Kenneth Salkow-Shapiro

My inspiration for becoming an Eco-Friend was my observance of the impact one person can have on the environment.  I first became interested in sustainability my sophomore year of high school. I had no idea how much of an impact I could have until I realized that although I personally couldn't do much alone if I got others to support me I could have a serious impact and help save the environment. Following this revelation, I started my own Environmental Friendly club and got others to support me. With this club we saved thousands of bottles from the landfills, implemented solar panels over the school parking lot, recruited Heal the Bay to come speak at our school, applied for and received Disney's Friends for Change grant, and raised money to help spread awareness of human effects on the environment and how each person can help. I now am aiming to double major in Business Management and Environmental studies and go into a future in sustainable fuels for automobiles.

My favorite planet friendly activity would have to be gathering recycling with my friends and realizing that not only could we help the environment but make money for our school while doing it.

One of my eco-guilty pleasures would have to be picking up stray water bottles and cans whenever I find them on the floor. My friends used to criticize me when I would look at a bottle and exclaim to them that it is practically a nickel laying on the floor!

A wolf, I love roaming around and am a strong supporter of meat eating.

My favorite way to get outdoors is going on adventures with my friends to places I have never seen and enjoying all that nature has to offer in terms of sunsets, sunrises, and star gazing.

The future lies in the environment and it is our responsibility to help preserve it and fix the problems we have created. It is our job to ensure that the earth is in a better state than we found it for the generations to follow us.

II feel the greatest skill I bring to a team is my ability to lead. If put in charge of a group I can easily delegate jobs and ensure that the goal of the group is pursued. With my positive energy and supportive attitude, I know I can help others to succeed and thereby help my self as well.

My proudest moment working on community projects was realizing that I had created a lasting legacy at my high school and helping to spread awareness of environmental issues to hundreds of people.

If I could change one thing about my community it would be to help spread environmental awareness even further in order to have a bigger impact in reducing waste.