by Isobel Gibson, Graduate Trainee, Environmental Specialist
I’m currently working in Burgess Hill within the Safety, Health and Environment team. I am employed as a Graduate Environmental Specialist
Can you tell us about your current assignment and location?
My main focus so far has been to work on the switch to 100% renewable electricity in Vacuum Technique. So far we have achieved this at all but one of our US/EU sites. For Edwards, this includes the Brno, Lutin, Clevedon, Eastbourne, Burgess Hill and Niagara sites. My next assignment will be in Cologne within one of our biggest sites. Here I will be trying to improve the building’s environmental impact, with focus on waste, water and energy.
What attracted you to work at Edwards?
Working for Edwards appealed to me as it presents many opportunities for development. Being part of the Atlas Copco group offers a wide range of possible secondments and projects across the Vacuum Technique business area globally. As an environmental specialist, the company and Group’s strong commitment to sustainable productivity and reducing our environmental impact was also exciting.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years’ time?
I hope to continue my current line of work in the environmental sector, possibly incorporating other aspects of sustainability within my role. If given the opportunity, then I would like to stay working for Atlas Copco as I have enjoyed my time with them so far. In addition, I am excited by the offers of continued personal growth and progression, as well as the commitment from management to sustainability matters.
Looking into the future, what do you think are the biggest challenges the world faces?
The environmental challenges that we face today and will face in the future are very topical at the moment. Everybody knows about the threats posed by continued global warming and climate change, but people are slow to react. Therefore, I think that the biggest challenge is going to be convincing people that we have to change our behaviour in order to change what our world looks like in the future. It is important to remember that climate change does not just mean changes to the weather, but everything that comes with it such as land and infrastructure loss, crop destruction, species loss and poverty.
What technologies do you think might be used/invented to meet some of these challenges?
Pollution identification and reduction technology could help to reduce some of our environmental impact. By reducing the amount of emissions we release, such as CO2, we can influence the degree to which global temperature is affected. For example, continued developments in the field of electric vehicles, renewable energy and production/consumption patterns offer insight and are helping us make steps towards finding solutions.