��ݮ��Ƶ News - Environment

Rockin’ around the sustainable Christmas tree

Chantal Vallis — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ researchers are helping to make a much-loved holiday tradition more sustainable all year round

A balsam fir for its sweet fragrance or a white pine for its soft needles?

Picking a real Christmas tree is a beloved tradition for many and a proven environmentally friendly choice. But as our climate changes, tree growers are having to adapt to new conditions from shifting seasons to the arrival of unfamiliar pests. While the challenges are significant, innovation is growing.

Housed in the Faculty of Environment, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Christmas Tree Lab empowers Christmas tree growers year-round with research and science-based tools that strengthen sustainability and resilience across the industry.

With more than 1,300 farms across Canada, it’s no small task, but the Lab saw some major successes this past year. The team launched a public education series titled Christmas in July and catalogued the history of the Christmas tree industry over the past century. Most notably, they published a Growers Glossary in partnership with the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario (CTFO).

The Growers Glossary made its debut at the Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario’s Annual Field Day.

Developed in close collaboration with farmers, the Grower’s Glossary integrates practical insights from the field with research-based recommendations, ensuring it meets the needs of producers whether they are seasoned owners or new to the industry. The process was deeply collaborative, with growers offering feedback and the guide being officially launched at the CTFO’s Annual Field Day in Listowel.

The yearly event is designed to highlight new technology, research and best practices in the industry. From site planning and soil management to irrigation strategies that address increasingly unpredictable weather, the day offered practical learning that reflects the growing importance of adapting to a changing climate.

Farmers share knowledge about pruning strategies at the 2026 CTFO Field Day.

“The more we can raise awareness that field days like this are happening across the country, the better,” says Dr. Kelsey Leonard, professor in the Faculty of Environment and director of the lab. “They’re spaces where research isn’t just shared, it’s put into action. Attending is pivotal to doing community-engaged research because it’s about meeting people where they’re at.”

For the past 50 years, the University has been a leader in sustainability research and education, and the Faculty of Environment has been a catalyst for environmental innovation, solutions and talent developed with the world, for the world.

With the holiday season right around the corner, initiatives related to Christmas trees are picking up.

“We have some exciting work planned in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and an article with the Great Lakes Christmas Tree Journal”, says Alison Clarke, research associate.

Looking ahead to next year, the team is applying for funding to advance work on tree health, recognizing the growing need for localized technical capacity to address emerging pests and diseases.

“We've built the trust and the relationships now that farmers are bringing these concerns to us, but the type of research network and institutional capacity that's needed requires an increase in dedicated funding,” Leonard says.

As the lab continues building its research capacity and strengthening partnerships with growers, the broader impact propelling this work remains clear: buying a real Christmas tree helps protect local ecosystems and supports family-run farms across Canada, benefiting both people and the planet.

Environment

Research

Sustainable Futures

Four Indigenous scholars bridge Traditional Knowledge with modern practices

Sam Charles — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Researchers awarded funding to investigate ecology, climate change, repatriation, health and well-being through cultural and historical lens

Four Indigenous students at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ are the recipients of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) awards. The $392,000 in funding supports research in the Faculties of Arts, Environment and Health and bring together Traditional Knowledge and western science.

“We are pleased to celebrate these exceptional students who are each playing an important role in incorporating Traditional cultural practices into their work at ��ݮ��Ƶ,” says Dr. John Lewis, director of Indigenous Faculty Relations. “Their contributions to academia, our campus community and broader communities represent another step in our reconciliation journey.”

The SSHRC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship and the SSHRC Indigenous Scholars Awards support exceptional student researchers and are intended to increase participation in academic research and promote work that is informed by the successful candidate’s experience as a First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis person.

SSHRC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship provides $40,000 per year for doctoral students over three years while the SSHRC Indigenous Scholars Award funds a student with up to $32,000 over 12 months.

The funded research investigates a range of areas, including reconstructing historical changes in ecology, the reparations of Wampum belts, climate impacts on Inuit traditional practices and the development of culturally meaningful leisure for Indigenous Elders.

Tara Ryan (BES ’25, MES in progress) | Faculty of Environment

Tara Ryan’s research explores place-based relationships and shifting behaviours of Inuit attitudes and berry-picking practices in Labrador. It highlights climate-change related threats to bakeapples and traditional customs.

Bakeapples, also known as appet and cloudberries, grow in bogs across Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Quebec. Picking of the berries and the berries themselves play important cultural role in Inuit communities.

Through integrating Inuit knowledge and perceptions of change into the research, its findings are intended to augment the understanding of how traditional resources may evolve due to climate change and how resource anxiety impacts the Inuit of Labrador.

Dale Ashley Bellaire (BA ’20, PhD in progress) | Faculty of Health

As the population of Indigenous Canadians over the age of 60 continues to grow, so too does the need to honour and support their distinct health and well-being. Using a Medicine Wheel framework, Dale Bellaire’s research focuses on decolonizing long-term care (LTC) by creating culturally meaningful spaces and activities that nurture connection, belonging and identity. This includes integrating language, traditional foods, spiritual and cultural practices and community-based activities that reflect the holistic needs of Indigenous Elders. 

Bellaire’s study engages Elders and community members as collaborators in every stage of the research. 

The outcomes will highlight the vitality of Indigenous cultural expression and promote its inclusion within LTC environments to enhance social connection, resilience and quality of life for Indigenous Elders. 

Kian Drew (BSc ’22, MSc ‘25, PhD in progress) | Faculty of Environment

Working alongside Miawpukek First Nation, Kian Drew is investigating the Little River Estuary on the south coast of Newfoundland.

The project takes a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that brings together Indigenous and western ways of knowing. By analyzing sediment cores collected from culturally significant areas and connecting them to Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge, the research will reconstruct historical changes in water levels, vegetation and disturbance events such as storms, flooding and traditional burning.

The findings aim to inform conservation strategies and community-focused planning for at-risk ecosystems, offering sustainable pathways for coastline and peatland stewardship.

Savannah Sloat (PhD in progress) | Faculty of Arts

Building upon previous Haudenosaunee-led research, Savannah Sloat is documenting and preserving community stories and knowledge systems related to Wampum as a living aspect of Haudenosaunee culture.

The project will explore assertions of Haudenosaunee sovereignty through first-hand accounts of cultural reclamation.

The intent is to develop a complete chronicling of the 1988 repatriation of 11 wampum belts to the Six Nations Confederacy on the Grand River through the accounts of community members who participated in the repatriation. Through these stories, Sloat hopes to share a greater understanding of the ongoing narrative of Haudenosaunee sovereignty.

As part of its ongoing reconciliation initiatives, ��ݮ��Ƶ provides research support to Indigenous faculty, students and staff through the Indigenous Research Team within the Office of Research. The team is responsible for supporting and strengthening Indigenous research capacity at the University and beyond.

Seven ��ݮ��Ƶ-made wonders for your holiday shopping list

Darren Mc Almont — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:45:00 +0000

Shop Canadian this holiday season with festive porch plants, fashion-forward apparel, craft spirits and more from ��ݮ��Ƶ entrepreneurs

��ݮ��Ƶ is Canada's top university for entrepreneurship, fostering ecosystems where students turn big and small ideas into thriving businesses across every industry imaginable.

As the excitement of the holiday season ramps up, we're thrilled to share seven Canadian companies with ties to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ that offer perfect gift ideas for your shopping list — each with a warm story of passion, creativity and giving back.

Apparel:

Peace Collective

Yanal Dhailieh’s (BSc ’12) journey from ��ݮ��Ƶ student to founder of Peace Collective began with a simple idea and a self-taught design hobby that grew into a purpose-driven Canadian brand. What started as small batches of T-shirts evolved into a national label known for its clean aesthetic and its commitment to giving back. To date, the company has donated $423,439 with a mission to donate $1 million by 2030, making Peace Collective a gift that carries meaning and purpose this season.

Arts and Literature

Made of Honour

Made of Honour began as a simple creative side project and has blossomed into a handcrafted stationery and wax-seal brand built by Bernice Ma (BA ’15, MDEI ’18). What began as creating wax seals for her own wedding invitations has grown into hundreds of unique, beautifully packaged seals, wax kits and DIY stamp sets loved by more than 290,000 followers online. Choosing Made of Honour for sealing and mailing or personally delivering your holiday cards and gifts means giving more than pretty stationery. It becomes a keepsake-worthy accent to your thoughtful notes and beautifully wrapped presents. In a season full of mass-produced gifts, these small, artisanal pieces serve as a heartfelt, meaningful gesture.

Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma

Inspired by his father’s closest friend, Ian White, to study theatre at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Tim Gentle (BA ’96) was thrilled to publish White’s new children’s book, Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma. “I grew up hearing Snowball in many forms,” Gentle says. “For more than thirty years, Ian refined every line, sharpening the rhythm, wordplay and the storytelling tradition he loved.” From 2010 to 2017, White shared the story at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, bringing joy to families each Christmas. After reconnecting and working together for years, Snowball is now a beautifully illustrated book — and an Official Children’s Book of the 2025 Toronto Santa Claus Parade, read by Santa himself. Available on Amazon or by arranged pick-up in Toronto.

Craft and Spirits

Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery

Nestled on a family farm in Ayr, Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewer is a holiday gift for anyone who appreciates craft spirits with heart. Co-founded by brothers Jordan Vanderheyden (BES ’13) and Nolan Vanderheyden (BASc ’16), the distillery blends tradition and innovation. Their flagship is a barrel-aged amber gin, matured in oak for a rich, smooth flavour, available on the farm and on shelves at the LCBO. Choosing Willibald for a gift means giving more than a drink — it's a story of family legacy, sustainability and ��ݮ��Ƶ-rooted craftsmanship.

Foods:

Red Cap Hot Sauce

Looking for a unique gift for the foodie in your circle? Red Cap Hot Sauce puts “flavour first, heat second.” The small-batch sauce is an authentic Trinidadian recipe that uses locally grown scotch bonnet and habanero peppers (when in season) and lemon and lime juices for a fresh taste. No-water added means the sauce will last you longer. The company was founded by ��ݮ��Ƶ alum Sanathan Kassiedass (MES ’16) in 2023, and this season they are giving a meal to someone in need for each bottle sold. You can pick up a bottle in person at Goodness Me and Nature’s Emporium, and online at Healthy Planet and Amazon, among other retailers.

SPATULA

SPATULA Foods makes a thoughtful holiday gift for anyone who craves great food but lacks the time to cook it. Co-founded by ��ݮ��Ƶ alum Ian Weng (MAcc ’13), the company was born from his time in France during the pandemic, when he was amazed by the wide selection of restaurant-quality frozen meals not always found in Canada. Partnering with Michelin-trained chefs, SPATULA now offers flash-frozen dishes that heat in minutes without sacrificing freshness or flavour. From rich pastas to chef-crafted entrées, each meal feels like a night out — delivered straight to someone’s home. It’s a practical, premium and comfort-filled gift, perfect for busy families, new parents, or anyone who loves good food made easy. For the holidays, SPATULA’s subscription boxes or Discovery Boxes make perfect gifts.

Home and Garden

LandscapeDirect

By tapping into the entrepreneurship ecosystem at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Blake Patterson’s (BAFM ’22) path from University of ��ݮ��Ƶ student to co-founder of LandscapeDirect reflects the power of a simple idea executed thoughtfully. From pitching the concept of an easier way to buy plants at a Velocity Pitch Competition, LandscapeDirect has grown into Canada’s first fully online garden centre, now featuring Foli, a one-stop shop for your indoor gardening needs. The company brings convenience and quality to greenery for every season. Their holiday collection features fresh porch pots, festive wreaths and winter arrangements delivered right to the door.

New framework released to build climate-resilient shorelines

Pamela Smyth — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:53:59 +0000

Canada must act to protect the longest marine and freshwater coastlines in the world from the surge of climate change

Canada has a marine coastline twice as long as any other country and shares four Great Lakes with the United States. A new report warns that without coordinated planning, coastal communities face increasing flooding and erosion as climate change accelerates.

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, in collaboration with the Standards Council of Canada, developed new national guidance to help governments and communities strengthen shoreline resilience. The report, Managing Rising Risks: Climate-Resilient Shorelines for Canada, provides a practical framework for developing Regional Shoreline Management Plans (RSMPs) that integrate science, policy, and local priorities.

In recent weeks, the vulnerability of Canada’s shorelines became evident when the remnants of Hurricane Melissa forced evacuations in Newfoundland and Labrador as wind-driven waters surged over seawalls. As storms and hurricanes intensify due to irreversible climate change, strengthening Canada’s marine and Great Lakes shorelines is essential to protect communities and secure Canada’s capacity to conduct commerce through coastal ports.

The new framework aligns with recommendations from the recent UN Climate Change conference, COP30, which warn of the need to prepare the world’s coastlines from the worsening impacts of storm surge and sea level rise. According to the World Meteorological Association, global mean sea level is increasing at approximately 5 mm per year. Despite these escalating risks, Canada lacks a coordinated national approach to shoreline management.

“The existing gaps in coastal standards have left coastal communities vulnerable to the increasing impacts of climate change,” said Chantal Guay, CEO, Standards Council of Canada. “By providing Canadian-specific direction, this report will guide our communities toward concrete recommendations to address unique regional challenges.”

The guidance outlines nine stages toward regional shoreline protection, including establishing regional committees, engaging Indigenous communities, and integrating outcomes into emergency-management systems — aligned with the international ISO 31000 Risk Management Standard.

“Protecting Canada’s shorelines is critical to our national climate resilience,” said Dr. Anabela Bonada, managing director, climate science at the Intact Centre. “This framework provides clear recommendations for governments to plan collaboratively, respect Indigenous governance rights, and invest in shoreline solutions that protect people, property, and ecosystems for generations to come.”

Top five recommendations from the report:

Combine nature-based and engineered solutions to build resilience.
Co-develop strategies with Indigenous governments and ensure Indigenous leadership guides decisions at every stage.
Manage shorelines based on how water and sediment naturally move through the landscape.
Create clear laws and policies so everyone follows the same approach.
Strengthen coordination and collaboration across all levels of government.

The guidance is intended to support all levels of government and Indigenous communities, along with conservation authorities, industry partners, and community organizations, as they work to include climate resilience in shoreline decision-making.

“By learning from international experience and traditional knowledge, we can build coastlines that are both climate-resilient and socially equitable,” said Kathryn Bakos, managing director, finance and resilience, Intact Centre. “This report moves Canada toward the national coordination needed to protect communities and infrastructure from rising risks.”

The Standards Council of Canada works with a vast network of partners nationally and around the world, acting as Canada’s voice on standards and accreditation on the international stage.

Environment

Research

Sustainable Futures

10 ��ݮ��Ƶ entrepreneurs to watch

Darren Mc Almont — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:15:00 +0000

From transforming solutions for homeownership to advancing health care interventions, ��ݮ��Ƶ talent continues to disrupt industries and drive change

As Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 begins, we’re spotlighting 10 standout entrepreneurs from the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ — students and alumni who are challenging norms, redefining industries and building a better future. These innovators are not only making waves in their respective fields but are also setting the pace for what’s next for society, health, technology, the economy and sustainability.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide celebration of innovation, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also a time to recognize the bold thinkers and builders who turn ideas into impact.

We’re proud to showcase ventures that exemplify ��ݮ��Ƶ’s enduring commitment to entrepreneurship that inspires global change through bold vision and relentless drive.

Aileen Agada-Davidson (BASc ’21, MBET ’24): BeBlended

After being turned away from 15 hair salons due to a lack of expertise with Afro-curly hair, Aileen Agada set out to solve the problem for others facing the same challenge. With support from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Enterprise Co-op program, she launched BeBlended — an online marketplace that connects clients with freelance hairstylists trained in Afro-curly hair care. The platform also streamlines business operations for stylists by handling scheduling, payments, client management and bookkeeping. To date, BeBlended has facilitated thousands of transactions, supporting more than 1,500 clients and 150 stylists nationwide, with plans underway for global expansion.

Nicholas Cheng (MSc ’25): Evolv

With a research background in biotechnology, Nicholas Cheng always wondered why sustainability seemed to be so costly, so he began to think like an entrepreneur. Supported by GreenHouse and Velocity — ��ݮ��Ƶ’s centres of entrepreneurship — Cheng launched Evolv, a company dedicated to delivering advanced technological solutions that evolve to solve their client's specific problems while suiting the industry’s best practices. Its flagship project leverages enhanced chemical solutions to extract clean water from Alberta’s oil sands tailings ponds. “Evolv bridges the gap between financial and environmental responsibility, so that corporations can meet consumer demands while saving the planet,” he says.

Charlie Frise (BASc ’23): TinyBox

With a background in construction and a degree in Architectural Engineering from ��ݮ��Ƶ, Charlie Frise knew that to solve the housing supply crisis, one solution would be to develop scalable manufacturing of homes that can be quickly assembled with their own utilities. This led him to collaborate with like-minded individuals to develop and launch Tinybox, a revolutionary company using aerospace technology to build homes in as little as 48 hours — anywhere you want. “I'm leveraging my skills as an architectural engineer to grow the adoption of our innovative building system,” he says. “Tinybox delivered for its first seven customers in 2025 and is gearing up for more deliveries in 2026, including a new two-bedroom home model.”

Christy Lee (BASc ’24): PatientCompanion

After volunteering at hospitals and long-term care homes, Christy Lee found that the current communication call system could be improved to manage patient requests according to priority. This led her to develop PatientCompanion — an intuitive app that allows patients to articulate their needs clearly using icons, words or voice-to-text functionality. The revolutionary patient-nurse communications tool ensures nurses receive prioritized alerts on their devices, enabling them to manage and respond to patient needs efficiently. After conducting pilot projects at Brightshores Health System and ��ݮ��Ƶ Regional Health Network, PatientCompanion has been adopted by Brightshores as a seamless integration into existing workflows, enhancing care quality and improving nurse retention, while maintaining privacy compliance.

Dr. Sadegh Raeisi (PhD ’14): Foqus Technologies

During his PhD at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Dr. Sadegh Raeisi’s research focused on the applications of quantum technologies. In 2021, he co-founded Foqus Technologies, an innovation transforming magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by cutting scan times from more than 45 minutes to just five. Leveraging quantum algorithms and machine learning to enhance MRI, Foqus' solution significantly improves access for medical imaging by increasing MRI throughput and reducing MRI wait-times, which average around 90 days in Canada. The first version of the software has been successfully validated by radiologists in a pilot study and has received FDA clearance and Health Canada approval for commercialization in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Rishard Rameez: Zown

While pursuing a PhD in nanotechnology at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Rishard Rameez developed a mindset for leveraging technology to solve real-world problems. That foundation led him to co-found Zown — an AI-powered real-estate platform designed to disrupt traditional brokerage models by putting homebuyers’ interests first. Drawing on his academic training, Rameez applied analytical rigor and platform thinking to create an affordable, transparent alternative in the housing market. His initiative reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation-driven culture cultivated at ��ݮ��Ƶ. Zown was listed in Time Magazine Best Inventions of 2025, has now helped more than $300 million in transactions and more than 500 people transition from renting to owning. Zown has expanded from Canada into the U.S., expecting to reach $14 million in revenue by the end of 2025.

Rastin Rassoli (BCS in progress): Doro

After a long wait to see a psychotherapist for care, Rastin Rassoli was driven to create Doro — a mental wellness chatbot. With traditional therapy costing around $100 per hour, Doro was designed to offer accessible support at just $26 monthly. Combining advanced computer science with psychology research, the app helps individuals experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, stress or low mood. Through conversational AI and personalized activities, Doro delivers immediate, tailored support. Since its official launch in 2025, the Velocity startup has been adopted by the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Campus Wellness and 30 mental health clinics across Ontario and Alberta.

Mazhar Shahen (BSc ’22, MASc in progress): NewGen Health

Approximately four million Canadians live with kidney disease, often undetected until late stages. Early, accessible screening could prevent thousands from requiring dialysis and improve lives nationwide. Driven by a passion for equitable health care, Mazhar Shahen co-founded NewGen Health to make routine monitoring simpler and more human-centered. “We’re modernizing the decades-old dipstick into an automated, digital solution that lets patients initiate testing and gives clinicians instant insights. This enables accessible quality care even in remote communities,” he says. The Velocity-backed startup has won several pitch competitions, filed patents and is scaling its production process.

Kwaku Twum (PhD in progress): Mapkot

Born and raised in Ghana, Kwaku Twum began his career working with European agribusinesses that acquired farmland for industrial use and sourced crops from local farmers through exploitative middlemen. Witnessing firsthand how this opaque, cash-based system left farmers earning barely $2,000 a year while multinational food corporations profited in the billions, Twum was determined to create change. He founded Mapkot, a digital platform that connects international food companies directly with smallholder farmers in Africa. By replacing cash transactions with a transparent, data-driven system, Mapkot empowers farmers to negotiate fairer prices and participate more equitably in global value chains.

Naimah Venezia (GBDA ’25): CoinWa

Naimah Venezia’s passion for finance began early — she read Rich Dad, Poor Dad in Grade 1 and launched her first handmade jewelry business at age seven. As she grew older, she noticed a gap in financial literacy among her peers and set out to change that. Through the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Enterprise Co-op program, she founded CoinWa, a gamified app that teaches teens essential financial skills before adulthood. “CoinWa covers core concepts like budgeting, saving, credit and investing through bite-sized modules, challenges and rewards,” she explains. “It feels more like a game than a lesson, which makes it fun and engaging.”

Technological Futures

Three experts advancing climate change at the highest level

Chantal Vallis — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:22:17 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ researchers are helping shape the next global scientific assessment that will guide world leaders from climate promises to action

The world has converged on Belém, Brazil’s gateway to the Amazon, to sharpen climate commitments and move from promises to implementation. It’s all happening at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

But setting priorities like this isn't clear-cut. Leaders are faced with political and financial tradeoffs to consider, but must also weigh the multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is where decision-makers turn to the most up-to-date scientific assessment on climate change available: the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report. It summarizes the state of knowledge on climate change, its widespread impacts and risks and details climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions.

With the latest report now two years old, the global scientific community is once again hard at work evaluating the current state of climate change and preparing to equip leaders with fresh evidence and tools. Three of those experts are from the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Faculty of Environment and members of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Climate Institute: Dr. Sarah Burch, Dr. Vanessa Schweizer and Dr. Andrew Trant. We caught up with them to learn their roles in producing the upcoming Seventh Assessment report, how it relates to their work at ��ݮ��Ƶ and what keeps them motivated.

Dr. Sarah Burch

At ��ݮ��Ƶ, Burch’s research explores how communities can drive meaningful change in the face of climate and sustainability challenges. Beyond sustainability scholarship, she works directly with communities, businesses and governments at all scales to understand their needs and co-create practical solutions for sustainability. On a national scale, Burch’s role as co-chair of the Strong and Resilient Economy Advisory Table for the National Adaptation Strategy led to new action plans and funding opportunities for improving the climate resilience of Canada’s economy and communities.

On the international stage, Burch, a lead author of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, is contributing her expertise to the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, scheduled for release in 2027. In this role, she collaborates with a global team of experts examining the most significant climate impacts on urban areas.

“During an authors’ meeting, what struck me most was the incredible variety of challenges that cities face, and also the creative solutions that they bring to the table. Sharing, replicating, and scaling up these solutions will be essential as we move forward” she explains.

This report will provide a comprehensive scientific assessment of the impacts and risks of climate change on cities, with a strong focus on identifying and enabling practical solutions.

“The IPCC reports are truly a remarkable illustration of scientific collaboration, bringing together experts from across the globe to deepen our understanding of both the science and the solutions” Burch says. “The Cities Report stands out for its focus on solutions, underscoring the urgency to accelerate progress on the climate crisis — a key call to action at COP30.”

“It’s a privilege to see up close what’s working and what needs to move faster. The more I work in this space, the more I realize how much we can learn from each other, and how powerful collaboration across borders can be in addressing climate change”

Dr. Vanessa Schweizer

At ��ݮ��Ƶ, Schweizer’s research focuses on collective decision-making in the context of climate change, exploring how communities and governments articulate aspirations, exercise foresight, and negotiate tradeoffs between pursuing different climate actions. Her work spans the practical implications of economic activities, including how the technologies we use and our behaviours — for example, eating more meat or imported foods — impact the climate. One of her core projects examines direct air capture. As an emerging technology that removes carbon dioxide from the air, it raises complex questions about energy use, cost, and planning for a net-zero future which she is exploring.

Schweizer is contributing her expertise to the upcoming IPCC report as part of Working Group III on Mitigation, focusing on the chapter Projected Futures in the Context of Sustainable Development and Climate Change. As a review editor, she’ll examine the connections between economic activities, sustainability, and climate impacts. “No single country has sustainable development totally figured out,” she explains. “For this chapter, I am looking at all the recent scientific studies on our economic activities, how sustainable they are, and how they relate to climate change.”

“This IPCC work connects directly to my research at ��ݮ��Ƶ,” she says. “We’re all trying to decarbonize and stop greenhouse gas pollution as quickly as possible, but we also need to consider how to clean up the pollution that already exists. Technologies like direct air capture could play a role in shaping new sectors for what sustainable development looks like in the future, which is exactly the kind of real-world challenge I study.”

“To the extent that I love the natural world, I feel it’s important to take care of it. I care about having a peaceful, cooperative world and a healthy planet. The climate change problem is so big that countries will need to cooperate to achieve the best outcomes.”

Dr. Andrew Trant

Trant’s research examines how climate change and human activity interact to shape ecosystems over time. His fieldwork spans Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador and the Heiltsuk and Wuikinuxv Territories in the Great Bear Rainforest on British Columbia’s Central Coast. Through close collaboration with Indigenous communities, his work explores how ecosystems are adapting to environmental change and how traditional knowledge can inform more resilient, place-based approaches to biodiversity conservation.

Trant is lending his expertise in biodiversity to the latest IPCC report as part of Working Group II on Impacts and Adaptations. As a review editor on the chapter Ocean, Coastal and Cryospheric Biodiversity Ecosystems and their Services, he will focus specifically on assessing the accuracy of indicators, methods and methodologies used to measure climate impacts and responses.

“I really do think that it is the most important document that we have on this planet. I think that the solution we are working towards runs through this document and it's critical for aiding governance on this issue at a global scale.”

“What fuels my commitment to working on bigger projects like the IPCC are the people, friends, colleagues, and collaborators, I’ve had over the years and continue to work with today. They’re the reason I love what I do.”

For alumni, new students “ooze the ��ݮ��Ƶ DNA”

Darren Mc Almont — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:15:00 +0000

Alumni volunteers play a vital role in ��ݮ��Ƶ’s admissions process, helping shape the newest incoming class of university talent

For alumni like Jaqueline Tso (BASc ’02), Diana Vangelisti (BES ’84, MA ’89) and Larry Galajda (BASc ’76), graduation didn’t mark the end of their ��ݮ��Ƶ journey. Instead, it sparked new ways to stay connected and deepen their black and gold pride.

The three are part of a larger group of alumni who served as volunteer readers for prospective students’ Admission Information Forms (AIFs). Acting as an admission aid after looking at grades, AIF’s offer insight into applicants’ interests, experiences and abilities. They help admissions committees understand a student’s leadership potential, collaboration skills and community involvement.

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ draws some of the brightest minds from more than 120 countries, with many students choosing us for world-class programs in computer science, engineering and mathematics. In 2024, after a major revamp of the AIFs for the University’s most competitive programs in the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics, alumni were invited for the first time to help shape the next generation of ��ݮ��Ƶ talent.

This research-driven mechanism enables admissions committees to distinguish which of the thousands of highly qualified applicants are best suited for admission given the limited number of available places in these programs.

While grades continue to be the primary factor in assessing applicants, the goal is to select students who will thrive at ��ݮ��Ƶ

Tso, who works in talent development and is based in Hong Kong, raised her hand to answer the call. “This is a small way that I can pay it forward to a school that has shaped a significant part of who I am today,” she says. Tso also shares that as someone who develops talent, the AIF volunteer process gave her insights of future generations that will enter the workforce.

“I was inspired by the well-roundedness of most profiles because they had a long-term passion in something beyond academics,” she says.

Vangelisti, a long-time volunteer who has served on the Alumni Council and the Presidential Search Committee, shares that she was honoured to support the admissions process. As a graduate of the Faculty of Environment, she scored more than 500 AIFs to assist the Registrar’s Office and the deans of both faculties with their admission decisions.

“I was also captivated to ‘hear’ the optimism and energy that came through as applicants described their interests and their expectations for the future,” she says. “It was heartening to see practically all applicants wanting to contribute to making the world a better place, inventing a solution or solving a gnarly problem. The majority of applicants already oozed the ��ݮ��Ƶ DNA.”

For Galajda, who graduated in 1976, the connection to ��ݮ��Ƶ has remained strong. He has volunteered for more than 40 years with Camp 15 (��ݮ��Ƶ), the organization behind the Iron Ring Obligation Ceremony for final-year engineering students.

“I have always wanted to see the excellent reputation of the University be polished and never tarnished.”

As an AIF reader for the Faculty of Engineering, Galajda reviewed hundreds of applications. “The satisfying part to me was how globally widespread the reputation of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has become,” he says. “To read submissions from all parts of the world is a nod to the ongoing faculty and staff as well as many successful alumni.”

Looking ahead, the admissions team hopes to welcome a new group of alumni volunteers to continue this meaningful work — helping to shape future talent that come from ��ݮ��Ƶ.

AI’s energy usage is less than previously thought

Pamela Smyth — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:12:39 +0000

Energy consumption in the U.S. shifts perception of the environmental risks of AI

Contrary to popular belief, new research finds that the use of artificial intelligence has a minimal effect on global greenhouse gas emissions and may actually benefit the environment and the economy.

For their study, researchers from the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and the Georgia Institute of Technology combined data on the U.S. economy with estimates of AI use across industries to determine the environmental fallout if AI use continues its current trajectory.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 83 per cent of the U.S. economy is powered by petroleum, coal and natural gas, all of which contribute to climate change when burned. The study authors found that while power usage from AI in the U.S. equalled the energy consumption for all of Iceland, the amounts were not noticeable on a global or national scale.

“It is important to note that the increase in energy use is not going to be uniform. It’s going to be felt more in the places where electricity is produced to power the data centres,” said Dr. Juan Moreno-Cruz, a professor in the Faculty of Environment at ��ݮ��Ƶ and Canada Research Chair in Energy Transitions. “If you look at that energy from the local perspective, that's a big deal because some places could see double the amount of electricity output and emissions. But at a larger scale, AI’s use of energy won’t be noticeable.”

While this paper did not examine the effects on local economies where the data centres are located, the researchers found some encouraging results.

“For people who believe that the use of AI will be a major problem for the climate and think we should avoid it, we're offering a different perspective,” Moreno-Cruz said. “The effects on climate are not that significant, and we can use AI to develop green technologies or to improve existing ones.”

To reach their conclusions, environmental economists Moreno-Cruz and Dr. Anthony Harding examined different sectors of an economy, the jobs within those sectors, and what portion of them could be done by AI.

Moreno-Cruz and Harding plan to repeat the study for other countries to measure the impacts of AI adoption in other parts of the world.

The paper, Watts and Botts: The Energy Implications of AI Adoption, appears in Environmental Research Letters.

(Banner image generated by Gemini/Google on November 10, 2025.)

Environment

Research

Sustainable Futures

Technological Futures

��ݮ��Ƶ researchers rank among the most influential in the world

Sam Charles — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:30:00 +0000

15 University of ��ݮ��Ƶ researchers have been named to the annual Highly Cited Researchers™ list for significant contributions to their specific fields of research

The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has seen an increase in the number of researchers included in this year’s Highly Cited Researchers™ 2025 list recently published by Clarivate. The list highlights the world’s most influential researchers and scientists.

Those selected have authored multiple Highly Cited Papers which rank in the top one per cent by citations in their field. Citations and peer review are the lifeblood of academic research, ensuring both integrity and innovation. The Highly Cited Researchers™ list recognizes only one in 1,000 researchers from around the world.

The ��ݮ��Ƶ researchers span four faculties including Engineering, Environment, Health and Science.

“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional research being done at ��ݮ��Ƶ,” says Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. “Their work not only exemplifies the diversity and breadth of research being done at our institution, but its impact. It also supports the advancement of our Global Futures initiative. We see some stellar intersections here with sustainability, technology and health.”

The evaluation and selection process is intended to look beyond solely volume or visibility, by placing an emphasis on trust. The list’s criteria and process are openly shared with the research community for transparency.

The ��ݮ��Ƶ researchers on this year’s Highly Cited Researchers™ 2025 list from Clarivate include:

Dr. Jennifer Clapp | Faculty of Environment

Dr. Jennifer Clapp is a professor and Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability. She is currently a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. Her research focuses on the themes of global food security politics and governance, food systems sustainability and the international political economy of the environment.

She is currently a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Dr. Michael Fowler | Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Michael Fowler is a professor in Department of Chemical Engineering and cross-appointed to the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Zero-emissions Vehicles and Hydrogen Energy Systems. His research focuses on electrochemical power sources, specifically degradation, reliability, and fault analysis of control of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. This includes modelling of energy storage systems for a wide field of applications including zero-emission storage and energy generation.

Roydon Fraser | Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Roydon Fraser is the teaching chair and a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. He is also an investigator in the Green Intelligent Transportation Systems Group at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. His research focuses on energy conversion systems such as the characterization of spark ignition engine combustion, the integration and control of alternative fuels powertrains into vehicles, and the application of energy and the second law of thermodynamics to the characterization and optimization of complex thermodynamic systems. Fraser has mentored student Teams in the design and prototype of hybrid electric vehicles, and in the student the competition "EcoCAR EV Challenge," a four-year collegiate automotive engineering competition for the next generation of battery electric vehicles.

Sharon Kirkpatrick | Faculty of Health

Dr. Sharon Kirkpatrick is a professor and University Research Chair in the School of Public Health Sciences. She bridges her research with her background as a registered dietitian to focus on the intersections between nutrition, human and planetary health, equity and policy, using a systems thinking lens. She has expertise in dietary assessment.

Juewen Liu | Faculty of Science

Dr. Juewen Liu is a professor of chemistry and member of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Institute for Nanotechnology. His research focuses on functional DNA, biosensors, nanozymes, and biointerface chemistry. A leader in the field of bio-nanotechnology, his lab employs DNA, liposomes, hydrogels and various inorganic nanoparticles as building blocks to construct functional nanomaterials for analytical and biomedical applications. He is also interested in the biotechnology of combinatorial DNA aptamer selection.

Linda F. Nazar | Faculty of Science

Dr. Linda F. Nazar is a professor and Research Chair in Solid State Materials and University Professor (Chemistry). Her research in inorganic materials chemistry, solid state chemistry and electrochemistry focuses on the development of electrochemical energy storage devices and materials.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) and Royal Society of Canada, and an Officer of the Order of Canada. Nazar has been on the list since 2014.

Along with Dr. Michael Pope, Nazar recently launched the Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre.

Daniel Scott | Faculty of Environment

Dr. Daniel Scott is a professor and Research Chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management. His research focuses on the interconnections of global change, including climate change, pandemics, demographic change, and sustainable tourism.

He has advised and led projects for a wide range of government agencies and tourism organizations around the world, including United Nations Tourism, United Nations Environment Programme, World Bank, European Tourism Commission, International Olympic Committee, OECD as well as contributing to multiple intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports.

Xuemin (Sherman) Shen | Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on a wide range of topics in wireless communication networks, including network resource management, network security and privacy preservation, AI for Networks, 5G and beyond, and vehicular networks. Shen has pioneered fundamental and critical advancements in engineering solutions that significantly enhance data transmission speed, accuracy, reliability, and information security within wireless communications networks.

A Fellow of IEEE, the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada, and the Engineering Academy of Japan, Dr. Shen also served as the President of IEEE Communications Society, Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Internet of Things Journal, and IEEE Network.

Aiping Yu | Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Aiping Yu is a professor of chemical engineering and director of the Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory. Her area of research is materials development for batteries, supercapacitors and nano-composites. She is an expert in carbon nanotubes, graphene, MXene and 2D materials, allowing her to design the proper architecture, porosity and polarity of nanomaterials for high energy storage devices and multi-functional nanocomposites.

Weihua Zhuang | Faculty of Engineering

Dr. Weihua Zhuang is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and University Research Chair. Her research includes network virtualization, network architecture for both wireless and wireline domains, adaptive networking algorithms and protocols, and multi-dimensional resource allocation for data transmission, processing and caching, with applications to connected autonomous vehicles, industrial IoT, and intelligent communities.

Zhuang is a fellow of the IEEE, Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering and Engineering Institute of Canada. She served as the President of IEEE Vehicular Technology Society during 2023-2024.

The list also includes ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni C.Y. Kwok (BASc ’14, PhD ’22), Quan Pang (MSc ’14, PhD ’17) and Dan Luo (PhD ’20) along with adjunct professors Satyam Panchal and Zhongwei Chen.

Technological Futures

Why humanity needs a new narrative of hope

Chantal Vallis — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:41:44 +0000

TD Walter Bean Professor in the Environment, Sir Andrew Steer, shared powerful insights on how leaders, innovators, and communities can scale solutions for a more sustainable future

In 1968, experts warned that hundreds of millions of people would die of starvation. Yet, as Sir Andrew Steer reminded the audience of this in his TD Walter Bean Public Lecture, the grim prediction never came true. Instead, as the world’s population doubled, food production tripled. An outcome that was far from accidental.

“The problem was solved,” he said. “What all the experts got wrong was the fact that human ingenuity with the right combination of leadership, citizen engagement, scientific endeavor, and the right university engagement, you can change the world in amazing ways.”

Sir Andrew Steer brought this message to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ on September 29, in his lecture, The Courage to Act, supported by TD. It was a timely discussion as global concern over climate change reaches new heights.

Watch video on YouTube

New data suggests global temperatures could rise by 3.1°C, surpassing earlier estimates of 2.7°C, as population and economic growth accelerate human impact. Drawing on his experience with the Bezos Earth Fund, the World Bank, and the UK Department for International Development, Steer laid bare humanity’s growing footprint, what we extract, produce, consume, and discard, and what it means.

“In the 20th century our footprint increased twenty times in a hundred years. That’s because the economy was growing at roughly three per cent a year. If you compound three per cent for a hundred years you get 20 times. This century is the same, so in two centuries 400 times the human footprint.”

“If we keep going like this, we will run into a problem that’s unstoppable. That’s not to say we shouldn’t have 20 times as much prosperity, but what it does mean is we can’t have 20 times as much taking, making, wasting.”

But despite the bleak reality, Steer emphasized the story is not all bad. He reminded the audience that over the last century some major milestones have been achieved, including the biggest reduction in global poverty, global life expectancy has almost doubled and the middle class has risen. With this in mind, he shared five lessons for how we as leaders, innovators and communities can solve this wicked problem and scale solutions for a sustainable future.

Offer a narrative of hope. The environmental movement has not always done a good job on that front; often focusing on the negative narrative. This moment calls for us to lean into a positive vision for the future. As an example, there is economic value to having livable, walkable cities.
Focus on systems, not silver bullets. We need systemic changes that honour both people and planet.
Look for disruptive ingenuity and tipping points. Remember that technology moves faster than we think. In 15 years, Fifth Avenue in New York went from solely horse and buggy to all automobiles. With the right leadership and innovation, we could scale our climate change solutions.
Seek to understand people and act on that understanding. We must strive to foster inclusive, collaborative environments that empower us to learn from one another and grow together.
Get the right hands on deck. We need a coalition of the right people collectively acting together.

Following his lecture, Dr. Leia Minaker joined Steer on stage for a wide-ranging conversation that dug deeper into his lecture. Together they explored the complexity of the climate challenge, discussing battery storage improvements as one key tipping point to watch for, the role of tariffs in stalling progress, and whether climate activists risk their own form of denial when confronting difficult trade-offs.

Dr. Leia Minaker and Sir Andrew Steer in conversation with the audience.

The discussion underscored a central truth: the opportunities before us demand courage, vision and collaboration that transcends borders and disciplines. They invite us not only to act, but to do so with foresight, evidence, and humility. Meeting the world’s toughest environmental challenges is, at its heart, an opportunity to harness knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and move forward together with purpose and hope.

In addition to the evening public lecutre, Steer also spoke with 400+ high school students about how their generation can lead change working with the world, for the world.

Dr. Andrew Steer speaking with high school students during the Q&A.

Building the knowledge and skills necessary for society to address complex environmental issues, the TD Walter Bean Professorship aims to attract outstanding international and national leaders and researchers to campus to give public lectures, teach classes, and meet with professors and students. Described as a fitting testament to the late Walter Bean’s legacy of community involvement and commitment to youth, education and community, the professorship is made possible thanks to the generosity of TD Canada Trust and their commitment to building a sustainable future together with their partners.

Bruce Frayne, Dean of the Faculty of Environment, welcoming Sir Andrew to the stage.

Jean Becker, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, delivering opening remarks.

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Nicole Vadori, Vice-President and Head of Environment, TD Bank Group delivering opening remarks.

Sir Andrew Steer delivering his keynote.

Sir Andrew Steer delivering his high school lecture.

Sir Andrew Steer and Eryn Stewart, Managing Director of the Future Cities Institute, in conversation.

Sir Andrew Steer with teachers and representatives from high schools across Ontario.