Improving sustainability is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, but that hasn’t stopped some of the brightest young minds in Canada from taking on the challenge.

The magazine Corporate Knights publishes an annual list of the Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability. The list is comprised of bold youngsters that are daring enough to confront the big issues surrounding climate change, renewable energy, agriculture and urban sustainability. Making the bold prediction that these individuals will spend their careers working on the transition towards a fully sustainable 21st Century. They are doing important work that benefits us all.

Now, we are thrilled to announce that our friend Julie Guérin is one of the 30 people chosen. We know Julie from her past work with MPower and promoting Tesla Powerwalls. Now she is successfully bringing green energy solutions to remote communities as part of the Emerging Leaders for Solar Energy (ELSE), as you can read from this excerpt:

“As a co-founder and chair of the board of directors at ELSE, an incorporated not-for-profit organization that enables solar energy in remote communities across Canada, Julie has helped grow the organization in three provinces over the past two years, giving it a presence at over 15 universities. Under her leadership, ELSE finished the installation of a 6 kW micro-grid at the OrcaLab research station in British Columbia and a 20.8 kW solar project for a health care facility in Lubicon Lake, Alberta, and contributed to the 100 kW community-owned solar project on Haida Gwaii.”

A key factor in alleviating humanity’s environmental footprint is via renewable energy, making the work that Julie and ELSE are doing all the more necessary. The World Bank estimates that climate change impacts could push 100 million people into poverty unless urgent action is taken. So what these 30 are encouraging everyone to do is highly significant.

“Making a difference requires both perseverance and courage. Often, people will remind you of the failed inventors who never made it… and you can’t let this discourage you. Instead, use this as motivation. Show them it can done by doing it – and then invite them to join you.”
Julie Guérin – Meet 2018’s Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability

It is quite refreshing to learn about these young people inspiring sustainable living around the World. This is the kind of visionary leadership we will need to keep our communities clean and thriving for future generations. Thank you to Julie Guérin and the other 29 environmentalists on the list. You are the embodiment of hope.

And a special thanks to Corporate Knights for recognizing them.

Stay tuned to The Electric Blog! for all the latest in sustainable tech and environmentally-friendly news.