Insights Jenny explains how we can all reduce our carbon footprint at home

Tell us a little about yourself and what do you do?

My name is Jenny Vieira and I'm the team leader of the air quality and climate change group and also a wife and mother. Professionally, I support and undertake projects related to managing air quality and climate change. I started my career in 2002 with AtkinsRéalis . Since then, I have been fortunate to work with some amazing colleagues for several public and private clients on a wide range of projects from environmental and permitting assessments to supporting sustainable development plans. On a personal level, I enjoy gardening, camping and reading novels.

Why have you chosen to become involved with addressing climate change at a professional level?

I studied chemical engineering at McGill University, not knowing what I was looking to do quite yet. Upon considering the different options and fields linked to my studies, I quickly decided to focus on opportunities linked to air quality, having had a strong sense and need to be involved in efforts and initiatives towards making a difference for future generations.

Tell us about a AtkinsRéalis project that you feel does a great job contributing to the fight against climate change and why.

Most of the projects I'm involved in are linked in some way to better air quality, specifically to the fight against climate change. We have prepared greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction plans for a number of projects in the private and public sectors providing alternatives to the common methods.

Can you give us some examples of how you think people at home can help reduce their carbon footprint?

Everyone can help make a difference. At home, we can reduce our waste, by composting our kitchen scraps, finding a new use and giving a second life to items we'd otherwise throw away, and taking the time to recycle. We can also reduce energy use with programmable thermostats and LED lighting and make alternative choices that are less carbon intensive.

If humans cannot gain control over our impact on climate change, what do you think the world will be like in 100 years?

The thought of what the world will be like in 100 years if we can't gain control over our impact on climate change is scary. I think global warming will continue on a path of irreversible damage,  extreme weather events will be more pronounced, some animal species will be extinct, famine will be worldwide due to drought, and we will face freshwater shortages.

What technologies do you see in your field that you think will best help us curb climate change?

We use different tools and methods that help curb climate change as we support our clients’ projects. A life cycle assessment (LCA), for example, assesses the emissions of a system or product over its full life cycle. Knowing exactly which steps or activities generate the most emissions allows us to target changes with the greatest impact.