Dr Vanessa Rauland - Sustainability, Climate Change & Renewables Advocate

Summary

Vanessa Rauland, a research fellow at Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute, emphasizes the critical role of schools in fostering resource efficiency in future generations. Her journey from studying nature tourism to a PhD at Curtin University led to a focus on renewable energy and carbon management. Vanessa and a colleague founded a business simplifying carbon management for schools, starting with measuring carbon footprints to track and reduce emissions. She believes in educating the next generation of leaders through practical, sustainable initiatives, which is a win for both the planet and society.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Vanessa Rauland emphasizes the importance of schools in society as they connect communities and play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation's resource efficiency.
• 🌱 Vanessa's journey began with a degree in nature tourism, which laid the groundwork for her interest in sustainability, the environment, and climate change.
• 🔋 Her interest in renewable energy was sparked during her studies, leading her to pursue a PhD at Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute.
• 🤝 Vanessa and a colleague started a small business aimed at simplifying carbon management, focusing on carbon and climate change.
• 📈 The business starts by measuring clients' carbon footprints, including electricity, gas, water, and waste, to establish a baseline for tracking and improvement.
• 🏢 A local council approached Vanessa's team to run a program for schools in their area, marking the beginning of their educational outreach.
• 💡 Vanessa sees helping schools save money and reduce carbon emissions as a way to cultivate the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders.
• 🔬 There's a significant overlap between S.T.E.M. fields and entrepreneurship, particularly in the drive to explore, discover, and innovate.
• 🚀 Technology and innovation are exciting spaces that fuel curiosity and the desire to understand and improve upon existing systems.
• 😊 Vanessa finds joy in her work, highlighting the importance of waking up every day to a job that one is passionate about.

Q & A

Why does Vanessa Rauland believe schools are pivotal in society?

Vanessa Rauland believes schools are pivotal in society because they form an important role in connecting communities and have the potential to educate the next generation to be more resource efficient.

What was Vanessa's initial career path after high school?

After high school, Vanessa Rauland did not have a clear career path. She recalls not wanting to work a typical nine-to-five office job and instead applied for a degree in nature tourism.

How did Vanessa Rauland's interest in renewable energy and sustainability begin?

Vanessa Rauland's interest in renewable energy and sustainability began during her degree in nature tourism, which laid the foundation for her understanding of sustainability, the environment, and climate change.

What opportunity led Vanessa to pursue her PhD at Curtin University?

Vanessa Rauland was offered the opportunity to do her PhD in Perth with Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute, which furthered her interest in renewable energy and sustainability.

What was the focus of the small business Vanessa started with a colleague?

Vanessa started a small business with a colleague that focused on making carbon management simple, particularly by measuring and tracking carbon footprints for various entities.

How does the carbon management process initiated by Vanessa's business work?

The carbon management process starts by measuring the carbon footprint of a client, which includes electricity, gas, water, and waste usage. This data is used to set a baseline and track the carbon footprint year on year.

What was the first project Vanessa's business was asked to run by a local council?

The first project Vanessa's business was asked to run by a local council was a program for schools in their area, aimed at carbon management and environmental education.

What does Vanessa see as the benefits of her work with schools?

Vanessa sees the benefits of her work with schools as saving money for the schools, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering a new generation of leaders who are more environmentally aware and resource efficient.

How does Vanessa Rauland view the connection between S.T.E.M. professions and entrepreneurship?

Vanessa Rauland sees a strong connection between S.T.E.M. professions and entrepreneurship, particularly in the drive to explore, discover, and innovate, which is inherent in both fields.

What does Vanessa believe about the importance of technology and innovation in her field?

Vanessa believes that technology and innovation are exciting spaces that drive progress, and she finds it wonderful to work in a field that allows her to explore and improve upon existing systems.

How does Vanessa describe her job satisfaction?

Vanessa describes her job satisfaction as waking up every day and going to a job that she loves, indicating a high level of personal fulfillment and passion for her work.