Impact Stories from Environmental Sustainability Policy Area

Mentor publication calls for wide-scale net zero construction

Fellow(s): Mentor Reshma Singh

Country:

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Mentor publication calls for wide-scale net zero construction

Mentor Reshma Singh recently guest authored the article “Buildings Belong at the Heart of Climate Action” for Environment+Energy Leader, a woman-owned online media publisher. In her article, Reshma discusses the central importance of green and SMART building design in the race to cut global greenhouse emissions, citing the Biden administration’s recent call for all new and substantially renovated buildings to attain carbon neutrality by 2030. With approximately 90% of the average human lifetime being spent indoors, Reshma explains, a serious impact on emissions can only occur through significant movement towards a net zero built environment. She goes on to discuss the growing, positive dialogue around net zero construction that is happening among business executives, academics and governments, pointing to the fruitful sentiments shared during a recent roundtable discussion she organized at this year’s Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh. “From where I stand,” she concludes, “the future is clear: first buildings, then neighborhoods, and then the whole world, running on clean energy that drives prosperity and benefits people and the planet.” Reshma is a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Office. She works at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a program lead implementing two DOE initiatives: IMPEL, a tech-to-market program focused on building technologies, and Cradle to Commerce, an equity-centered climate tech entrepreneurship accelerator.

Report Date...: 04/03/2023

Fellow collabs with IEEE STEM on digital outreach

Fellow(s): Mistura Muibi-Tijani (Nigeria, 2022)

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow collabs with IEEE STEM on digital outreach

VertSTEM, founded by fellow Mistura Muibi-Tijani (Nigeria, 2022), recently collaborated with IEEE STEM to organize, “Bridging the Digital and the Economic Divide 2.0,” a well-received event designed to increase awareness of STEM opportunities and careers among students in rural communities. Hosted by Ibarapa central local government of Oyo state, the event engaged students, teachers, parents and community leaders from three local governments of Oyo, providing “practical knowledge on how to generate electricity from the sun and the roles technology can play in mitigating the effects of climate change,” Mistura explained in a recent post. Mistura founded VertSTEM in 2021 to develop and educate the next generation of tech-savvy scholars, with an emphasis on first generation rural college students. She also serves as an IEEE Young Professionals chair in Nigeria and works as a full-time research engineer.

Report Date...: 04/23/2023

Fellow contributes to Middle East Inst. energy report

Fellow(s): Jessica Obeid (Lebanon, 2012)

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2012

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow contributes to Middle East Inst. energy report

Fellow Jessica Obeid (Lebanon, 2012) contributed to a recently published Middle East Institute (MEI) report, “Economic Diversification, Energy Transition, and the Labor Market in Iraq and the Gulf,” offering insights and analyses from a workshop hosted by the MEI and the Iraq Policy Group. The workshop, held last fall, was centered on building mutual understanding of fiscal challenges, future growth and policy recommendations for energy security and economic governance in Iraq and was attended by government representatives, economic and energy experts, international development specialists, and a youth cohort. Jessica is an energy expert with 15 years of experience in engineering, thinks tanks and consulting in EMEA, contributing to the development of sustainable energy systems. She is the founder of New Energy Consult in Dubai and a non-resident scholar for the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC. She is also a Senior Global Advisor for Azure Strategy in London, England, where she currently resides. She recently spoke at the 44th International Association for Energy Economics Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she discussed Circular Carbon Economy in MENA countries.

Report Date...: 3/30/2023

Fellow initiative named in Young Global Changemakers Top 50

Fellow(s): Rim Assaad (Lebanon, 2018)

Country: Lebanon

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow initiative named in Young Global Changemakers Top 50

Rim Assaad (Lebanon, 2018) has recently been named one of the Top 50 semifinalists for the Young Global Changemakers Recoupling Awards 2023, which recognizes young enterprisers from all over the world who institute tangible, youth-led initiatives contributing towards community economic prosperity by environmentally sustainable means. She is recognized as executive director of RISE2030, a community-led initiative managed by Sustain The World NGO in Lebanon, of which Rim is president and co-founder, and SEFY international NGO in the US, on which Rim serves as a board member. RISE2030 focuses on empowering women and youth through capacity building education and employment and has recently been recognized for launching the first all-women solar team in Lebanon to lead a complete installation project. RISE2030 has led the training of more than 1,250 female technicians and engineers who installed solar photovoltaic systems for multiple facilities such as wastewater treatment plant, waste recycling facilitiy, waste sorting and material recovery facility, solar tree in a public park, women cooperatives and MSMEs.

Report Date...: 3/13/2023

Fellow recognized as trailblazer in Egyptian geology

Fellow(s): Sara Fakhry Elokda (Egypt, 2022)

Country: Egypt

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Sarah speaks on eXtra news TV about her journey to becoming one of Egypt’s earliest female well-site geologists at a rig site.

Fellow Sara Fakhry Elokda (Egypt, 2022) has recently gained media recognition on several news platforms for her distinction as one of the first female field geologists in Egypt. In recent weeks, she has been interviewed by Egypt’s eXtra news, DMC TV, Oil News and the Women of Egypt Network. Through these outlets, she has shared the inspirational story of becoming one of the first women in her country to serve as a well-site geologist and how this led her to apply and be selected as an Emerging Leader for TechWomen. She also shares her opportunity to speak in Washington D.C. on a panel discussion during a luncheon addressed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Since returning to Egypt, Sarah has been active in spreading the message of her experience with TechWomen to encourage other women to apply for the program.

Report Date...: 3/5/2023

Fellow Ph.D. thesis studies EM waves for green energy

Fellow(s): Tolulope Erinosho (Nigeria, 2022)

Country: Nigeria

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Ph.D. thesis studies EM waves for green energy

Fellow Tolulope Erinosho (Nigeria, 2022) has recently completed her Ph.D. thesis on the “Analysis of thin-wire-based RECTENNAs for efficient harvesting of electromagnetic waves energy” at the University of Lagos. Tolulope’s work seeks to increase the output voltage of electromagnetic harvesting systems by enhancing the power of existing designs. This research addresses the recycling of wasted radio frequency (RF) signals, which have proliferated the airspace environment as a result of the massive adoption of wireless devices resulting out of the technological revolution. “Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the United Nations is centered on clean energy solutions as an alternative to fossil fuel,” Tolulope shared in a recent post. “[This is] the motivation for harnessing free RF signals from the ambient environment and recycling [them] into usable DC voltage.” Tolupe went on to thank the TechWomen program and Professional Mentor Cynthia Leung and Collette Zaro, as well as the entire Moxion Power team, for their technical input on her research during her recent program in the U.S.

Report Date...: 2/20/2023

Pamir-sponsored hydropower project hits milestone

Fellow(s): Asligul is a Senior Environmental and Social Officer at Pamir and has been cited in several publications on the hydropower project.

Country: Tajikistan

Cohort: 2017

Policy Area(s): Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Pamir-sponsored Hydropower Project Hits Milestone

The Sebzor hydropower project sponsored by Pamir Energy company (PE), where fellow Asligul Mavluda Mamadatoeva (Tajikistan, 2017) serves as Senior Environmental and Social Officer, is tracking to be the first project of its kind in Central Asia to be certified by the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is an independent and internationally recognized certification system developed by industry, environmental and social NGOs, multilateral banks and civil society organizations. It assesses a hydropower project’s sustainability using 12 related topics, including biodiversity, indigenous peoples, water quality and climate change mitigation. It provides a framework to incentivize sustainable hydropower projects and improve less sustainable developments. Asligul played an instrumental role in supporting PE to achieve this award. As an Environmental and Social expert, Asligul was directly responsible for 10 out of 12 topics assessed by the International Hydropower Association. She has also measured and ensured gender equality metrics in the Sebzor project, thus paving the way for other senior women energy professionals. Per a recent press release, almost 90% of Tajikistan’s electricity is generated by hydropower and its National Development Strategy has prioritized achieving energy independence by 2030 as a key policy objective.

Report Date...: 2/6/2023

sustainable cities

Fellow(s): Maysoun Ibrahim (2011)

Country: Palestinian Territories

Cohort: 2011

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow promotes book on developing smart, sustainable cities

Fellow Maysoun Ibrahim (Palestinian Territories, 2011) recently announced that her book “Smart Sustainable Cities: Transformation towards Future Cities” is available on Amazon in electronic and paperback formats. In the book, Maysoun provides a practical roadmap and detailed framework of factors to be considered while planning the transformation towards smart and sustainable cities. The concepts aim at helping an urban center achieve smartness and sustainability by improving the quality of life of its citizens, efficiency of urban operation and services, and competitiveness while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations with respect to economic, social, environmental and even cultural aspects. This involves creating livable and equitable communities with access to affordable housing, transportation, education and healthcare. The book focuses on a comprehensive model of city planning and management, taking into account the many interconnected factors that contribute to a city’s sustainability. Maysoun hopes the book will provide “a base for planners, researchers, analysts and the interested observer to consider cities in a coherent and holistic model.” This book is the first of its kind in the Arab region written by an Arab woman specialized in this area of research. Dr. Maysoun Ibrahim is the Founder and the President of the Palestinian Information Sciences and Technology Syndicate (PALIST), Chairperson of the Innovation Supporters Network and an expert in smart, sustainable cities and the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Maysoun authored “Smart Sustainable Cities” as part of her work in fostering the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its related Sustainable Development Goals.

Report Date...: 1/23/2023

Fellow named to BBC 100 Women 2022 list

Fellow(s): Ainura Sagyn Tursunalieva (2017)

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Cohort: 2017

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow Named to BBC 100 Women 2022 List

Fellow Ainura Sagyn Tursunalieva (Kyrgyzstan, 2017) has recently been named one of the BBC 100 Women 2022 in their 10th annual compilation of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world. Ainura is an ecofeminist, computer engineer, and CEO of start-up Tazar, an app that connects producers of waste —from the individual level to the corporate level—with recyclers, in an effort to promote sustainability and reduce the amount of refuse that ends up in landfills in Central Asian countries. Sagyn has also led coding and STEM workshops for over 2,000 schoolgirls in Kyrgyzstan. The BBC’s 2022 list includes a diverse group of women from around the world, including those involved in conflict and resistance in various countries, as well as notable figures in music, acting, sports, and literature.

Report Date...: 1/23/2023

Mentor to help lead largest river renewal effort in U.S. history

Fellow(s): Gwen Santos

Country:

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Mentor to help lead largest river renewal effort in U.S. history

As part of a decades-long effort to save an imperiled ecosystem, mentor Gwen Santos will help lead the restoration efforts for the largest dam removal and river renewal project in U.S. history as the project’s Lead Ecologist. The Klamath River Renewal Project, a multilateral, cooperative initiative, led by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, was approved this fall by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Gwen has served as the Lead Ecologist on the project for the past 3.5 years while also performing her duties as Resource Environmental Solutions’ (RES) Western Region Senior Wetland Ecologist and Ecology Team Lead. Stemming from her work on the Klamath project and other endeavors on the West Coast, Gwen was Recently promoted to Director of Ecology & Regulatory for the Western Region. As the Klamath Project’s Lead Ecologist, Gwen, along with Restoration Program Manager, Dave Coffman, and Lead Fisheries Biologist, Dan Chase, will help oversee the resource protection measures during dam removal, the flora propagation effort and restoration of the former reservoir footprints, which aims to restore the degraded Klamath River ecosystem in the Northern California and Southern Oregon region. The water quality has been decimated by aging hydroelectric dams that have prevented threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead fish from reaching more than 400 miles of historic habitat in the upper river basin. The project, Gwen shares, is “vital to the future of several imperiled salmon populations on the West Coast” and has involved the propagation of “billions of native seeds and tens of thousands of native oaks and shrubs.” The Klamath River Renewal Corporation was appointed to oversee the removal of these four dams and implement a settlement agreement signed by more than 40 entities and stakeholders, including the States of California and Oregon, Tribal nations, PacifiCorp (the dam owner), irrigators, and several conservation and fishing groups.

Report Date...: 1/16/2023

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