Sabrina Lau, OCIC Global Changemaker Youth Ambassador 2018

Age: 21 | City: Toronto | Partners For A Better World: University of Toronto’s Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute of Canada Office, Post-secondary Roots and Shoots Chapters, Environment Committee

“I was drawn to the Jane Goodall Institute because of their holistic approach to improving the community for people, animals, and the environment.”

Sabrina Lau, founder of University of Toronto’s Protection of Animals and Wildlife Sustainability (PAWS), is committed to sustainable development initiatives. By raising awareness about sustainability issues with local and international colleagues, and through providing tangible actions, Sabrina is making positive impacts at home and around the world. While volunteering at the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada office, Sabrina actively contributes to work on community-centered conservation in Africa, and youth sustainability education in Canada. She was central to spearheading a No Waste November campaign, which has since been adopted globally and is set to be implemented in 80 Roots & Shoots countries. Sabrina’s hard work and commitment has been pivotal to the re-establishment and growth of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Canadian post-secondary chapters.


Meet Sabrina Lau OCIC Global Changemaker Youth Ambassador 2018

Host David Peck, in conversation with OCIC’s Global Changemaker Youth Ambassadors will inspire you to get involved in moving the needle towards global social justice and sustainable change.


Why should youth ask serious questions about climate change, and our lifestyles?

We all have an equal responsibility to protect the earth’s ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of resources for all that live on it. Youth have inherited a serious challenge but they are more equipped now to create innovative solutions. Ask questions and take action because every individual’s actions have a global impact.

What is the biggest SDG challenge ahead for Canada?

The biggest challenge moving forward with the SDGs in Canada is getting all organizations, businesses, communities, and individuals, involved with applying the SDGs into policy and everyday action. The SDGs are multidisciplinary and applicable in all fields, not just social and environmental justice, and this makes them relevant to everyone.

How do we get major corporations to care about sustainable development?

Change needs to occur at the grassroots level, starting with us, the consumers. We need to think critically about the products we consume and create demand for the products that allow us to live more sustainably. Furthermore, we need to show corporations that economic growth and environmental consciousness is not a trade-off, and facilitate the switch to a globally responsible and sustainable business. These are changes that have to happen cooperatively between cultural, societal, economic, and political institutions.

Sabrina’s Book Recommendation 

Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.

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Nominating Organization

The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and other endangered Great Apes, and inspiring people to conserve the natural world, we improve the health of people, animals and the environment. JGI, Canada empowers young people across the country to take the lead in becoming agents of change. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.