The Path to The University of Western Ontario's Centre for Environment and Sustainability

Environmental Research Western (ERW) was established in 2004 to replace the Western Environmental Science and Engineering Research Institute. The new name reflected the growth of environmental research being undertaken outside the disciplines of science and engineering to include social science, law and more. ERW was a conduit for Western’s environmental research community, through fostering and supporting the development of visionary collaborative research projects, initiatives and partnerships. Since then, there has been a gradual shift to give sustainability issues more recognition.

In 2008, the completion of the Biotron added a world class research facility to the vision. The Biotron is a controlled environment facility that studies the impact of climate change and other environmental stressors on plants, insects and microorganisms in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

The Biotron houses state-of-the-art, separately contained research modules for earth science, microbiology, plants and insects, and integrates research in environmental biology, medicine and agriculture.

The Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion will provide the next step in implementing research to application. The facility will integrate modern technology and the principles of environmental sustainability. The building will also house laboratories for leading-edge environmental research.

The resulting green technologies and green energy will bring major benefits to all Canadians and present unique opportunities in emerging areas by creating jobs in advanced technologies and new business opportunities both in Canada and abroad.

On the academic side, new innovative programs have been added to meet the growing need for environmental professionals in society. Undergraduate students may now enrol in courses that provide deep training within particular areas of sustainability. These students choose courses in either Environmental Life Sciences, Environmental Physical Sciences or Environmental Philosophy, Policy, Social and Political Science. At the same time, these students develop coherent skills necessary to deal with multifacted issues.

Graduate programs include a one-year, course based Masters of Environment and Sustainability (MES) made up of courses from the Ivey Business School, Engineering, Social Science, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry as well as Science. There is also the Collaborative Research and Thesis Based Program for those who wish to pursue Masters or PhD degrees.

Based on the strength of these initiatives, Western's Academic Plan for 2008 to 2011 has identified Environmental Sustainability and Green Energy as one of the ten signature areas where Western is a national leader. This recognition supports the accomplishments of the large number of faculty working collectively through Western's own Interdisciplinary Development Initiative. Through this enterprise, Western has provided $560,000 to establish a School of Environment and Sustainability as announced in the last issue of ERW Newsletter. The program has built relationships within the Sustainability community and developed a rewarding research and teaching program as stated in the latest Environment and Sustainabilty (E&S) program newsletter DispatchES.

Environment and sustainability constitute a common research concern at The University of Western Ontario, with principal participation from the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Social Science. An ongoing major initiative includes the creation of a new centre for research and teaching in environment and sustainability. The University of Western Ontario's Centre for Environment and Sustainability will build a comprehensive and internationally competitive research platform as well as an energetic academic atmosphere.

UPDATE, December 7, 2009: Dr. Irena Creed has stepped down as Acting Director of the Centre for Environment & Sustainability (CES) effective Nov. 30, 2009 after assisting with the transition to the new management structure of the Centre.

The Centre has been fortunate to have Irena as an Acting Co-Director in 2008-09 and as Acting Director for the fall term of 2009-10. Her dedication to, and passion for, the Environment & Sustainability initiative have greatly benefited the development of the Centre and its programs.

Please join me in thanking Irena for this valuable contribution and a job well done.
An Acting Director for the second half of the 2009-10 academic year will be appointed in due course. In the meantime, the CES Associate Director, Duncan Hunter, will assume lead responsibility for ongoing operations of the Centre.

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