For most of us, the past week and month have been uncharted waters regarding global health challenges related to COVID-19 and economic turmoil. However, resilience is what we do best here in Environment. It’s times like these that I’m proud of the community we have and the sense of solidarity we all share to keep each other safe and informed.
In 50 years, the Faculty of Environment has transformed itself from being the problem framers to becoming the problem solvers. I’ve been here for nearly 30 years of that transformation, and having been reappointed to a two-year term as Dean of Environment, I am excited to continue our evolution as Canada’s centre for transdisciplinary learning, research and teaching.
Today, sustainability is a driver of modernization, where industry and environment, ecology and economy are not conflicting goals, but rather intrinsically linked. It’s with this perspective we introduce our Faculty of Environment’s 2020-2025 strategic plan: TOGETHER for a sustainable future.
It’s a plan to firmly establish Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment as Canada’s catalyst for environmental innovation, solutions and talent generation, bringing partners from across disciplines and sectors together.
The University of Waterloo has always been different. Since its inception it’s worked deliberately ahead of the curve to deliver inventive and pragmatic solutions to global challenges. Today there is no greater challenge than that of climate change. Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide, Environment is poised to lead Waterloo, and the global sustainability community in transforming our economy, our cities, our society, and how we care for our planet
While I encourage all to read TOGETHER for a sustainable future, I’d like to outline three ways we plan on accelerating our sustainability efforts and deliver on our promise.
Goal 1 is to be Canada’s leader in environmental and sustainability education. Find out how the Lewitt Family Foundation’s Knowledge Integration Experiential fund supports students to enhance their learning experience.
Goal 2 is to achieve increased impact through national and global leadership in environmental and sustainability research. That’s why Canada Research Chair Christine Dow is trekking to the ends of the earth to gather ice melt data scientists all over the world will use to set a timetable for our climate emergency.
Goal 3 is building on what’s always made us unique — demonstrate an ethos of caring in all that we do. That’s why we’re identifying cross sector partners who share our values and can offer resources, mentorship and support to our community. This spirit is exemplified by generous donors such as homegrown footwear company KEEN, who are supporting the next generation of sustainability leaders through the Global Citizen Internship program.
This plan unites us and makes us believe in our individual and collective potential. Regardless of where we are from, where we work, we can re-connect, innovate and scale solutions to support the transition to a sustainable future – TOGETHER.
