Meet the Blue & Green Tomorrow team: Seth Kirby

With Sustainable September drawing closer, we thought we’d open a window into the world of Blue & Green Tomorrow.

Seth Kirby tells us about his background, interest in sustainability and what the future might hold.

Tell us briefly about you background and your current role

For the early part of my life I was brought up in the rural village of Wombourne in Staffordshire, which at one time was claimed to be the largest village in England. I’m currently the Head of Marketing, before joining the Blue & Green Tomorrow team full time in late 2013, I was involved briefly on a number of projects, including working with a commercial credit agency. Back in 2012 I achieved a first class honours degree in sports tourism management from the University of Lincoln.

Where does your interest in sustainability come from?

At university I studied and wrote about a variety of concepts relating to sustainable tourism, the environment and conservation. However, that said, my interest in sustainability more generally has been shaped and grown since I started working at Blue & Green Tomorrow. I wouldn’t consider myself as a environmentalist but I would want all future generations to be able to live prosperously and experience all of the planet’s vibrant nature and wildlife that is on offer today.

What’s your favourite sustainability story at the moment?

The university divestment movement is starting to gaining momentum and traction, frequently we hear and discuss new student campaign calls to divest. How can these establishments claim to educate our future leaders when their endowment funds are invested in destructive and dirty fossil fuels? On this matter I would kindly ask them to get their investments out of fossil fuels before we max out and it’s too late.

What one idea do you think could change the world for the better?

All over the world populations are rapidly shifting to live in built-up urban environments. We face food shortages and a scarcity in resources, one idea that could change this are small urban farms. Although city rooftop farms may not effectively solve the challenge, this and other solutions, like the selection from the Longitude Prize could act as a catalyst. It also could ultimately be beneficial for local and sustainably sourced food in growing urban societies.

What do you see of the future in term of sustainability, business and the environment?

In the future I hope business models truly see the real value of integrating sustainability and the environment into their fundamental processes – both for a society and a business case. Strong, accountable and transparent businesses with responsible corporate social responsibility programmes and governance ideals can make a difference. Sustainable and responsible investment has the ability to rebalance inequality, address global wealth issues and transition to a low carbon economy.

I’m in desperate need of some candles as my lights keep going out, donate to help my cause.