Like climate change, biodiversity loss and natural resource degradation are among the greatest threats to humanity, and researchers in the Faculty of Environment are committed to finding effective responses. We pair scientific expertise on a wide range of ecosystems with people- and governance-centred research to mobilize knowledge for impact. This is why UW ranks first in Canada and top tier internationally for water resources research; our agriculture sector researchers are among the most-highly cited in their field globally; we co-lead networks on biodiversity capacity building, food security, and small fishery viability; and our cryospheric scientists developed and host the Polar Data Catalogue.
Researchers unearthing solutions for a living planet
Research that goes from bedrock to biosphere
Working across every level, from the classroom to the field to the policy committee table, our researchers are mobilizing the latest knowledge to protect and restore biodiversity and manage resources sustainably in a rapidly changing world. Our globally recognized scholars partner with leading conservation organizations in Canada and around the world to deepen understanding, broaden impact, and address urgent environmental challenges such as restoring ecosystems damaged by economic activity, mitigating flooding and heat risks caused by climate change, and finding ways to balance growth and development with environmental protection.
Working to define and build a sustainable future
Lumet integrates engineering, sustainability science and management to “illuminate” environmental and social performance along mineral value chains. The project’s Canadian-focused research maps voluntary sustainability standards and partners with industry to address the patchwork of ESG requirements facing producers. The Waterloo Industrial Ecology Group (WIEG) was founded in June 2016 with a vision to promote collaborative research and teaching in the field of industrial ecology. The group researchers and proposes solutions to the challenges of sustainable development in the systems of production and consumption that power the 21st century economy.
Help us safeguard our planet
The future of our ecosystems depends on leaders who can bridge the gap between scientific expertise and real-world action. Discover how you can study and work alongside top researchers to restore habitats and secure vital resources for a resilient tomorrow.
