Feature: Have You Met... Lauren?
Since its inception in 2019, Guam Green Growth has been an advocate for change and sustainability on Guam. Over the years, the initiative has expanded with the inclusion of innovative programs, new focuses, and numerous opportunities for people to do their part to help Guam get on the track to sustainability.
Lauren Swaddell has been a big contributing member of the Guam Green Growth team and has huge hopes for what the group can accomplish in the years ahead.
Armed with the knowledge and wisdom gained from working in sustainability for over a decade, and an unrivaled passion for her home island, Swaddell is poised to be a driving force in Guam’s future for years to come.
Have You Met Lauren?
After growing up and living on Guam her whole life, this island girl moved to New York City for college, a dream of hers since childhood, but it was not all it cracked up to be. While living it up in the Big Apple, Swaddell was on the receiving end of a bigger reality check.
“I really missed Guam. I saw how important it was to preserve our environment,” explained Swaddell. “When I was in New York I saw this landscape that was paved, and all the urban sprawls. People did not want to swim in the rivers and were disconnected from the land. I had taken that for granted and I realized I took the environment for granted.”
Following her epiphany, Swaddell changed her college major from psychology to environmental studies and realized her true calling.
“I switched my whole life plan. I originally planned to stay in New York, but the whole realization of Guam’s natural resources being something I valued and appreciated, I decided I was going back to Guam, and I am going to try my hardest to protect our resources and make Guam more sustainable. I wanted to figure out ways to get the community more engaged in sustainability because I didn’t feel like I had that growing up,” added Swaddell.
Focused and ready to make an impact, Lauren Swaddell returned home following her college graduation in NYC and pursued her master’s degree at the University of Guam, graduating in 2018.
Keeping her goals in sight, Swaddell has contributed to the sustainability movement as a student, fellow, volunteer, employee, member, or supporter of several of the island’s most prominent sustainability groups.
Her tenacity and passion landing her in a leadership role as the Coordinator of Guam Green Growth, a private-public partnership aimed at improving Guam’s sustainability on a local level while also connecting with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While Swaddell acknowledges that all the SDGs are especially important in the overall sustainability movement, she also notes that two are remarkably close to her heart.
“Partnership for the Goals – SDG17 is vital because it really takes collective effort to make things happen, which is why the G3 movement and initiative is so important,” said Swaddell. “Another SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) that speaks to my heart is Reduced Inequalities, because there is such an interconnected relationship between the way we treat the environment and the way we treat other people. Many of the reasons we have to work so hard on conserving our resources right now, is because there is a lot of greed and not enough thought and consideration given to other people and communities in so many ways.”
At the end of the day, it all comes down to love for Swaddell. She has an obvious love for her environment, love for her island, and love for her people.
“Guam is awesome, and it’s only awesome as long as we keep it awesome. How beautiful our oceans are, how interesting our jungles are, the local food and culture of our community – all these things are things we have to actively be a part of. These are all things we care for.”
Swaddell continues her work as the Program Coordinator for Guam Green Growth and is currently preparing for a slate of events to kick off soon. Guam Green Growth recently launched its Conservation Corps, a five-month program aimed at environmental work, clean ups, aqua and agriculture and developing and educating members on the emerging sustainable economy.
QUICK HIT: Q AND A
1. Favorite Guam Food?
Hagan suni on red rice
2. Favorite Guam Hang out spot?
Tumon Bay
3. Hobbies?
Hiking, yoga, and now roller skating, also karaoke!
4. If your life were a movie what would it be called?
You ready? Let’s go!
5. What is the one word, people would use to describe you?
Enthusiastic
*Have You Met… is a feature with the Guam Green Growth digital platforms. It is a 3-part series that will introduce you to a different member of the G3 team every month and give you a glimpse into why they are passionate about Guam Green Growth and other things too. *