Local Leader Spotlight

This local leader is a high school student that hosts an environmental podcast

Aarushi Harish is a Grade 11 student at Walnut Grove Secondary School in Langley, B.C., with a strong passion for the environment and sustainable living practices. She leads an environmental club in her school and hosts the Sustainable Shift podcast.

Read on to learn what inspired Aarushi to get involved in environmental work and why she thinks it’s never too late to take action. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Aarushi Harish is a Grade 11 student at Walnut Grove Secondary School in Langley, B.C., with a strong passion for the environment and sustainable living practices. (Photo supplied by Aaurshi Harish).

Tell us about the work you’re doing.

At my high school, I lead an environmental club called the Green Warriors that focuses on reducing plastic use in our community by promoting the adoption of alternative biodegradable materials. So, currently my team and I are in the process of developing a prototype to replace single use plastic dinnerware – a biodegradable leaf plate. I am also working on a prototype for biodegradable planters for potted plants that are made from the same material. These planters are an environmentally friendly alternative to the single-use plastic planters found at garden centers. We also do community cleanups. Once every two months, we go out to the trails behind our school, and we help keep that area clean. Additionally, I host the Sustainable Shift podcast where I delve into sustainable lifestyles and explore how different communities approach sustainability. I also try to identify ways to integrate these valuable lessons of sustainability into modern society. In my podcast, I engage with subject matter experts across very diverse fields including business and industry, policy making, education, technology and healthcare. Through this medium, I provide a holistic view of sustainability by exploring multiple perspectives.

Wow, that’s fantastic! You’re doing a lot. I hope you get some good downtime. How is this making an impact on your community and helping to create a better future?

My environmental club, the Green Warriors, is working to reduce pollution, and we’re trying to align ourselves with Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction strategy. We’re doing this by raising awareness and encouraging the local community to explore alternative solutions to minimize pollution through local community meetups and science events. Additionally, through my club at school, we go to different schools where we talk about how we can reduce plastic pollution through small but mighty efforts. We teach elementary school students what they can do to be a part of the sustainable movement.

What inspired you to take action?

When I was younger, I took a summer trip to a small village in the southern part of India, and I was really inspired by the healthy and sustainable lifestyle practices of the community. At lunch gatherings, I noticed that food was being served on banana leaves, which was very different from the plates that we use in Canada. It was sort of a culture shock for me initially, but I quickly realized how innovative and environmentally friendly this practice was. They showed me how each part of the banana leaf is used or repurposed to support the various needs within the village, and I think that’s a truly remarkable example of sustainability in action. This prompted me to rethink my approach to reducing plastic. So, that was a catalyst for my whole environmental journey. And I think from there, I’ve just been working and seeing how we can introduce these sustainable practices into our daily lives.

What have you learned over the course of this work?

Through my work and research, I’ve discovered that these sustainable ways of living were very common across the globe. Over time, these practices have often been dismissed as outdated, and they’ve been replaced with modern lifestyle choices. My goal, and my whole sustainability journey, is based on how we can revive these age-old practices. How can we blend these practices with modern technology to create innovative and sustainable solutions in the world that we’re living in today? By rediscovering these practices, I believe we can uncover the wisdom that our ancestors had and try to integrate it into our contemporary lifestyles to create a more balanced and sustainable future.

Aaurshi is inspired by ancestral sustainability practices. In our interview she explained, “By rediscovering these practices, I believe we can uncover the wisdom that our ancestors had and try to integrate it into our contemporary lifestyles to create a more balanced and sustainable future.” (Photo by Louis Bockner).

How has Sierra Club BC supported your work?

Interviewing David Quigg from Sierra Club BC for my podcast gave me some valuable insights into the organization’s initiatives and the impactful work that they are doing. Our interview has deepened my understanding of the organization’s mission and has also inspired my own efforts.

What additional support are you looking for either from us or from people in the community?

I would love support in promoting my biodegradable leaf plate and planter initiatives. We coined a name for it, and it’s called Eco-Dine. So, I would love some help in promoting my Eco-Dine leaf plates and planters within the community. I would greatly appreciate some guidance from the public on how I can enhance it to make it even more impactful and sustainable. I’d also love to collaborate with Sierra Club BC on more environmental projects.

Something I am very excited to share is my podcast. The overall aim of my it is to inspire young adults to adopt sustainable practices and become advocates for the sustainable cause. I want them to envision a future where environmental responsibility is a shared priority.

Do you have a message for folks who want to take action or to get more involved in your work?

Absolutely! I believe that it’s never too late to take action and make a positive change in our world, whether it’s through small everyday choices or by actively participating in larger community efforts. I think every action counts. I truly believe that there is power in collective action, and I think if you can just get involved, try to start small. Maybe begin by using reusable bottles and bags and work your way up from there because I think those small actions really come together to make a huge impact. I’m going to leave you with my favorite quote, and that is that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Even the smallest change can create a huge ripple effect that leads to a lasting impact.