Tag: Sustainability

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Calling on all York faculty and instructors, join the SDG Teach In

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Faculty and instructors across York University are finding innovative ways to bring the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their courses. Between Monday, Feb. 21 and Friday, March 4, they will have an opportunity to showcase this work during the fourth annual SDG Teach In.

A key part of the University Academic Plan 2020-2025, the SDGs focus on a call for action and recognize that ending poverty and hunger must go together with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve the oceans and forests.

Graphic shows the 17 UN SDGs
The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The SDG Teach In is an annual campaign delivered by Students for Sustainability (SOS-UK), an organization based in the United Kingdom. The international campaign calls on educators across all disciplines and levels of education to pledge to include the SDGs in their teaching and learning throughout the two-week period through case studies, debate, discussion, group work or simulations relating to topics included within the goals. The 2021 campaign saw nearly 500 educators from around the world reach 50,000 students through teaching and discussion around the SDGs.

To that end, the SDGs-in-the-Classroom Community of Practice and Provostial Fellow Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, associate professor, School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health, and associate professor, School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies/Children, Childhood & Youth Studies Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, are calling on all educators at York University to pledge to incorporate the SDGs into their teaching, learning and assessment throughout the Teach In, and share the pledge with their colleagues.

To add some friendly competition, SOS-UK, will be releasing weekly updates with a leaderboard of institutions with the highest number of educators who have pledged to take part in the Teach In and the highest percentage of students involved.  

The Teach In aims to:

  • Raise awareness of the importance of sustainable development.
  • Catalyze curriculum reform and test new ideas.
  • Embed sustainability and social responsibility across all learning.
  • Prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.
  • Link teaching, learning, and assessment to local and global concerns.

Interested? Intrigued? Email York University Provostial Fellow Cheryl van Daalen-Smith to find out, or if you are ready, pledge here.

York University’s Inclusion Week will take place Feb. 28 to March 3

two people with their hands overlapping each other

Inclusion Week will focus on building and sustaining equitable and caring futures, and features keynote speakers, fireside panels and skill-building workshops.

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear York Community, 

Join York University’s Centre for Human Rights, Equity, & Inclusion from Feb. 28 to March 3, for Inclusion Week, a multi-event series featuring keynote speakers, fireside panels and interactive, skill-building workshops where we’ll explore sustainability in unique ways.  

Through Inclusion Week, participants will ask questions like: Who gets to rest in challenging times? How does global interdependence reflect great divides and even greater needs for cooperation? How can we better understand the principles, practice and politics of sustainability in the context of a global pandemic? 

For more information about the workshops, panellists and our keynote speaker, and to register, visit: https://rights.info.yorku.ca/inclusion-week-2022/.  

This event is free to York Community Members. 

Marian MacGregor 
Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion 

Semaine de l’inclusion à l’Université York du 28 février au 3 mars 2022 : soutenir et construire un avenir équitable et solidaire

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Joignez-vous au Centre des droits de la personne, de l’équité et de l’inclusion de l’Université York du 28 février au 3 mars 2022 pour la Semaine de l’inclusion, une série d’événements comprenant des conférences, des tables rondes et des ateliers interactifs axés sur le développement de compétences qui explorent la solidarité et la durabilité équitable de façons inédites.  

Au cours de la semaine de l’inclusion, les participants poseront des questions comme : Qui peut se reposer durant ces moments difficiles? Comment l’interdépendance mondiale reflète-t-elle de grandes divisions et génère-t-elle des besoins de coopération encore plus grands? Comment pouvons-nous mieux comprendre les principes, la pratique et la politique de la durabilité dans le contexte d’une pandémie mondiale? 

Pour plus d’informations sur les ateliers, sur les panélistes et sur le conférencier principal et pour vous inscrire, veuillez consulter la page : https://rights.info.yorku.ca/files/2022/02/Inclusion-week-FR-translation_REI-1.pdf?x26215  

Cet événement est gratuit pour les membres de la communauté de York. 

Marian MacGregor 
Directrice principale du Centre des droits de la personne, de l’équité et de l’inclusion 

Research shows companies have potential for more waste reduction

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New research from the Schulich School of Business shows that companies have a greater potential to reduce more environmental waste on the production side of the product life cycle than on the consumption side, which is the opposite of most current mainstream thinking on product sustainability.

Isik Bicer
Isik Bicer

The findings are contained in the paper “Why Do Companies Need Operational Flexibility to Reduce Waste at Source?” published in the journal Sustainability. The article was written by Isik Bicer, assistant professor of operations management and information systems at Schulich; R.W. Seifert, professor of operations management at Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development; and Yara Kayyali-Elalem, a doctoral assistant at the College of Management of Technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

According to the researchers, operating strategies that rely on the localization of production are key tools when it comes to reducing waste and improving environmental sustainability at source.

“Usually, policymakers aim to develop sustainability policies to increase the product lifetime once customers start to use the products,” says Bicer. “However, the potential to reduce environmental waste at the production side is much bigger than the consumption side.”

According to the research, companies that localize production near their market bases are better able to reduce overproduction, which is a major cause of environmental waste.

“Companies should promote local sourcing to generate more accurate product demand forecasts and, by doing so, reduce supply-demand mismatches,” says Bicer.

As a result, companies have a much better likelihood of not only reducing the environmental impact of their sourcing practices, but also improving profits, he adds.

York University launches report on progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals

THE Banner for Sustainable YU

York University is marking the United Nations International Day of Education theme of “Changing Course” with the release of a dynamic new report and website documenting its progress toward the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN Sustainable Development Goal Report is York University’s first annual progress report on the SDGs. Both the report and its accompanying website share stories of progress and facts about York University’s leadership, commitment and progress toward the 17 goals through inspirational stories, facts and figures, and forward-looking action.

“It is inspiring to see how our faculty, course directors, staff and students are taking action to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals in their work as we further our commitment to contributing to positive change on a local and global level,” said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor.

Graphic shows the 17 UN SDGs
The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals

In 2020, York University formally declared its commitment to the SDGs, which align with its values, mission and core strengths. The University pledged to become an agent of positive change through global leadership and action on the goals and the converging challenges of a pandemic, rapidly accelerating climate change, racism and xenophobia, increasing global poverty and inequality. In June 2020, the University took a further step in its commitment to the goals when it launched its blueprint for action, Building a Better Future: York University Academic Plan 2020-2025, and issued a pan-University challenge to its community to collaborate and act.

The report and website offer an overview of a fraction of the many actions, innovations and research by faculty, staff and students at York University. Both have been created with view that each will continue to evolve as new actions and innovations emerge in the University’s journey toward contributing to the SDGs. Community members can share their work that relates to the SDGs through a story submission button on the website. As part of the launch of the report and the website, York University will be sharing stories the SDGs on social media at #YorkUSDGs.

First launched in 2015 and adopted by 193 member states of the UN, the 17 SDGs offer a framework for the global community to take concrete, measurable action in areas considered essential to mitigating humanity’s harmful impacts on the planet and to ensuring global peace and prosperity.

To learn more about York University’s demonstrated progress toward the UN SDGs, visit www.yorku.ca/unsdgs, or follow #YorkUSDGs.

Five ways to make the holiday season sustainable 

ornament on tree

This holiday season, the Office of Sustainability encourages York community members to make sustainable changes that contribute to the overall well-being of the planet. These tips also align with York’s contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Here are five ways to maximize holiday cheer while reducing your environmental footprint:  

1. Unplug and conserve energy  

Switch your holiday lighting decorations from incandescent lights to LED lights. Use a timer to control when lights should be turned on or off and remember to unplug any electronics or appliances when they are not in use.  

Did you know: These energy efficient tips align with the University’s goals to foster a culture of sustainability on campus and in our communities. Saving energy will help to advance the UN SDG 13: Climate Action. As a leader in sustainability, the University is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and being carbon neutral on or before 2049.  

2. Reuse, recycle to reduce waste   

Generate less waste by purchasing gifts that are long-lasting, reusable or recyclable. Consider gifting an experience instead of material goods or staying away from using single-use plastic for gift wrapping by switching to reusable containers, bags or recyclable paper.   

Did you know: York recognizes the negative impacts of single-use plastics and is committed to reusing and managing waste better through its ZeroWaste program, in line with UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Some elements of the ZeroWaste program include a Green Cleaning Initiative and tri-bins around campus. The University has also phased out the sale of single use plastic water bottles to help divert waste.   

3. Give back to community organizations   

Make a difference and support your community by donating or volunteering with an organization. Bring canned items or leftover holiday meals to local shelters or food banks. Or donate new or unused clothing by visiting one of several clothing donations bins on Keele Campus.   

Did you know: York alumni are 13.5 per cent more likely to have volunteered in the past 12 months than other university graduates in the GTA.  

4. Support local businesses 

Local businesses are the backbone of our economy. Shop close to home, purchase locally made and ethically sourced products, and prepare meals with groceries from a local farmers market.  

Did you know: York University supports a local approach and understands the role it can play in encouraging local prosperity, in line with UN SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The University has spent $2 million at local and diverse-owned businesses and social enterprises, which helps to reduce environmental impacts and build more resilient communities.   

5. Reduce food waste   

It is important to be mindful of food waste during the holiday season by implementing simple changes to support a healthy environment. Instead of disposing of leftovers, try new recipes with food prepared from a previous meal or send guests home with food containers to enjoy the next day. The holiday season is also a perfect time to start meal preparations.   

Did you know: York University has an organic waste program that helps divert food waste? Kitchenettes are equipped with an organic waste container and there are multiple outdoor organic digesters on campus that allow community members to conveniently throw out organic waste. 

To learn more about the Office of Sustainability, visit here. 

Where did western honey bees come from? New research finds the sweet spot

Two honey bees on lavender plants

For decades, scientists have hotly debated the origin of the western honey bee. Now, new research led by York University discovered these popular honey-producing bees most likely originated in Asia.

From there, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) expanded independently into Africa and Europe creating seven separate geographically and genetically distinct evolutionary lineages traceable back to Western Asia.

The western honey bee is used for crop pollination and honey production throughout most of the world, and has a remarkable capacity for surviving in vastly different environments – from tropical rainforest, to arid environments, to temperate regions with cold winters. It is native to Africa, Europe and Asia, and was recently believed to have originated in Africa.

The research team sequenced 251 genomes from 18 subspecies from the honey bee’s native range and used this data to reconstruct the origin and pattern of dispersal of honey bees. The team found that an Asian origin – likely western Asia – was strongly supported by the genetic data.

“As one of the world’s most important pollinators, it’s essential to know the origin of the western honey bee to understand its evolution, genetics and how it adapted as it spread,” says corresponding author Professor Amro Zayed of York University’s Faculty of Science.

The study also highlights that the bee genome has several “hot spots” that allowed honey bees to adapt to new geographic areas. While the bee genome has more than 12,000 genes, only 145 of them had repeated signatures of adaptation associated with the formation of all major honey bee lineages found today.

“Our research suggests that a core-set of genes allowed the honey bee to adapt to a diverse set of environmental conditions across its native range by regulating worker and colony behaviour,” says York University PhD student Kathleen Dogantzis of the Faculty of Science, who led the research.

To learn more, watch these videos: https://youtu.be/TIAapN_uG4A and https://youtu.be/4jiRCXe5r_c.

This adaptation also allowed for the development of some 27 different subspecies of honey bees.

“It’s important to understand how locally adapted subspecies and colony-level selection on worker bees, contributes to the fitness and diversity of managed colonies,” says Dogantzis.

The sequencing of these bees also led to the discovery of two distinct lineages, one in Egypt and another in Madagascar.

The researchers hope their study finally lays to the rest the question of where the western honey bee came from so future research can further explore how they adapted to different climates and geographic areas.

The paper, “Thrice out of Asia and the adaptive radiation of the western honey bee,” was published today in the journal Science Advances.

Sustaining our future through the power of trees

Image by Althea Reyes

The Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Regenesis@York, Grounds, Facilities Services, the SDG Student Hub and the Division of Students, hosted two community tree-planting events on York’s campuses. 

A young man plants trees on the Keele campus
York University community members plant trees on the Keele Campus. Image by Althea Reyes

On Wednesday, Oct. 27, on the lower part of the Glendon Campus, the first tree-planting event took place; the second event was held on Wednesday, Nov. 3, on the grounds that surround the Stong Pond.   

The trees were purchased through a tree-planting grant received by Regenesis@York from the City of Toronto. The grant was provided to purchase native trees to advance the city’s strategic priorities to invest in people and neighbourhoods, tackle climate change and build resilience. 

Participants worked together, creating a greener campus while helping to restore ecosystems to aid in the mitigation of climate change. As trees grow, they help mitigate the effects of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing that carbon within the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.  

The tree-planting event provided an opportunity for community members to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, and benefit both mentally and physically, all while advancing York’s efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15).    

The event was oversubscribed, with an overwhelming number of registrants. Participant spaces were limited due to the current COVID-19 health and safety restrictions and protocols in place. More events of this kind will be added in the future by the Office of Sustainability so that community members can enjoy the beauty of the University’s Keele and Glendon campuses. Each event advances the University’s progress towards meeting its goal of carbon neutrality on or before 2049.   

‘UNHack’ to build Sustainable Development Goals into experiential learning

Image shows a hand holding a pine cone against a lush backdrop of greenery

Each year more than 300 students from across York University engage in an intensive experiential learning event called UNHack, which is focused on helping students understand the creative problem-solving process. This year, UNHack will take place Nov. 19 to 21 and will be offered as a virtual event.

Focused on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNHack offers an interesting and empowering experiential learning activity. This year, UNHack is organized by the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) in conjunction with the York University Sustainability Office and its SDG Student Hub initiative. Joining UNHack as new partners are leaders from the School of Nursing’s Nursing Student Tutoring, Ambassadorship and Mentorship Programs.

UNHack organizers are calling on faculty across York University to direct their students to this powerful virtual experiential education event. UNHack is different from most hackathons in two ways: the “UN” comes from the United Nations, and the “hack” from hackathon, which focuses attention on local problems that are linked to the the UN’s 17 SDGs. Addressing global problems at the local level helps students recognize that they can have an impact and make a difference to critical problems that the world needs to address. UNHack is not a traditional hackathon focused on coding; this event promotes a full range of technical and creative solutions aligned around identifying the critical problem and then developing creative solutions to that problem (not the ability to develop code or software). Final prototypes of solutions are informed by the diverse minds and lenses applied to the issue, resulting in creative outputs that could encompass drawing, creating a model or other visuals, rather than technology.   

Challenges in UNHack can either be developed by students or selected from those offered by York University or industry partners. In previous years, participants in UNHack have developed a system to facilitate reusable food containers, a campus-based rideshare platform, apps to help improve mental health and innovative ways to reduce paper use in posters on campus. Many of these solutions are currently in the early stages of being deployed at York University.  

To learn more, visit the UNHack web page or contact Maedeh Sedaghat, BEST program officer, by email at maedeh.sedaghat@lassonde.yorku.ca .   

Answering the call for action on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

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When Provostial Fellow Cheryl van Daalen-Smith issued a call to faculty to let her know about their work to infuse the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their classrooms and courses, she received an incredible response from across the University’s campuses and the result is a new community of practice.

Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Cheryl van Daalen-Smith

“We are thrilled to announce the overwhelming response from faculty who are infusing the SDGs into their classrooms/courses, as well as others who want to learn more about how they might also,” said van Daalen-Smith, associate professor, School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health, and associate professor, School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies/Children, Childhood & Youth Studies Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

“From dance to kinesiology, psychology, Earth science, fine art, gender studies – and the marvellous list goes on – York faculty are seeing the SDGs’ relevance to the real-world issues they want their students to consider through a myriad of rich lenses,” said van Daalen-Smith.

In response, van Daalen-Smith has established a community of practice, which will hold its first meeting on Friday, Nov. 26 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. over Zoom. Co-hosted by the Teaching Commons and the Provostial Fellows program, the meeting will provide an opportunity for those attending to see examples of how faculty across York’s campuses are embedding the SDGs into their classrooms. It will also serve to initiate discussions about how an SDG-focused community of practice might look at York University. The discussions will be supported by Michael Johnny, manager of knowledge mobilization with Innovation York.  

Faculty interested in attending the meeting should register here. Once registered, a Zoom link will be provided.

To learn more, contact van Daalen-Smith by email at cvandaal@yorku.ca.