Martin Bourque is committed to sparking change within the environmental and social justice landscape to address the growing environmental existential threats to modern society. He thrives at the intersection of social justice, community movement building, policy development, and program implementation. Since 2000, Martin has led the Ecology Center, a community-based organization incorporated on Earth Day 1970, into a high-impact engine for change, using model local programs to drive broader advances. Martin has spearheaded new efforts such as the nation's first plastic foodware reduction ordinance, electronic food stamp access and incentives at farmers’ markets statewide, passing the nation’s first soda tax to fund health equity, and Berkeley's Climate Equity Fund. Martin is a global leader on zero waste and recycling, leveraging the nation's first curbside recycling program to keep recycling real. Martin has been a local leader on climate action helping pass Berkeley's climate action ballot measure and establishing the Berkeley Climate Action Coalition.Martin's previous experience includes promoting sustainable, organic agriculture in Central America, supporting food justice for low-income communities, and fighting policies that allow dangerous pesticide use. He served on the Community Food and Justice Coalition Board, The Grassroots Recycling Network Board, and the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board (StopWaste). Martin is a founding member of the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyceclrs (AMBR), the California Alliance of Farmers' Markets, and is an active member of the Break Free From Plastic Movement.Martin is a vocal and cogent spokesperson for environmental and justice issues speaking frequently at conferences, to key decision-makers, and in the media. He has cultivated a no-nonsense voice of truth and integrity that simultaneously challenges the status quo and is accessible to broad audiences. Martin is a trusted expert source for NPR, Politico, CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and more. He has been featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the Today Show, Discovery Chanel, and Netflix and is a central voice in the Emmy Award-winning documentary, The Story of Plastic.Martin grew up on a skateboard in the East Bay and enjoys, snowboarding, backpacking, kayaking, fishing, cooking, and gardening.Martin has a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and Environmental Policy from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior from UC San Diego.