In the exhibition , Czegledy explains, science, technology and art are brought together by artists who share a deep, contemporary sensitivity to nature. 

The exhibition, featured in Kitchener, Ontario, included Aotearoa/New Zealand artists Caro McCaw and Vicki Smith’s collaborative work “Sounding”, which is concerned with the noise pollution that is increasingly disrupting the sonic environment of marine mammals. McCaw and Smith seek to draw attention to spaces of communication for whales and dolphins that we cannot see, in a blue, underwatery light where viewers listen to echolocation by whales and dolphins recorded in the Tasmanian Sea.

In her work “Spontaneous Generation”, Toronto-based artist Elaine Miller makes links between the melting of the polar ice caps and the emergence of viruses, including Ebola, but with obvious resonance for the current covid-19 pandemic. For her part, Kristine Diekman, creating from California, presents “Behold the Tilapia”, in a stop-motion image of the fish, which is known for its resiliency but that is now facing extinction in polluted waters, exacerbated by the stresses of increasing temperatures due to climate change. Both use mixed media, as Tingley describes, while Maayke Schurer, an artist from Victoria, British Columbia, plays with the idea of the sublime in “Spirits of Wasteland” which creates beautiful yet horrific imagery with plastic and other waste that pollutes our environment. 

Along with other featured women artists from across Canada and around the world, Agents for Change: Facing the Anthropocene, seeks to “critically and poetically investigate our present, unpack the social and cultural impacts of environmental change, speculate about future realities, and suggest solutions for how we might approach life in the Anthropocene.” This demands that we acknowledge the ways that environmental change, including rising oceans and heat waves, affects all of us, both human and other animals and insects. 

In her work, Liz Miller’s project begins with the Lake Ontario shoreline, its histories and ecologies. Half of the world’s population lives by the coasts, which are densely populated and continue to develop, as Miller explains. Climate change means rising seas and storms that are increasingly affecting coastal areas. Miller’s work brings together engineers, educators, biologists, artists, and youth activists working across disciplines and across species. Through shared data sets, soundscapes, and more than forty short portraits of coastal communities from nine countries, this collaborative project considers the challenge of our collective survival. 

In their different ways, each of these women artists invites us to consider the realities of living in the Anthropocene, an era in which human beings have irrevocably shaped the natural world, with devastating consequences for many species including our own. But these artists ask us to do more than witness. They invite us to engage with urgent ecological questions and to develop new relationships  -- and deep love -- for the ecoystems that sustain all of us. 

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La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear members of the York community,

I am pleased to share that yesterday, the University’s Board of Governors approved Living Well Together: Keele Campus Vision and Strategy, a foundational document that sets a clear path forward for re-imagining more than 190 acres on York’s Keele Campus.  

Centered on the priorities identified within the University Academic Plan 2020–2025: Building a Better Future, and underscored by our commitment to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we have an opportunity to strengthen our impact as a university, and to further our vision of providing a broad sociodemographic of students with access to a high-quality education at a research-intensive university that is committed to enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve.

Recent world events have influenced our thinking regarding sustainability, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. Living Well Together: Keele Campus Vision and Strategy embraces social and environmental responsibility, placing emphasis on projects that help us realize the aspirations of our academic plan, fulfill our commitment to being carbon neutral by 2049 or sooner, and leverage York’s  to maximize the positive impact of such a large-scale project.

It is also inspired by our reflections over these past 18 months regarding the future of higher education and how to enhance efforts to utilize the resources we have to strengthen the student learning experience; support new programs in emerging areas of need; and intensify research, entrepreneurship, and incubation, while also meeting community needs. 

These uncertain times also serve as an important reminder that the plan must be a living document, open to revision as circumstances demand and shaped by ongoing consultation and engagement conversations within our community, with our surrounding neighbours and future neighbours, and with other important partners, like community groups, governments, and developers. 

Living Well Together: Keele Campus Vision and Strategy begins with the reinvigoration of the Harry W. Arthurs Common, the heart of the campus and the location of the żìČ„ÊÓÆ” subway stop. The plan also sets out four new neighbourhoods: a commercial centre, a high-tech district, a primarily residential district, and a mixed-use residential, commercial, and athletic neighbourhood adjacent to the Pioneer Village subway stop. Each of the new neighbourhoods will add complementary features and projects that support the University’s academic mission and deliver social benefits like affordable housing and community services — amenities that will serve the York community, our neighbours, and new residents alike.

A 21st century university campus has an important role to play as an anchor institution — as a hub, as a resource for surrounding communities, and as a place to learn and grow. This is a once in a lifetime chance to envision, shape, and develop a truly community-engaged university campus: intentionally inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and welcoming to diverse communities.

With the żìČ„ÊÓÆ” Board of Governors having approved the new Keele Campus Vision and Strategy, we can move forward with the consultation and engagement on preparing a plan for how best to implement the strategy. I look forward to moving this exciting plan forward.

Sincerely,

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor

Lancement de ‘Bien vivre ensemble : Vision et stratĂ©gie du campus Keele’  

Chers membres de la communauté de York,

Je suis heureuse de vous annoncer que le Conseil d’administration de l’UniversitĂ© a approuvĂ© hier le plan Bien vivre ensemble : Vision et stratĂ©gie du campus Keele, un document clĂ© dĂ©finissant clairement la voie Ă  suivre pour rĂ©imaginer plus de 77 hectares de terrain sur le campus Keele de York. 

Ce plan est centrĂ© sur les prioritĂ©s dĂ©finies dans le Plan acadĂ©mique de l’UniversitĂ© 2020-2025 : BĂątir un avenir meilleur, et sur notre engagement envers le respect des objectifs de dĂ©veloppement durable des Nations Unies. Il nous donne l’occasion de renforcer notre incidence en tant qu’universitĂ© et de faire avancer notre vision de fournir l’accĂšs Ă  une Ă©ducation de grande qualitĂ© dans une universitĂ© axĂ©e sur la recherche et vouĂ©e au bien collectif Ă  un vaste bassin dĂ©mographique d’étudiants, tout en nous engageant Ă  amĂ©liorer le mieux-ĂȘtre des communautĂ©s que nous servons.

Les rĂ©cents Ă©vĂ©nements mondiaux ont influencĂ© notre rĂ©flexion sur la durabilitĂ©, l’équitĂ©, la diversitĂ©, l’inclusion et la rĂ©conciliation. Bien vivre ensemble : Vision et stratĂ©gie du campus Keele englobe la responsabilitĂ© sociale et environnementale, met l’accent sur les projets qui contribuent Ă  rĂ©aliser les aspirations de notre plan acadĂ©mique et Ă  atteindre la neutralitĂ© carbone d’ici 2049 ou plus tĂŽt et s’appuie sur la  de York pour maximiser l’incidence positive d’un projet de cette envergure.

Il s’inspire Ă©galement des rĂ©flexions que nous avons menĂ©es au cours de ces 18 derniers mois sur l’avenir de l’enseignement supĂ©rieur et sur la maniĂšre d’intensifier les efforts visant Ă  utiliser les ressources dont nous disposons afin de consolider l’expĂ©rience d’apprentissage des Ă©tudiants, de soutenir de nouveaux programmes dans des domaines de besoins Ă©mergents et d’intensifier la recherche, l’entrepreneuriat et l’incubation, tout en rĂ©pondant aux besoins de la communautĂ©. 

Ces temps incertains nous rappellent Ă©galement que le plan doit ĂȘtre un document Ă©volutif, ouvert Ă  la rĂ©vision en fonction des circonstances et la pierre d’assise des futures conversations de consultation et d’engagement au sein de notre communautĂ©, avec nos voisins et futurs voisins et avec d’autres partenaires importants, comme les groupes communautaires, les gouvernements et les dĂ©veloppeurs. 

Bien vivre ensemble : Vision et stratĂ©gie du campus Keele commence par la revitalisation du Harry W. Arthurs Common, le cƓur du campus et l’emplacement de l’arrĂȘt de mĂ©tro żìČ„ÊÓÆ”. Le plan prĂ©voit Ă©galement la crĂ©ation de quatre nouveaux quartiers : un centre commercial, un district de haute technologie, un district principalement rĂ©sidentiel et un district Ă  usage mixte (rĂ©sidentiel, commercial et sportif) adjacent Ă  l’arrĂȘt de mĂ©tro Pioneer Village. Chacun des nouveaux quartiers ajoutera des caractĂ©ristiques et des projets complĂ©mentaires qui soutiendront la mission acadĂ©mique de l’UniversitĂ© et qui offriront des avantages sociaux comme des logements abordables et des services communautaires, amĂ©nagements qui serviront Ă  la communautĂ© de York, Ă  nos voisins et aux nouveaux rĂ©sidents.

Un campus universitaire du 21^e siĂšcle a un rĂŽle important Ă  jouer en tant qu’institution d’ancrage, de plaque tournante, de ressource pour les communautĂ©s environnantes et de lieu d’apprentissage et de dĂ©veloppement. C’est une chance inouĂŻe d’imaginer, de façonner et de dĂ©velopper un campus universitaire vĂ©ritablement engagĂ© envers la communautĂ© : intentionnellement inclusif, Ă©cologiquement durable et accueillant pour les diverses communautĂ©s.

Le Conseil d’administration de l’UniversitĂ© York ayant approuvĂ© la nouvelle vision et stratĂ©gie du campus Keele, nous entamerons le processus de consultation et d’engagement en Ă©laborant un plan pour la mise en Ɠuvre de la stratĂ©gie. J’ai hĂąte de voir progresser ce projet passionnant.

Veuillez agréer mes sincÚres salutations,

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chanceliÚre

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The 2011 UI GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities rated participating universities in 42 countries based on criteria such as energy consumption, commuting practices, waste and water management, percentage of green space on campus, and the application of eco-sustainability policies and efforts.

“żìČ„ÊÓÆ” continues to strive to be at the forefront of sustainability strategies,” said York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “Our first place ranking in Canada by the GreenMetric World University Ranking demonstrates that we are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of our community."

The University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom placed first overall in the ranking, while Northeastern University and the University of Connecticut from the United States placed second and third.

From 2006 to 2011, żìČ„ÊÓÆ” has met or bettered its sustainability targets, all while increasing enrolment and adding new buildings to both the Keele and Glendon campuses.

“This is testament to the excellent work of students, faculty and staff on sustainability issues here at York”, said Professor Ilan Kapoor, chair of the President’s Sustainability Council. “This is only the beginning, and clearly demonstrates that we are on the right track.”

York’s recent achievements in the area of sustainability include:

• The design and construction of seven campus buildings to green building standards in the last 10 years, including the Lassonde Building which was one of the first ‘green’ buildings constructed in Ontario. This, along with the Yorkwise program that has guided the retrofitting of lighting, heating, cooling and water fixtures in older buildings, has enabled the University to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in energy usage between 2007 and 2010, totaling over 60 million kilowatt hours of electricity over three years – enough energy to power both Keele and Glendon campuses for 240 days.
  
• A 50 per cent reduction in single occupancy vehicle use by the York community over the past 10 years. Currently, approximately two thirds of York community members commute to campus by environmentally preferable means, including walking, cycling, public transit and carpooling. York also operates a free campus shuttle service, offers a discount on public transit passes and awards incentives to carpoolers. Cyclists can make use of bike racks, indoor monitored bike parking and shower facilities.
• A 70 per cent increase in waste diversion rates between 2004 and 2010, resulting in more than 10 million kilograms of recyclable and compostable materials being diverted from landfills. Over the past year, York’s ZeroWaste program has increased food waste composting by approximately 20 per cent and significant increases were also found in the recycling of building materials and furnishings, with a 50 per cent increase in scrap wood and a 45 per cent increase in scrap metal recycling.

żìČ„ÊÓÆ” also offers a broad curriculum of sustainability programs, with over 350 undergraduate and graduate courses that focus on environment and sustainability across several Faculties including Environmental Studies, Education, Science & Engineering, the Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School.

“Effective sustainable practices reduce University costs, and will result in the legacy of a better environment for current and future generations, so the University is committed to the principles of sustainability, both in the classroom and across all aspects of campus operations,” said Richard Francki, assistant vice-president of Campus Services & Business Operations. “We will continue to enhance our environmental management practices to ensure that York maintains its leadership in campus sustainability in Canada.”

In light of this commitment, the President’s Sustainability Council is advancing a number of new initiatives such as the Sustainability Ambassadors and Green Office programs, both of which will be launched in early 2012. These initiatives will actively engage the York community in further achieving the University’s sustainability goals through a number of activities and learning opportunities.ÌęÌę

For more information on sustainability initiatives at York, visit the President's Sustainability Council website, or send an email to sustainability@yorku.ca.

Submitted by Andrew Plunkett, sustainability project coordinator, and Pavel Graymason, sustainability engagement coordinator, in the Office of the President.

Republished courtesy of YFile– żìČ„ÊÓƔ’s daily e-bulletin.

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