Student Sustainability Ambassadors

My journey in sustainability involves daily efforts to impact the environment and the community positively. I believe in the power of small, conscious actions, such as cooking with local ingredients in season, walking in parks and nurturing plants at home. These practices have enriched my life and inspired those around me to adopt more sustainable habits. Achieving a circular economy is easier when you realise it starts at home.

Hey there! I’m Zariah, a second-year Economics student with double minors in Political Science and Sustainability Studies. My passion for sustainability began when I started volunteering and learning about waste management, and it has only grown from there. Currently, I’m part of Concordia’s Climate Emergency Committee as well as the Sustainability and Diversity Student Association, where I collaborate with faculty and students to create projects addressing climate change. Joining the Sustainability Ambassadors Program allows me to connect with more passionate people and take our efforts to the next level. I’m especially excited about exploring how we can reduce our carbon footprints and make our campus greener. Let’s work together to make sustainability fun, impactful, and a part of everyday life!

Hi! I am currently working on independent interdisciplinary research from Art Education to Geography and History, on the past and future of wool industry and the significance of place in work. I also go by my artist alter ego “Vann” meaning water in Norwegian with similar thematic roots in old English. I credit my lifelong orientation to sustainability to my upbringing in rural Maine where I was initiated to the “reduce, reuse, recycle” paradigm and participated in family outings to the local “transfer station” which was an exceptional place to see these values in practice. My specific research interest in wool and sustainable textiles has led me to believe that when have better understanding of the realities of production and finite sources of our material needs, that this can us help us work on defining a sustainable and just future in how we consume where we live!

I am Srishti, an undergraduate student studying computer science. I have always been a passionate and curious person who fights for the causes I believe in and is always open to new experiences, excited to learn new things. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the effects of environmental damage, from overflowing landfills to rising temperatures, and these experiences shaped my awareness of sustainability from an early age. However, I can pinpoint the moment I felt the urgent need to take action to a documentary I watched in 11th grade about coral reefs dying at alarming rates all around the world. It made me realize how fragile and interconnected our ecosystems are, and that we must act now. Even small changes on a large scale can go a long way!

Hi! I’m Shatha Arslan, currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. My passion for sustainability grew when I realized it goes beyond just protecting the environment—it’s about ensuring long-term human well-being by balancing environmental, societal, and financial factors. This understanding inspired me to raise awareness about sustainability’s benefits. If we can protect the planet, enhance people’s lives, and grow businesses simultaneously, why wouldn’t we choose that path?

Hello, I’m Ruqaiyah, an undergraduate exchange student from the UK studying Global Sustainable Development and Philosophy. The first thing I think of when I look at what inspired me to live sustainably has to be simply looking around at nature and being in awe of how beautiful it is. I remember my first visit to the mountains in Scotland, feeling so connected to everything and realising how important it was to me to do my part in preserving it. This inspired me to study sustainability and join this program to enact social and environmental change! At the moment I’m interested in food sustainability and sovereignty, and the lack of connection many of us have between the production and consumption of our food :)

As a volunteer, I bring a unique fusion of cultural skills and experiences that reflect a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and community values. I am an Indo-African young woman whose upbringing is rich with Indian and African traditions passed down through generations, from my great-grandmother to my grandmother, mother, and now to my sister and me. These traditions have taught me the importance of practices like recycling, reusing, and conserving resources, such as using clay pots, harvesting rainwater, repurposing textiles, and avoiding single-use plastics. Growing up, I was often teased for bringing my lunch and water in stainless steel containers, but I now take great pride in these choices, recognizing them as small but meaningful contributions to the betterment of our planet. Sustainability is in my DNA, and I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and learning from others who are equally committed to this cause. I strive to bring valuable cultural experiences to the table and am eager to contribute to a collective effort towards a sustainable future.

Growing up surrounded by nature, I received all its goodness. My closeness to nature inspired me to specialize in Human Environment as a BA student, and I have developed a deeper interest in sustainability throughout my studies. I am committed to adopting practices that support the long-term health of our planet. This involves making mindful choices in our daily lives, such as reducing waste and conserving resources, which collectively contribute to a healthier environment. I hope my involvement in the Sustainability Ambassadors Program will positively impact our daily lives and contribute to a more sustainable future.

As a final-year undergraduate in Environmental Science with a focus on Geography, I’ve been excited to actively participate in the Loyola Campus Farm initiative. It energizes me as it combines my passion for sustainable agriculture with community engagement. This hands-on experience reinforces my commitment to environmental protection and practical learning. While I hold another bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a diploma in accounting, my passion has always been rooted in Environmental Science, particularly in sustainability and nature conservation. I also bring a wealth of volunteer experience from various organizations, where I’ve developed strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Growing up in a bilingual, multicultural city, I’ve gained a unique perspective on sustainability's universal goals and how they can unite diverse communities. I’m eager to share my experiences and inspire my peers to get involved. Together, we can foster a sustainable future and make a positive impact

I’m a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Fine Arts, specializing in Film Animation. My interest in sustainability began during high school, where I was surrounded by trees and the ocean. This rich environment fostered a deep appreciation for nature. Spending my weekends hiking through forests and enjoying sunlit days at the beach not only brought me immense joy but also reinforced my commitment to protecting the environment. Driven by a passion to preserve these natural environments, I aim to ensure that future generations can experience and appreciate the same beauty that has profoundly impacted my own life.

Spending my summers in my father’s hometown of Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland instilled an understanding of sustainability and land stewardship in me from a young age. Its sprawling peatlands and complex ecological history became subjects of interest to me as I got older. In 2022 the small community was devastated by hurricane Fiona, and though I was already making efforts to live more sustainably, I was inspired to take immediate action. My dream is to be part of the solution, to help support a more sustainable future and enact change on whatever level I am able to.

Hi Everyone! I’m currently in my second year studying international business with a minor in sustainability. Growing up in Canada, I have always had an interest in nature and its preservation with an emphasis on green spaces and our forests. A pivotal moment in my journey toward sustainability was when I started studying more advanced topics at school and realized that my parents didn’t see these issues with the same urgency that I had been taught. This inspired me to take the initiative to do what I could on my own. As early as elementary school, I would bring my own bag and gloves to pick up litter in our school yard with my friends during our break. Since then, I have participated in numerous volunteer initiatives focusing on my community and the environment such as the Clean the Capital Campaign, which focuses on organized environmental cleanup, as well as the Walk for Wenjack and for my local food bank.

Hi, I’m a third-year undergraduate student in Human Resources Management with a strong passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I believe that my commitment to DEI enhances my dedication to sustainability, as these areas are closely interconnected. Sustainability influences how we live and work, just as diversity enriches our communities and workplaces. Whether it’s implementing eco-friendly habits in our daily lives or promoting sustainable processes within organizations, I’m convinced that even small changes can lead to significant positive impacts.

Hello! I am a second year Urban Studies Major who has been working with ISO in order to develop a standardized policy making structure for different countries in order to battle climate change and look at the intricacies of the process of engaging the government in battling climate change. I have been very excited to put my country- Tajikistan-on the map and share with people how my country’s policies and regulations allow for a healthy development as well as sustainable growth. I am thrilled about my courses at Concordia and the work that I will get to do with other Sustainability Ambassadors.

Every summer since the age of ten, I spent some time immersed in the wilderness. Its an immense privilege to have been able to canoe trips around Canada to the extent that I have. When I was younger, I loved and appreciated the forests, waters and skies I was experiencing but, with the innocence of the child that I was, I took them for granted. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned to appreciate them in a new way. As I enter my third year in Liberal Arts and Sustainability, I feel prepared to fight for them. I hope that by participating in the Sustainability Ambassadors Program, I can help protect the beauty that I grew up living in, in the hopes that future generations can live in it too.

I'm in my third year studying Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies and minoring in Sustainability Studies. My interest in sustainability started young when I was in primary school learning about polar ice caps melting and the devastating effects it had on polar bears and the entire Arctic ecosystem. My interest grew throughout my adolescence and early adulthood when I decided to become vegan for the sake of this beautiful and fragile planet we live on, and all the species that inhabit it. I studied Environment and Wildlife Management in CEGEP and the opportunity to intern at "Critter Care," a mammal rehabilitation center in British Columbia. I was lucky to be able to travel and experience different cultures, which made me reflect on the impact we humans have as tourists. I studied in New Zealand where I learned about Maori culture and urban agriculture.

I came to my current field of studies by way of building stage props, which for many, including myself, has a large emphasis on creative reuse. Since theatre as an art form has a strong historical basis in social and political commentary, the amount of waste that is produced in this industry feels uncalled for. As a designer, I am working to see an emphasis on reuse and waste-reduction not as a limitation to artistic vision, but as a framework for creativity. As I begin working more with different materials, I am more interested in how materials such as thermoplastic and 3D printed material can be achieved through reuse.

Hiii! My goal for this year is to combine my passion for plants with my love for exploring the world and connecting with people of different cultures and origins. I am currently starting an honours thesis in anthropology focusing on human-plant kinship through urban foraging, which I hope will deepen my appreciation for the connections between people, nature and their environment.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, camping and finding hidden gems, usually trinkets and furniture that have been left on the side of the road and giving them a new life. To me, sustainability is not just environmental stewardship but also finding beauty and potential in the everyday.

My name is Alex Kraiss, and I got involved with sustainability because I started to learn about how quickly we were causing damage to habitats and animals. I love animals and was galvanized into supporting my community and the environment. A great achievement I am very proud of is the dozens of hours of community service I have performed. I love doing community service and think that it aided in my journey of helping others and the environment directly due to some of my work being related to cleaning my city. I hope that one day we can live in a world that is truly protected and powered sustainably.