Articles from:February 2023

  • Sustainable Agriculture 

    Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | By

    By: Kassie Burns

    ChrisHepburn / Getty Images

    Agriculture is a dominate industry in the Niagara Region, which is prominently known for its wine sector. In 2016 there were 1,827 farms that spanned 218,251 acres of land across the Region (Niagara Region, 2016). Farming provides an extensive source of economic income, with the area in the Region generating a totaled $838.1 million in revenue (Niagara Region, 2016). However, with global population on the rise, it is estimated we will need to increase food production by 70% in the next 30 years to ensure there is enough food for everyone and to limit food insecurity (ECO Canada, 2022). Considering this severe projection and the consequences of current agricultural practices, more sustainable farming methods will be required. 

    Sustainable agriculture incorporates social, environmental, and economic interests. It strives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase biodiversity, and promote soil health (ECO Canada, 2022). These practices can bring communities out of poverty and provide an enhanced quality of life for farming families. Reducing the use of pesticides, planting hedgerows along field edges, and planting cover crops or implementing crop rotation are all methods to promote sustainable agriculture. These methods are sometimes referred to as Agroecology, which is the name of techniques that minimize environmental impact when farming (ECO Canada, 2022). Additional benefits can arise when consideration is given to biodiversity of crops and other vegetation that can help promote crop growth and prevent pests or disease. Organic farming practices are most optimal as they do not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, which can have devastating impacts on the environment (ECO Canada, 2022). 

    However, there are several challenges that come with creating transformative change within sustainable agriculture practices. It is not easy to simply switch to new customs that may be more sustainable. There are always risks associated when any sort of change is brought into action to affect crop growth, and when an annual salary depends on the viability of crop production in one summer period, the associated risk can be overwhelming and discourage changes in practice. Although numerous studies have shown that many of the methods mentioned above create positive changes for both a farmer’s income and the health of the environment, there are also risks (Isaac et al., 2021). For example, not using pesticides may result in damaged crops due to increased pests, and therefore, a farmer may experience a smaller yield of crops, which could put their livelihood in jeopardy. An additional challenge that exists includes finding the funds to make these sustainable changes, if funding is not easily available. Given these important considerations, it can be difficult for farmers to adopt more sustainable agriculture practices. 

    Despite these challenges, an increasing awareness of the need to adopt sustainable agriculture practices are being recognized, and more and more farmers are willing to make the necessary changes to ensure our planet and small-scale farms are regarded with high priority. More groups and government funding opportunities have been formulated in recent years, such as the Organic Council of Ontario (OCO), which to helps establish a better future for farming in the province. With growing awareness of this topic and stronger financial support for farmers, a more sustainable future for the agricultural industry is possible!  

    References 

    ECO Canada. (2022). What is sustainable agriculture? Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://eco.ca/blog/what-is-sustainable-agriculture/ 

    Isaac, M. E., Nyantakyi-Frimpong, H., Matous, P., Dawoe, E., & Anglaaere, L. C. N. (2021). Farmer networks and agrobiodiversity interventions: the unintended outcomes of intended change. Ecology and Society, 26(4), 12–. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12734-260412 

    Niagara Region. (2016). Niagara Agriculture Profile. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/ap/pdf/niagara-agricultural-profile.pdf 

    Categories: Agriculture, Student Contributor

  • Tour of Brock’s District Energy System – Experiential Education for SSAS Students

    Tuesday, February 14, 2023 | By

    Blog by: Sanjida Amin

    Theoretical knowledge gives us profound comprehension of a concept through observing it in the context of a greater whole and understanding the reason behind practically. In line with this, Brock University Students enrolled in the Master of Sustainability program, fall 2022, participated in a Brock tour as part of their experiential education for the course SSAS 5P01.  

    The students were taken on a tour of the Facilities Management (FM) department and Brock’s energy systems, where they were able to learn and see what is happening on campus to manage the Brock campus from all perspectives, such as planning, operations, reporting and managing energy efficiency.  As SSAS 5P01 instructor Dr. Jessica Blythe explained, “The objective of this class was to engage graduate students in a direct experience with the Facilities Management department at Brock University in order to develop knowledge, skills, and capacity for enacting sustainability.” She added, “I am grateful to our partners in FM, who hosted us in the Brock tunnels and described their approach for advancing sustainability on campus. Seeing, for example, the central station, where the FM team can monitor and control all energy use, heating, and cooling on campus, offers a unique window into how this can happen at scale.” 

    The day began with a visit to the Facilities Management department where students got to know about how utilities are managed, how facilities are maintained, and how the co-generation plant is designed within a 2km tunnel. Through exploring and seeing the whole tunnel in-person, participants from both the thesis and co-op schemes were surprised to know how the District Energy System (DES) is maintained to increase efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and save money for the university. After the tour, students enjoyed a cheerful and interactive presentation session by Amanda Smits, Centre Administrator, ESRC, Mary Quintana, Director of Asset Management and Utilities, and Drew Cullen, Manager of District Energy.  Throughout the presentation, students learned about the domains of Sustainability at Brock, including the Project Charter with Facilities Management, the Partnership Scope, Sustainability Planning, Sustainability in Operations, Sustainability Reporting & Assessment, and diversified initiatives of Sustainability at Brock to a greater extent.  

    This experience was incredibly valuable for all students, as it provided them with the opportunity to not only meet many of the resource personnel of the university, but also because they got to visit various campus facilities to gain a better understanding of how the campus is run behind-the-scenes. Erin Marie Isaac, who is currently pursuing her Master of Sustainability and is working as a Teaching Assistant at Brock, said that “Learning about the various types of environmental jobs through the co-op program and especially through experiential learning opportunities such as the tour of Brock’s energy facilities has been extremely helpful and inspiring. These experiences have provided me with the knowledge and skills to confidently start my professional journey in the environmental field”. 

    Another SSAS student, Zaara Momin, shared that “It’s truly remarkable to see the effort Brock is doing in terms of sustainability in collaboration with facilities management. The real-world strategies that have been employed throughout the project to lessen its impact on the environment are motivating, and they helped me remember why I chose to enrol in the Sustainability program at the first place”. 

    Check out the photos below for some highlights from the memorable trip of Facilities Management at Brock! Please visit the following websites to know more about FM and Sustainability at Brock.

    Sustainability at Brock  

    Facilities Management 

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    Categories: Education, Student Contributor, Sustainability at Brock

  • Exploring Sustainable Fashion Practices

    Monday, February 06, 2023 | By

    By: Sanjida Amin

    With every purchase you make, you may have the ability to choose a sustainably sourced and produced item. Unfortunately, many products are made in ways that deplete natural resources and harm ecosystems, however, some products are made in more socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible ways. According to The United Nation Environment Programme, the garment industry contributes between 2% and 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, and textile dyeing is a major water polluter. To ensure the garment industry is more sustainable, all actors must get involved, including designers, manufacturers, fashion critics, and consumers. Individuals can make efforts to ensure that their purchasing decisions do not support the exploitation of people or the environment by learning about sustainable shopping practices.  

    How can fashion become more sustainable and what can you do? 

    There are various methods you can employ when shopping for clothing, which can help reduce the impact of fashion on the environment! While you can consider sustainability for large products you purchase, such as technology and furniture for your home, you can also make ethical decisions for everyday purchases, such as clothing, food, beauty products, and more. Since the fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to growing greenhouse gasses, it’s important to question how our clothing is made and where it is coming from. Check out these simple tips to be more sustainable when choosing your fashion products. 

    Be cautious and think before your purchase:  

    Before you purchase a garment, think about if you really need it. Buying fewer clothes is one of the main things we can do to reduce the impact of fashion on the environment. If we all try to buy less, manufacturers will be compelled to produce clothing at a more sustainable level, resulting in a drop in emissions, textile waste, and runoff chemicals. The faster pace of garment production has also accelerated the consumption rate, and according to sources, an average person now purchases 60% more clothing than they did in 2000. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation  estimates that every year, $500 billion USD is lost due to clothing that is hardly used, not donated, recycled, or ends up in a landfill. As quoted, “Rather than impulsively buying a pair of boots, ask yourself: what do you really need, and do you want to follow trends or set them?” – Garrette Clark, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 

    Consider gently used items and shop local: 

    Purchasing gently used items benefits society and the environment. It not only lowers carbon emissions and your carbon footprint, but it also helps save resources like water and energy. Additionally, you generally have to pay less money when buying gently used  items. Most significantly, by choosing gently used goods, you’re preventing them from being thrown away and keeping them out of landfills. You may also consider shopping locally and supporting small businesses that support fair wages and ethical production.  

    Be a smart laundry manager: 

    When it comes to taking care of your clothes, washing them at a cooler temperature and less frequently is key to improving your own fashion sustainability, and you’ll also save money on your utility bills. Try to only wash full loads of laundry and spot clean items, when possible, rather than giving them a full wash. You may also choose to air-dry clothing, rather than use a tumble dryer, which tends to use more energy. 

    Consider the materials used in your clothing: 

    Another approach to lessen the impact of your wardrobe is to choose garments made with natural materials with fewer synthetic dyes, such as wool and linen and clothing dyed with plant-based materials. The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion estimates that the textile industry is responsible for about 9% of the annual micro plastics in oceans. In addition, a lot of fibres are comprised of polyester, a material that tends to release far more carbon emissions than cotton. Lots of synthetics are made from plastics, which re-release micro plastics into water streams during washing, are almost impossible to recycle, and can take centuries to decompose. 

    Repair, reuse, and repurpose garments when possible: 

    It is always a great idea to commit to wearing clothing to their maximum lifecycle before discarding any garments. Instead of throwing out unwanted clothing and contributing to textile waste, you can donate unwanted items to charities, repurpose them as rags, or even repair or alter them into something new. A garment you intend to throw away may make a difference for someone else! Every year, the Brock University Faith and Life centre organizes a Winter Clothing Drive for International Students, which not only enhances the donation behaviour of the community, but also nurtures a practice towards greater sustainability. For more information on the clothing drive, please visit the ExperienceBU event page.

    Summary 

    Although the fast fashion industry has significant negative social and environmental effects, the future of sustainability in the fashion industry is promising, and sustainable production methods are expanding. Starting with small actions and making changes in daily lifestyle choices, like reducing your fashion consumption, will not only benefit your bank account but also the health of our planet. If possible, try to keep your garments for as long as possible to minimize their impact on the environment as well as reduce the quantity of new items you need to purchase. Before purchasing clothing, doing some background research on the practices of the brand and the fabrics used can allow you to make a more informed decision on the sustainability and longevity of a product. 

    Categories: Clothing, Student Contributor

  • World Wetlands Day

    Thursday, February 02, 2023 | By

    Blog by: Kassie Burns

    Happy World Wetlands Day! The theme for this year is wetland restoration, to help bring attention to the horrendous loss of ecosystems and the need to prioritize their restoration (International Coral Reef Initiative, 2023); but what is a wetland, and why should we care about them?  

    A wetland is an area where the primary element is water that helps dictate the environment, plant, and animal life (United Nations, 2023). They can range from large bodies of water like lake shorelines or rivers, to smaller areas like ponds or wet grasslands. They also diversify in marine or freshwater systems. The general requirement for a location to be established as a wetland is for the site to be saturated with water for varying periods of the year, so that area may dry but is known to become flooded again (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022).  

    The unique nature of wetlands to connect both aquatic and terrestrial environments provides an optimal and necessary habitat for many organisms which makes ecosystems rich in biodiversity. Although they only account for 6% of the earth’s land surface, wetlands are required for 40% of all plant and animal life to live or reproduce (United Nations, 2023). Not only are they vital components to maintain biodiversity, but they also provide a variety of benefits that directly improve human quality of life. These benefits or ecosystem services are ones that occur naturally through different processes undertaken in the environment, with some listed below.  

    Ecosystem Services and Benefits 
    • Water regulation 
    • Flood and storm prevention 
    • Water purification 
    • Food production 
    • Tourism 
    • Job growth 
    • Recreational activities
    • Educational opportunities
    • Enhances health and well-being

    Despite the vital importance of wetlands and the many roles they play, their value is not always recognized. Wetlands continue to get drained for agricultural and urban development. Climate change and invasive species threaten ecosystems further, as well as pollution and the overexploitation of resources. In the last 50 years, wetlands have declined by 35%, which is a rate that is three times faster than that of forest decline (United Nations, 2023).  

    That is why this year’s World Wetlands Day theme reflects on reviving and restoring degraded wetlands. There is an urgent need to take action to bring back what has been lost, and that can start with you! Help spread awareness of these valuable ecosystems so they can get the restoration needed! 

    What Can You Do? 
    • Educate yourself on wetlands and share knowledge with others 
    • Become a wetland champion by advocating for their protection and restoration (ICRI, 2023) 
    • Be conscious of the amount of water used and aware of toxins in products migrating to water sources (ICRF, 2023) 
    • Do not litter and help to clean-up a wetland site  
    • Volunteer directly to a wetland restoration project! Visit the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) to see their list of volunteer opportunities. 

    References  

    International Coral Reef Initiative. (2023). World Wetlands Day 2023 materials are now available online. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://icriforum.org/world-wetlands-day-2023-materials/ 

    United Nations. (2023). World Wetland Day February 2. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-wetlands-day#:~:text=Wetlands%20are%20a%20natural%20solution,all%20the%20world’s%20forests%20combined. 

    United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). What is a Wetland? Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/what-wetland

    Categories: Events, Student Contributor