Episode 23: Green jobs for youths roundtable, Part 1

With Kelsey Brasil, Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky, and Brennan Strandberg-Salmon

We’re rapidly shifting toward a green economy, yet many youths feel left in the dark about how to get involved. Some think that they’ll be left out if they don’t have STEM qualifications. As the three members of our panel of passionate Gen-Z change-makers assert, we need to re-think the definition of a green job and wake up to the fact that many different skillsets are and will increasingly be needed. In Part 1 (of 2) of this in-depth roundtable discussion, our panelists also share their thoughts on how secondary and post-secondary educators and counselors can better support students who are seeking meaningful work in the environmental field.

Guests:

Kelsey Brasil is Project Manager at Efficiency Canada. Originally from Ontario, she fell in love with Halifax studying Sustainability and Planning at Dalhousie University and has made a second home on the east coast. Prior to joining us, Kelsey managed Efficiency Nova Scotia’s community outreach program, Green Schools NS — connecting students to energy-efficiency behaviours they can adopt to protect our Earth. Energy efficiency quickly became a career focus once she saw the ways it empowers youth to take action, helps Canadians save money and afford their bills, and brings solutions to the climate crisis.  There are many youths doing inspiring work in the energy-efficiency space — check out their stories here. Kelsey is a passionate change-maker with a love for meaningful connections and partnerships. Through her initiative Let’s Sprout, she designs programming to help folks reimagine the world and demand action towards social and environmental justice. In her free time, you can find Kelsey in the woods camping, rock climbing, or playing guitar and singing her favourite tunes to the ocean.

Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky is a climate justice advocate, researcher, and youth consultant in Vancouver on unceded Coast Salish territory. Sabrina has campaigned for fossil fuel divestment, a Canadian Green New Deal, and most recently a green recovery from COVID-19. She authored the report Build Back Better: Expanding Green Jobs for Youth Post-Pandemic, which advocates for more inclusive and diverse federal green job programs. Sabrina works as the Director of Sustainability and Impact-Driven Work at the Emerging Youth Consultancy (EYC).

Brennan Strandberg-Salmon is a third-year Bachelor of Environment student at Simon Fraser University, majoring in Resource and Environmental Management. As a youth environmental leader, he initiates efforts to improve the environment, including youth-led climate action, stream stewardship, environmental education, and other efforts. He recruits and manages volunteers, organizes and promotes events, and advises on youth engagement activities for volunteer organizations. Since 2019 he has coordinated policy and research projects for the Climate Change Branch of the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC). Past green jobs of his include Water Efficiency Advisor for the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan, Climate Emergency Policy Analyst for BCCIC where he produced a climate change guide for industry associations, and Project Coordinator for Environment and Climate Change Canada to help organize the World Circular Economy Forum 2021. Brennan thrives in outdoor environments and enjoys hiking, dragon boating, water skiing, and exploring nature locally and during mravels abroad.

Transition Music by Miyagisama from Pixabay