Issue 8

Dean's Message

From transdisciplinary research to investment in students – tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers – partnerships are key to so much of what we hope to accomplish in the Faculty of Environment. This latest edition of our ENVISION newsletter is a celebration of the partnerships inspiring us to build a sustainable, equitable future — together.

Air travel isn’t going anywhere so Waterloo is making it sustainable

Born in Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) is a historic partnership between Waterloo’s six faculties. As a hub of sustainable aviation and aerospace research, technology and education across the campus, WISA fosters transdisciplinary studies and cross-sector partnerships focused on building a more sustainable future.

This student found her dream career thanks to an Environment dean's office co-op placement

“I am really looking forward to this fellowship. It’s an opportunity I never would have imagined when I began my co-op placement with Environment. I just love meeting new people. I believe in the power of philanthropy and likeminded people coming together to impact change. I am looking forward to playing a part in that and I am looking forward to showing up at work as myself.”

Creating socially just and diverse cities starts with supporting diverse planners

The thought of building cities compelled planning alumnus Eldon Theodore (BES ’02) to begin his studies in architecture. But it was the support from people who believed in him and a curious fascination with urban planning that led him to transfer to the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo and ultimately a prominent career as partner at MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Limited (MHBC), a top urban planning firm.

2021 Faculty of Environment Alumni Awards announced

Successful partnerships are at the heart of any great endeavour — just ask the five incredible recipients of this year’s alumni awards.

Machine learning emulation allows researchers to catch the fine details in climate change

Thanks to a partnership with Microsoft AI for Earth via Waterloo AI Institute, Environment researcher Chris Fletcher and graduate students John Virgin (GEM) and William McNally (MASc ’18) (ENG) developed a machine learning technique to effectively, and more efficiently, identify optimal parameters for the calibration of Earth System Models (ESMs).

Canada’s first degree to merge sustainability and financial management now on offer

The Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management (BSFM) program brings together teaching and research expertise from Waterloo’s world-class School of Accounting and Finance and its pioneering Faculty of Environment. Students will not only master the practices of accounting and financial management, but also delve into environmental law, social equality, carbon emissions and ecosystem science.

Class Notes

See what your fellow alumni are up to

Wondering what your classmates have been up to? Find out who's been promoted, who's launched a new project, who's published a book and who's started a family. Catch up, then submit an update of your own for next issue’s Class Notes.