News

Amid rising oil prices stemming from sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian government is pressing Michigan to end its opposition to the transnational Line-5 pipeline. Geography and Environmental Management professor Grant Gunn explains the environmental concerns regarding the pipeline being situated at the bottom of lakes that annually freeze over.

A recent publication, co-authored by Dawn Parker of the Environment’s School of Planning and Waterloo’s Institute for Complexity and Innovation, reveals 10 facts that help explain the fundamental challenges of achieving sustainability in land use, and point toward solutions.

As witnessed in recent weeks, rising seas, swollen atmospheric rivers and post-tropical storms are a threat to community infrastructure, housing and the safety of those living along Canada’s east and west coasts.

It’s the time of the year to look back and reflect,  

To count lessons and blessings, to reach out and connect.  

And while we’re sure you’ve clocked enough screen-time this year,  

We hope these four minutes bring you good cheer.   

By protecting, better managing, and restoring nature, Canada can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, concludes Nature United’s ground-breaking Natural Climate Solutions for Canada. The new study published in Science Advances shows that Natural Climate Solutions can help Canada mitigate up to 78 Mt CO2e annually in 2030—an amount equal to the current greenhouse gas emissions from powering every single home in Canada for about three years.

In 2018 heritage conservation expert Dan Schneider joined the Faculty of Environment as a collaborator for its Heritage Resource Centre (HRC). As part of this mandate HRC began hosting Schneider’s heritage policy blog OHA+M. OHA+M has become a respected source of information and commentary on Ontario’s legal and policy framework for cultural heritage as well as current public policy initiatives and issues.

One of the Faculty’s goals in its Strategic Plan is to “Demonstrate an ethos of caring in all that we do.”  Also, we remain committed to living our values of respect and inclusion for all.  As we work toward delivering on these promises, don’t be afraid to reach out to your advisor, your chair/director or to me to share your ideas and to let us know how we can help to make your experiences here more positive, and our community stronger. 

Each year, the Dean of Environment’s Scholarship for Excellence is awarded to up to five incoming undergraduate Environment students. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, and their commitment to the environment. Meet the Fall 2020 winners.