We are excited to be named as one of the winners of Colleges and Institute Canada's ImpAct-Climate Challenge 3.0. This award recognizes Bow Valley College's top participation in six weeks of activities, challenging students and employees to learn about the impacts of climate change and take meaningful steps to reduce their emissions.
Colleges and Institutes Canada generously provided $3,000 in student awards for student climate leaders. We are proud to recognize Cindy Luk, Miranda Marttila, and Danielle Radutu for their exemplary climate leadership on campus and in their communities.
Thank you to everyone who applied for the 2024 Climate Leadership Awards. We were inspired to learn about the many actions being led by our student community. If you are interested in getting involved in sustainable action at Bow Valley College, we encourage you to consider joining the Bow Valley College Sustainability Committee: Sustainability Committee | Bow Valley College
Cindy Luk is a second-year student pursuing the Interior Decorating Diploma. She began her career as an aircraft engineer, however the pandemic served as a wake-up call, revealing the vulnerabilities within the airline industry and inspiring her to reflect on her home environment and how she could make it a better place. Through her instructors in the interior decorating program, she has learned about eco-conscious design and how to "look beyond the walls" in crafting interior spaces to consider the well-being of both people and environment.
As the president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) BVC Student Chapter, Cindy organized the Sustainable Living Fair and Symposium. The symposium, held at Bow Valley College, featured 14 sustainable vendor booths, presentations on lighting control and mass timber, and an expert panel discussion on building climate resilience.
Cindy has shown us how climate conversations can be woven into the interior decorating sector and the ways we can better our environment through purposeful design.
Miranda Marttila is student in the Child and Youth Care Diploma Program, with plans to pursue a career in social work supporting Indigenous communities. Her approach to social work and climate action is deeply informed by her identity and experiences as an Indigenous woman. She recognizes that Indigenous communities often face disproportionate impacts from environmental change and emphasizes the critical role of Traditional Knowledge in crafting effective and equitable climate solutions.
Miranda seeks to bridge the gap between Indigenous wisdom and contemporary environmental sciences, promoting holistic approaches to community well-being. In her own community, she has worked to strengthen climate resilience through workshops on native plants that can withstand extreme weather. In her words, "these plants not only support biodiversity but also offer traditional food and medicine sources that are crucial for community well-being during crises."
We are excited to see the transformative community-driven approach that Miranda brings to climate leadership.
Danielle Radutu is in her final term of the practical nurse program. Her goal is to become "the nurse that makes a difference in someone's life". Living with a disability, she understands the transformative impact of compassionate healthcare.
As the president of her condo board, Danielle recognizes the large carbon footprint associated with her condo complex and the potential to reduce their impact through thoughtful and effective management. She started a green gardening project to reduce watering costs and reliance on tap water. While the project is still in development, it was timely with Calgary's water restrictions over the summer months. Although this event was not caused by climate change, we may encounter similar water stress as we experience a multi-year drought in southern Alberta. Danielle has also taken steps to use non-potable water for window washing and to reduce the electrical draw from garage lighting and car plugs.
Danielle's response on behalf of her complex shows how community-driven climate action can positively impact our homes and those of our neighbours.
