DANIELLE DROITSCH
What do you actually do?
I speak up for a healthy supply of clean water, not just for our ecosystems but for the Albertans and Alberta communities that depend on it.
Did you choose your job, or did it choose you?
I suppose it chose me. I was a reporter for a local newspaper in North Carolina. My editor asked me to cover a story about a pulp and paper mill that was polluting a nearby river. There had been fish kills and the community downstream of the plant had disproportionately high levels of cancer. These people needed help – not another article in the newspaper. I went to my editor and ask to be pulled from the story. It changed my life. I went on to become an environmental lawyer.
In a province that leans towards a conservative, business-first, environment-last attitude, how do you remain motivated?
I know there are only a handful of us who have dedicated our lives to Alberta’s natural environment. Polls show that everyone says they are concerned about the environment in this province, but you still need people who make protecting it their daily work. This isn’t an issue that is addressed overnight. I know that if I walk away from this job, there isn’t necessarily someone there to replace me.
What do you think is the biggest environmental challenge facing Albertans? The planet?
I think the intensity of our land use has grown to a point that is unsustainable. Our water supply is decreasing and water quality is degrading. We seem to be operating on an assumption that we can build, drill, mine, and pave anything and everything in Alberta. Every boom has its bust, and our water can’t be sacrificed as part of the deal.
What is the single most important solution to our environmental challenges? What is the next big breakthrough that will move us in that direction?
Our business-as-usual approach no longer works. We need new legislation that sets targets for managed growth for water, wildlife, air and landscapes. These targets would be established by considering the cumulative impacts of multiple activities (water usage, oil and gas activity, recreation, urban and rural development) and then establish thresholds based on a community vision and environmental protection. The only way to make this happen is by changing legislation, which would hold individual government ministries accountable to these targets.
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?
We aren’t a big national environmental group, but I’ve seen our small efforts have a big effect. I know we’ve changed people’s opinions. I know we’ve influenced government decision-making. It’s true when people say a few people can make a difference. If only everyone thought that way.
How can companies, organizations and/or individuals balance financial well-being and environmental sustainability? Is this even possible?
I adamantly believe our global society can have a good quality of life. But too much wealth is locked up with a small group of people and a handful of corporations. The financial bottom line still guides everything that happens in and to our environment. That part has got to change if we want clean water.
Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Why or why not?
Of course. Isn’t everyone supportive of the environment? It’s interesting, because while the environment is a top priority to virtually all Albertans, calling yourself an environmentalist is still viewed negatively. I’d like it better if people took a moment to get to know me before making judgements. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
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