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Alex Dews
Well, Sarah, thanks for making time to do this. I am very glad to be having you join IMT and welcome you as the inaugural fellow at IMT serving in the David Goldstein Fellowship role. I would love to hear a little bit about how you first got to be interested in sustainability and climate policy.
Sarah Lyons
Thank you, I’m excited to be here! So I’ve been interested in environmental issues since I was probably seven years old. I really loved animals, so I was very concerned about endangered species. I also remember, in second grade, learning about pollution and the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy, and just thinking, “someone needs to do something about this!” So the rest is history, honestly. In college, though, I learned more about the human health and justice related impacts of climate change, and that steered me toward a more policy-oriented path.
Alex Dews
That’s great. So I’m curious what specifically about IMT’s work or the built environment caught your attention?
Sarah Lyons
I was first introduced to this policy area during college. I worked with an environmental health lab, which made me very cognizant of how the built environment affects health, and the environmental justice implications involved with that. I also got to do some work with my local government in Evanston, IL, which is where I first learned about building performance standards, and that made me very excited about what municipalities can do to address climate change.
Overall, the centrality of buildings to daily life and their immense impact on the climate means that this is an opportunity to have a really profound impact on several intersecting issues. Building performance addresses both climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as affordability and equity. I like how IMT works across those intersections, and tries to bring disparate stakeholders together. I also like how IMT is involved at all stages in the process, from policy design to implementation.
Alex Dews
As you’re getting to know the organization and our work better, are there things that you would like to accomplish while serving in the fellowship?
Sarah Lyons
At the most general level, I want to leave knowing that I did something to make the world more healthy, equitable, and sustainable. Which is quite a lofty aspiration, but I do think I’ll get to do some of that here. I’m really looking forward to working on projects that help cities adopt and implement better policy. I’m also excited to do my own research project, and produce something that has a practical use for IMT and other organizations as well.
Alex Dews
You mentioned before that you had some experience while you were still pursuing your academic studies to support local government. What did you learn there, and what was most surprising to you about that experience?
Sarah Lyons
While working with my local government it was very interesting to see, in many ways, how informal it is. For example, city councilors are not full-time city employees. They work full time jobs and manage the city as a volunteer or part-time position, which I think demonstrates how possible it is for regular people to get involved with local governance and have a say in how decisions are made. Same with community organizations; I saw various groups having a direct hand in revising and making recommendations for city policies. So it was very cool to see these policymaking processes in action, and to see how much change can really be accomplished at the municipal level.
Alex Dews
I know you’ve heard a lot about the founder of IMT, David Goldstein, for whom this fellowship is named. One thing that stands out to me about David is that, as accomplished as he was, a MacArthur genius with many decades of impressive accomplishments, he was always really curious and encouraging for the next set of leaders coming into the field to make their mark and to share their views. As you are making this transition from college into the workforce, what gives you hope and inspires you about doing this work? And is there a particular perspective you’re bringing to this?
Sarah Lyons
First, I’ve really enjoyed learning about David’s commitment to innovation and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. A quote of his that I heard in a video that has really stuck with me was something along the lines of “everything is impossible until you do it and then it’s not impossible anymore.” I’m paraphrasing a bit. But that willingness to work towards a better world is really inspiring, because he really proves that people who care about things can get things done.
It has also been very cool to learn about his commitment to mentorship, because it’s such a privilege to be so welcomed and valued as a young professional, and I’m really glad that IMT is continuing that legacy. I think recent graduates have a lot to offer. They’re more willing to ask questions and envision the world differently than it is, and are more open to new ideas. Also, since young people are going to be living in this altered, warming world for the longest, they deserve to have a seat at the table and a voice in how we handle these complex challenges. So I’m very excited to be doing this work.
Alex Dews
If you were not doing work related to climate and built environment, what do you think you would be pursuing?
Sarah Lyons
If I wasn’t doing climate policy work specifically, I would be doing something else related to the environment. Maybe I would have become a climate scientist instead so I could live in Antarctica with penguins. Outside of that, in another life, I think I would have tried to become a professional trumpet player. Or a librarian. But honestly, this is what I want to be doing, so I’m glad I’m here.
Alex Dews
Okay, so to follow up on that, who’s your favorite trumpet player and favorite recent book?
Sarah Lyons
Okay. Favorite trumpet player: Alison Balsom. And then favorite book that I’ve read recently…I’m not sure. This is kind of a nerd answer, but I got a book about the history of environmental law in a bunch of different countries as a graduation gift, so I’ve been working through that. I’m also currently listening to the first Harry Potter book in Spanish, which has been fun.
Alex Dews
Great, thanks so much for taking time to introduce yourself, Sarah. We’re glad to have you and look forward to working together!
