I was in my sixth semester at university. I was leaving my Environmental Management class, reflecting on what I had just learned: sustainable development and the responsibility we have as animal scientists to achieve it. Fascinated by the subject, I found myself dreaming out loud with a classmate about one day devoting myself to sustainability. Today, I can say that dream has come true. I’m Maria Alejandra, and through this blog I want to share my personal and professional journey to show that, no matter what we do for a living, we all have a crucial role to play in protecting our planet.
I’m going to mention a concept that we have all probably heard at some point, but haven’t truly internalized. At CarbonBox, we run awareness classes and talks for a variety of stakeholders, and we like to do the exercise of asking what climate change is. Most answers tend to align with the official definitions: changes to the planet as a result of human activities. However, someone once told me something that truly moved me: “climate change is the reason my daughter will have a harder future than the one I’m living.” These kinds of perceptions are powerful and accurate. Yes, climate change is real and it’s here. The heat waves we’re experiencing are reaching unprecedented temperatures, our páramos are melting at an alarming rate, we see mountains burning in flames, and entire towns are left underwater. Air pollution, water scarcity, and numerous animal species face the threat of extinction.
How is the concept of climate change aligned with sustainability? According to the United Nations, sustainability is defined as the ability to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” From my perspective, this concept and that of climate change are deeply connected. Climate change is a serious threat to the sustainability of our planet and the well-being of our societies. Achieving sustainability requires that we address climate change effectively. So the crucial question is: are we truly rising to this task? The IPCC’s projections are not encouraging; they show us an uncertain future for life on the planet as we know it today. This is why sustainability is not just a task for experts, but a responsibility shared by everyone.
From my specific role as an animal scientist, I approached my first sustainability class talking about cows and methane. We have surely all heard that cows are pointed to as “the culprits of everything.” This topic, without a doubt, deserves an entire blog post. But what I want to highlight is that, from my profession, in that moment I understood the great responsibility I have toward the planet. How can I make my production processes more efficient? Can I feed my animals diets that reduce methane emissions? This was just the beginning of a vast world that addresses climate change from multiple perspectives and problems.
Throughout my professional journey I have come to the conclusion that it is time to abandon the simplistic narrative that blames a single sector, and to recognize the complexity of the problem. We all have the responsibility to educate employees, customers, and communities about the importance of sustainability and the actions companies are taking to combat climate change. Sustainability requires a profound transformation in all aspects of society, from production systems to consumption habits, and every small action counts toward creating a positive and lasting impact.
Mitigating climate change and building a sustainable future demands a joint, multidisciplinary effort. At CarbonBox we have worked with professionals who are experts in a variety of disciplines, who have taken on this challenge as their own responsibility and contributed to the search for sustainable solutions. Business administrators and economists have approached us seeking business growth, seeing in CarbonBox the perfect ally to take the first step toward sustainability. Mechanical engineers and software developers, with our help, have designed innovative, technological processes to promote the sustainability of their companies. Architects interested in climate change have learned to make informed decisions and to plan their real estate projects based on these principles. Psychologists have found in sustainability the fundamental pillar for the competent development of their companies. Of course, environmental engineers, industrial engineers, and animal scientists have been crucial professionals in our mission, leading the creation of technological tools that drive CarbonBox’s growth.
80% of companies globally have implemented sustainability strategies, with a growing trend in the coming years (IPCC, 2023). In addition, sustainability is a decisive factor in the purchasing decisions of many consumers (Simon-Kucher & Partners, 2022). Furthermore, the World Bank highlights that the adoption of sustainable practices by companies could generate savings of up to $2.8 trillion globally by the year 2030 (World Bank, 2023).
Sustainability is a challenge that concerns us all. At CarbonBox, we make a call to action for everyone to join in building a more sustainable future. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and individual and corporate commitment, we can create a positive and lasting impact on the planet. Act today and join CarbonBox on this path toward a more sustainable future!