By Ecolyst Spotlight Project Team (with Gemini Notes)
In the heart of Silicon Valley, sustainability isn’t just about code; it’s about the ground we walk on and the appliances we use every day. Minna, the Cupertino Park Commissioner and an engineer, brings a practical, data-driven perspective to local government and environmental stewardship.
Q: Can you share a sustainability initiative from your time as Park Commissioner?
Minna: One of the most impactful shifts we made wasn’t a single “hero” project, but a fundamental change in how we design our public spaces. As a commission, we collectively decided to move away from high-maintenance lawns.
We prioritized California native trees and drought-tolerant plants that thrive in our climate. For our playgrounds, instead of relying on high-carbon plastics and artificial materials, we leaned into natural ecological materials. We used river stones to create mazes, large boulders for climbing, and sandpits as obstacle courses. It’s about creating a “nature-first” play environment that is sustainable and encourages kids to interact with the earth.
Q: What are some local sustainability changes in Cupertino that people might not notice?
Minna: Have you ever noticed how dark Cupertino parks are at night? It’s not a budget issue; it’s a deliberate policy to protect our local ecosystem. We have regulations designed to protect migratory birds, ensuring our parks are dark enough for them to feel safe nesting and roosting. It saves energy, reduces light pollution, and protects biodiversity—a true win-win-win.
To foster innovation, I believe in designing for the environment, not just for humans. When we see the community as a shared space for all species, sustainable solutions become the logical choice, not just a “nice-to-have.”
Q: How can women, specifically, act as changemakers in energy sustainability?
Minna: This is an area where women have immense power. In most households, women hold the primary decision-making power over home life and daily energy consumption. Most major household appliances are operated primarily by women.
I believe we should host appliance literacy seminars specifically for women. If we can empower more women to understand energy efficiency ratings, how to optimize appliance settings to save electricity, and how to identify which models truly save money and resources, we can move the needle on residential energy consumption significantly.
Q: What gives you hope for the future of our planet and the role of leadership in achieving a sustainable world?
Minna: What gives me hope is the transition from “artificial” to “natural.” Seeing the younger generation at events like Earth Day or Bobateeno embrace these changes shows me the culture is shifting.
As a leader, my hope lies in the Silicon Valley spirit of problem-solving. When we apply engineering logic to environmental challenges—like choosing a boulder over a plastic slide or a dark sky over a wasted bulb—we realize we don’t have to choose between a modern life and a healthy planet. We just need to design with the future in mind.
Closing Thoughts: A Message to the Future
Minna: “As an engineer, I want to tell you: Trust in the wisdom of nature. We spend so much time trying to build ‘artificial’ solutions when the most sophisticated technology is already right beneath our feet. Whether you are designing a playground or a power grid, ask yourself: How would nature solve this? Don’t be afraid to choose the natural path over the plastic one. And remember, sustainability isn’t just a big global goal; it’s found in the small, logical choices you make every day—from the light switch you turn off to the appliance you choose to use. Design for the long term, not just for the ‘now’.”
