UPG Viewer

23 Years Old

Pakistan

Female

Yes! That is really who you are!

Hello!
My name is Zainab Wahid, and I am on a journey to make a significant impact on our environment. Having graduated from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) with a degree in Environmental Science, I am now pursuing an MPhil in the same field at the University of Punjab, Lahore. My passion for sustainability is not just academic; I actively participate in various environmental campaigns and initiatives, aiming to spread awareness and encourage sustainable practices within my community.
My practical experience includes internships at the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in Lahore and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where I engaged in projects that protect our natural world and promote ecological health. These roles have equipped me with a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have fueled my drive to advocate for and implement sustainable solutions.
Alongside my environmental pursuits, I started freelance writing in 2021, focusing on content related to nature and sustainability. Now, I also work as a novel editor, which allows me to weave important themes of conservation into the narratives I help shape. I am excited to possibly join the UPG Sustainability Leadership program, eager to learn from and contribute to a global network of leaders dedicated to nurturing a sustainable future.

My relevant strengths are: environmental knowledge, creativity, teamwork, leadership, community engagement, effective communication, problem-solving ability, adaptability, passion for sustainability, and innovative thinking.

One of my strengths is community engagement, which I demonstrated during a group project at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). As part of a sustainability campaign, we raised awareness about recycling by involving students in collecting waste plastic bottles and creating functional dustbins from the collected materials. My role included engaging students through effective communication and encouraging active participation. By combining environmental knowledge with teamwork, our group successfully turned waste into functional dustbins, promoting recycling and spreading environmental awareness across the campus. This initiative not only helped reduce plastic waste on campus but also inspired students to think creatively about sustainability solutions. The success of this campaign reinforced my belief in using innovative approaches to address environmental challenges.

Yes, I have experience as a volunteer. During my time at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), I actively participated in several sustainability-focused initiatives. I volunteered for a plastic waste awareness walk, where I contributed to spreading the message about the environmental hazards of plastic pollution. Additionally, I participated in poster competitions and activities aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices and raising awareness about environmental issues.
One of the most impactful experiences was a group project where we raised awareness about recycling by involving students in collecting waste plastic bottles and repurposing them into functional dustbins for the campus. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of creativity, collaboration, and effective communication in driving positive change. These volunteering activities strengthened my leadership and community engagement skills while deepening my passion for environmental conservation. They also taught me that even small, local efforts can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to adopt sustainable practices.

Undergraduate: I have completed an undergraduate degree

If I were to lead a sustainability-related project in my community, I would focus on reducing single-use plastics by launching a “Community Plastic-Free Challenge.” Plastic pollution is a major issue in Pakistan, with the country generating about 3.9 million tons of plastic waste annually, most of which is not recycled and harms the environment for hundreds of years.
To address this, I would take the following steps:
Raise Awareness: Conduct sessions in schools, colleges, and community centers to educate people about the dangers of single-use plastics and how it affects our health, environment, and future generations.
Plastic Collection Drives: Organize drives to collect waste plastic bottles and bags from homes, shops, and streets, involving students and families to make it a community effort.
Workshops on Repurposing Plastic: Hold workshops where participants can learn how to recycle and repurpose plastic waste into useful items, such as bins and planters.
Promote Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Distribute reusable cloth bags and bottles while encouraging shopkeepers and vendors to shift to biodegradable packaging.
Inspire Long-Term Change: Use social media campaigns and success stories from the project to inspire others to adopt plastic-free habits.
This project would not only reduce plastic waste but also empower the community to take responsibility for a cleaner and healthier environment. With my environmental knowledge, passion for sustainability, and ability to connect with people, I am confident that I can lead this project successfully and bring positive change to my community.

Leading a small-scale “Community Plastic-Free Challenge” would still come with some challenges. It may be difficult to get enough people involved initially, as some might not see the importance of the project. I would personally reach out to students, families, and friends, encouraging them to participate through face-to-face conversations and small awareness sessions to create a sense of community ownership.
Gathering enough waste plastic bottles and materials for the project might be slow at first. To address this, I would organize fun activities, like competitions or rewards, to motivate participants to collect plastic waste and contribute actively.
Since this is a small-scale project, there may be limitations in terms of materials and funds to provide alternatives like cloth bags or to conduct workshops. I would use simple, low-cost materials for workshops and seek small contributions from participants or local sponsors to cover essential expenses.
Keeping participants motivated throughout the project could also be challenging. To sustain engagement, I would regularly share updates, small successes, and the impact of the project through WhatsApp groups or informal meetups to keep everyone engaged and excited.
By addressing these challenges with practical, community-driven solutions, I believe this project can successfully promote awareness and inspire sustainable habits within the community.

About 50 people

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I prefer to express my thoughts and ideas through written responses. I believe the detailed and thoughtful answers I have provided in this application effectively convey my passion, skills, and commitment to sustainability. Thank you for understanding my preference, and I hope my responses demonstrate my suitability for the UPG Sustainability Leadership program.

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