Hi, my name is Francesca! I am a student at Ivey and plan on completing a dual degree with business and geography. Studying geography in my first two years at Western, I deepened my understanding of the environment and developed a passion for sustainability. At Ivey, I have found it fascinating to learn how sustainability is becoming increasingly important for business success. I am constantly looking for ways to adopt more sustainable practices in my life; for example, reducing consumption, adopting ‘zero-waste’ strategies, and altering my diet. I hope to pursue a career related to sustainability.

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

According to my personal definition, sustainability is the enduring coexistence between humans, animals, and the natural environment. Sustainability ensures that the Earth’s natural beauty will be preserved for generations to come. However, recent anthropogenic factors have compromised this coexistence, placing significant stress on the natural environment. Humans must ensure that their actions contribute to this coexistence, rather than compromise it. Sustainability can manifest in various ways, including habitat conservation, biodiversity preservation, conscious consumption, and reduced emissions. Humans must consider how their actions affect the broader environment to ensure sustainability.

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

I see sustainability acting as a bridge enabling me to combine both business and geography in my professional career. Studying business, I have learned that sustainability is becoming a vital source of value in any industry. Studying Geography, I have learned how sustainability is crucial in maintaining the natural environment. Therefore, pursuing a career with a focus on sustainability, I will be able to create business value while simultaneously benefiting the natural environment.

One industry that I am particularly interested in is urban development. I have always lived in an urban environment and plan to always live in an urban environment; however, I have come to learn that the urban way of living is not always compatible with sustainability. I hope to change this notion by exploring ways to make urban living more sustainably through various urban development strategies. Another industry I am interested in is the fashion industry. The fashion industry is known to be unsustainable due to the rise of fast fashion and ever-changing trends. Since fashion has always been a passion of mine, I am eager to find ways to integrate sustainability into the industry.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

I am a member of the Planning, Operations, and Infrastructure working group on Western’s President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment and Sustainability (PACES). PACES strives to promote campus sustainability at Western through various initiatives and opportunities. The Planning, Operations, and Infrastructure working group specifically focuses on improving sustainability through operations at the University. Another sustainability project I have been engaged in is the Pollinator Pathways Program. This organization focuses on promoting biodiversity in cities. After learning about the program, I was eager to get involved. I was invited to write a blog posting for the website.

I have also taken on many personal projects to promote sustainability in my life. I have challenged myself to adopt more sustainable consumption habits in regards to clothing, personal care items, and groceries. Rather than consuming fast fashion clothing I source my clothing almost entirely through sustainable brands, thrift shopping (EX: the dress in my photo!), and even sewing and crocheting my own clothes. I have limited the waste I generate from my personal care items by purchasing package free alternatives such as bar shampoo and conditioner. Finally, I recently began shopping at Reimagine Co., a package free grocery store in London.