A Little About Me

I was born and raised in Vancouver BC, a city that I still call home. Most of my childhood was spent outdoors: playing soccer in the pouring rain, going for walk or bike rides along the beach, and annual camping trips with my parents. I was an awkward, quiet kid, but I loved being out in nature.

I didn’t always have a passion for environmentalism, and there was no single, defining moment changed my perspective on the issue. Instead, it was a slow, gradual shift to being more aware of the impacts that I personally have on the environment.

In high school, I had to take an ecology class to fulfill my French immersion requirements. When we learned about composting and using reusable bags, I remember thinking, “why wouldn’t we do this?” It seemed straightforward, obvious, and practical.

Fast forward to university, I enrolled in Environmental Studies for my first two years, but ultimately graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in International Business. By taking classes in both faculties, I started to see there was an opportunity for companies to have an ethical and sustainable business while still making profit.

As a student, I was living on a very tight budget. At the same time, I wanted my environmental footprint to be as small as possible. Over time, learned how to do so. I found that by shopping at bulk food stores and local green grocers, I could buy good quality products at a lower price compared to chain grocery stores. It also allowed me to buy most of my food package free.

I would bring my lunch to school in reusable containers, and tea in a thermos. I rode my bike to and from school every day. I saved up for quality clothing that would last years longer than fast fashion. As a result, I saved money and learned how to live a sustainable, yet comfortable lifestyle.

After graduating, I moved back to Vancouver. I started working for a large corporation and am now a Project Manager overseeing construction teams and projects across Western Canada. While the position does not have anything to do with environmentalism, I love my job and the people I work with and I have been given room to learn and grow in the company.

While I now have a steady income, I continue to live frugally, like I did as a student, which has allowed me to live without financial stress and stay in Vancouver.

At the same time, I have found alternative outlets for my passion, including sitting on the board of an organization that promotes sustainable development and social justice. I have had the opportunity to be part of a youth delegation that attended a conference hosted by the United Nations focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals, and recently another delegation focused on gender equality.

In this blog, I want to share my thoughts on sustainable urban living because I hope some of you can benefit from what I have learned through trial and error. Making big changes can be overwhelming but taking small steps can help you reduce your ecological footprint, while also living affordably in this beautiful but expensive city.