Profile
Elissa is a 19 year old female homo sapien. She refers to herself as a tree hugging pragmatic idealist. When she is not busy being a 2nd year environmental science student at the University of Guelph you can find her camping, traveling, socializing, yoga, skiing, cycling or swimming.
Elissa’s purpose at this chapter in her life is to support the youth environmental movement, and encourage youth participation in decision making. On a local level Elissa is involved in Guelph Students for Environmental Change, the Guelph Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, and she is on the board of directors of OPIRG-Guelph. She has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Nationally, Elissa is on the board of directors of the Youth Environmental Network (YEN) of Canada. She is also the leader of the YEN policy working group. She has been involved with UNESCO-Canada youth and the Green party of Ontario. Elissa has volunteered with international organizations such as Rising Tide, World Carfree Network, People and Planet, and the European Youth For Action. Elissa has represented the Sierra Youth Coalition twice at the UN commission for sustainable development, in NY. Elissa is also a member of the Canadian Environment Ministers Youth Advisory Council- the Youth Round Table on the Environment.
Elissa tends to analyze all environmental issues from a social justice perspective. Climate change, sustainable consumption/production, and grassroots environmental education/action are her main areas of interest. But lately she has been focusing on her interests on environmental economics, policy and international development.