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Algonquin continues to perform as a leader in Campus sustainability: One of the first colleges in Ontario to sign national protocol

Wednesday, April 22, Ottawa – Algonquin College became the second college in Ontario to sign the Association of Canadian Community College’s (ACCC) Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability. Algonquin’s President Robert Gillett was joined by James Knight, President of the ACCC, on Earth Day to sign this protocol and formally recognize the importance of sustainability on campus, in our classrooms and beyond.

“Caring for the environment is part of our commitment to caring for our students,” says Gillett. “We will continue to be a leader in sustainable practices in an effort to instill environmental best practices into our graduates so they can be agents of change in their personal and professional lives.”

This national protocol calls for colleges to integrate principles of sustainability into curriculum; develop an institutional sustainability plan; incorporate sustainability practices in operations such as green standards for buildings, use alternate energy sources and energy efficient transportation; and more.

Environmental Studies Enrollment Soars

NY Times reports an increased interest in environmental studies programs.

First Fair Trade Campus in the United States

This week's interview is with David Barnhill, Director of Environmental Studies and Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. The University recently received media attention for becoming the first Fair Trade campus in the United States. In the interview below, David discuses what this designation means, the reasons for pursuing it, and the steps that were required.

70-plus Canadian athletes sign carbon-neutral letter

The Vancouver Province reports that over 70 Canadian athletes have signed a letter to 2010 Olympic boss John Furlong urging him to make sure the Games are carbon neutral.

Danish architecture firm's Azerbaijan carbon neutral masterplan

An extraordinary project, Denmark’s BIG Architects has unveiled images of its design for Zira Island in Azerbaijan, which it hopes will be Asia’s first fully realised carbon neutral masterplan.

The 1,000,000 sq m plan envisions the creation of seven “peaks” in the shape of famous mountains in Azerbaijan on an island in the Caspian Sea.

UK Government to define carbon neutral

Carbon neutral means different things to different people in Canada. It can mean offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. The UK government is clearing up the confusion.

Canadians Won't Quit on the Environment: Globe and Mail

"Even in the worst of economic times, as job losses mount and gloomy headlines dominate, Canadians have not abandoned their concern for the environment, which was their top policy priority before the financial crisis took hold last autumn" reports the Globe and Mail.