Morgan Golden-Ebanks A Champion for Change
Sustainability is a global priority that demands collective action and it takes individuals who are passionate about preserving the world to lead the charge for meaningful change. Within the Cayman Islands Civil Service, various individuals have emerged as champions of this worthy cause. One such individual is Morgan Golden-Ebanks.
A lover of animals and nature, Golden-Ebanks’ passion for environmental conservation began in an environmental studies class at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) where she learned about the impacts of palm oil. That experience was the catalyst for her work and subsequent career path.
From those early years, Golden-Ebanks became concerned about the planet and decided she wanted to make a difference in the world. This resolve propelled her to search for like-minded individuals in Cayman. The search led her to the Department of Environment (DoE) and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) where she volunteered. She also worked with the NTCI for a period of time. By working with these organisations, Golden-Ebanks learned about her Islands and its natural heritage, which caused her to place even greater value on the need to protect it.
While the environmental class at UCCI sparked her interest and outrage, Golden-Ebanks explained that it was working at DoE and NTCI that really set her soul on fire. “I was obsessed with trying to do something to make a difference and figure out where I could really be a part of protecting Cayman’s forests and animals. I believed there was nothing else that could be more important than protecting the natural environment,” she said.
Over time, Golden-Ebanks started to realise the focus on plants and animals was not enough. “When I did my bachelor’s degree I increasingly realised the need to consider the social aspects, as people are the ones destroying (but also need) nature. I decided to do my master’s degree with a focus on the people side of things so I could understand how to reach people and help them understand the reasons why we need to change the way we see ourselves in the world,” she outlined. With her understanding of the interconnectedness of people and the environment, Golden-Ebanks now advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability that integrates social and ecological systems.
Now a policy advisor in the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency, Golden-Ebanks channels her love for nature into the development of processes and policies that prioritise both people and nature. Driven by a desire to connect beyond her immediate team and actively contribute to the organisation’s sustainability journey, she volunteered as the Ministry’s Sustainability Champion.
As a Sustainability Champion, Golden-Ebanks sees collaboration and knowledge-sharing as key tools for progress. Through this journey she aims to learn from other Sustainability Champions, collaborate on projects and find synergies to expand the reach and impact of sustainability initiatives within the Civil Service. The Sustainability Champion also shared that she has enjoyed hearing about how people are approaching sustainability in their own agencies.
Golden-Ebanks believes sustainability is more than just implementing initiatives, it is about fostering a mindset that recognises humanity’s connection to and impact on the world. “I think sustainability is a mindset. It is how you see yourself in the world and the way that you impact it. It is about sustaining life on this planet. And what could be more important than that?”
Speaking on why she believes people need to think and act more sustainably, Golden-Ebanks stated, I believe sustainability is a way of living that is more in line with the natural systems and laws of nature, like thinking about our consumption and how it should be tied to the natural, closed loop cycle of decomposition and regeneration. Most of us violate that law every single day.”
Noting the significance of sustainability, Golden-Ebanks emphasised the importance of inspiring others to join the sustainability movement. In encouraging others, she identified exploration of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDG) as a good first step in the process, and shared her favourite SDG, goal 3, which focuses on good health and wellbeing. For Golden-Ebanks, health and wellness are key to achieving the other sustainability goals because when people are well they will have the capacity to contribute to a sustainable future.
The Sustainability Champion also stressed spending time in nature and observing your surroundings. She shared that her favourite goal, SDG 3, is closely linked to SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 4 (quality education), which highlights the importance of protecting the environment and enhancing knowledge to drive the desired change.
Morgan Golden-Ebanks’ sustainability journey is a testament to the power of individual action and the change it can generate. By following her passion, and being committed to a sustainable way of life, she is making a difference that resounds to the benefit of not just the Civil Service but the world at large.
