Natasha Tang Kai, a PhD graduate from the School of Planning, understands that advancing environmental sustainability takes a balance of both practice and scholarship. “Our planet is in peril, I want to use my knowledge and experience to effect change in all the ways I possibly can.”
In addition to her contributions to higher education, government and research, Natasha is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Our Earth. Launching on Earth Day, this organization will provide youths K-12 with novel environmental-ecological content, building the next generation of environmental stewards.
Natasha’s newly published book, Prioritizing the Environment in Urban Sustainability Planning, investigates what is takes to be a sustainable city. Co-authored with Professor Larry Swatuk, the book examines sixteen Canadian cities and how they prioritized the environment in urban sustainability planning. This has broader applications for cities and communities everywhere wanting to learn from and implement best practices from Canadian cities. Environmental sustainability requires "a shift in thinking about the human-nature relationship, planning for more than one future, and seeing nature as a powerful ally.”
What is #GRADimpact?
#GRADimpact showcases the stories of our graduate students who are making an impact in their fields of study, communities, workplaces and the world.