Designing for the Future: How Equity and Innovation Go Hand-in-Hand

On June 3, 2025, I had the honour of being a panelist for Starfish Canada’s Climate Conversations: Top 25 Under 25 series. It was an energizing and hopeful space where we explored how equitable and innovative climate solutions can work together, not as opposing forces but as partners in building a better world.

Our panel brought together diverse perspectives. Abigael Kim spoke about sharing marine social science through storytelling, Dyanne Jiang addressed food waste, and Princesse Tankam focused on reducing plastic waste in sports. I spoke about mobility, community access, and how we can design a future where everyonehas the opportunity to thrive.

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was that development and sustainability are not in conflict. When approached thoughtfully and collaboratively, they can actually reinforce one another. As someone studying Civil and Environmental Engineering, I see every day how design impacts access. We discussed how many suburban neighborhoods, built during a time when car travel was prioritized, now isolate young people who do not have the means or support to drive. The result is that youth are often unable to reach school, work, healthcare, or community resources on their own. This affects their opportunities and also their mental health –  studies like Grey et al. (2023) and Wang et al. (2019) have shown a link between limited mobility and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

That is why our work at Get on the Bus, and the broader movement for youth transit access, is so important. At the panel, I shared insights from our recent work in Edmonton, Alberta, where we collaborated with 13 organizations and spoke directly with youth living in suburban communities. Their message was clear: improved transit, community-based design, and meaningful investment are necessary.

The response to our discussion was incredibly affirming. Many attendees told me afterward how inspiring they found the event. A lady who worked at the Canadian Space Agency thanked me for speaking, while a senior told me that seeing my work with Get on the Bus brought him hope for our world. One youth sent me a letter I will never forget. They wrote:

“While you do intimidate me, you also inspire me. You show me that even at this young age, it's possible for me to achieve my ambitions. I can start building my future now. I don't have to wait until my 30s or 40s to chase my dreams and be happy. Your story has opened my eyes to the possibility that I can be who I want to be, and the world will take me seriously, even though I'm not even 20.”

Moments like that remind me why we do this work. When young people are given the chance to lead, to design, and to imagine new possibilities, we all benefit.

Turning these ideas into reality requires investment. We need funding to support pilot projects and infrastructure, people to organize and deliver training, and support from decision-makers and community leaders who can help scale up what works.

Fortunately, we are seeing that momentum grow. More communities are stepping forward. More partners are reaching out. The movement is gaining strength.

At Get on the Bus, we are committed to building a future where all youth can get where they need to go. With investment, collaboration, and imagination, we are proving what is possible.

Thank you again to Starfish Canada for creating this space and to all the young people who continue to lead the way. The future is not something we wait for—it is something we design together.