In honor of Earth Day, Danielle King, SITE’s Membership & Volunteer Specialist, took a moment to spotlight a passionate sustainability advocate: Sheba Gurm of SITE’s Sustainability Community. Sheba organized a simple yet impactful Walking Challenge for the community to align with this year’s Earth Day theme.
How do you personally feel about sustainability, and is it something that influences your choices or lifestyle?
Sustainability, for me, is a way of life. I try to embody it in everything I do, every single day. As the American Indian proverb says, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” I truly believe that our decisions today directly shape the world future generations will inherit.
Every day, I make small adjustments to how I live so I can make more conscious choices—whether it’s buying fresh produce without plastic packaging, choosing local and seasonal food, or using every part of what I cook with so nothing goes to waste. Over time, I’ve learned how to preserve and prepare food in ways that help reduce food miles and lower my carbon footprint.
What does Earth Day mean to you?
As my friend Liz Akey says, “Every day is Earth Day.” That sentiment really resonates with me. In the past, my involvement with Earth Day was limited to symbolic gestures, like turning off the lights. But over time—especially since moving to North America and witnessing the sheer volume of single-use plastics and food waste—Earth Day has taken on a deeper, more personal meaning.
Now, it serves as a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and realign my actions with my values. It’s a day to amplify awareness, spark conversation, and inspire collective change. For me, Earth Day isn’t just about what we do on April 22; it’s about building habits and making choices every day that honor and protect the planet for future generations.
Do you have any tips or advice you’d share with others trying to live more sustainably?
SITE’s Earth Day Walking Challenge is a great example of how even the simplest actions can create meaningful change. My top tip would be to start small—try making one sustainable change each week and take time to notice its impact. It might feel minor at first, but when we make these changes collectively, the impact becomes HUGE. The Walking Challenge is proof that small steps can lead to big strides.
