#YouthMonth: Treading on Earth with a lighter footprint

Marshall Rinquest from Greyton Transition Town won the 2016 Eco-Youth Award

He helps establish successful school vegetable gardens that yield produce for feeding schemes and local markets and leads hikes into fynbos. Marshall was nominated as a United Nations-sponsored ambassador for Sustainable Communities. His gentle, humorous and humble nature endears him to all he meets, motivating them to tread on Earth with a lighter footprint.

Tell us a bit about what you do as part of Greyton Transition Town (GTT)?

I am the director of Greyton Transition Town, as well as the head of environmental education. My role also involves the management of the daily running of GTT programmes and making sure all departments are on track. Some of the programmes I oversee include: four swop shops, food security, local market, and humane education.

What drew you to the eco-green field?

Growing up in the countryside of Greyton, I always loved nature and preserving it. Something that drew me to the green field was seeing the shortage of young environmental activists - that’s when I became a climate African leader mentored by the former VP of the US, Al Gore, so today, my passion is education, as this is the key to everything.

Today's generation has the monumental task of ensuring a paradigm shift away from business as usual. How do we ensure sustainable development is implemented meaningfully across sectors?

Education, education, and education!

What are some of the resource challenges, particularly in terms of environment, future generations will face?

If the younger generation don’t act now, their children won’t be able to see or enjoy the environment as it is today. Also, one of the biggest issues will be food shortage and drastic climate change, so act now!

What are the best ways for us to approach these challenges?

Less consumerism, reducing your carbon footprint, small scale gardening and planting lots of trees.

Young or old, who inspires you?

I see myself as my own inspiration, and secondly, my children - everything I do is for my two children.

What does Youth Month mean to you?

Youth Month for me is all about seeing the value and inspiration of children and youth and their contribution to society.

As a young South African, to what do you attribute your success?

Integration of society, as well as the endless opportunities for us as young South African to do what we believe in.

Any words of encouragement for those wanting to follow in your footsteps?

We are nature, so look after it. Be yourself and no-one else.