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20 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2024 In the electronics industry, we talk a lot about sustainability in terms of recruitment and retention of the next generation of engineers. But what if the key to sustaining the industry long into the future is through the more com- mon definition of the word? What if, for just a moment, we think about sustainability in terms of the environment and what we as an industry are doing to care for it? Because, if you weren't aware, Gen Z cares tremendously about the environment and the actions companies are taking to preserve it. Without Gen Z joining the electronics industry's workforce, we won't be able to sustain the industry for much longer. Why should companies care about Gen Z's love for the environment? For starters, it is believed Gen Z values environmental sustainability much more than their elder counterparts. According Attracting 'Generation Green' to a recent study 1 , 62% of Gen Z shoppers prefer to buy from sustainable brands, with 73% will- ing to pay more for sustainable products. Shop- ping habits are just the beginning. Gen Zers (like all of us) want to live and work in communities that value sustainable practices. According to another survey 2 , 64% of Gen Z noted the impor- tance of an employer to act on environmental issues. In fact, 54% would take a pay cut to work for a business that reflects their ethics. is passion for the world around us has long held importance to the newest generation, but it seems only to be growing with the rise of social media. In October 2021, TikTok recorded a view count of over two billion on hashtags #NatureLover and #EarthDay in a mere year's time. Today's digital climate allows for influ- encers to push agendas they deem important to The New Chapter Feature Column by Paige Fiet, TTM-LOGAN