Every year on May 22, the United Nations (UN) observes The International Day for Biological Diversity to highlight innovative solutions to the biodiversity crisis. This year’s theme is centered on the actions to build back biodiversity with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15. The framework highlights four goals along with 23 targets to achieve by 2030, with the UN Environment Program encouraging businesses and people alike to spend the month of May taking small actions to preserve biodiversity.

At Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2), we work with industry partners that are not only working to preserve Canada’s rich ecosystems but are also releasing timely research to address the best approaches for our country to bolster its economy while protecting biodiversity.

Home to over 213 public higher education institutions, Canada is recognized as a global contributor to quality research, education and training. The extent of Canadian post-secondary institutions’ leadership does not stop at research and education, however. Canadian institutions are trailblazers in the shift toward more nature-conscious developments in the education and research they disseminate as well as the environments they occupy.

With the theme of this month’s International Biodiversity Day being From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity, it is important to recognize that building biodiversity starts in our own communities. Canadian colleges, cégeps, institutes and polytechnics play a critical role in communities, and are uniquely approaching the protection of biodiversity and green life at home.

From building green buildings, to holding our institutions accountable, to allocating funding toward environmental protection, our coalition members are taking the actions needed to preserve biodiversity.

Highlighted below are case studies from three of our members that local and global institutions alike can learn from going forward.

This year began on a high note for many Canadian colleges as multiple institutions were recognized for their innovation in research on Research Infosource Inc.’s list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges for 2022.

The list recognizes colleges that have fulfilled extraordinary achievements in both research income and research published in scientific journals throughout the 2020-2021 year.

Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) was particularly excited to see 10 of its coalition members featured on the list, include British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Southern Alberta Institution of Technology (SAIT), Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), Mohawk College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask. Polytech), Cégep Rimouski, Holland College, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and Algonquin College.

Our coalition members produce exceptional research in various sectors which earned them their rankings. For instance:

• Researchers at Mohawk College partnered with Mavryck Inc. to produce Vivclima, an AI technology that helps construction companies calculate their carbon footprint.
• At SAIT, a team of researchers partnered with Impossible Sensing Energy on a green-tech solution for extracting cleaner oil and gas.
• An applied research team at Sask Polytech examined spawning cycles and generating demographic data of Lake Sturgeon in the North Saskatchewan River without using invasive sampling procedures to influence fish species management and better approach habitat conservation.

These examples are just a few of the many research projects our members are conducting that prepare Canada for a green future. C2R2 has seen the impact of the work of these institutions in the environmental sector, and is excited to help magnify their efforts.

While having this research out there helps us understand best practices in shifting to a clean economy, it is critical that we work together to implement the findings of this research on a micro-level to support the transition away from carbon-intensive practices.

“With its connections to institutions across the country, C2R2 is uniquely positioned to make the complex knowledge of these institutions accessible and applicable to Canadian workers at a local level, preparing the Canadian economy for the transition to net zero,” states Paul Armstrong, C2R2 Steering Group Chair & Mohawk College Chief Operating Officer.

With funding from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, C2R2 is making this a reality with Quick Train Canada—a program that offers microcredentials to Canadian workers who are looking to upgrade their skills as industries shift to more sustainable practices. To learn more about how we are working with these institutions to strengthen our workforce in the face of a rapidly changing economic landscape, visit quicktraincanada.ca.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology’s acclaimed podcast Fireweed returns – with a special focus on adaptability and resilience. In episode 1 Host Bianca Rego learns about regenerative travel — the movement that encourages travelers to leave their destination better than it was before. She talks to two Davids — BCIT instructor David Tikkanen and David Leventhal from the Regenerative Travel group of resorts — about how travelling can help make the world a better place. And she meets Randy Louie, a cultural guide at the Klahoose First Nation Wilderness Resort on BC’s Sunshine Coast.

The Town of Bridgewater has made a name for itself as a community that is going above and beyond to tackle climate change and affordable housing challenges. Continuously thinking outside of the box, Bridgewater’s investments in green business ideas and research have attracted entrepreneurs and innovators with similar ambitions to work in this thriving Nova Scotian town.

Energize Bridgewater aims to reduce energy poverty and address the climate crisis in a way that includes the most vulnerable residents of the community. This visionary work presented an ideal opportunity to collaborate with the Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC) Applied Energy Research Lab. Led by Dr. Wayne Groszko, the AERLab works with industry and communities to solve energy challenges.

“Our lab has extensive experience in energy monitoring and communicating data-driven findings related to energy use,” said Dr. Groszko. “We decided to work together to develop a proof-of-concept for a residential energy management information system. This project draws on my team’s skills and aligns with the Town’s goals.”

Jessica McDonald, the Town of Bridgewater’s Energize Bridgewater Project Director, explains how an energy management information system is an important piece of supporting infrastructure and will help them meet their ambitious goals:

Image: Aerial imagery of the Northumberland Shore coastline. The left image was taken before Hurricane Fiona, the right after.

Coastal flooding and erosion in Atlantic Canada have always been a concern but never more so than now as climate change is impacting the region more frequently and intensely than ever before.

Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC) dedicated team of coastal mapping researchers have developed an online tool to help Atlantic Canadians prepare for coastal flooding from storms. Combining years of mapping data from past projects with high-resolution elevation data collected from an aircraft using lidar technology, NSCC’s Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) constructed an online flood risk mapping system.

AGRG has been conducting flood studies for coastal communities for many years now. They have been sharing their data with municipalities, provincial governments, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Emergency Management Office of Nova Scotia to help them project what past benchmark storms would look like in the future with increased sea-level rise.

There are many factors to consider when predicting flooding, such as predicted tide, storm surge and total water levels. In the past, understanding and layering the different flood factors could be confusing since the marine and land components use different vertical references, AGRG wanted to simplify the process for users. They applied for and received funding from the Emergency Preparedness Program to build a web-based system that would link all the data in one space, known as their Emergency Coastal Flooding Decision Support System.

The online tool links predicted tide and storm surge, up to 10 days in advance, interactively with the flood map. When the user clicks on the water level chart, the flood inundation map is automatically updated. Users can increase the water level using a vertical slider bar to incorporate the potential effects of waves and long-term sea-level rise. There’s also an option to overlay the flood layer with critical infrastructure like roads, locations of fire, police and ambulance service, and continuing care facilities to determine if they are at risk of flooding.

Dr. Tim Webster explains what drove him and his team to pursue this project:

“The goal of this project was to allow easy access to lidar maps and the coastal flood layers. It provides valuable information for surge predictions from storms and hurricanes as well as for people wanting to do long-term planning that need to consider sea-level rise in the next 50 to 100 years. For example, many planners use the tool when looking at infrastructure that could be vulnerable or planning new infrastructure that is expected to have a lifespan of over 50 years.

One of the biggest impacts for Atlantic Canada from climate change will be increased sea-level rise. This tool allows people to raise the sea-level and see what will get flooded.”

AGRG’s flood risk support system was in high demand leading up to and following Hurricane Fiona which made landfall on Sept 24, 2022. Dr. Webster noted, “The site was accessed by lots of people prior to Fiona making landfall and it did not crash which was a test of its design and implementation using ESRI GIS tools.”

More impressive still, was that the predictive models were quite accurate. While their system showed the same variation in the total water level along the Northumberland Shore and were consistent with the Environment and Climate Change Canada storm surge predictions, Dr. Webster and team were still impressed by the power of the storm which resulted in a significant amount of damage to coastal features.

Rising yearly temperatures, regular occurrences of wildfires and progressively warmer waters are just some of the many reasons we all must do our part in the fight for a healthier, happier planet.  

Algonquin College has joined millions of organizations globally in embracing sustainability as a strategy that drives better business performance, innovation, new employment opportunities, greater social equity and a healthier planet.  

In 2013, Algonquin College launched a Sustainability Strategy Framework guided by the S-E-E model which would incorporate the three pillars of sustainability, social, economic and environmental. The framework shaped many of the College’s practices and decisions related to College affairs and curriculum over the years, including LEED certification for new buildings, introduction of environmentally focused programs and effective implementation of energy saving measures.

Now, almost ten years later, this framework continues to guide Algonquin College’s earth friendly efforts. But the prevailing realities of climate change only grow harsher with each passing year, signaling the need for a renewed commitment to sustainability, climate action and environmentalism.  

While it’s common to think of sustainability as a matter of environmental initiatives, meeting present and future human needs involves a much larger spectrum of considerations. Algonquin College’s approach to sustainability equally weighs economic and social considerations against environmental ones.

Algonquin College offers a wide range of programs that teach skills essential to navigating and mitigating new challenges brought on by climate change. From firefighters to green architects, the College prepares learners for their stewardship in what will be a critical path forward. Not only will firefighters need to adapt to an increase in extreme weather incidents, but so will nurses, respiratory therapists, wastewater technicians, and many others.

Algonquin College’s Pre-service Firefighter and Education Training Program offers learners a hands-on opportunity to acquire crucial firefighter competencies and skills. Shaping graduates into capable and dynamic individuals prepared to confidently manage and mitigate the unfortunate fallout of extreme weather.

Algonquin College’s renewed commitment to sustainability focuses on providing a post-secondary education that shapes learners into global citizens capable of creating a better future for all.

Three postsecondary institutions are working with industry partners to address the skills shortage in Ontario’s screen-based industries.

Centennial College, Fanshawe and Seneca have collaborated to develop a suite of eight microcredentials designed to help industry professionals upskill and current students who are content creators learn additional in-demand production and technology skills.

With film and television production at record levels in Ontario, employers are reporting difficulty finding enough qualified workers with up-to-date skills in industry-standard technologies.

 “This suite of microcredentials gives students a real advantage in developing the skills that will lead them to employment in Ontario’s screen-based industries,” said Kurt Muller, Dean, Faculty of Communications, Art and Design, Seneca. “We’re working with industry leaders to offer training on the platforms and technologies that are being used in film and television right now, meaning graduates of these courses will emerge ready to immediately join the workforce.”

Credentials offered through this first-of-its-kind partnership include Grip/Lighting and Television and Film Production Accounting Basic Skills from Centennial College; Location Sound, Previsualization and Virtual Production – Unreal from Fanshawe; and Virtual Production – Unity and two microcredentials in Avid skills from Seneca.

Courses will be taught by respected industry professionals and offered online, in person and through hybrid delivery, helping students balance work priorities and learn from wherever they are in Ontario.

This collaboration is developed with funding from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Challenge Fund and the support of industry partners Avid, The Stratagem Group and Unity.

“Stratagem is delighted to support this project and is encouraged to see these dynamic colleges working in collaboration to help address this acute labour shortage across Ontario,” said Jeff Melanson, Partner, The Strategem Group. 

Both our indoor and outdoor spaces affect the learning blueprint and our environmental footprint. We commit to improving our learning spaces while reducing our impact. ~ Shaping Futures, Holland College’s strategic plan.

Holland College has more than 900,000 square feet in structures ranging in age from over 90 to just a few of years old in nine campuses and centres across Prince Edward Island. The challenge of maintaining all the buildings was staggering, and deferred maintenance was beginning to take its toll.

A decade ago, the college undertook two ambitious projects: the construction of the Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology (CAST) and the establishment of the Summerside Waterfront Campus. Each project was unique. CAST is a world-recognized Green Globes building, one of only a few in North America. The Summerside Waterfront Campus was a massive renovation project that transformed an aging shopping mall into a building which houses most of the college’s Industrial Trades and Technology programs, the Adult Education programs for that region of the province, and full-time programs in computer studies and health.

Since the completion of those projects, and with motivation from the goals outlined in a new strategic plan, Holland College has embarked on approximately $15 million in renovations and improvements.

With a focus on each of the buildings’ mechanical systems, building envelope, roof replacement, interior finishes, and electrical systems, the college has:

• Laid over 22,000 square feet of porcelain flooring in the Georgetown Centre and Atlantic Police Academy, and in buildings on the Summerside Waterfront Campus and the Prince of Wales Campus. The replacement of vinyl flooring with porcelain tiles means that the college was able to eliminate the use of hundreds of gallons of harsh chemical strippers.
• Replaced approximately 4,000 high-energy consumption lighting fixtures with LED fixtures, lowering electrical consumption by over 60 per cent.
• Upgraded numerous sticking heating valves and controls to correct overheating issues in some classrooms.
• Repaired damage caused by masonry, foundation, and window problems.
• Replaced roofs on campuses and centres across the province.
• Replaced HVAC systems that were well past their life expectancy.
• Installed low flow toilets and renovated washrooms in older buildings to conserve water and create gender neutral facilities.
• Installed energy efficient heat pumps.
• Installed EV chargers in locations across the province.
• Designated several parking spaces as carpool spaces.
• Conducted an energy audit in the Charlottetown Centre, which, at almost 90 years old, is the college’s oldest building and houses many of its approximately 65 programs, as well as a library, performance hall, and several lecture theatres.

This year, the college will undergo a carbon audit, which will help shape future sustainability projects in Holland College locations across Prince Edward Island.