The Quantitative Climate Science (QCS) summer school, funded by NSERC CREATE, is pleased to present the QCS Seminar Series (running from July 21-23), featuring exciting talks by invited guest speakers and QCS co-PIs.
Waterloo Climate Institute partners with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for the Americas and the Caribbean to lead international disaster risk workshop. Supply systems are fundamental to the business ecosystem. To strengthen the resilience of these supply systems in regions facing growing climate risks, there is a need to better understand how they work, identify the vulnerabilities, and recognize shared opportunities for risk reduction. This will enable better long-term investment in climate change adaptation.
Environment and Arts student, Eloise Fan, reflects on how studying her twin passions led not only to a BES, but also to academic distinction. For Eloise Fan, studying at the University of Waterloo was never about choosing a single path — it was about creating one that merged her passions for theatre and climate change.
A new technical brief from the Waterloo Climate Institute explores Direct Air Capture (DAC) as an innovative engineering approach to directly removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Contributing to the overall reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels, DAC has the potential to effectively mitigate climate change, when used in combination with permanent storage solutions. Authors Monica Ho, Vahid Barahimi and Climate Institute member Eric Croiset outline the current readiness of DAC technologies and acknowledge their limitations the latest brief.
In what could represent a milestone in ecological restoration, researchers have implemented a method capable of restoring peatlands at tens of thousands of oil and gas exploration sites in Western Canada. Researchers from the University of Waterloo led the project that involves lowering the surface of these decommissioned sites, known as well pads, and transplanting native moss onto them to effectively recreate peatlands.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are using cutting-edge Canadian technology to detect and reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. The interdisciplinary team combines infrared imaging, soil microbiology, and advanced algorithms to measure emissions from landfills and oil sites. Their work supports Canada’s net-zero goals by improving methane detection accuracy, guiding mitigation strategies, and protecting communities from climate change impacts through innovative, science-driven solutions.
For Earth Day, the University of Waterloo highlights its solar energy initiatives on the Environment 3 (EV3) building. With new solar panels and advanced measurement tools, researchers are enhancing energy literacy and exploring solar efficiency. These efforts, led by the Faculties of Environment and Engineering, aim to inspire sustainable behaviors and improve energy conservation, showcasing the university’s commitment to renewable energy and a sustainable future.
On April 8, 2025, the University of Waterloo Climate Institute hosted a national forum with nearly 200 participants to advance climate education in professional degree programs. Featuring keynote speaker Elizabeth (Shirt) Gamble, the event highlighted interdisciplinary teaching, applied learning, and student leadership. Key takeaways include boosting institutional collaboration, integrating climate-related topics into diverse curricula, and supporting climate champions. Part of the ACE project, the forum emphasized the need to embed climate education across disciplines to better prepare future professionals for climate challenges.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo examined how climate change education is being integrated into Accounting, Architecture, Engineering and Planning programs across Canada. This work provides a snapshot of the current status of climate change education and informs next steps for advancing integration into course curriculum. Led by the Waterloo Climate Institute, this research is part of a broader effort to accelerate climate adaptation education in professional degree programs.
Four Faculty of Environment members reflect on International Women's Day, sharing their thoughts on the importance of equality, leadership, and community support in their fields. They emphasize the need for recognition of women’s contributions, especially in water protection, politics, leadership, and sustainability. Their hope for the future is to create more diverse, inclusive environments where women are empowered in decision-making, leadership, and academic spaces