ENVS 474: Energy and Society

In this newly offered field course, explore the past, present, and future of energy systems in Southern Ontario. This course takes you on a deep dive into the region's energy infrastructure, its sustainability challenges, and the governance strategies shaping its future.

This course provides students with an understanding of the historical roots, the contemporary landscape, and the future prospects regarding the energy systems upon which Southern Ontario relies for prosperity.  Focusing upon these systems’ infrastructure (in their material, political, and economic senses), the sustainability impact of alternative arrangements – and the governance strategies to advance different outcomes – will be investigated.  Studying of stakeholder perspectives, literature investigations, and the like will be complemented by site-visits to parts of the infrastructure in Southern Ontario. 

Course requirements

Please note that this course has enrolment requirements. The best candidate for the course must:

complete all steps of the enrolment process and wait for instructor consent

• Four of the days MAY look like this:
  • Example day i:  UW classroom from 10am-12noon; and an individual meeting for 10 minutes with the instructor sometime in the 2pm-4pm period.
  • Example day ii:  UW classroom from 10am-12noon; meeting at an office on Regina Street South in Waterloo at 2pm; day ends at this office at 3:30pm.
  • Example day iii:  Meet at the EV3 ‘pull-in’ at 8am to board a bus to travel somewhere in southwestern Ontario, to return at 5pm (if traffic is ok) or 6pm (if traffic is bad).
  • Example day iv:  Meet at an office on University Avenue in Toronto at 10am (for discussions until 12noon); meet at an office on York Street in Toronto at 1:30pm; day ends in Toronto by 4pm.

Travel costs

This course requires students to be responsible for their own travel expenses. Full-time, fees-arranged undergraduate students automatically receive a Grand River Transit (GRT) U-Pass that covers the cost of most regional visits. Part-time students (less than 1.5 units in Spring 2025) should review GRT fare options prior to selecting this course. Note that visits outside of the region have additional travel costs applicable to all students, including GO transit fares and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) tickets. To reduce costs, students are encouraged to travel together to access GO Transit weekday group fare. 

Expected Cost Breakdown:

• Grand River Transit (GRT) U-Pass included in full-time undergraduate student fees. If not eligible, expect $8.00 per travel day; estimated to be two-three days total. 
• GO Transit is approximately $40.00 per day (without Presto Card or weekday group fare discount); estimated to be one day total. 
• Three Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) tickets for travel in Toronto is approximately $10.00 per day; estimated to be one day total.

Ian is a Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability.  Most relevant for this course is that the energy transition is his core academic interest, and he has published a lot in this area (see his Google Scholar entry for more information). Additionally, he has contributed to energy governance issues, working previously with, for instance, the International Energy Agency, Natural Resources Canada, and the Ontario Power Authority. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Waterloo Region Community Energy.  More information about Ian can be found at his LinkedIn page.