to become more efficient as a civilization to reduce our impact on the world, that is the only way.
Thankfully, we are already seeing people asking for these changes and prioritizing conservation and sustainability. With more people prioritizing conservation and sustainability, the government and industry will respond and push us in a direction towards a more sustainable, healthier planet.
The world is going to change, but hopefully not too drastically due to human activities. We all love and respect the place where we grew up.
Q. What is one thing that you do and that you could recommend to others in terms of reconnecting with nature and the environment?
Throughout the Sustainability Challenge, we made a point of having active outdoor meetings. We would spend our time brainstorming while walking in parks and being outdoors. It was really nice and it motivated us.
I think everything is so disconnected these days that people don't realize how their consumption-based lives impact nature.
I think that is why even just going for a hike or a walk makes you appreciate how simple yet beautiful life can be and that is incredibly inspiring.