Young Champion of the Earth 2019: Molly Burhans

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker reflects on their journey from childhood hikes in Vermont to a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and land use as a moral imperative. Influenced by their upbringing in a scientific family and experiences with global poverty, they recognized the potential of land to transform lives. They discuss the challenges of managing large properties, particularly within the Catholic Church, and emphasize the importance of mapping for effective stewardship. The speaker calls on young people to approach their futures with compassion and to harness land for environmental good, envisioning a regenerative future.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Environmental stewardship is central to land use and has a moral dimension.
• 🚶‍♂️ Childhood experiences in nature foster a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the environment.
• 🧠 Exposure to academic settings, like AI classes, can influence interests and career paths.
• 🌍 Traveling exposes individuals to global issues such as poverty and the transformative potential of land.
• ✝️ The Catholic Church holds vast properties that could be better managed for social good.
• 🗺️ Cartography is essential for visualizing information and understanding land ownership impacts.
• 👥 Community concerns about the future are prevalent, highlighting the need for action.
• 💚 The hope for humanity lies in recognizing and addressing suffering and striving for regeneration.
• 🗣️ Young people are encouraged to approach their callings with tenderness and compassion.
• 🏆 The speaker expresses a vision for future recognition, aiming for impactful change within a decade.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker's interest in environmental stewardship?

The speaker's interest was driven by a moral dimension of land use, influenced by childhood experiences hiking in Vermont with family who were scientists.

How did the speaker's upbringing shape their perspective on curiosity and information visualization?

Growing up in a scientifically inclined family, the speaker learned to be curious and developed a love for visualizing information, especially while attending artificial intelligence classes.

What impact did the speaker's travels have on their understanding of poverty?

Traveling the world exposed the speaker to abject poverty and highlighted how land can transform lives and help end poverty.

What role did the Catholic Church's land management play in the speaker's career path?

The speaker noticed the potential for improving land management within the Catholic Church, recognizing it as a vast network of land that could be better stewarded for good.

What was the speaker's experience when they visited the Vatican?

During their visit to the Vatican, the speaker was struck by the beauty of the fresco maps and was surprised to find there was no dedicated cartography department.

How does the speaker define their work as a cartographer?

The speaker emphasizes that being a cartographer today involves using maps in various forms, including GPS, rather than just traditional mapmaking.

What concerns does the speaker express about people's perceptions of the future?

The speaker notes that many people are fearful for their own and their families' futures, indicating a widespread anxiety about global challenges.

What is the speaker's hope for humanity regarding environmental issues?

The speaker hopes for humanity to recognize and address both human and planetary suffering, aiming for regeneration and positive change.

What message does the speaker convey to young people?

The speaker encourages young people to approach their endeavors with tenderness and compassion, urging them to utilize land for environmental good.

What future event does the speaker reference as part of their journey?

The speaker humorously mentions their aspiration to be at the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm in ten years.