Sustainable Voices: Torgeir Bergrem

Who, What, Where?

My name is Torgeir Bergrem, 28 years old from Trondheim, Norway. I am a professional snowboarder.

What was your a-ha moment that made you become engaged in sustainability?

I was already aware of the issues our planet faces with increased consumption, but I had never seen it up close until I went to southeast Asia to surf. The water was riddled with waste and the once clear blue ocean looked like a junkyard.

What is your single best tip for someone who wants to do more for the environment on a personal level?

I do not think that our entire society needs to drastically change their ways for our environment to benefit from it. Everything helps. Good ways to try and live more sustainably could be to bring a backpack when you go shopping, eat vegetarian one day (or more) a week, donate old clothes and buy used clothing instead of new, travel collectively etc. There are countless opportunities for people who want to do good, but I think what’s most important is to be aware of why living a sustainable life is crucial for the future of our planet. When you borrow something from your friend, you want to return it in good shape right?

What do you think will be the legacy of your generation?

I believe that our generation will lead us down a path of a more balanced way of living, where having the most possessions will not be the most important thing in life.

What is the most critical technological breakthrough that needs to happen for the world to reach the 1,5 degree goal?

I am no climate scientist, and trying to answer that question would probably do more bad than good. That being said, energy is what we need the most to keep the wheels rolling, and gradually phasing out the use of non-renewable sources of energy seems logical to be able to maintain our planets energy consumption long term without melting my precious snow.

What will this breakthrough demand from us as a society?

Less focus on the company's bottom line, and more focus on the fact that we are literally on fire.

In your industry, what do you think will be the most groundbreaking change over the next 10 years?

Probably the fact that we have to ride on sand instead of snow.

Which brand (in general) do you think is at the forefront when it comes to sustainability?

There are so many companies developing products and solutions which will be great for a more sustainable future. But what also impresses me is the increase in interest for “non-sustainable” companies to run their business more sustainably. It will be interesting to see if this trend keeps growing in the years to come.

What makes you climate positive about the future?

The incredible amount of young people, who feel strongly about the fact that we need change, will have a massive impact on how we as a society treat this planet. We have only scratched the surface.