2020 Young Environmentalist of the Year Award presentation

Summary

The Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award, sponsored by Jacobs, celebrates young professionals making significant contributions to environmental understanding. This year, Adriana Brothel is honored for her pioneering work on greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment in Brazil, which has influenced the IPCC. After completing her PhD in Environmental Engineering in New York, Adriana joined Jacobs' Carbon and Efficiency Team, focusing on practical climate change solutions. Her voluntary roles worldwide, including at Columbia University and the International Water Association, demonstrate her commitment to creating a sustainable world.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award is sponsored by Jacobs and recognizes young professionals making significant contributions to environmental understanding.
• 🌱 The award is particularly timely given the climate emergency and the need for young professionals to lead in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.
• 🎓 Adriana Brothel is the award winner, who has shown exceptional dedication to environmental science, starting with her studies in environmental and atmospheric chemistry.
• 🇧🇷 Adriana's work in Brazil on greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment has contributed to the work of the International Panel on Climate Change.
• 🌍 After completing her PhD in environmental engineering in New York City, Adriana joined the climate and energy team at the largest water utility in the USA, focusing on practical climate change solutions.
• 💡 Adriana's commitment to creating a better environment is evident through her numerous voluntary roles, including being an adjunct professor, co-leading a task force, and mentoring students.
• 🌐 She shares Scion's vision for a safe and sustainable world and has been recognized for her significant achievements in just four years.
• 📈 Adriana's aspirations include using the award as a platform to reach higher levels in her career and to promote knowledge sharing, mentorship, and STEM initiatives globally.
• 👥 Adriana expressed gratitude to her family and her husband for their unwavering support throughout her career.
• 🌟 The award presentation was conducted online, showcasing the use of digital technology in connecting and celebrating achievements despite physical distance.

Q & A

What is the Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award?

The Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award is an honor that recognizes young professionals at the start of their career who have made outstanding contributions to environmental understanding and addressing the climate emergency.

Who sponsors the Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award?

The award is sponsored by Jacobs, a company that is involved in environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Why are young professionals important in tackling climate change?

Young professionals are considered to be at the forefront of tackling climate change because they are the future leaders who will be dealing with the problems and impacts of climate change and biodiversity decline.

Who is the winner of the Psywam Young Environmentalist of the Year Award for the year mentioned in the script?

The winner for the year mentioned in the script is Adriana Brothel.

What is significant about Adriana Brothel's background and education?

Adriana Brothel grew up in Rio de Janeiro and studied environmental and atmospheric chemistry in Toronto. She then returned to Brazil and led investigations into greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment.

How did Adriana Brothel's work contribute to the International Panel on Climate Change?

Adriana's work in Brazil produced outcomes that contributed to the work of the International Panel on Climate Change, although the specific details of these contributions are not provided in the script.

What was Adriana Brothel's next step after completing her PhD?

After completing her PhD in environmental engineering in New York City, Adriana Brothel decided to focus on addressing practical solutions to climate change.

Which organization does Adriana Brothel work for?

Adriana Brothel works for Jacobs' Carbon and Efficiency team, which is part of the largest water utility in the USA.

What voluntary roles is Adriana Brothel involved in across the world?

Adriana Brothel is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, co-leads an International Water Association task force on low-carbon utilities, mentors student groups on sanitation issues in Rio through an innovation hub in Bristol, and advises students at Imperial College.

What is Adriana Brothel's aspiration regarding the award she received?

Adriana Brothel aspires that the award will give her a platform to reach higher levels as a female sustainability professional, contribute to environmental awareness, and open new doors to knowledge sharing, mentorship, and global STEM initiatives.

What message does Adriana Brothel convey about the urgency of addressing climate change?

Adriana Brothel emphasizes the urgency of taking action to address climate change, especially considering the challenges faced in 2020, and hopes that together with Psywam, they can take the necessary actions to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.