Breaking the Bureaucratic Red Tape
Anika Suares' story of collaboration and persistence.
Breaking the Bureaucratic Red Tape:
Cause: Environmentalism
Avenues used: Technology and systems
Methods used: Connections, collaborations, and persistance
Anika began her environmental activism journey at the young age of 10. She watched a film that revealed the truth behind animals being genetically modified and was determined and passionate about becoming vegetarian. Years later, when she was in high school, she learned more about the meat industry and how cruel it was to the animals and the planet. Anika wondered why nobody was talking about this discovery of the links between the meat industry and deforestation. This was not a new discovery. She began to recognize the complacency of people in her community. Society was not engaging in those hard conversations that invoke change. Anika saw that people did not care enough to make a small change in their daily behaviours because it did not directly affect them.
As she began to have those hard conversations with people about change-making, a ripple effect took place. One of her friends claimed that Anika inspired her to stop using plastic bottles. She realized that she could influence others to break out of their complacent shell with her passion and drive in small and larger circumstances.
In high school, she wanted to generate a more comprehensive platform for taking on multiple environmental projects. She had everything planned out for the group, but the administration shut all her ideas down. It was frustrating to see a school that promoted "treading lightly on the earth" yet rejected environmental projects led by students. She gained resilience from this experience and took it to university. She started working even more by challenging to push through the bureaucratic red tape that restrained her from environmental action. Anika currently studies sustainable development and geography at the University of St Andrews.
She began to find her place at university and wanted to bring her passion for change. Last summer, she gathered ideas for a project she wanted to bring forth to her community. Anika's main goal was to create a database to curate the many projects that were developing around her neighbourhood in St. Andrews, Scotland. The university-affiliated projects were not known within the town, and the town projects were uncommonly known within the university. She wanted to provide that opportunity for more unity and partnership in creating a brighter future. Anika wanted to encourage students to volunteer beyond university projects while the community members can contribute to more university-led projects. Anika, alongside her university friends, created this environmental database called twenty-thirty - 2030.
Although she is still developing this database, Anika hopes to encourage individual projects to look at other projects within the community and gain new ideas as a partnership. This way, activism towards climate action is expanded. Students who are keen on getting involved but don't know where to start can find volunteer work to contribute with community members of all ages and perspectives. Anika wanted this project to eliminate the frustration of being told, "No. You can't do that." and make sure any big or small projects are in reach. 2030 supports environmental projects during this decade of change. It is time to make tough decisions to cut back on emissions, work together, and have those uncomfortable conversations. This pandemic has pushed environmental issues to the forefront, so the decade moving forward starts with towns like St Andrews, cities, and grassroots organizations working together and pressuring governments. When the government sees and hears that people are serious about climate action, they have no choice but to act. The more connected we are the louder our voices will be. Perhaps they then will not be ignored.
With gratitude,
Ruby
Interesting story of influencing others.
You're doing a great job of bringing each of your subjects into focus, by following their paths. People who care really do require more than a call for action. They need a "base" for connection and directions, as well. Sounds like Anika understands the research that will be necessary to "connect the dots"! I found myself really wanting to know the name of the film that sparked her passion and began her journey.