News

Western's Interdisciplinary Approach is Key to Environmental Problems

Dr. Volodya Miransky

Laurel Broten, Ontario's Minsiter of the Environment, announces the province's support for the Green Building.

By Mitchell Zimmer

On June 15th, the Ontario government announced that it is providing $6.7 million to support research at the soon to be built Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion which is also known as the Green Building. The investment is part of the Ontario Research Fund’s Research Infrastructure program. The building is also funded, in part, by the federal government’s Canada Foundation for Innovation.

The project, led by Dr. Hugo De Lasa, will create improved industrial materials and processes that reduce pollution and protect our natural resources. The announcement was officially made by Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Laurel Broten in the collaboratorium of the Biotron.

In his opening address Gerald Kidder, Western's Associate Vice-President (Research), said that, “the Biotron and the Green Building will provide Western with two unique and world class research and teaching facilities devoted to the environment. These facilities are just two examples of Western’s cross-disciplinary approach to environmental research and teaching. We approach environmental issues from a number of angles and from all four corners of the campus. We have the Green Building and the Biotron which will link to innovative programs in Ecosystem Health based in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. We have the Ivey School Centre for Building Sustainable Value and we have a really strong interdisciplinary graduate program in environmental research taking advantage of the strengths at Environmental Research Western. So environment is us.”

After a short introduction by Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre, Broten Hon. Laurel Broten, Dr. Norm Huner and MPP Khalil Ramaladdressed the audience. In her speech the Minister was enthusiastic about Western’s environmental research. “What’s happening here is so exciting and I am absolutely delighted, said Broten. “The Biotron and the research that’s taking place in this building in the years ahead will have extraordinary potential. Within these walls many of Ontario’s top minds and world class researchers will explore a wide range of scientific and environmental innovations, their work will help us combat global warming, better understand our environment and pioneer new technologies that will not only benefit Ontarians but our entire planet.”

After announcing the government’s support of the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion, she elaborated on the new building’s role. “The pavilion will provide a permanent opportunity for students and faculty to undertake research on renewable energy and other green solutions.” She later added, “it will feature the most advanced, environmentally sustainable construction technologies and methodologies. The building itself will become a teaching tool.”

Broten then commented on the multifacted research on campus. “Between the Biotron, The Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion and The University of Western Ontario, you are going to be a hub for a green revolution. There is no greater environmental issue facing our world that the problem of reducing greenhouse gases.” She then mentioned the next phase that the Ontario government will undertake to combat this problem. “We know we need to do more and that’s why we’re introducing a climate change plan very soon that could very well be the strongest position on greenhouse gas reduction of any government in North America. We will put in place stringent targets and calculated steps to reduce emissions and encourage conservation to boost renewable energy generation.”

Franco Berruti, Dean of Engineering Science said that the initial vision was, “to create an environment which is a green building." He then stressed the importance of the building’s part of a campus-wide interdisciplinary effort. “This building is going to be very interesting because it brings together people from different parts of academia. In this university we are really working together across the faculties.”

The building will focus on four nodes of research: energy from renewable resources, the use of solar energy, fuel cells and biofuel cells and new green materials and products.