ABOUT DEVYANI
I am Dr. Devyani Singh, a proud resident of Vancouver - Point Grey!
I am a scientist, with a Ph.D. in Energy and Climate Policy from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. Prior to this, I obtained an M.B.A. in Finance and M.Sc. in Environmental Science in The United States. Consequently, my expertise is in energy and climate policy, oil and gas emissions, household energy, and environmental finance.
As a fellow resident of Point Grey, I personally understand the problems faced in our riding such as protecting our access to public parks and beaches, climate resilience, the need for affordable and accessible healthcare, post-secondary education, and social justice. I love living here, and want to help protect and improve the quality of life for our community. As your MLA, I will be committed to finding implementable solutions through community consultation and scientific research.
As a scientist, I embrace facts, not political ideology, and listen to voices that matter. Your voice matters. Politicians have repeatedly ignored impacted communities as well as scientists - I will advocate for your needs and wellbeing using science to provide clarity to create change.
You may see me running daily through Pacific Spirit Regional Park or along the Spanish Banks-Kitsilano sea wall walking my trusted campaign buddy - Zephyrus. If you do, I urge you to stop me and ask what I can do for you.
Background
Growing up in India as a child of a military officer, I was never in one place for more than 2 years. My stability came from my family, including my family home in the Indian Himalayas, where I would spend my summers. It is here that my love and connection with nature began. Even in the 90s, I could see the impacts of climate change on the ecosystems that I loved – receding glaciers, burning forests, and the near extinction of species I saw as a child. I wanted to do something but there were limited career options before me – doctor, engineer, or businessperson. Back then, as a woman in India, I did not have the opportunity to be a climate scientist or a wildlife warden (as I wanted). So, in my young mind I chose business, believing that if I could make enough money, I could open Animal Shelter homes and run an NGO to protect the environment. So, I pursued commerce (honors) at Delhi University, and went on to do an MBA in Finance at the University of Iowa. After that I worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for various Fortune 200 companies.
One day, working in the deep trenches of corporate finance, I found myself as part of a team working on closing factories in the US and moving them to Mexico – so they could exploit environmental laws for more profit. In that moment, I found myself at odds about what I believed in and what I was doing. I realized that I was helping destroy the one thing I was most passionate about – the environment. So…. I Quit! And thus, began a soul-searching journey that led me to a second Master’s degree in Environmental Science at the Ohio State University. While there, working on environmental issues, I reconnected with my passion to make this planet a better place. So, I continued to follow my heart and came to the Faculty of Forestry at UBC for a Ph.D. in Climate and Energy Policy.
It has now been over a decade that I have worked on global energy policy issues – in India on getting clean cooking access to millions of people, with the First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest on sustainable forestry initiatives, and most recently on oil and gas emissions in Canada. I have consulted with the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on their national policy to gain clean cooking access to 80 million households and estimated its impact on climate change. I was hired by the First Nations in Bella Coola, BC to create a business plan for non-timber forest products and helped create an essential oils company. I have worked with the oil and gas industry, government and regulators on methane emissions from Fracking and have realized that the need for a Just Transition to a green future needs to happen sooner than later.
As a climate scientist, I know first-hand how crucial the next 4 years are for getting the right policies in place if we are to leave a livable planet for future generations. As an economist, I understand that diversifying our economy from fossil fuels is the way to ensure that we have a resilient future, one where the people and planet both prosper. As a post-graduate student, I know the lack of funding opportunities available to residents and citizens. As a renter, who spent more than 80% of my student stipend on rent, I understand the struggles faced by half of this city and others in BC. These are my lived experiences, which have made me the passionate individual that I am today – one who is willing to do whatever it takes for an equitable society and a green future. One who will not stop fighting for social, racial, and environmental justice. One who will always put People and Planet over profit!