An Interview With Monica Sanders
The disparate impact it has on different communities and economies locally and globally. In our work with Iraqi and US youth it was amazing to hear that before their involvement in the program they had such a minimal knowledge of how others were impacted.
According to the University of Colorado, “Those who are most affected and have the fewest resources to adapt to climate change are also the least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions — both globally and within the United States.” Promoting climate justice is an incredibly important environmental responsibility that is slowly becoming more and more recognized. In this interview series, we are talking to leaders who are helping to promote sustainability and climate justice. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Donna Lubrano.
Donna Lubrano is Virtual Exchange Officer for United Planet located in Boston, MA. She designs develops and writes grants for Global Virtual Exchange Program, which bring students together to find solutions to 21st century challenges including Environmental Justice. She has been featured in BBC Magazine, Fast Company and Money Magazine.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Everyone has a cataclysmic moment or marker in their life which propels them to take certain actions, a “why”. What is your why. I was born in Brooklyn, New York to Italian immigrant parents who had their own limitations and fears about the world around them. They were very insular with a tribe of family and extended family. They had rituals and traditions which were outdated even by Italian standards (home country). My dreams were different. I wanted to learn all about the world and explore new ways of being that weren’t bound by tradition or fear. I was the first to go to college and away from home in my generation and it sent shock waves throughout the family (extended too). Good things didn’t come of it and my father never spoke to me again. Because of that I’m fiercely independent and a risk taker. That was the defining moment in my life. Having to sacrifice safety and security for freedom and independence. Not an uncommon story, but one which can change your world view for sure. I sometimes wish to publish a book about these 1st generation experiences; pioneers who broke new ground on a pathway to personal freedom.
You are currently leading an organization that is making a difference for our planet. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change?
United Planet (UP) is an international non-profit established in the wake of 9–11 with the mission of building a global network of young leaders and volunteers who foster cross-cultural understanding and address shared global challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. Through our Environmental Justice Global Virtual Exchange programs we harness the latest in technology mediated communication tools to bring youth from US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia together to develop solutions to the pressing climate change issues In their home and internationally. Cross-cultural teams meet synchronously and asynchronously for seven weeks to develop solutions and present them to the program funder. Last year we had close to 500 participants in our Summer Program from 25 US states and 16 provinces in Iraq. The program was funded by the US Embassy Baghdad. The program builds off the COPS26 imperative as quoted below:
1.We demand the promotion of youth empowerment at all decision-making levels, both internationally and nationally.
2. The strategy should be implemented across agencies and incorporate concrete actions to promote youth participation and representation in policies, solutions, statements, and planning.
3. We urge the use of technology and media to scale up the widespread of messages, attendance, collection of views in surveys, forums, workshops among others to ease the access to all youth.
Our Summer programs bring students together from the US and Globally in cross-cultural teams to collaborate and create solutions that have both local and global impact. Our goal is to create active citizens as early as middle and high school.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
When I took the role as Virtual Exchange Officer, I was making a career transition from academia. I had been a Professor for 10 years and had fulfilled my lifelong dream of being an educator. The transition happened exactly when COVID-19 hit. I spent about one month meeting my coworkers and then our office became fully remote. New role, new co-workers and lock-down. Of course, during that time we were innovating products and grant writing for this virtual exchange space while navigating our own remote work culture. It certainly made me re-evaluate my communication style as the touchpoints we have access to are mediated with a limited amount of body language. 55% of communication is non-verbal. Since most of the work I do is international I had to be cognizant of the fact that the cues were from the neck up, so I had to watch specifically my facial expressions and gaze. I have a bad habit of looking away from the screen when I talk because it helps me to think more clearly. One new partner I was talking to asked me what was so interesting outside my window. I had to take time to explain that I look away because I can think more clearly than staring at the screen. It’s just a way my brain works. My facial expressions have certainly betrayed my silence. I’ve had to learn to control those internal reactions which manifest themselves visually. A bad facial expression is worth a thousand words. On the flip side I’ve had to be acutely aware of the slightest changes in my colleagues facial expressions and tone of voice. These small cues can make or break a productive conversation. I no longer schedule back-to-back zoom calls because this level of attentiveness and nuanced engagement is exhausting. Many new lessons to be learned as we evolve into this remote work space.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
I have to mention my wonderful colleagues at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences, Professor Shelley Brown, Academic Advisor Roslyn Abukasis, and Professor Nancy Lowenstein. When I began to ideate this educational program I reached out to my longtime friend and colleague Roz, who unequivocally said yes to our collaboration and brought in Shelley and Nancy who were on board with advice, letters of support and full participation in the program. These three women are consistently in my corner as new program ideas evolve within this space. The level of trust and partnership is amazing and keeps me motivated to explore new ideas because they have my back.
Thank you for that. Let’s now move to the central part of our discussion. Let’s start with a basic definition of terms so that everyone is on the same page. What does climate justice mean to you? How do we operationalize it?
Climate justice is the mitigation of climate change impacts on the more vulnerable populations who are often disproportionately affected. These can be people in our own neighborhoods, children, our elderly neighbors who can’t afford an air conditioner in the summer and heat in the winter, individuals with a limited income who can’t afford the high cost of fresh foods and groceries. We can look globally at women who are dependent on natural resources to generate income for their families. The current definition is evolving so operationalization should take in a multi-stakeholder perspective. We need to develop a whole language around this and its happening in a variety of sectors.
Science is telling us that we have 7–10 years to make critical decisions about climate change. What are three things you or your organization are doing to help?
- Acting on COPS 26 initiatives by bringing youth together virtually from US, Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia for cross-cultural collaboration on solutions to the impacts of climate change. We are beginning with middle, high school and university students who have vested interested in advancing the cause of climate change.
- Using technology-mediated communication platforms to increase participation by underrepresented voices in the dialogue around climate change. Youth from the most isolated or remote areas can now be effective using these platforms. We are including the most vulnerable populations who need to have agency in this debate.
- Creating fully funded education programs that provide curriculum, mentorship, leadership development to promote civic engagement and develop global leaders. We work diligently to find funding domestically and internationally via a continuous cycle of grant writing. This year alone our organization will submit over one half million dollars of grant requests to support our programs.
Are there three things the community, society, or politicians can do to help you in your mission?
- Provide funding for Innovation Brokers such as United Planet who work to develop cutting edge educational environmental justice programs.
- Education leaders should seek out ways to incorporate Global Education experiences in K-12 curriculum to prepare students for the 21st century challenges they will face.
- Support youth in general as global leaders-bring them to the table at important meetings and events. We need to take our youth seriously-it’s their future.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
There are no shortage of research and case studies. We can go as far back as Ben and Jerry’s, and The Body Shop (Anita Roddick, Founder) who demonstrated this principle long before it became fashionable. The business philosophies and corporate social responsibility policies they developed told the story of their brand. This made consumers love them. I think in 2023, the consumer is now very sensitized to how their buying behavior impacts the planet, so companies are taking steps throughout their innovation cycle, production and procurement cycle and sales cycle to respond. There are now certifying bodies and “B Corp” designations that outline criteria for how to behave in the marketplace. Every business school now has curriculum in all these areas which any prospective entrepreneur can latch onto. Manufacturing, hospitality, and consumer products all have structures in place to follow the 3 P’s- people, planet, and profit. The concept of social enterprises and social entrepreneurship exist where profit and public good can stand shoulder to shoulder. Research and development in the public and private sector is continuous to help businesses fulfill the promise of the 3-P’s.
This is the signature question we ask in most of our interviews. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started promoting sustainability and climate justice” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
1 . How difficult it is to find funding for international collaboration for youth all over the world. Beside the US Embassies currently there are no Environmental Justice grants which fund a cross-cultural collaboration, which is so counter- intuitive. World Leaders are collaborating and so should youth.
2 . The disparate impact it has on different communities and economies locally and globally. In our work with Iraqi and US youth it was amazing to hear that before their involvement in the program they had such a minimal knowledge of how others were impacted.
3 . How important collaboration between governments, NGO’s non-profits and for profits is to address the challenge. We are excited to see the EPA provide funding for small community-based organizations to deliver a variety of programs. It’s a significant step forward toward funding our work.
4 . The numbers of grassroots individuals and organizations who are working to have influence in their community. In the next iteration of our program we want to highlight the work these groups are doing by inviting them to speak to our students. They need visibility and funding as well.
5 . How much work there is to be done and how many voices need to be included in the discussions. There are many students in numerous countries who need this opportunity. When I developed the program I dreamt too small. With what I’ve learned in the last few years my dreams for the programs have grown exponentially. That is why the team is getting bolder in our grant writing.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Founder of Patagonia. Here is someone who addressed climate change and sustainability long before it was profitable or sexy.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedplanet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnitedPlanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedPlanet
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-planet
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This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org
How Donna Lubrano Of United Planet Is Helping to Promote Sustainability and Climate Justice was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.