The Green Review

Hi! My name is Kerkeslin MacDonald, and I just graduated with my Bachelor of Science with Honours in Marine Biology this spring. This past academic year, I had the privilege of serving as the president of the UNB Green Society on the Saint John campus, and as a third-year representative the year prior.

The UNB Green Society is a student-led, environmentalist organization that values sustainability, advocates for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and actively promotes education on climate change as well as environmental and societal injustices in an engaging way.

I have always had a passion for living sustainably, prioritizing the environment, and connecting with people, so it was a natural fit for me to get involved with the Green Society, which also promotes these values.

As president of the Green Society this year, I led a team of 13 executive members who share my passion for sustainability. We led many initiatives to promote sustainability on campus, including events such as campus clean-ups and clothing swaps, giveaways, collaborations, and ‘Sustainable Sunday’ posts, which inform students about various global sustainability issues.

I spearheaded the first Green Society Sustainability Research Conference, where we brought a panel of inspirational environmentalist speakers from diverse fields to talk to the student body and encourage connections about sustainability in our community and beyond.

In recognition of the Society’s contribution to the lives of students and the campus this past year, the Green Society was awarded the ‘Club of the Year’ award at the 2025 SRC Awards Gala.

In my own life, I continue to practice sustainability, including eating a vegetarian diet, recycling and composting, supporting local and sustainable businesses, and encouraging others to be mindful of their decisions regarding sustainability.

I am grateful for the role I’ve had with the Green Society and the impact it’s had on my life. My time serving on the Green Society has taught me about leadership and the importance of sustainability beyond the typical bounds of environmental sustainability, which will guide decisions in my life even after my time at UNB.

Though everyone’s role looks different, we all have a part to play in fostering sustainability, on campus, in the community, and beyond.

Know someone who should be a Green Champion? Please let us know by emailing sustain@unb.ca.