Educator

The education offered at the University of Toronto is distinguished by the tremendous opportunities available students to study and work with some of the world’s most eminent scholars in a wide range of fields. When it comes to studies related to energy and the environment, as in other fields, our history indicates that our students are eager to take advantage of this opportunity, and there is strong interest in these issues among our student body as a whole.

We see this interest in the pioneering advocacy of the students whose work led to the founding of Pollution Probe in 1971, and in the many students active today in the U of T Environmental Resource Network and in sustainability initiatives across our campuses. U of T students use their education – in and out of the classroom – to make a positive difference in the world. As alumni, they go on to contribute on local, national, and global stages. As a result, the University’s role as ‘educator’ extends beyond our campuses and into the spheres of civil society, industry, and public-policy making.

This page links to a collection of stories and initiatives reflecting the University’s role as an educator in the fields of sustainability, the environment, and climate change . If you have a story or idea you would like to see highlighted here, please contact us at email.utoronto.ca

Prize-winning undergraduate research takes stock of U of T’s sustainability-related courses, groups and projects

Rashad Brugmann says there’s been a “groundswell” of support for sustainability initiatives on campus – an apt choice of words considering one example lay right under his feet.

He and fellow University of Toronto students Nicolas Côté and Nathan Postma walked the narrow lanes between crops growing on Trinity College’s rooftop garden, including heirloom tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers and three kinds of eggplant.

Original article

University shows flexibility for students who want to attend climate action strike

Several faculties and campuses across the University of Toronto are encouraging their instructors to be flexible if students wish to participate in a global climate strike on Friday.

Millions of people around the world are expected to take to the streets to call for action on climate change, having been inspired by Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old whose protests outside the Swedish parliament have helped mobilize youth on every continent.

Read the full story.

With students at the forefront, U of T implements ambitious sustainability plan

Students are at the forefront of the University of Toronto’s efforts – now entering the implementation phase – to make itself a global leader in sustainability education, research and operations.

In its third annual report, the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) outlines the concrete steps it’s taking to advance sustainability-related projects and initiatives across the university.

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Using language to make the world of fossil fuels strange and ugly

They weren’t getting it.

I had a room full of bright first-year university students in front of me, but confusion reigned as I tried to describe how embedded fossil fuels are in every aspect of society.

“OK, let’s try this. What do you call a car that uses both gasoline and battery power?” Relieved to be asked a question they could confidently answer, a few students piped up: “Hybrid car!”

“Right. Now, what do you call a car that you plug in?” The number of students joining the chorus grew: “Electric car!”

“Right again. So, what do you call a car that runs only on gasoline?” The response was a bit delayed this time, but some wry smiles of understanding accompanied the answer: “A car.”

Original article

Climate change should be part of regular savings and investment decisions: U of T’s Tiff Macklem

To accelerate climate-conscious investment, we need to actively engage Canadians in the climate opportunity and make their stake in fighting climate change more tangible.

Original article

U of T entrepreneur to put reliable power in the hands of Nigeria’s people

Olugbenga Olubanjo remembers fist-pumping in celebration on Victoria Day when he found out his startup had won an award of US$10,000.

Olubanjo, who recently graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Toronto, and his team at Reeddi (pronounced “ready”) aim to bring clean, affordable and portable power to the people of Nigeria, freeing them from an expensive and unpredictable energy grid.

Original article