1. Sustainability
Careers and
Lifestyles
2016 MASSACHUSETTS GREEN CAREERS CONFERENCE
September 29, 2016
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2. Overview
• Introductions
• Sustainability 101
• My Career Path
• Sustainability At Home
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3. Presenters
• Debra Shepard Principal/Owner,
Riverstone Sustainability
• Ashley Carter Program Manager,
New Lands Farm
• Amanda Brown Co-Founder & Manager,
Nuestro Huerto
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4. Sustainability 101
Social
EconomicEnvironmental
Sustainable development is
“Development which meets the
needs of current generations
without compromising the
ability of future generations to
meet their own needs”
Brundtland Commission, 1987
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5. What Inspires Us to Do This
Work?
“Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands
of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the
heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the
environment, we must also save an endangered indicator
species: the child in nature.”
Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children
from Nature-Deficit Disorder
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6. My Career Path
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Marine
Biology
Environmental
Management
LEED AP
http://socilab.com/
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7. About Riverstone Sustainability
We are a consulting firm that helps organizations to:
Measure,
Manage, and
Report Sustainability Impacts
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8. What Types of Skills Are Needed
for Sustainability Management?
• Technical - Ability to understand environmental science
and policy, data and trends, technologies, etc.
• Interpersonal skills - Motivating change, engaging
diverse stakeholders
• Communications - Presenting the case to senior
management, tracking key performance metrics
• Prioritizing - Juggling multiple projects, limited
budgets, shifting timelines, and diverging perspectives
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9. Key Stakeholders
• Academic Clients:
 Facilities Directors
 Sustainability Coordinators
 Recycling Staff and Service Providers
 Faculty
 Students
 Community Partners
• Corporate Clients:
 Environmental Compliance Director
 Sustainability Manager
 Corporate Communications / Investor Relations
 Marketing / Sales Team
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10. A Day in the Life
of a Consultant….
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1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
GHGEmissions(MTCO2e)
Campus GHG Emissions
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11. Sustainability at Home
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12. Wellness and Sustainability
Wellness
Physical
Social
EmotionalIntellectual
Environmental
Work-Life Balance
• Setting Boundaries
• Finding Time for
Connection &
Reflection
• Honoring Self,
Family, Community,
Ecosystem
• Generating Creative
Energy For Career
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13. Day-to-Day Sustainability
• Energy
 MassSave - Home Energy Audit
 95% efficient furnace; programmable thermostats
 LED bulbs
 EnergyStar certified appliances
• Transportation
 Home office – Big reduction in commute miles
 Family activities can be a challenge!
• Waste
 Reduce, Re-use, Recycle
 Curbside compost collection
 Local “curb alert” Facebook page
• Purchasing
 Meals - Focus on local, whole-foods
 Minimalistic lifestyle
 Look for non-toxic, recycled, renewable items
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14. Teaching the Next Generation
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15. Thank You!
Debra Shepard, LEED AP
Principal / Owner
Riverstone Sustainability
dshepard@riverstonesustainability.com
www.riverstonesustainability.com
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