Clean Energy Efforts
In the Field: Case Studies
In the Field Interview:
Natasha Dyer
Senior Recycling Program Coordinator of Atlanta
Getting to know the ins and outs of urban sustainability requires getting the perspective of those who work closely with such problems. Natasha Dyer is one such civil servant working in the Atlanta government to push for sustainable environmental change. As the Senior Recycling Program Coordinator, she is working hands-on to focus on building a circular economy that will result in zero waste, particularly organic waste. Below are my notes on our interview.
"Tell me a little bit about yourself and your position as the Recycling Program Coordinator of Atlanta."
Natasha Dyer got her education in Los Angles, California studying Urban Sustainability at Antioch University. She stated that she had always been concerned with climate change but she took a course on recycling and realized that organic composting was her passion. She's brought her unique perspective with her to Atlanta, where she has decided to work in the government because she said, "I have a high desire for government… it’s supposed to be for the people.”
"Why do you believe that sustainability should be top priority, and how do you pitch this to the general population?"
Dyer explained that, “I think in urban areas education [about sustainability] may be lacking, but we’ve got to become a more sustainable society together”.
She stated “We need to redesign our waste; waste is a design flaw”. A design flaw we could fix, Dyer insisted, if we moved towards a circular economy. The idea of a circular economy involves the practice of upcycling - or repurposing our waste. She also mentioned that the repurposing of waste should be pitched as job creation for the skeptics - a way to restructure our economy for the better. She pointed out that "waste is a human problem", a human problem that will require human initiative to solve.
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"​What is Atlanta currently doing to meet their sustainability needs and goals?"
A big picture look at Atlanta's goals is a recent renewable energy initiative to run on all renewable energy by 2035, but Dyer admitted that she couldn't clearly see how that could be achieved with the amount of obstacles that would need to be hurdled to get there. Dyers herself said she was working on organic waste management by creating composting cites around Atlanta in community gardens.
"[Organic material is] a huge problem in the landfill because of its methane production. It’s also one of the easiest ways to recycle." Dyers wants to tackle the upcycling of organic waste, and eventually cut 20% of food waste by trying to get the restaurants of Atlanta involved in the effort.
"In your opinion, what actions do you think Atlanta should be taking to further the sustainability efforts?"
Dyers quickly pointed out that, "Atlanta has one of the biggest income wealth gaps; the energy burden is one of the biggest in the nation." Sustainability goals are not always equitable, and the benefits of sustainability can definitely favor the more privileged, especially in urban areas. This creates a higher energy burden, or higher percentage of income spent on energy, for those with lower incomes. She also pointed out that while Atlanta has made progress, from her perspective and experience in California, Atlanta still has a long way to go in their pursuit of sustainability.
"In what ways does having sustainable cities effect the community?"
"Environment is everything." Dyers said, “If we don’t have air, land, and water, what are we?”
Dyers stance on sustainability is less about how it effects the community, and more that it is the foundation that holds up communities, which is why she believes that it should be made top priority.
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