Agenda - 11-12-20; ITEM 7 - Commission for the Environment – Appointment Discussion

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Page 2 of 2 Kristie Mather Other Comments: This application was current on:12/30/2019 Date Printed:12/31/2019 Boards/Commissions appointments: Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I want to do more to slow climate change and start adaptation plans than is possible at a personal level. We haven t done enough, and I think we ve got to have more folks working on climate change. The Climate Council seems a place where action can happen at a local level and I think I can be a valuable contributor. Local development and growth is a major piece - positive or negative - of how we can lessen climate change while understanding that some change is now inevitable and adaptation has to be part of the game. I can bring a combination of passion and analytical thinking to the council. Conflict of Interest: Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I bring the perspective of a parent. I am Caucasian, but have been increasingly concerned with environmental justice and the fact that people who have traditionally been disadvantaged also tend to be impacted first and more severely by the climate crisis. Commission for the Environment Background, education and experience relevant to this board: As long as I can remember I ve been developing a consciousness that the current American culture with an inclination towards disposability and convenience above all else is inconsistent with a planet that is a comfortable place for humans and many other living creatures. I pursued a career path in evolutionary genetics and have a solid education and rigorous training in a particularly math and data-heavy field of biology, along with deep thinking, research and written communication. Throughout, I maintained a strong interest in environmental issues. I gravitated towards educating myself about what I could do in my personal life. I figured I d leave the structural change to those who were in government and my influence would be through my own actions, personal interactions and my vote. Being a bit geeky, I kept reading and educating myself about the structural change. I became increasingly concerned about the many areas in which humans are still acting more destructively than constructively, but felt I couldn t actually do anything at a higher level, because I wasn t trained in politics or environmental science. Since moving to Chapel Hill about 5 years ago, I started paying attention to local politics and have revised my opinion. I think that even without formal training in environmental science, there s a role I can play in change that is bigger than personal actions. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I m concerned about the choices that our communities are making that are at odds with sustainability and environmental health. My personal choices aren t going to be enough and I want to ensure that our community makes structural choices that are sustainable and protect the sort of environment that is healthy for humans and other living creatures. I think I can be a valuable contributor. I can bring a combination of passion and analytical thinking to the committee. Conflict of Interest: Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I bring the perspective of a parent. I am Caucasian, but have been increasingly concerned with environmental justice and the fact that people who have traditionally been disadvantaged also tend to be impacted first and more severely by the climate crisis. 24