Biography

David Chernushenko promotes prosperous communities and healthy livelihoods by advising public, private, and non-profit organizations on adopting more sustainable and socially responsible practices.

He is an educator, author, film producer, coach and explorer of “living lightly”in our personal and professional lives. Living Lightly means minimizing our ecological footprint while maximizing positive social engagement. It implies a sense of humour and perspective about what we can and must be doing to practice ecological integrity as unique individuals.

As an elected Councillor from 2010-2018, he chaired the City of Ottawa’s Environment and Climate Protection Committee and served on the Transportation Committee, the Finance and Economic Development Committee, the Board of Health and the Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation.

His notable accomplishments include the adoption of progressive policies on urban intensification, active transit and complete streets, as well as long-term plans for a renewable energy transition and for urban forest management. During his time in office, Ottawa approved and built the first phase of a light rail system, converted a major street according to complete street principles, built multiple bridges for pedestrian and cycling users and established a strong cycling network, earning a gold Bicycle Friendly Community designation.

Born in 1963 in Calgary, he has called Ottawa home for most of his life and is a fluent French speaker. David earned a B.A. in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a Master’s in International Relations from Cambridge University. He was accredited by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as a green building professional.

He served for three years on the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) including a term as vice chair, and for six years on the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Environment Commission.

He wrote three books on sustainable management practices and co-founded Clean Air Champions, a national charity that involved athletes in tackling air pollution while promoting active living. Clean Air Champions won the 2013 International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Environment Award for outstanding initiatives in the field of environment and sustainable sport.

He has directed and produced three documentary films: Bike City, Great City(2013), Powerful: Energy for Everyone (2010) and Be the Change (2008).

An active and dedicated community volunteer, David has served as a director of the Sustainable Ottawa Energy Co-operative, and as a community ambassador for the Ottawa Sustainability Fund. He was a founding board member of Conservation Co-operative Housing Inc. in Sandy Hill, and a founding supporter of the 1,000 Solar Rooftops campaign. Ottawa’s Social Planning Council honoured him with the Marion Dewar Defender of the Public Good Award in 2010.