📚We’re publishing a series of climate career stories, highlighting the diversity of climate journeys and what makes a climate career.
If you’re interested in contributing, we invite you to share your own story on #climate-careers or reach out to Elisa or Jon on Slack for guidance.
Owen Rogers is a technologist passionate about using the web to tackle climate change. He helps operate the .eco domain registry.
What is a climate career to you?
I believe that a climate career is one focused on applying our skills and knowledge to address the climate crisis. This doesn’t mean that you have to be directly involved in climate science. Every sector has an impact and hence has a role to play in reducing it. If you are unable to work directly on measuring or reducing your carbon footprint, try to at least work somewhere that has a mission or goal to minimize harm to our planet.
How did you get started and what changes did you make in your career to work in this space?
I’ve been fortunate to work in a number of places that have allowed me to apply my skills to address climate change.
- I spent 8.5 years at a startup partnered with energy utilities to use smart meter data to engage small-to-medium sized businesses in understanding how to improve their energy efficiency. This was a fascinating blend of large scale data analysis, behaviour change and data visualization.
- I helped launch the .eco top-level domain 8 years ago to build a community of sustainability-oriented businesses, non-profits and individuals. It’s inspiring to work with others that are trying to do good for our planet. I’ve learned a tonne about carbon reporting in our journey to be carbon neutral.
In terms of career advice, I recommend being flexible and focusing on impact. If the area that will have the greatest impact is outside of your expertise or comfort zone, still go for it! Most things are not as hard to learn as you might think.
What challenges have you faced in making this transition?
Unfortunately, it’s harder to make the impact that you envision. Most people and most businesses are not incentivized to care that much about climate change. So you’re constantly in a battle for attention. It’s easy to become frustrated and cynical about change. We have to accept that it is going to take time or externalities that create urgency.
Any advice you’d like to share with others on their own climate journeys?
My recommendation is to be persistent. Most of us have not followed a traditionally linear path to work in this area. As long as you’re consistent in approximately where you want to go you’ll get there.
You can connect with Owen on LinkedIn and find his website at ExorTech.com.
If you’re interested in contributing, we invite you to share your own story on #climate-careers or reach out to Elisa or Jon on Slack for guidance.