Event Sustainability Heroes: Shawna McKinley from Clear Current
Introducing Shawna McKinley
Our event sustainability heroes series is all about introducing you to the people behind the drive to transition the event sector to a more sustainable future. We’re chatting to them about their own sustainability habits to see what tips and tricks they can share. Next up our series we’re delighted to introduce Shawna McKinley from Clear Current Consulting.
Q: How did you first become interested in sustainability?
“I wasn’t exposed to the idea of sustainability until I went to university. But knowing what I know about the concept now, I can see growing up ‘out in the sticks’, as my Dad called it, is what awakened my consciousness about it. Being one of a family of six living on a seasonal well, I learned very young that you could run out of water for a few months of the year. And fuel for heating was something you had to stretch through the winter. So, in a way, I was learning about how to manage environmental resource budgets at, well, five!”
Q: What sustainable habits are important to you?
“Transportation is my bugbear. One of the reasons I love the city I live in is that I can get anywhere on public transit. It’s easy, fast, clean, safe, affordable and integrated. Plus who can argue with not having to fight traffic and find parking? That said, I live in a country that has really under-invested in long-distance rail travel in recent decades. I’m envious of those regions where travellers can choose the train. I want to train-brag!”
Q: Have you any tips or tricks for living a more sustainable lifestyle that you’d recommend for others?
“I have a lot of hacks but honestly: learning to be content is the main thing I focus on. We get so many signals from so many channels that we need this, should buy that, have to go there. It’s constant! And while some things are worth doing and having, simply slowing down to ask if it is necessary or makes me happy helps me better spot hype, and take a pass on what I don’t need that doesn’t fulfil me.”
Q: Are there any new areas of focus you might have for your sustainable habits looking forward to 2024?
“I’ve been learning a lot recently about the Inner Development Goals. The IDG are the skills and qualities that help people lead purposeful, sustainable and productive lives. My learning is making me curious about how events can be harnessed to cultivate ideas that are central to the IDGs, like optimism, humility, trust and perseverance. It seems like a critical role we can play in the times we’re living in. Those are the kind of events and communities I am keen to engage in, and create.”
Thanks to Shawna for kindly chatting with us for our event sustainability heroes series. if any of you would like to find out more about how we could work with you to achieve all your event ESG goals, get in touch.
