When the world fully opens to travel again Georgy Pyle wants to be at the forefront of an ethical and sustainable tourism transformation. In the meantime, she’s taken a leadership role at the college, ensuring sustainability issues are top of mind for students and the George Brown College administration.
The first-year Tourism and Hospitality Management student took on the presidency of George Brown College’s Sustainability Squad in the fall (follow the squad on Facebook and Instagram). The position came with added challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; right now the group only meets and organizes online.
“Being online-only, we focused first on student engagement. We built up our social media presence and built awareness about the Sustainability Squad,” she said. “One of our main goals was to get the Sustainability Squad on the map and get students really excited about sustainability and environmental issues.”
Sustainability and social justice
Including social justice in the Sustainability Squad’s mandate also became a key priority, and the team delivered its first Christmas Eve meal service in cooperation with Toronto Food Not Bombs. The squad delivered more than 60 hot meals and more than 100 sandwiches to homeless people on Dec. 24, 2020. Members also distributed winter clothing.
“It was a grassroots effort. It was very collaborative and community-based,” Georgy said.
The squad also works hard to promote the WWF Living Planet Leader program for students. To become certified, students must participate in volunteer opportunities, demonstrate leadership and teamwork, and apply sustainability principles in class.
“It looks great on your resume,” Georgy said.
Another goal Georgy has for her Sustainability Squad presidency is working with the college and the Student Association on creating a more sustainable and single-use-plastic-free version of the frosh kit. She’s also eager to participate in larger college-wide discussions about infrastructure and how we use buildings.
“We’ve been developing ideas that are in-line with the sustainability goals of the college, and it’s my hope that we can work hand-in-hand with the administration on some bigger picture projects going forward,” she said.
“We’re here to help the administration wherever they need us," she said. “If they were to give me a call tomorrow, I would jump right on it.”
