These articles, written in her own words, are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the sake of brevity.
Fifteen-year-old Anna Brozek teaches business leaders about sustainability. Starfish Canada named the student from Fall River, Nova Scotia, one of the Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 of 2023. Planet in mind website that helps businesses and individuals reduce climate pollution, and for co-designing and organizing “Tech for Tomorrow,” a January 2024 evening of talks and networking opportunities that will bring together cutting-edge thinkers.
Tell us your projects.
Planet in Mind provides a path to improve sustainability. Includes interviews with business leaders to show others the way. It provides information to companies and individuals about the climate crisis and how to increase their agency step by step. Tech for Tomorrow featured networking opportunities and seven speakers on a variety of topics, ranging from showcasing a local company working to clean up the oceans to a college professor talking about how she supports her students experiencing climate issues.
What role did you play in each of these efforts?
I conceptualized them both. For Planet in Mind, I did all the research and interviews, and designed and built the website. I also recruited volunteers who work with me in Alberta and Ontario to add more information and answer queries. For Technology for tomorrow, I searched COVE, an ocean technology innovation center in Dartmouth, NS, as my partner. They provided the facilities and organizational credibility, and we worked together to identify speakers and design the program. I gave the keynote speech.
What was difficult about each of these?
I think, like a lot of people, I get anxious and tempted to back out when I try new things. I was so nervous before my first interview for Planet in Mind that I got a nosebleed! Doing my first public talk was also stressful, and there was always the thought in the back of my mind that I could make up an excuse not to do it. But my parents raised me to believe that I can do hard things and taught me about the privilege I have of being able to act, so I keep going. It has always been worth it!
How did you get into this type of work?
Fifteen-year-old Anna Brozek teaches business leaders about #sustainability. This student from Fall River, #NovaScotia, was named one of the Top 25 #Environmentalists Under 25 of 2023 by Starfish Canada on its #PlanetinMind website. #youth #climate
I spent half my childhood in Ontario. I was quiet and shy, but my parents tried really hard to take the family out into nature for hikes and walks as much as possible, which really helped. I could see and feel how much better I felt with time in the natural world. I notice that since we moved here and live near wilder spaces, I am much happier and calmer. Nature takes care of me. I want to take care of him.
How did the way you were raised help you get to where you are now?
My parents are very supportive and have tried hard to show me that I can be afraid, but I am mentally strong and can do it anyway. My mom and I watched a TED talk together that talked about having a few seconds of courage to start: starting a conversation, a project. That really helped me get over my nervousness.
What keeps you up at night?
The climate crisis is so urgent and so vast. I don’t feel like I have enough time to do everything I can to help make the future better.
What gives you hope?
There are many solutions if you know where to look. Thousands of passionate and intelligent people are working hard to save us.
I was very inspired when I learned about the Montreal Protocol. The whole world came together to solve that problem. I hope we can do it again.
To keep climate pollution stabilized below 1.5 degrees, we will also have to solve many other issues: strengthening international cooperation, innovation and much more. The world will be much better overall.
How do you stay engaged?
I take time to enjoy school and hang out with friends and family in ways that have nothing to do with climate change. I play alto and baritone saxophone in school. I love painting and crocheting. I enjoy video games. It’s important to me to have hobbies that foster my creativity and reduce the risk of burnout.
What advice would you give to other young people?
Be passionate and balanced. We need the gifts and energy you have for climate work, and we also need you to be a whole person.
What about older readers?
Mentoring from older people has helped me a lot. In my keynote speech at the Tech for Tomorrow seminar, I talked about the importance of having adults, besides my family, who care about me, support my ideas, and help me develop a path to make them a reality. I get very emotional when I think about how grateful I am for this help. No matter what field you are in, from science to art to community building, when you mentor young people in this way, you give them an invaluable gift.