b'Securing the Environment for the Future continuedq ERIN APPELBE 17Erin recently earned her BA with Combined Honours in Sustainability and History, along with a Certificate in Indigenous Studies, from the University of Kings College and Dalhousie University. She plans to become a teacher.The idea of studying sustainability resonated with Erin most strongly during her time at Greenwood. It was a combination of the Green Industries and Regional Geography courses that first inspired me, Erin says. Greenwoods project-based Regional Geography course is integrated with the Grade 11 Fall Outdoor Education trip to British Columbia. Learning about the history and interconnected ecosystem of Kyuquot Sound and getting to know the Kyuquot and Checleseht First Nation families was a treasure, she says. Erin then worked at West Coast Expeditions, the outfitter running the Regional Geography trip, the following summer. That time in my life amounted to a huge shift for my future and determined my academic and future career paths, Erin says.Erins postsecondary journey took her to the east coast, where she studied Sustainability, History and Indigenous Studies at the University of Kings College and Dalhousie University. During her time in Halifax, she became interested in the citys Climate Action Plan through an interview and conversation she had with the founder of iMatter Halifax, Lily Baraclough; iMatter is a youth climate action organization that works to hold local governments accountable for their inaction on climate change. I was inspired that, as young adults, we can have a voice and hold our representatives accountable, Erin says. Erin joined iMatter just after they had successfully pushed to ban plastic bags city-wide. The group continued to meet regularly with various city councillors to advocate for climate policy; Erin was nervous to be involved in these meetings at first, but shes glad she pushed through. It was a good experience in arguing ones case with researched arguments to steer a decision in ones favour, she says.Erins studies taught her that even sustainable solutions arent perfect or carbon neutral. While this is difficult information to process, she feels its important to know. For example, lithium batteries are rechargeable, but creating them can disrupt marine ecosystems and species. However, that doesnt mean we shouldnt enact change, Erin says. Moreover, we must learn from communities and cultures, both past and present, to find solutions that work with the environment and arent as harmful to the planet. Racial discrimination in environmental policy-making is a related issue that Erin feels should be spoken of more. A great book on this topic is Theres Something in the Water by Ingrid Waldron, a sociology and health professor at Dalhousie who collaborated on a documentary with Elliot Page on the issue, Erin says. As a future educator, Erin hopes to take the experiential learning approach used by Greenwood classes such as Green Industries and Regional Geography. Its one thing to be taught from a textbook and through slideshows, but its another to go out into the field and learn, she says. Meeting people and hearing their stories is far more impactful. Most importantly, Erin wants to foster students passions, love of learning and belief in their own abilities. I wasnt always a high-achieving student, Erin says. Due to auditory processing delays and my struggle with mathematics, I gave up on myself. The arts and humanities werent valued at my school prior to Greenwood, and so I felt less-than and incapable. I dont want any other student to feel that way. Sometimes it takes finding a topic you love to see the path forward. I would not have achieved Double Honours if it werent for professors, teachers, and mentors believing in me.The idea of studying sustainability resonated with Erin Appelbe 17 most strongly during her time at Greenwood, particularly in her Green Industries and Regional Geography classes.14 evergreen Dec. 2022GRWD211_Evergreen_2022 r4.indd 14 2023-01-12 11:51 AM'