Now a senior in high school, North Carolinian Aishwarya Balaji became a LEED Green Associate in middle school after coming across USGBC while doing research for competitions like Science Olympiad and Future City. She’s accomplished so much since then, from attending the Greenbuild Conference and Expo as a scholarship recipient last year to leading a session this year.

In her story for Living Standard, she explains that “sustainability is a lifestyle. If you’re introduced to it when you’re younger, you are more likely to incorporate it into your life and into the future as you grow older.” Watch:

Everyone should have the opportunity to thrive physically, emotionally, and economically. Our green building community is uniquely positioned to create a world where the future we design is in line with the higher Living Standard we have long deserved. What future are you designing for? Share your story.