My name is Rebecca, an HBA1 and prospective Honours Psychology dual degree student. Growing up in Sudbury, Ontario, my family always found time to appreciate the natural beauty around us. Sudbury's landscape has seen impressive regreening efforts due to the local mining company's sustainability push, which means that many Sudburians are focused on regenerative practices. However, living in both London and Toronto made me realize not everyone shares this connection to the environment. So, I am on a mission to bring these values into everything I do, including promoting sustainability on campus or advocating for greener practices in my career.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

The word “sustainability” initially makes me think of its derivations, which are "sustain" and "ability”: how capable are we of maintaining certain practices over the short and long term? The reality is, our current way of life is not sustainable. With farming practices dominating nearly half of the Earth's land, greenhouse gas emissions soaring, and microplastics dominating our oceans, the meaning of sustainability takes on a whole new significance. To me, the word represents my responsibility to champion more better practices—whether by educating others, intersecting sustainability in the business world, or forging pathways for sustainable integration.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

Listening to my father's experiences as a young doctor ignited a fire within me for transforming the medical field. He saw inefficiencies everywhere, such as the excessive plastic packaging of surgical tools, which not only drove up costs but also raised contamination risks. Determined to make a difference, he proposed a practical solution which included packaging all tools together. Yet, his idea was rejected by the hospital, despite thorough research and clear benefits. This story has cemented my belief in entrepreneurship as a method for instant change. Guided by my passion for healthcare, I have chosen to pursue a professional degree with dreams of establishing a holistic health clinic in Sudbury. My mission is to create a comprehensive hub offering various healthcare services from psychotherapy to fitness training in one location. Sustainability will be at the heart of this venture—I envision dieticians crafting vegetarian meal plans and partnering with beauty brands committed to sustainable materials. Even in my summer job, I am passionate about embedding sustainability into every aspect of operations, knowing that even small changes can create significant impacts.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

In high school, I immersed myself in environmental advocacy through my position as Treasurer of the school's Environmental Council. During my four years, we achieved an eco-certification, introduced composting, and engaged in ecological case competitions. As a student at Western University, I encountered greater challenges in my passion for sustainability engagement. However, as a first-year residence mentor (Soph), I pushed for reusable containers in Western cafeterias, rallying my students to advocate for their implementation. Seeing success the following year was highly significant. During my summer job, I played a pivotal role in creating a company-wide presentation on sustainable farming practices, fostering awareness and consciousness around food choices. Looking ahead, I aspire to deepen my involvement in promoting sustainability on campus and in my future career endeavors. For example, witnessing my company's CEO remove all garbage bins from the office to encourage waste reduction inspires me to advocate for similar initiatives. I believe pursuing a sustainability certificate will equip me with valuable insights and strategies to enact meaningful change in the real world.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

Sustainability in healthcare, regenerative agriculture, urban planning and 15-minute cities, and biodiversity and regreening efforts.