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Aboriginal peoples, whose culture and
way of life depend on the land and its
natural resources, preserving the environment
for the future is essential. The Vunut
Gwich’in people of Old Crow, for
example, have relied on the Porcupine
caribou herds for their way of life
for generations. The Gwich’in use
environmentally sustainable methods
of harvesting caribou, which include
using every part of the caribou—even
its head—for food, clothing, and
tools. Gwich’in try to harvest
the fewest number of caribou to preserve
future populations. Gwich’in must
also monitor the effects that pollution
and land development have on the herd.
Like the teachings of the Gwich’in,
western science is teaching us to reduce,
reuse, and recycle products and resources
to limit the impact we have on our environment.
Which view guides your use of the environment
and its resources?
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Wondering
if a job decreasing the effects of
human activities on the environment
is for you? If the majority of these
statements apply to you, you could
be headed for a job related to human
use.
- I’ve
learned from my Elders how to make
use of all parts of plants and animals
so there’s no waste.
- I’m
glad there are rules and regulations
designed to keep us healthy and
protect the environment.
- I’m
a good problem solver and am good
at turning a challenge into a positive.
Other people might see a pile of
garbage, while I see that the organic
materials could be taken out and
given to a local greenhouse or nursery
for composting.
- I
want to share my knowledge about
the environment, both traditional
and scientific, to help others learn
how to respect and care for the
environment
- I’m
frustrated by the waste that piles
up around us and pollutes the environment.
I want to make an impact on our
community, now and in the future,
by making the land, water, and air
cleaner and healthier.
- I
make sure my family buys in bulk
to reduce packaging waste.
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If
you’re working towards a job
in the environment, get started right
now. Here are some things you can
do:
Explore your interest:
- Shadow
someone working a job in your chosen
field like a waste management director,
environmental health officer, pollution
control technologist or recycled
materials handler.
For more information on job-shadowing,
see the tip sheet on Gaining Related
Experience in the Career Journey
-
Find
information on how to reduce garbage,
prevent pollution, and make better
use of resources:
The
Composting Council of Canada /
le Conseil canadien du compostage
Telephone: (416) 535-0240
Fax: (416) 536-9892
email: ccc@compost.org
website: www.compost.org
Canadian Centre for Pollution
Prevention
Telephone: 800-667-9790
Fax: (519) 337-3486
email: info@c2p2online.com
website: www.c2p2online.com
-
Find
out what happens to garbage in
your community. Do some research
to find out how much garbage your
community produces, where garbage
gets dumped, and what happens
to recyclables.
Show
your personal commitment to protecting
the atmosphere and keeping the air
clean:
- Survey
local businesses on what they recycle
and how much. Find out what it would
take to start a recycling program
at your school or workplace, if
one doesn’t already exist.
- When
you go shopping, buy products that
have less packaging and take plastic
bags with you to carry home your
groceries.
-
If
there are abandoned cars, trucks
or machinery in your community,
talk to your band council or city
hall about starting an awareness
program about the health and safety
hazards these vehicles pose to
your community.
Start
developing the experience and knowledge
required for an air-related job:
- Become
a student member of the Canadian
Institute of Public Health Inspectors
(www.ciphi.ca). This puts you in
the loop as far as what is going
on in the industry.
- Look
for jobs at local businesses, industries
or community centres that will help
you develop your problem-solving
and communication skills.
- Start
a recycling program in your community,
if it doesn’t already have
one.
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Check
out the following:
Movies
Hackers
Documentaries
Solid Waste and Recycling Magazine
Books
Waste, Recycling, and Reuse: Our
Impact on the Planet, by Rob Bowden
Environmental Awareness: Solid Waste,
by Mary Ellen Snodgrass, et al
Wisdom of the Elders: Sacred Nature
Stories of Nature, by David Suzuki
and Peter Knudtson |
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