About Justin

Q&A

Q: Title:

A:  Volunteer Services Intern at Trees Atlanta and GT Undergraduate Psychology Student

Q: How long have you been at Georgia Tech?

A: I am in my third year at Georgia Tech.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you and/or why is it important?

A: To me, sustainability means acting in the best way for the health of people, plants, and animals in your local community and being a responsible steward for future generations. Sustainability means not just avoiding ecological harm, but also proactively becoming involved in your environment and improving it through individual actions, movements, and policy so we can achieve gains rather than neutrality in our lifetimes.

Q: What is your favorite quote (sustainability related or not)?

A: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” – Anonymous 

Q: What is your favorite daily sustainability practice?

A: I ride my bike to my lab and classes on weekdays, and on weekends I plant street trees or care for established trees through pruning, invasive species removal, and mulching with Trees Atlanta. 

About Mary

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am currently conducting a campus-wide biodiversity study classifying all plants located on Georgia Tech’s campus as either a native, non-native, or invasive species. The goal of this assessment is to be able to create a report with comprehensive recommendations on how to transition the landscaping on campus to native plants.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: For me, sustainability means having a future-focused mindset, and acting in ways that will have positive future ramifications.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite way to practice sustainability is by shopping locally – especially at nearby farmer’s markets.

About Kolinkar

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: This semester, I am conducting a Battery Storage and Resiliency Assessment aimed at transforming McCamish Pavilion into Georgia Tech’s first Resilience Hub. The hub will be powered by a solar grid integrated with batteries for long-term energy storage, aiding in the shift toward green energy and providing an emergency power source for the campus.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means living within our means over the long run, whether it involves the consumption of water, electricity, food, or other resources. Being sustainable requires prioritizing long-term stability over short-term convenience to ensure that resources remain available for everyone.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is turning off all the lights in my apartment when they’re not needed. It’s a simple yet often overlooked habit that I enjoy incorporating into my routine to live more sustainably.

About Luke

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am working on a Scope 3 GHG Purchasing Assessment for Georgia Tech.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability to me means truly taking part in and promoting for practices that leave the world in a better place than we found it.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is using a reusable water bottle.

About Isabel

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am calculating Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions related to food procurement, with a focus on supplier emissions and transportation. By analyzing procurement data from over 30 suppliers, I am tracking food purchases made by GT Dining during the last fiscal year. Additionally, I will be identifying high-emission food categories and developing a comprehensive action plan to reduce Scope 3 emissions, aligning my efforts with Georgia Tech’s Climate Action Plan.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability means taking a holistic approach to problem-solving, understanding that every decision we make, whether in business, policy, or personal life, has long-term consequences for the planet and society. Living sustainably means that people try to manage their needs in a way that will allow future generations to do the same.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practice is bringing reusable grocery bags every time I go to the store. It’s a simple habit, but it reduces the need for single-use plastic or paper bags, which helps cut down on waste and lowers my environmental footprint.

About Abraham

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am working on completing a campus micromobility assessment and proposing potential mobility solutions with an assortment of feasibility reports.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means creating a world focused on progress that lasts.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practices are walking and biking.

About Jack

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’m creating a plan to celebrate the progress toward a car-free GT while helping students safely navigate its changing layout. 

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To be sustainable is a responsibility; it’s a promise to future generations. 

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is shopping second-hand.

About Renee

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours to groups that visit the Kendeda Building as well as working on outreach and marketing for Kendeda’s various programs.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability means to have a deep appreciation for the natural world and to do everything in your power to protect it and live in harmony with it.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is to consciously use minimal water when making ablution to prepare for prayer.

About Kiran

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours of the Kendeda Building, creating bridges between GT and our community, assisting the Office of Sustainability with whatever projects and events they put on for the student body and greater community, and creating social media content to promote campus sustainability initiatives and events.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability is about finding a healthy balance for all. It’s about creating systems that allow future generations to thrive, but also about making small, conscious choices in my daily life—like reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting local communities—that collectively make a big impact. Sustainability is a mindset of respect for the planet and those who inhabit it, and it’s something I strive to practice both personally and in my work as a student. It means we are creating a better place than we found.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: I love biking literally everywhere, especially in a campus environment or on the beltline. It’s free, healthy, and makes me feel like I’m flying! Also, gardening often at the Kendeda Rooftop Garden with Urban Agriculture at Kendeda is always a highlight of my day. It covers almost every SDG, great place for community, fresh air, and yummy fresh food that I know comes from an environmentally and socially ethical source.

About Lauren

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for leading Kendeda Tours, outreach, and internal programs.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means that we are aiming to keep the world as it is and to stop further damage. However, I prefer the term regenerative or net positive which means that we are giving back more to the environment than we are taking.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is walking to class and in/around ATL! We are on a beautiful campus in a great city and its easier to explore the city on foot.

About Annabelle

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours, assisting with building events, and helping design a green events guide.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability to me means ensuring we do our best to protect our world and resources for future generations.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practices are recycling and reusing.

About Charles

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ve been working on an interactive model that allows users to simulate the changes in greenhouse gas emissions based on different strategies that Georgia Tech could implement.

About Nicole

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’m focusing on communications with the OOS engagement team. I assist in managing our monthly newsletter, ensuring that the Georgia Tech community stays informed about upcoming events, initiatives, and sustainability updates. Additionally, I handle social media posts to spread awareness about sustainability efforts at GT, encouraging students and faculty to engage in sustainable practices and participate in events that promote environmental stewardship.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability, to me, means caring for the Earth by making conscious decisions that benefit both the environment and its inhabitants. It’s about ensuring that our actions today don’t harm the resources and ecosystems needed for future generations. Beyond protecting the environment for people, it’s also about preserving habitats and maintaining biodiversity so that all species can thrive.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practice is using a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastics, and I make sure to recycle properly. 

About Sanam

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be assisting with various engagement projects and cross-departmental projects.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: I think it means protecting the world for generations to come, so they can also enjoy the life we have today.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: I love to use reusable items everyday, like my waterbottle and lunch boxes.

About John

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be responsible for putting together automated data analytics to help identify inefficiencies in our heating and cooling systems, evaluating some pilot sustainability initiatives, and potentially working to improve on-campus air quality data monitoring.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, in the most immediate sense, sustainability is about preventing and mitigating disastrous climate change outcomes. But in a broader sense, it’s a movement towards a more equitable, prosperous future through good stewardship of our planet’s resources.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: Eating plant-based foods, finding inventive ways to reuse things, and celebrating climate wins.

About Paige

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: This semester, I’m assisting with coordinating student engagement activities that focus on waste management and recycling. My role includes designing new recycling signage, updating campus waste management data, and contributing to creative outreach projects that promote sustainability.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, environmental sustainability is a commitment to protecting the Earth’s natural resources and treating our planet in a way that will ensure success for future generations.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practices that I engage in almost every day would be recycling, using reusable household products, and wearing sustainable clothing.

About Carina

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be responsible for inputting and managing data, binside education for students, and smaller miscellaneous tasks.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability at Tech means meeting the needs of our community while also considering and working to minimize our impact.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is trying to buy most of my clothes second hand.

About Charles

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ve been working on an interactive model that allows users to simulate the changes in greenhouse gas emissions based on different strategies that Georgia Tech could implement.

About Nicole

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’m focusing on communications with the OOS engagement team. I assist in managing our monthly newsletter, ensuring that the Georgia Tech community stays informed about upcoming events, initiatives, and sustainability updates. Additionally, I handle social media posts to spread awareness about sustainability efforts at GT, encouraging students and faculty to engage in sustainable practices and participate in events that promote environmental stewardship.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability, to me, means caring for the Earth by making conscious decisions that benefit both the environment and its inhabitants. It’s about ensuring that our actions today don’t harm the resources and ecosystems needed for future generations. Beyond protecting the environment for people, it’s also about preserving habitats and maintaining biodiversity so that all species can thrive.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practice is using a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastics, and I make sure to recycle properly. 

About Sanam

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be assisting with various engagement projects and cross-departmental projects.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: I think it means protecting the world for generations to come, so they can also enjoy the life we have today.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: I love to use reusable items everyday, like my waterbottle and lunch boxes.

About John

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be responsible for putting together automated data analytics to help identify inefficiencies in our heating and cooling systems, evaluating some pilot sustainability initiatives, and potentially working to improve on-campus air quality data monitoring.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, in the most immediate sense, sustainability is about preventing and mitigating disastrous climate change outcomes. But in a broader sense, it’s a movement towards a more equitable, prosperous future through good stewardship of our planet’s resources.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: Eating plant-based foods, finding inventive ways to reuse things, and celebrating climate wins.

About Paige

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: This semester, I’m assisting with coordinating student engagement activities that focus on waste management and recycling. My role includes designing new recycling signage, updating campus waste management data, and contributing to creative outreach projects that promote sustainability.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, environmental sustainability is a commitment to protecting the Earth’s natural resources and treating our planet in a way that will ensure success for future generations.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practices that I engage in almost every day would be recycling, using reusable household products, and wearing sustainable clothing.

About Carina

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’ll be responsible for inputting and managing data, binside education for students, and smaller miscellaneous tasks.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability at Tech means meeting the needs of our community while also considering and working to minimize our impact.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is trying to buy most of my clothes second hand.

About Renee

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours to groups that visit the Kendeda Building as well as working on outreach and marketing for Kendeda’s various programs.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability means to have a deep appreciation for the natural world and to do everything in your power to protect it and live in harmony with it.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is to consciously use minimal water when making ablution to prepare for prayer.

About Kiran

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours of the Kendeda Building, creating bridges between GT and our community, assisting the Office of Sustainability with whatever projects and events they put on for the student body and greater community, and creating social media content to promote campus sustainability initiatives and events.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability is about finding a healthy balance for all. It’s about creating systems that allow future generations to thrive, but also about making small, conscious choices in my daily life—like reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting local communities—that collectively make a big impact. Sustainability is a mindset of respect for the planet and those who inhabit it, and it’s something I strive to practice both personally and in my work as a student. It means we are creating a better place than we found.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: I love biking literally everywhere, especially in a campus environment or on the beltline. It’s free, healthy, and makes me feel like I’m flying! Also, gardening often at the Kendeda Rooftop Garden with Urban Agriculture at Kendeda is always a highlight of my day. It covers almost every SDG, great place for community, fresh air, and yummy fresh food that I know comes from an environmentally and socially ethical source.

About Lauren

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for leading Kendeda Tours, outreach, and internal programs.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means that we are aiming to keep the world as it is and to stop further damage. However, I prefer the term regenerative or net positive which means that we are giving back more to the environment than we are taking.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is walking to class and in/around ATL! We are on a beautiful campus in a great city and its easier to explore the city on foot.

About Annabelle

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am responsible for giving tours, assisting with building events, and helping design a green events guide.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability to me means ensuring we do our best to protect our world and resources for future generations.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practices are recycling and reusing.

About Mary

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am currently conducting a campus-wide biodiversity study classifying all plants located on Georgia Tech’s campus as either a native, non-native, or invasive species. The goal of this assessment is to be able to create a report with comprehensive recommendations on how to transition the landscaping on campus to native plants.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: For me, sustainability means having a future-focused mindset, and acting in ways that will have positive future ramifications.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite way to practice sustainability is by shopping locally – especially at nearby farmer’s markets.

About Kolinkar

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: This semester, I am conducting a Battery Storage and Resiliency Assessment aimed at transforming McCamish Pavilion into Georgia Tech’s first Resilience Hub. The hub will be powered by a solar grid integrated with batteries for long-term energy storage, aiding in the shift toward green energy and providing an emergency power source for the campus.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means living within our means over the long run, whether it involves the consumption of water, electricity, food, or other resources. Being sustainable requires prioritizing long-term stability over short-term convenience to ensure that resources remain available for everyone.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is turning off all the lights in my apartment when they’re not needed. It’s a simple yet often overlooked habit that I enjoy incorporating into my routine to live more sustainably.

About Luke

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am working on a Scope 3 GHG Purchasing Assessment for Georgia Tech.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability to me means truly taking part in and promoting for practices that leave the world in a better place than we found it.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability daily practice is using a reusable water bottle.

About Isabel

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am calculating Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions related to food procurement, with a focus on supplier emissions and transportation. By analyzing procurement data from over 30 suppliers, I am tracking food purchases made by GT Dining during the last fiscal year. Additionally, I will be identifying high-emission food categories and developing a comprehensive action plan to reduce Scope 3 emissions, aligning my efforts with Georgia Tech’s Climate Action Plan.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: Sustainability means taking a holistic approach to problem-solving, understanding that every decision we make, whether in business, policy, or personal life, has long-term consequences for the planet and society. Living sustainably means that people try to manage their needs in a way that will allow future generations to do the same.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite sustainability practice is bringing reusable grocery bags every time I go to the store. It’s a simple habit, but it reduces the need for single-use plastic or paper bags, which helps cut down on waste and lowers my environmental footprint.

About Abraham

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I am working on completing a campus micromobility assessment and proposing potential mobility solutions with an assortment of feasibility reports.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To me, sustainability means creating a world focused on progress that lasts.

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practices are walking and biking.

About Jack

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this semester?

A: I’m creating a plan to celebrate the progress toward a car-free GT while helping students safely navigate its changing layout. 

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: To be sustainable is a responsibility; it’s a promise to future generations. 

Q: What is your favorite sustainability daily practice?

A: My favorite daily sustainability practice is shopping second-hand.

About Kirsten

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this summer?

A: I am assisting with developing an air quality calculator, learning Power BI, and tracking water leaks through utility bills.

Q: What’s one thing you learned during your time with Office of Sustainability that you feel is important for others on campus to know? 

A: It may be very simple, but I learned how important it is to have a climate action plan, as it serves as the blueprint for any organization’s actions toward sustainability. Attending institutions that, though not as far along in their climate action journey’s as Georgia Tech, are still developing their focus on climate action, has highlighted for me the importance of supporting them.

Q: Do you plan to incorporate sustainability into your future career/how?

A: Yes, I do plan to incorporate sustainability into my future career. I plan on combining my interests in sports medicine, air quality, and sustainability. There is already a clear intersection between the group, with air quality and sustainability through its impact on athlete health and performance. Working towards better air quality in sports facilities can enhance respiratory health and optimize performance outcomes for athletes. Additionally, adopting sustainable practices in facility management, such as energy efficiency and waste reduction, not only reduces environmental impact but also supports overall athlete well-being.

Q: Tell us about a hobby or interest of yours:

A: I have studied how aquatic animals live since I was a little girl. Observing how they survive and think is fascinating to me. I’ve always thought that in a past life, I might have been a marine biologist because of my special love for aquatic animals. I have always been intrigued by the ocean’s animals, especially since most of the sea has not been explored yet, and the potential for discovering something new is very likely. When I am able to do so, I plan on supporting initiatives and funding efforts to protect the animals of the ocean, including those in captivity.

About Charles

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this summer?

A: I’ve been working on an interactive model that allows users to simulate the changes in greenhouse gas emissions based on different strategies that Georgia Tech could implement.

Q: What’s one thing you learned during your time with the Office of Sustainability that you feel is important for others on campus to know?

A: Student commute is a large contributor to the emissions produced by Georgia Tech. It’s important to understand the effect that our individual actions can have on the environment and attempt to reduce the emissions that we are responsible for. 

Q: Do you plan to incorporate sustainability into your future career/how?

A: I plan to utilize the sustainability mindset throughout my career to help create computer chips that are more energy efficient in order to reduce the impact of electrical energy use in an ever-increasingly technological world.

Q: Tell us about a hobby or interest of yours:

A: A hobby of mine is camping and visiting state or national parks. I recently took a trip to Yellowstone where I was lucky enough to see three grizzly bears!

About Eugene

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this summer?

A:

-Updating and Calculating metrics for 2024 Zero Waste Workbook (Recycling Diversion from Yard) materials.

-Editing and Implementing more cost effective routes in GT’s campus Recycling and Waste Stream Flow Charts/Process Maps.

-Capturing and Illustrating the before and after processes of the new waste material equipment being added to the waste stream on GT’s campus.

-Learning and sharpening new technical skills with the programs: Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and PowerBI.

Q: What’s one thing you learned during your time with the Office of Sustainability that you feel is important for others on campus to know?

A: Others on campus need to know that the Office of Sustainability is working hard every day to make GT the most sustainable place to be on the planet (Kendeda Building is evident), and appreciate and do not take for granted all aspects of GT’s beautiful campus.

Q: Do you plan to incorporate sustainability into your future career/how?

A: I plan to incorporate sustainability into my future/career by promoting the present and future SDGSs goals and becoming an advocate by taking action and speaking vocally.

Q: Tell us about a hobby or interest of yours:

A: I like to go to the gym, watch documentaries, volunteer, and learn about cybersecurity.

About Amy

Q: What are you working on with the Office of Sustainability this summer?

A: This summer, it has been super interesting to be able to look at all of the data collected about how much it actually takes to run the campus. I have been able to learn a lot about energy consumption and how the Office of Sustainability collects and reports this information.

Q: What’s one thing you learned during your time with the Office of Sustainability that you feel is important for others on campus to know?

A: Sustainability is much easier to get involved with than you think! If you begin to think about your daily habits and how to improve them, you are directly impacting the sustainability of the campus. Behind the scenes, the school is working hard to get to make sustainability more attainable but by being proactive about sustainability, you are doing a wonder for yourself and the environment!

Q: Do you plan to incorporate sustainability into your future career/how?

A: I have been interested in potentially working in the airlines industry and I believe that there would be many ways to incorporate sustainability within the airlines industry. 

Q: Tell us about a hobby or interest of yours:

A: Most of my hobbies and interests are related to crafts including jewelry-making, pottery, thrifting, and clothing upcycling.

By: Kiran Kapileshwari