Interviewed By Ellie S. (11th Grade)
Sanjana Reddy is a Senior AI Engineer at Google Cloud. She is focused on enabling some of Google Cloud’s biggest enterprise customers to build scalable and responsible AI applications. Previously, she worked at SAP and LinkedIn and holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California. She is also a solo guitarist and an animal advocate. Lets hear her story how her passion of skiing sparked climate action.
“Could you share a pivotal moment or experience that ignited your passion for Climate Advocacy and sustainability?”
Sanjana: My husband and I are avid skiers, and Lake Tahoe has always been our sanctuary. However, over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a heartbreaking shift: the snowpack has become erratic, and rising temperatures cause what little snow we have to vanish far too early in the season. Watching a landscape change so rapidly in one’s own lifetime is a wake-up call. It’s not just about losing the joy of skiing; it’s about the realization that if we don’t act, future generations will inherit a world where these natural wonders are only found in history books.
“What gives you hope for the future of our planet and the role of leadership in achieving a sustainable world?”
Sanjana: What gives me the most hope is your generation. For you, sustainability isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ or a corporate buzzword t is a core part of your identity and your value system. You are voting with your dollars, your career choices, and your voices. When an entire generation refuses to accept the status quo, leadership is forced to follow. That shift from ‘awareness’ to ‘requirement’ is what will ultimately drive global change.
“If you could implement one major policy or initiative or research to advance sustainability globally, what would it be and why?
Sanjana: I would advocate for a global mandate on Plastic-Free Packaging, specifically in the consumer goods and grocery sectors. We’ve reached a point where it’s nearly impossible for a single household to avoid producing massive amounts of waste. Beyond the visible pollution, we now know that microplastics are infiltrating our water, our soil, and even our own bodies, leading to significant health risks. Transitioning to a circular economy, where packaging is truly compostable or infinitely reusablei s one of the most immediate ways to reduce our environmental footprint.
In your area of expertise, what are some of the most promising innovations that can accelerate the transition to clear energy initiatives, if you have anything to share around the carbon-neutral energy sector, that’s even better.
Sanjana: While I’m excited about large-scale wind and green hydrogen, I’m most passionate about decentralized solar power. On a personal level, we’ve invested in solar panels to take responsibility for our own energy footprint. Globally, I believe the ‘Prosumer’ model where homes and businesses both consume and produce energy, is the future. By combining solar with better battery storage and grid modernization, we can create a resilient energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil-fuel-burning centralized plants.
AI is a hot topic right now, in your point of view what are some of the AI initiatives or potential applications you are using in your field and around greener future
Sanjana: AI’s success in sustainability depends on two things: high-quality data and the collaboration of domain experts. Here are three areas where I see AI making a massive difference:
- Precision Agriculture: Using AI to analyze satellite imagery and soil sensors can help farmers use significantly less water and fertilizer, protecting our waterways from runoff.
- Climate Modeling: AI can process trillions of data points to help us predict extreme weather events and snowpack shifts (like those in Tahoe) with much higher accuracy, allowing communities to build better resilience.
Closing Thoughts
Call to Action: Protect your sanctuary by turning your passion into an action, collaborate within your community and work with domain experts.
