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David Adema
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Consultant
, International Conservation
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Olympic Valley,
United States
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Environmental Sustainability Consultant, with 15 years experience in multiple regions (US, APAC, Europe) in both non-profit and commercial sectors; expertise in sustainable development, applied conservation and social impact project design, marketing, communications and finance. Built relationships with philanthropic trusts, industry and political executives in the Philippines and Western Pacific. |
 Contact David Adema
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Area of Expertise: |
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Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
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Professional Experience: |
Palau Conservation Society
As a Development Officer for Palau Conservation Society (PCS), I set about scaling the impact of our organization given the constraints of geographical isolation and limited access to internet. I sought a way to highlight the immense biodiversity which PCS is devoted to conserving.
I approached a leading bird ID app publisher, iBird, with a proposal to create an app dedicated to Palau's avifauna. I shared the story of the endangered Palau Megapode, and the impacts of climate change and development on the species. The communication of this story won iBird's commitment to create the app. As a result, I was able to scale a small organizations message to millions of users. The app created a low-cost means of promoting Palau's avian diversity to a billion dollar global birding market. Ultimately, this will lead to a more robust and diversified tourism market for Palau while promoting the work of PCS.
Peace Corps - Philippines 2006-2008
One of my projects emerged in response to an algal bloom crisis in Sorsogon Bay that persisted for nearly 2 years. In cooperation with the Municipal government and a local NGO we implemented a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The primary objective was to provide livelihood opportunities for fishermen forced into unemployment due to a ban of shellfish production resulting from the algal bloom. What materialized was the beginning of a long-term ecologically and economically viable solution. Compost products generated from the MRF are sold to local farmers at more affordable rates than commercial fertilizers, encouraging organic farming and reducing the nutrient loads that can cause algal blooms. Other opportunities that developed included the sale of scrap materials, handicrafts and the production of construction materials made from the shells of mussels that couldn’t be sold as food products.
Julia Campbell Argo-forestry Memorial Park (JCAMP)
The JCAMP, was dedicated in memorial to a Peace Corps volunteer I served with in the Philippines. The park serves as a sanctuary for the threatened and endangered flora and fauna of the region, specifically it's a sanctuary for the Philippine civet and deer.
To support the park financially, we focused on the sale of wild, organic, shade-grown varieties of Robusta and Arabica civet coffee to foreign markets. The premium price of the coffee is shared with indigenous farmers and students that are allowed to freely collect coffee to finance their education . The coffee is purchased at approximately ten times the buying price of ordinary coffee, providing a substantial portion of annual income to local beneficiaries.
Conclusion
These projects required a complex understanding of bureaucratic processes and the ability to incorporate community needs and concerns into mutually agreeable and economically feasible solutions. These experiences enriched my understanding of the procedures and etiquette required to ensure a projects suc
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Education: |
M.Sc. Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden
Focus: Sustainability Planning in Complex Systems September 2008 - June 2009
B.S. Business Administration
The University of Montana, Missoula
Major: Business Management Minor: Accounting January 1999 – May 2003
My education was self-tailored since undergraduate studies to focus on sustainability planning for commerce and conservation. It wasn't until the mid 2000s, that a handful of Masters level programs with a focus on Sustainability Planning began to emerge globally. This is a field with broad applications that when properly executed, evaluates all elements of a system. Simply focusing on GHGs, recycling or energy omits the laws of physics that define sustainability. I have a very deep understanding of sustainability, its application to myriad projects and across all socio-economic backgrounds.
I choose to work in a developing context to build a comprehensive world view of the global sustainability challenge. In order to properly understand any system, we must adequately understand the needs of those with the least, as often, they are the guardians of the resources extracted by those with the most.
Using my experiences and education, I have developed the ability to enter into highly complex social and environmental systems and motivate local commitment to generate sustainable results. I am extremely comfortable with new situations and being required to learn the important players and individuals capable of generating continuity and long-term system change.
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
-Project Design and Management for USAID Grants Program Certification.
-321 Hours cultural sensitivity, communication strategy, community development &engagement training.
-Product and service evaluation using SimaPro Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) Carbon footprint Software.
-English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) certified instructor, Literacy Volunteers of America.
-Proficient web design: Adobe CS, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Fireworks and Photoshop. MS Visio/Access
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Years of Experience:
10-15 years |
Highest Qualification:
Masters |
Languages:
English, Tagalog. Bikol: Naga & Sorsogon dialects |
Nationality:
United States
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