portrait de Mike Fabro

Mike Fabro

Manager, Climate Change Planning

City of London, Ontario

Created On: May 27, 2023
Sector:
Engineering,  Government and Public Administration
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Environmental Science,  Climate change,  Sustainability,  Geography,  Technology & Engineering
Readability:
9.7

Learn About My Career

I work with my team to plan and implement London, Ontario's response to the climate crisis.

I was born/grew up in: Born in Toronto but grew up mostly in London, Ontario.

I now live in: London, Ontario.

I completed my training/education at: I have a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Engineering with a Management Science Option) and a Master of Environment and Business, both from the University of Waterloo.

I work with and manage a team of planners and engineers. We evaluate and track corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions. We provide training and support to staff to help them keep climate issues in mind when they make decisions in their jobs. We may suggest changes to projects based on their environmental footprint. We also evaluate the potential climate risks to the people of London, our buildings, roads, and other structures. All this is done to inform actions and manage the implementation of London's Climate Emergency Action Plan.

I rely heavily on my STEM skills to interpret scientific information related to climate change. My STEM skills also help me evaluate and develop business cases for climate action projects. They are also used as I analyze the potential impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. These skills also play a role when I provide education and outreach to residents about my group's work. They also help me help my colleagues in the Corporation manage change in their service areas to align with City Council's climate change objectives.

When I graduated, I started my professional career working in the private engineering consulting field. I focused on environmental site assessment and cleanup. My undergraduate degree included several 4-month co-op placements across Canada. I worked with the Toronto Transit Commission, a University research lab, and on a medical research project. The co-op program was very helpful because it exposed me to what work in different sectors looked like.

I spent 2 years in Alberta as a consultant assisting clients with cleaning up polluted lands and waterways. I grew tired of working only on reacting to mistakes of others. This motivated me to pursue a Master’s degree. This allowed me to shift to work that proactively addressed environmental issues. Following completion of my masters I began offering services to clients that address climate change issues. This included things like emissions reduction, toxic substance reduction, climate risk and adaptation planning.

I spent a little over 10 years in consulting with the same firm. Then I branched out to establish an environmental services team for a smaller, local consulting company. The goal of this company was to have more local impact. It was through focusing on local work that I eventually landed a job with the City of London.

Working every day to ensure that a prosperous and sustainable future is available for my kids and their kids is very motivating. There is a strong sense of place in the work I do and it is rooted in what's best for our community

Working for a municipality is dynamic and exciting. There are often shifting and competing priorities. It’s a constant balancing act to manage everything. I have always been a big picture, systems thinker, so this role fits well with me. I like that I get to use my engineering and science skills, as well as my ability to relate to people and build relationships, in my job.

The decisions made by municipalities can have a huge impact on the lives of the people who live and work there. These decisions can also affect the amount of greenhouse gases that get emitted, and whether residents are protected from the impacts of climate change. Municipal services have to be aligned with the goal to have net-zero emissions by 2050. This includes such things as where and what types of roads are built and how our City grows. It also includes how waste is managed and how other services are delivered. My work plays an important role in all these issues. The actions we take today will affect the success of future generations.

I love to spend time in nature with my family, I volunteer on the steering committee for Green Economy London (an organization running a voluntary sustainability program for businesses) and play ice hockey.

Follow your passion! Every job out there can be an environmental job with the right focus and strategy. Focus on developing transferrable skills, interpersonal relationship skills. Don't be afraid to ask hard questions.

What I do at work

I work with and manage a team of planners and engineers. We evaluate and track corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions. We provide training and support to staff to help them keep climate issues in mind when they make decisions in their jobs. We may suggest changes to projects based on their environmental footprint. We also evaluate the potential climate risks to the people of London, our buildings, roads, and other structures. All this is done to inform actions and manage the implementation of London's Climate Emergency Action Plan.

I rely heavily on my STEM skills to interpret scientific information related to climate change. My STEM skills also help me evaluate and develop business cases for climate action projects. They are also used as I analyze the potential impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. These skills also play a role when I provide education and outreach to residents about my group's work. They also help me help my colleagues in the Corporation manage change in their service areas to align with City Council's climate change objectives.

My career path is

When I graduated, I started my professional career working in the private engineering consulting field. I focused on environmental site assessment and cleanup. My undergraduate degree included several 4-month co-op placements across Canada. I worked with the Toronto Transit Commission, a University research lab, and on a medical research project. The co-op program was very helpful because it exposed me to what work in different sectors looked like.

I spent 2 years in Alberta as a consultant assisting clients with cleaning up polluted lands and waterways. I grew tired of working only on reacting to mistakes of others. This motivated me to pursue a Master’s degree. This allowed me to shift to work that proactively addressed environmental issues. Following completion of my masters I began offering services to clients that address climate change issues. This included things like emissions reduction, toxic substance reduction, climate risk and adaptation planning.

I spent a little over 10 years in consulting with the same firm. Then I branched out to establish an environmental services team for a smaller, local consulting company. The goal of this company was to have more local impact. It was through focusing on local work that I eventually landed a job with the City of London.

I am motivated by

Working every day to ensure that a prosperous and sustainable future is available for my kids and their kids is very motivating. There is a strong sense of place in the work I do and it is rooted in what's best for our community

Working for a municipality is dynamic and exciting. There are often shifting and competing priorities. It’s a constant balancing act to manage everything. I have always been a big picture, systems thinker, so this role fits well with me. I like that I get to use my engineering and science skills, as well as my ability to relate to people and build relationships, in my job.

How I affect peoples’ lives

The decisions made by municipalities can have a huge impact on the lives of the people who live and work there. These decisions can also affect the amount of greenhouse gases that get emitted, and whether residents are protected from the impacts of climate change. Municipal services have to be aligned with the goal to have net-zero emissions by 2050. This includes such things as where and what types of roads are built and how our City grows. It also includes how waste is managed and how other services are delivered. My work plays an important role in all these issues. The actions we take today will affect the success of future generations.

Outside of work I

I love to spend time in nature with my family, I volunteer on the steering committee for Green Economy London (an organization running a voluntary sustainability program for businesses) and play ice hockey.

My advice to others

Follow your passion! Every job out there can be an environmental job with the right focus and strategy. Focus on developing transferrable skills, interpersonal relationship skills. Don't be afraid to ask hard questions.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Geography
  • History
  • Industrial Arts
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Business & Economics
  • Computer Science
  • Music

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Liked helping people
  • Played on a sports team
  • Was motivated by success
  • Played video games
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
  • Liked to design or build things

Related Topics

Careers Circular Economy Climate Action Climate Change Engineering Environmental Engineering Greenhouse Gases Public Safety SDG13-Climate Change Sustainability Sustainable Development

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