Sustainability Spotlight: Erik Byker

Each month, we will highlight a UNC Charlotte community member who is an advocate for sustainability on campus. This October, we are highlighting Dr. Erik Byker, who has been an active advocate for sustainability at UNC Charlotte for many years. Dr. Byker has participated in the Sustainability Ambassador program, the annual Infusing Sustainability into your Curriculum faculty workshop, and actively works to implement zero waste events on campus.

Dr. Byker will be a guest speaker during the upcoming Student Sustainability Summit on Saturday, Oct. 17th from 1pm – 4:30pm in Cone 210, where he will talk about sustainability careers.

What is your name?

Erik Byker, Ph.D.

What is your job title?

Interim Associate Dean, Honors College

How long have you been at UNC Charlotte?

I have been at UNC Charlotte for 12 years.

What does sustainability mean to you? 

 In articles that I write on sustainability, I often define it as the ability for people in a community to meet its needs without depleting the ability to meet the needs of future generations. That is a classic definition of sustainability. In practice, I believe deeply in sustainability as a concept connecting the local and global. It requires taking action to help promote a healthy balance among a society’s economic benefits,  environmental stewardship, and social well-being. I also believe in the power of education in order to advance sustainability and sustainable practices.

How do you implement sustainability into your day-to-day role at UNC Charlotte? 

This is a good question. In my day-to-day role at UNC Charlotte, I practice sustainability by limiting the amount of plastics  and single-use materials I use. I try to foster the responsible use of resources by recycling and reducing landfill waste. I promote the Zero Waste program at almost all events I help to organize. I also encourage civic action on local and global issues by leading initiatives like the TEDxUNC Charlotte Salon, which has a sustainability focus.

What is one piece of advice you have for students interested in pursuing a career in sustainability? 

I received this advice a lot when growing up in the 90s. I would simply say, “thinking globally and act locally.” Sustainability is a mindset and the key to developing this mindset toward pursuing a career in sustainability (which can be most any type of career) is to be committed to the most sacred of all verbs:  START.  By start, I mean start consistently adopting sustainable practices.

What is your favorite way to practice health and wellness? 

In keeping with my last name, I enjoy biking as a way to practice health and wellness. I don’t get to bike as much as I used to. So these days, I find yoga to be my favorite health and wellness practice. 

Is there a specific person, quote, etc. that inspires you?

 I have two educator heroes who have inspired my thinking. The first is Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who said, “Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.” The second is Dr. Paulo Freire, who shaped my thinking about how sustainability requires critical consciousness that is further advanced through the intentional acts of literacy in reading and re-writing the world.