Bangor University is renown for its approach to sustainability. And at the heart of that is Dr Einir Young. She is  Director of Sustainability at Bangor University and runs the The Sustainability Lab.  With initial training in agriculture – “the basis for human survival” – Einir now works with many organisations to find effective solutions to complex ‘sustainability’ issues, focusing on generating prosperity through respecting people and living within the resource boundaries of the planet.  We talk about this, and the impact of the Welsh Wellbeing for Future Generations Act.
Talking points
How people relate to their natural resource base – we’re so pampered.
With you, rather than to you or for you.
Sustainability: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland)
Success: Still being here, not just in a corner, instead bringing the issues it into the centre of what’s going on in the university and seeing other people joining in.
Superpower: The power of persuasion, the ability to convey an argument in a persuasive manner.
Motivation: I’m from a very optimistic family and I believe in Wales, I believe that Wales has something to offer the world.
Activist: There are three types of people in the world: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen and people who don’t know what happened. Personally I make things happen.
Challenge: I would like to think that I have left a legacy, being about to retire happily believing that my interests will carry on after I leave.
Miracle: Independence for Wales in a sustainable world, where Welsh language is widely spoken ( at least in Wales )
Advice: Don’t give up, it’s worth the slog.
This conversation was made with help of the Sustainability Lab at the Bangor University.