Passionate about sustainability and urban development, Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Latimore (17 | Irvine, California) is working to make communities more environmentally and health friendly. Researching the psychological impact of green vegetation and city development on the wellbeing of residents, Gabby found that by 2050, half of the global population will be living in cities and urban areas. To alleviate the environmental strain this will cause, cities and companies need to be redesigned to incorporate sustainable urbanism; a successful society tackles multiple aspects of sustainability, and as such, forms plans for infrastructure, green architectural design, and economic soundness.

As a means of informing people about her findings, proposing design solutions, and advocating for sustainability within cities, Gabby created Project Life on Earth (PLOE) in 2019. This student-led environmental organization has already launched a number of successful initiatives through collaborations with business owners and community organizations. In partnership with United States Green Building Council, Gabby is developing a K-12 program to teach students about the science behind sustainable communities and connecting high school students with professionals in green engineering and related roles. After presenting about sustainable practices to the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, PLOE learned that many small businesses in attendance began making more sustainable swaps including the use of more durable, versatile, and safe plastics over their single-use counterparts; and incorporation of eco-friendly materials in their building renovations!