�첥��Ƶ will play an integral role in a national initiative supporting long-term energy and climate decision-making.

The (EMH) is designed to strengthen Canada’s analytical capacity around energy systems transitions.

Mark Winfield, a professor at York’s (EUC), will help guide Canada’s future in energy as one of five academics serving on the hub’s executive committee.

The investment of nearly $5 million was awarded to a consortium of �첥��Ƶ, the University of Calgary, Carleton University, the University of Victoria and École Polytechnique to establish a national energy modelling network to support evidence-based decision-making around the sustainable decarbonization of Canada’s energy systems.

Funding is provided through the Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program. Additional funding for EMH is provided through the Trottier and Ivey Foundations.

Working together over the next four years, academics and industry experts will improve access to energy models, data and analytical tools so governments and stakeholders can better understand the implications of different pathways to decarbonization and energy sustainability.

“The Energy Modelling Hub serves as an independent enabler and capacity builder in Canada,” says Winfield, who also co-chairs EUC’s Sustainable Energy Initiative. “Its work focuses on connecting researchers and decision-makers, supporting open-source tools, improving access to data and providing opportunities for training and knowledge sharing.”

Long-term planning, he says, will look at how to decarbonize energy systems while ensuring affordability and advancing sustainability.

EMH’s current work includes exploring the potential roles of connections between provincial electricity grids.

Contributing as York’s representative on the EMH executive committee, Winfield will help guide the strategic direction of the hub. Drawing on his extensive research on climate change, energy sustainability, and environment and energy law and policy, he will be part of a national effort to “advance the transition in the direction of sustainable energy systems.”

In 2023, Winfield co-edited Sustainable Energy Transitions in Canada (UBC Press) exploring the technical, economic, political and policy dimensions of decarbonization and energy transitions. Winfield’s work with EMH builds on his participation research networks around energy storage, smart grids, distributed energy resources and community energy planning, He is currently co-editing Carbon Federalism: Canadian Climate Governance in a Disrupted World for the University of Toronto Press.

The December 2025 funding announcement builds on previous $5 million federal support for EMH and strengthen Canada’s momentum towards net-zero and decarbonizing its energy systems.

The post York researcher helps advance national sustainable energy initiative appeared first on YFile.

For �첥��Ƶ student Sadia Tasnim, that moment came while completing her second co-op work term at Food Banks Mississauga as a data administrator. During a shift, Tasnim encountered a client asking for menstrual products. The food bank, however, didn’t have any available.

“I felt terrible that I could not help her in that moment,” says Tasnim, an international student from Bangladesh who struggled with the idea of women who do not have access to essential products.

Tasnim knew her expertise in data science could help the organization respond to this need. Through her studies at the Faculty of Science, she has become adept at gathering, interpreting and presenting data – including using statistical methods, computational skills and data analysis techniques – and wants to apply that knowledge to create positive change.

“At York, I’ve learned a variety of unconventional ways to extract and organize data,” says Tasnim, a fourth-year student. “It’s important to me to use this skill for a meaningful purpose.”

During her Fall 2025 placement at Food Banks Mississauga, Tasnim worked on the agency relations team, helping to coordinate organizations that distribute food and essential items to roughly half a million visitors per year. When she was asked to analyze the organization’s historical data on female clients between the ages of 18 to 55 in response to the gap in feminine hygiene products available, she was thrilled.

She drafted a report of her findings, which was shared with Food Banks Canada – the parent organization that provides supplies to community sites. Tasnim says it was rewarding to see her data analysis shared with decision makers and help make a meaningful impact.

“That is what pushed me to take on this project – making sure this need gets met,” says Tasnim.

Addressing real-world challenges has long been a priority for Tasnim. As a teen, she co-founded her own environmental non-profit to plant trees in her home city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to improve its air quality. She also volunteered for a social enterprise that delivers clean drinking water to underserved rural communities.

Thinking about her future, Tasnim is considering career roles in social finance – an investing approach that centres societal and environmental impact.

“I believe we have to use our talents for humanitarian causes,” Tasnim says. “Data can help drive smart decision-making in these important matters.”

For Daisy Dang, a fourth-year environmental studies student, housing access is the issue that drives her commitment to work for change. She is completing a full-time paid co-op placement at the Toronto Region Real Estate Board (TRREB), a non-profit organization serving 70,000 realtors in the Greater Toronto Area.

In her role as a policy analyst in TRREB’s government relations unit, she contributed to the organization’s 2026 Market Outlook and Year in Review event. As part of that work, she conducted extensive research on the efficacy of the current private and rental housing supply in the city. She also gathered data on trends and metrics related to housing affordability, residential zoning practices and homelessness.

“There’s a need for a greater variety of the right types of housing and more density,” Dang says. “We should be building more up than outwards and building more units with two and three bedrooms.”

As a student at York’s in the Cities, Regions, Planning (CRP) program, Dang is well-positioned to understand and address Toronto’s diverse urban planning challenges. This interdisciplinary program teaches sustainable, inclusive practices to manage growth, adapt infrastructure, welcome newcomers and mitigate environmental impacts. She has critically examined urban planning through courses exploring sustainable design, regional governance, migration patterns and political ecology.

Dang is also applying her growing knowledge at TRREB in other ways. A core part of her job involves researching housing-related programs offered by the municipal, provincial and federal governments to include as resources on the organization’s website. Her research also helps shape TRREB’s advocacy responses in its interactions with government representatives.

Through her combined co-op and academic experiences, Dang has a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics driving urbanization in Toronto and is particularly interested in its impacts on residents who live at the margins of society.

After completing her degree in 2027, she hopes to support municipal government decision-making in addressing housing issues affecting the unhoused and low-income citizens.

“I think a city works when you put people first,” Dang says.

With files from Sharon Aschaiek

The post �첥��Ƶ students drive community change through real-world learning appeared first on YFile.

The research, led by Roger Keil at York’s , shows how community-driven networks are vital in helping municipal governments make better decisions and protect essential services during times of instability.

“Both studies show that even in times of crisis, local democratic action creates real opportunities for change,” says Keil, who is a Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus and an associate member of the City Institute.

Published in , the first paper, in collaboration with York alum Maryam Lashkari and University of Glasgow’s Ross Beveridge, offers a new framework for “crisis urbanism” – a condition in which climate shocks, housing pressures, public health threats and political volatility overlap and persist. This idea, often referred to as poly- or permacrisis, explains how these problems do not happen in isolation and instead often overlap and continue for long periods of time.

Researchers outline four ways to understand these crises: how they grow over time; how they affect different places and people; how governments share or shift responsibility; and how people decide what defines a crisis.

Instead of responding to individual emergencies, the authors say cities need to shift toward “reparative urbanism,” an approach that focuses on long-term solutions, stronger services and more inclusive decision-making.

“Our research shows that cities benefit when they invest in repairing harm, supporting essential services and giving communities more say in decisions,” notes Keil.

Building on this work, a second study in collaboration with colleagues at York and University of Toronto – was published in looks at how community networks helped protect vital services in response to Ontario's proposal to dissolve Peel Region. It shows that Peel’s service network is already using this kind of care-focused work and how it helps.

When the provincial government tried to split up Peel Region (which includes Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon), it was challenged by the – an advocacy coalition representing more than 100 social service groups.

When the plan was announced, these groups shared data, stories and concerns from the community to ensure access to critical services – especially for racialized and low‑income residents who faced the greatest risk of service disruption. The province later stepped back from its proposal, and researchers say this demonstrates the important role community groups play in regional decision-making.

“Whether we look at community groups in Peel responding to sudden funding threats or at the broader idea of ‘crisis urbanism,’ the message is the same: when people come together, share knowledge and work across sectors, they can repair systems, protect essential services and strengthen how cities are governed,” says Keil.

The researchers remain engaged with community dynamics and are currently involved in a follow-up study on multi-level crisis governance in Canada and the U.K., funded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s and the UK Research and Innovation-Arts and Humanities Research Council's Knowledge Synthesis program.

The post York research shows how community networks strengthen cities in crisis appeared first on YFile.

Published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, explores how AMR surveillance systems can better reflect the needs of vulnerable communities and under-resourced countries.  

Led by Raphael Aguiar, postdoctoral research fellow at York’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, the study draws on interviews with global experts from government, academia and international organizations. 

The researchers argues that current AMR surveillance systems overlook the social, environmental and political factors that drive resistance. 

“Antimicrobial resistance is not just a biomedical issue – it’s a social and environmental one,” says Aguiar. “We need to understand how power, poverty and urban development influence who gets sick and who gets access to treatment.” 

Using a framework informed by Urban Political Ecology theory, the research team – including scholars from Montreal, Norway and Switzerland – show how urbanization, inequality and global development patterns shape risk and response related to AMR. 

The study highlights that AMR disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where limited resources and infrastructure make it harder to monitor and address this threat. It also points to ineffcient coordination between sectors – such as human health, animal health, agriculture and the environment – as a barrier to effective surveillance. 

The authors advocate for a more inclusive and locally informed One Health approach to AMR. They recommend that future global strategies – such as the next WHO Global Action Plan on AMR – prioritize equity, gender responsiveness, community engagement and long-term support for under-represented sectors. 

“To truly reduce antimicrobial resistance, we need to address deeper issues like unequal access to resources, gaps between rich and poor countries as well as the social and environmental factors that drive resistance,” says Roger Keil, co-author and professor emeritus at York’s . 

Focusing only on medical solutions isn’t enough, adds Arne Ruckert, co-author and director of research at the AMR Policy Accelerator, who states that surveillance systems should be tailored to the realities of different countries. 

The study recommends policymakers and global health leaders embed equity into every stage of AMR surveillance – from data collection to policy development – and proposes a roadmap for more inclusive and effective governance. 

“Without equity," adds Mary Wiktorowicz, co-author and professor at York's , "AMR governance will continue to reproduce the same global inequalities that drive resistance in the first place.”

The post York experts call for equity in fight against antimicrobial resistance  appeared first on YFile.

Established in 2003, the annual awards celebrate Canada’s most influential women for their leadership, advocacy and impact in their communities and industries. This year’s York-affiliated recipients include alumni and faculty whose work advances innovation, equity and excellence in Canada and beyond.

Below are this year’s winners and the categories for which they were recognized.

Amex Emerging Leaders

This category recognizes women between the ages of 30 and 40 who have been targeted for successive leadership positions and demonstrate a passion for learning and innovation.

Meghan Hillstrom (JD '18) is an alum and now serves as senior director at CIBC, where she established and leads a global team responsible for employee relations, workplace investigations and Canadian health and safety. Since joining the bank, she has spearheaded strategic projects, strengthened compliance frameworks and navigated sensitive executive-level matters. Named a 2023 Peak Emerging Leader, Hillstrom is recognized for her ability to deliver clear, effective solutions that support a respectful, regulation-aligned workplace while fostering professional development within her team.

Zeina Ismail (MES '13), an alum of the Graduate Program in Environmental Studies, is an associate vice-president of everyday banking at TD Bank, where she leads acquisition strategies that drive growth through innovation and advice. She also serves on the board of ABC Life Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides programs and resources to help adults improve their financial, digital and health literacy skills.

CN Executive Leaders

This category recognizes women who exemplify strong leadership while building confidence and championing others.

Monique Allen (MBA '00), an alumnus of York's , is a seasoned technology executive responsible for shaping the tech strategy across Sun Life’s Canadian operations and leading global enterprise architecture initiatives. She is committed advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion and wellness, and contributes her expertise to several boards focused on these values. Her contributions to the industry have been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women in IT Awards Canada.

Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano is former associate dean in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. She is currently the provost and vice-president academic and a full professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). A scholar of Italian studies and southern Italian dialectology – which she taught as a professor at York for over a decade – she has published her work in the field extensively. She also co-chairs TMU’s Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism and the TRC Strategic Working Group, and has received multiple professional leadership awards.

Professionals

This category recognizes women who are professionals in practice and play a leadership role within their organizations.

Pamela Farrell (BEd '07), a Faculty of Education alum, is a professor of education at the University of Calgary and founder of the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, Canada’s first food literacy centre that works to reduce hunger, combat food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyles. She also serves as honourary consul of Switzerland to Alberta and advocates for inclusive education and food justice. Farrell was recently also recognized with a 2025 �첥��Ƶ Alumni Award.

Zohar Levy (LLB '08), a graduate of , is an experienced civil litigator with a focus on commercial disputes and alternative dispute resolution. She advises a range of clients – from global corporations to individual professionals –on complex legal matters, particularly in the areas of health, technology and intellectual property. Deeply committed to access to justice, Zohar also dedicates time to pro bono work and community service, supporting advocacy groups, serving on boards and volunteering with legal associations.

RBC Future Leaders

This category recognizes young women between the ages of 15 and 29 who are transforming their communities through innovation, collaboration and courage.

Lauren Castelino (BA '22, MES '24) is an alum from the and Glendon College. She is an environmentalist and entrepreneur who founded the Green Career Centre to help under-represented youth access green jobs through training, resources and guidance. Her work has reached more than 500,000 young people and informed a $405-million national commitment to climate philanthropy. She was also recognized as one of York's 2025 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

Rana Espiritu Nasrazadani (BA '20, MPPAL '22) was also recognized in this category. Espiritu Nasrazadani is an alum of �첥��Ƶ's Graduate Program in Public Policy, Administration and Law and a former president's ambassador. Known for her strength-based approach to disability rights advocacy, she is an educator, public speaker and policy adviser advancing accessibility, equity and human rights in Canada. She is also a senior policy advisor with the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, and was recognized as one of �첥��Ƶ's inaugural 2021 Top 30 Alumni Under 30.

STEM Trailblazers

This category recognizes women in STEM roles who are challenging the status quo for knowledge and female empowerment.

Farzia Khan, a graduate from the , is senior manager of information security at TD Bank and founder of Ellehacks, an organization that hosts hackathons and programs to empower women and non-binary individuals in technology and innovation. Khan leads enterprise-wide cyber resiliency initiatives and is the visionary behind TD’s Cyber Academy, a program that provides students and early-career professionals with training and hands-on experience in cybersecurity skills. She also serves on several cyber and technology advisory boards. She recently received a 2025 �첥��Ƶ Alumni Award.

Ruth Uy (EMBA '22) is a graduate of the . She is a veteran board member, safety expert and executive with deep experience in non-profit, social justice and public infrastructure sectors. A licensed professional engineer with more than 25 years in the field, she actively promotes diversity in underrepresented industries through mentorship and public speaking. Drawing on her background in energy, circular economy and technology, she has forged cross-sector partnerships that drive lasting process improvements. She has been honoured among Canada’s Top Women in Safety (2025) and BMO Women on Boards (2024), and continues to champion women in STEM through leadership and mentorship.

For the full list of this year’s winners, visit the .

The post Canada’s most powerful women include York alumni, former faculty appeared first on YFile.

Each year, the Clean50 Awards celebrate 50 individuals from across Canada whose work over the previous two years has created measurable progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Honourees represent diverse sectors, including business, academia, government and advocacy, and are selected for accomplishments that drive meaningful environmental change. The awards also include Lifetime Achievement and Emerging Leader categories, recognizing individuals for career-long or early-stage impact in sustainability.

This year, two �첥��Ƶ alumni have earned recognition, reflecting the University’s continued leadership in preparing graduates who create lasting environmental impact across industries and communities.

From zero-waste brewing to sustainability education, York alumni are shaping Canada’s green future.

Alexis Esseltine, MES '11

Esseltine was named to Canada’s Clean50 for 2025 in the Retail & Consumer Products category for her impact as president of British Columbia’s Tin Whistle Brewing Co., which has seen her turn the operation into a carbon-neutral, zero-waste brewery.

Since taking ownership in 2020, she has reduced total emissions by 25 per cent while quadrupling beer production, achieving an 81 per cent emissions reduction per litre of beer brewed. Under her leadership, the brewery eliminated more than 11,800 kilograms of landfill waste, reused more than 13,700 plastic can carriers and found creative uses for beverage by-products – such as sake kasu and winery waste – by incorporating them into new beers. Tin Whistle also collaborates with Okanagan College on sustainability projects focused on spent-grain recycling, water reuse and algae-based carbon offsetting.

The awards committee commended Esseltine for transforming the beer company into “a nimble, sustainability-led market leader," spotlighting her commitment as a small business to lead on climate action and demonstrate that sustainability and growth can thrive together.

Kathryn Cooper, MEd '10

The Clean50 committee honoured Cooper with a Lifetime Achievement Award for “blending practical skill-building with ethical leadership, preparing graduates to shape organizations, communities and the broader field of sustainability.”

An educator and advocate for sustainability, Cooper has dedicated her career to developing the next generation of environmental leaders. As program manager of social responsibility and sustainability at the University of Toronto’s St. Michael’s College, she leads the post-graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Social Responsibility and the Social Impact Measurement Professional Certificate. The award committee noted that under her guidance, enrolment has nearly tripled since 2016, while the number of expert mentors has grown by more than 300 per cent.

Beyond her academic leadership, Cooper serves as president and chief learning officer of the Sustainability Learning Centre, a national hub for training and knowledge sharing that helps organizations implement sustainable practices and develop “whole employee engagement” in eco-efficiency and restorative design.

Together, Esseltine and Cooper exemplify the leadership in sustainability that �첥��Ƶ fosters in its students and alumni – turning education, innovation and collaboration into meaningful action for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

To learn more about the Clean50 Awards and this year’s honourees, visit .

The post Sustainability in action: York alumni named leaders for driving environmental change appeared first on YFile.

A new interdisciplinary paper co-authored by the director of �첥��Ƶ’s City Institute, Professor Harris Ali (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies), and Professor Emeritus Roger Keil (), along with Creighton Connolly of The University of Hong Kong, shows how infectious diseases like COVID-19 hit communities on the edges of cities hardest.  

Published in the journal City, the research “” explores how migrant workers, First Nations reserves and informal settlements faced increased risks during the pandemic. 

The researchers set out to examine how living on the urban periphery – areas where infrastructure is often limited and marginalization is common – shapes the way infectious diseases spread. Their goal was to identify practical steps for building more inclusive and responsive urban governance that responds to those most at risk. 

“We wanted to show that the urban periphery isn’t just a geographic edge – it’s a social and political space where vulnerability is concentrated,” says Keil. “Ignoring these areas means missing the real story of how pandemics unfold.” 

The study draws on case studies from Canada and the Global South, including interviews and fieldwork in affected communities. It found that people living and working in peripheral areas were more exposed to infection and less protected by public health measures. Poor housing, overcrowding, limited access to health care and weak governance all played a role in the lack of support during COVID-19. 

“During COVID-19, we saw how essential workers and marginalized groups were often left behind by policies designed for the urban core,” says Ali. “The pandemic exposed deep inequalities that have long existed but are rarely addressed.” 

Outbreak responses often fail to consider the specific circumstances of people living in peripheral communities. For example: migrant workers in Canada faced cramped living conditions and inadequate quarantine options; First Nations reserves had to set up their own checkpoints to protect elders and vulnerable residents; and in informal settlements, grassroots networks became lifelines when formal support systems failed. 

“Our work shows that local knowledge and community-led responses are vital,” says Ali. “Top-down approaches alone won’t work – especially in places where trust in government is low or infrastructure is missing.” 

The authors argue that urban planning and public health need to move beyond a city-centre focus and include the unique challenges of peripheral communities in planning. That means investing in infrastructure, supporting self-governance and listening to those most affected. 

“If we want fairer and more resilient cities, we need to rethink how the urban periphery governs itself,” says Keil. “We can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes.” 

The post York-led study highlights heightened pandemic risk in city outskirts  appeared first on YFile.

The RSC is one of the country’s highest honours, recognizing Canadian scholars, artists and scientists for outstanding career achievements and meaningful contributions to public life. 

Kapoor is internationally recognized for his critical work in global politics and development studies. His research has helped establish two influential subfields: postcolonial development, which investigates the lasting impacts of colonialism through international development practices; and psychoanalytic development studies, which explores how unconscious desire operates in global capitalism. 

“It’s both exciting and humbling to be inducted into the Royal Society of Canada,” says Kapoor. “This recognition highlights our continuing need to think critically about what’s happening across our planet today. Most importantly, I hope that my research on postcolonial and psychoanalytic politics inspires further exploration and political activism in our common struggle to create more just and equitable societies.” 

Kapoor's induction into the RSC highlights the growing relevance of critical development theory and practice in addressing global challenges and shaping public discourse. 

Kapoor is among 102 new fellows elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly achievements.  

“The Royal Society of Canada is delighted to welcome into its ranks a talented group of inspiring researchers, artists and creators whose peers have recognized their exceptional contributions to the world of science and culture, as well as to the well-being of Canadians,” says Alain G. Gagnon, president of the RSC. “Their research will continue to influence public policy for years to come, while improving the well-being of our society.”  

The RSC will induct the 2025 Fellows and members of the RSC College at a ceremony as part of the Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Montréal on Nov. 14.  

The post Ilan Kapoor among Royal Society of Canada’s Class of 2025  appeared first on YFile.

The Living Campus designation celebrates post-secondary institutions for their leadership in conservation and environmental stewardship, while encouraging community involvement through education and action.

"Being designated a WWF Living Campus is a testament to �첥��Ƶ’s deep commitment to conservation, community engagement and creating lasting environmental impact. Our partnership with WWF-Canada empowers students to become sustainability leaders and inspires collective action for a healthier planet," says Nicole Arsenault, director in the Office of Sustainability.

York’s renewed certification reflects its sustained efforts to enhance sustainability across its campuses since first receiving the recognition last year.

Among those efforts is the ongoing development of campus-wide renaturalization and ecological regeneration plans that emphasize Indigenous plant species. These projects support local habitats and biodiversity while creating accessible and educational green spaces.

Facilities Services has played a central role, implementing pollinator habitats and strategies to promote ecosystem diversity, revitalizing the historic fruit orchard at Stong House and planting more than 578 native plants and 238 native trees across the Keele and Glendon campuses.

“Our grounds team is proud to be committed to ensuring York’s campuses contribute meaningfully to addressing today’s environmental challenges,” says Stewart Dankner, director of property management with Facilities Services. “Through our stewardship, we’re creating sustainable, welcoming spaces that support both the community and the broader environment.”

Facilities Services has also collaborated with the Maloca Gardens team, Regenesis, the Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, and the Biodiversity Working Group to advance visible, accessible biodiversity initiatives focused on student well-being, community engagement and food sustainability.

These efforts, and the renewed Living Campus designation, also support �첥��Ƶ’s sustainability strategy, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose, launched in 2024, which builds on the University’s record as an international leader in sustainability research, teaching, partnerships and campus practices.

York has tracked its progress in its most recent Sustainable Development Goals Report which highlights an 82 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from investments and the protection of more than 785 acres of greenspace.

Students are invited to take part in WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Leader certification program, which helps develop sustainability knowledge and skills to make an impact both at York and in communities.

For more information or to register, visit the Office of Sustainability website.

The post York earns WWF-Canada’s Living Campus certification for second year appeared first on YFile.

For Terry, the power of environmental communication became clear in 2010 when the United Nations used his documentary The Antarctica Challenge: A Global Warning to convey climate change research conducted by scientists on the continent at a climate summit. At the time, film was rarely used to communicate scientific data to policymakers, making the UN’s decision a bold experiment – and a successful one.

“The policymakers really gravitated towards it, because they could understand it, they could see it and it was a relatively short amount of time to watch a documentary compared with days and weeks to read a scientific paper,” Terry says.

Since then, Terry has frequently partnered with the UN to use film and digital media to convey climate science. His experiences – which have seen him named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society – now form the foundation of a new certificate course he is teaching through CIFAL York called Environmental Communication, drawing on more than 30 years of documenting climate change impacts.

The one-day program provides a microcredit certificate and gives participants hands-on experience producing digital media that communicates environmental issues in ways policymakers can understand and act upon. The curriculum covers fundamentals of environmental communication and practical skills for effective messaging while workshops guide participants in developing their own environmental documentary prototypes.

The course ties directly to projects Terry has pioneered and that have been formally adopted by the UN to inform climate policy discussions. These include Geo-Doc, a multi-linear interactive documentary platform using geographic information system maps to display short films and the Youth Climate Report, which Terry is the executive director of, an annual video report created by young people aged 18 to 35 – often from remote communities – who visually document how climate change affects them.

Participants learn strategies for communicating environmental problems to decision-makers, including designing and producing their own Geo-Doc projects. They create short three- to five-minute geo-tagged videos that show where environmental stories are unfolding and participate in workshops on producing films in the style of the Youth Climate Report. All films will be submitted to the UNFCCC’s Youth Climate Report for review.

Terry says the course addresses a persistent challenge: despite the abundance of digital tools, society still struggles to convey environmental issues and solutions to policymakers. “This course provides new tools, methods and approaches that anyone can adopt to better communicate environmental issues to those in charge,” he explains.

For Terry, the program is about passing on lessons from a career dedicated to environmental communication. It offers participants tools to influence policy directly, moving beyond protests to a seat at the table where they can present their experiences and perspectives. “It gives them a way to show what they are experiencing and influence policy with their own voices,” he says.

The post New certificate empowers climate storytellers appeared first on YFile.