Living in a coastal town (Kennebunk/Kennebunkport), sea level rise and associated impacts became more and more prevalent as I grew up. In high school, I took a Gulf of Maine Field Studies Class where I learned about New England ecosystems, community organization efforts/projects, climate science, as well as the importance of individual and collective sustainable actions. This class, the field work, and community workshops I facilitated, grew an exponential passion in my life for environmental and sustainability work. I began seeing what small decisions/changes I could make in my own lifestyle, before eventually working my way up to state level efforts towards how we, as a state and region, can prioritize sustainability in our materials management, community interactions, and energy efficiency.

Every little choice matters and counts! The decisions we make do have impacts, especially collectively, and going green doesn't necessitate perfection. There are increasingly more affordable and realistic opportunities to engage in a sustainable lifestyle, from subsidized/incentivized heat pumps and solar, to local coffee shops offering a discount for bringing in your own mug! Don't be scared to ask questions, put in a little extra work/time, and share your experience with others. In my experience, intergenerational and diverse engagement opportunities is the best path forwards to longterm change - living sustainably is also about investing in your relationship with the community and building psychological resilience to climate impacts. There is always going to be fatigue and anxiety, but there is also so much to be hopeful for, and by "going green" you can be the motivation for somebody else close to you to do the same!

I prioritize sustainability because it's essential for the long-term health of our planet and future generations. The interconnectedness of our environment, economy, and society means that sustainable practices benefit everyone by preserving natural resources, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a balanced and equitable world. Emphasizing sustainability aligns with the broader goal of ensuring a thriving future for all.

Going green is about doing our part for the planet. It's fulfilling to know that my actions contribute to a healthier world for future generations. Ultimately, the journey to sustainability is personal, but it's also something that can bring a community together. Sharing experiences, successes, and even challenges can help everyone progress toward a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

Practicing sustainability in my personal life has always been important to me, and I wanted to work in a field that can drive impact at a faster and wider scale than individual choices can.

Passion for the mission and a willingness to learn can help with breaking into a new industry.

I realized during grade school that climate change would be the defining challenge for my generation to overcome. That expectation has become truer than I could have imagined. If tackled right, it is also the greatest opportunity of this century.

Our decisions as individuals are too small, alone, to matter. But our decisions as individuals are consequential. How can that be? It starts with how we vote, which sways elections. Then, the choices we make in other ways reverberate across our communities, in how we talk, the signals we send, the norms we embrace. That is how individual actions can add up to transformative change.

I have been passionate about energy and the environment since high school, when I started a recycling club. My parents instilled that value in me. I also believe in a religious basis for taking care of the earth and using resources wisely.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Network as much as you can. Take advantage of as many learning opportunities as possible. Show your passion proudly!

For me on a personal level, I have decided the best climate impact I can have is through accountability and transparency by assisting in the emissions reporting process to improve accuracy. Then it is a question of where to direct that energy and which industry. Through a lot of research it became clear to me that while companies are very good at measuring their direct emissions, when it comes to the supply chain there is a huge lack of visibility. The supply chain accounts for 90% of organization emissions and within that trucking is the largest sector, making this industry the largest target for emissions reporting and reduction. My goal is to take a bottom-up approach to emissions reporting starting with the largest source of emissions (upstream and downstream trucking), by equipping fleets with the proper technology to accurately measure their emissions.

Pick a problem bigger than you to solve. When the problem feels impossible then you will always have a reason to keep going, keep innovating, and keep magnifying your impact.

My passion for sustainable energy and the impact it can have on our future drove me to pursue this field. The potential to innovate in energy conversion and battery technology, especially in developing recycling methods, inspired me to focus on this area during my academic journey. This passion ultimately led me to establish Princeton NuEnergy, where I aim to bring cutting-edge solutions to real-world challenges.

Stay curious and persistent, continually expanding your knowledge and skills. Focus on solving real-world problems, and don't be afraid to take calculated risks.

During college, I wanted to do something that I could be proud of, no matter who I was around. I wanted to do something that was cool, creative, bold and that would be helpful to people/the world, while still being very unique.

Start small and connect with people who want to do what you want to do, who you can look at and laugh with, even when things go wrong.

I decided to prioritize sustainability because I believe it is crucial for creating a healthier, more resilient future for both our communities and the environment. Embracing sustainable practices, community solar aligns with my commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting long-term energy efficiency.

I’d encourage my neighbors to start incorporating sustainable practices into their daily lives. Begin with small changes like using energy-efficient light bulbs or reducing water waste. Explore renewable energy options such as solar panels and consider investing in energy-efficient appliances or electric vehicles