What do you actually do?
I’m a bike ninja. OK, I also do strategic planning and design for bike facilities in the city, and generally anything else related to on-road cycling in Edmonton.
Did you choose your job, or did it choose you?
I think it must have been both. I finished my engineering degree, and I wanted to do something that contributed in some way, that benefited people and that I really believed in. That’s this job. Cycling has always been one of my biggest passions, and the chance to do something I love was too good to pass up.
What specific experience inspired your passion to work in the environmental field?
I love being outside. I always have. Living in Alberta, you get an appreciation both for all of the natural beauty that we have, and the need to protect it. In terms of bikes specifically, they have so many great environmental benefits, but they have great societal benefits, too. They’re win-win for everybody. If we all rode bikes (even if 40 per cent of us did), this would be a very different place.
In a province that leans towards a conservative, business-first, environment-last attitude, how do you remain motivated?
Well… I’m not conservative, business-first, environment-last, so I’ve got my work cut out for me!
What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge facing Albertans? The planet?
Personal responsibility. I think there’s this idea out there that we’re not completely responsible for ourselves, for our own decisions – that there’s always someone else who will clean up after us, someone else to blame or to change things. Is everyone waiting for flying cars and engineering solutions to environmental problems? Some of that will eventually come (not the flying cars, hopefully) and governmental regulations need to change, but to a degree, it’s also a lot simpler than that – we all need to look at the way we live our lives, at the decisions we make. And at what we are teaching our kids.
What is the single most important solution to our environmental challenges? What is the next big breakthrough that will move us in that direction?
Bicycles!
What impact does your work, and the organization/company you work for, actually have on improving the health of the environment? What are you doing to change the way your employer operates?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting bicycle travel, transit, carpooling and teleworking. Our Sustainable Transportation group at work is currently establishing a TDM (Transportation Demand Management) program to change the way City of Edmonton employees commute to work, which will then roll out to other major employers in Edmonton. So, our group is transportation-focused (and I’m bike-focused), and because transportation is one of the big contributors to greenhouse gas pollution, these are changes that need to happen.
How can companies, organizations and/or individuals balance financial well-being and environmental sustainability? Is this even possible?
Bicycles! If you can avoid driving a car to work and get there by biking or walking, or by taking transit or carpooling – these are all cost-effective alternatives to driving a single-occupant vehicle. With increasing gas prices, I think people will start to realize how little sense it makes to drive alone everywhere, be it for short errands or to get to work every day. Cycling makes sense on hundreds of levels – but the most obvious are the environmental and health benefits. Look at the effect that rising obesity rates in North America have on our healthcare system and quality of life. Cycling saves you time and dollars: there’s no need to drive to the gym and pay for a gym membership to sit on a stationary bike for an hour. Cycling can add so much richness to the quality of anyone’s life.
Who is your environmental hero?
David Suzuki, I guess. And my boss, Claire Stock, who hired me. She leads by example, and demonstrates that it’s not impossible to live a sustainable lifestyle and have a great time doing it. It’s great to work in an environment with other people who “get it” – that’s what really helps me keep my focus when there’s sometimes a lot of outside resistance to change.
Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Why or why not?
Yep, definitely. I love this planet! It’s the best thing we’ve got, and we’ve got to take good care of it. What could ever be improved upon beyond what we’ve already got?
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