News

COP23 Delegation in Bonn, Germany

The 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties (“COP23”) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is currently underway in Bonn, Germany. We are very excited to have selected a delegation from the University of Waterloo to participate in this incredible experience and contribute to the global climate change dialogue.

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation  (ICCA) has a launched a new report Preventing Disaster before It Strikes: Developing a Canadian Standard for Flood-Resilient Residential Communities.

University of Waterloo Delegation to the UNFCCC Climate Negotiations "COP23" (Bonn, Germany - Nov 6-17th 2017)

Do you have a strong interest in global climate governance?  Would you be able to further your research interests or career aspirations by interacting with delegates from across the world at COP23?  Are you keen to act in a leadership role to engage others on campus, in the community and on the international stage in discussions about climate change? 

Save the Date!

September 21st, 2017 marks the three-year anniversary of the People’s Climate March – and the official launch of a Canadian grassroots documentary inspired by a global movement. You are warmly invited!

AquaHacking 2017 semi-final pitch competition

The Water Institute is hosting the AquaHacking semi-finals on June 21, from 5-9 p.m. at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Join the Water Institute as aspiring water entrepreneurs pitch their solutions to problems facing Lake Erie.

Click here for more information and to register for the event!

A recent study led by the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC³) and Partners for Action (P4A) at the University of Waterloo demonstrates that, although the risk of floods may be on the rise, risk awareness from homeowners is lacking.

The researchers surveyed 2,300 Canadian households and found that in general, Canadians are not aware of their flood risks and are unprepared for flooding events.

Due to the growing number of costly and severe flooding events in communities across Canada, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation (Intact Centre - University of Waterloo), have announced a joint effort to develop a new report on nationally applicable best practices for flood-resilient greenfield community design.

The Record recently featured an article on Elizabeth English, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, who is leading a team of researchers on a project to help manage flood-prone areas of the Grand River.

The Globe and Mail, January 2nd, 2017

Thomas Homer-Dixon is a professor in the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the faculty of environment at the University of Waterloo.

Those of us concerned about climate change generally inhabit an old-fashioned reality-based world. Scientific research and evidence drive our concern. Although we wish the climate problem would vanish – because, among other things, we want our kids and grandkids to have a safe future – that motivation doesn’t override what science tells us. And science tells us that climate change is a grave threat to humanity.

In March 2016, Canada's First Ministers agreed to develop a pan-Canadian framework to achieve Canada's international commitments in the Paris Agreement.