Welcome to the inaugural issue of 'Sustainable YU,' a special edition of YFile that showcases stories about sustainability in action at 91ÑÇÉ«.
This special issue, which will publish on select Fridays during the academic year, offers compelling and accessible feature-length stories. The articles and features contained in this publication illustrate the work underway by students, faculty and staff across all Faculties and divisions at 91ÑÇÉ« to achieve the United Nations' 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) – a key pillar of Building a Better Future: 91ÑÇÉ« Academic Plan 2020-2025 – a guiding document published earlier this year.
The editors of 'Sustainable YU' and I want to hear from you. Do you have an SDG story you can share with us that showcases an initiative or project happening at 91ÑÇÉ« that supports our efforts to achieve the UN SDGs?
We welcome stories from students, faculty, staff, and other groups in the 91ÑÇÉ« community. You can share your stories and include a narrative, photos and/or videos. We welcome all contributions no matter how big or small – everything has an impact.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know what you think about 'Sustainable YU' by contacting me at sustainability@yorku.ca.
Nicole Arsenault
Program Director, Sustainability
Featured in this issue of 'Sustainable YU'
This year, 91ÑÇÉ« has placed 11th in Canada and 67th overall against 1,115 post-secondary institutions from 94 different countries. The THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The ranking compares universities on research, stewardship, outreach and teaching across 17 categories. .
One of the core values of 91ÑÇÉ« is sustainability. 91ÑÇÉ«'s continued dedication and leadership in this space is reflected in the document Building a Better Future: 91ÑÇÉ« Academic Plan 2020-2025, which challenges students, faculty and staff to elevate their contributions to achieve the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals. .
The SDG Student Hub, a new student-driven initiative launched in fall 2020 by 91ÑÇÉ«'s Sustainability Office, is helping students of all disciplines learn about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take action to help achieve them. .
Balancing being green and clean takes dedication and training. When you take into account an institution as large as 91ÑÇÉ« and a global pandemic, the focus needs to be laser sharp. .
Mark Terry, course director in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change and research associate with the Dahdeleh Institute for Global Health Research, has partnered with Whitby's Beech Street Theatre Company to present a play on climate change. Titled, 'The Four Seasons,' it will premiere on Friday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m., for one night only, on Zoom. .
Students in the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science & Technology (BEST) program based at the Lassonde School of Engineering, took up the sustainability challenge during a recent hack-a-thon. .
Launched in April 2021, 'Sustainable YU' is produced out of the Office of the Vice-President Finance & Administration Research & Innovation in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs.