Projects

A number of collaborative activities have been undertaken since the RCE/EAST was created. These include a survey of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programs in the Toronto region. The objective was to determine the degree to which ESD programs in Toronto reflect the United Nations’ themes for the International Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Over 400 organizations were invited to complete the survey, with over 87% respondents coming from the informal education sector. Several key findings emerged. First, there seemed to be a lack of awareness of the links between ESD and issues of environmental justice and poverty alleviation. Second, there seemed to be a clear gap in terms of available training programs specifically aimed at the social service sectors. Third, very few training opportunities appear to be available on-line, with over 80% of education occurring face-to-face.

As a result of the survey, several project proposals are being developed. These include:

  • A “train-the-trainer” program for the social service sector, in conjunction with the City of Toronto’s Climate Change plan. Recognizing the central role of social service providers in working with multiple groups within Toronto, this project aims to design a two-day “train the trainer” workshop for these providers and for community-based organizations, about climate change education. The workshop would initially run three times over the course of six months, followed by possible additional events.

  • Free, public distance education modules, targeted at advancing understanding of Toronto Climate Change issues. Building on the Centre for Environment’s existing Distance Education certificate programs, the aim is to design an on-line course/primer about ESD and Climate Change initiatives in Toronto, aimed at an audience with little previous environmental knowledge (accessible to new Canadians and some of the special needs populations). Linking issues of poverty alleviation and climate change action, the primer would offer practical suggestions for lifestyle changes and would provide links to existing programs around the Greater Toronto Area.

In addition, the following other projects are in development:

  • A case study at the neighbourhood scale, building on the success of the University of Toronto Sustainability Office’s success in developing the “ReWire” project, aimed at changing behaviour to encourage energy conservation. 

  • Designing an internet-based “Sustainability Map” to assist the public in identifying projects and local initiatives that successfully advance sustainability in the Toronto region, such as field trip opportunities and curriculum resources, and, at the same time, to inspire new initiatives.

  • Best Practices Case Studies.  As part of a fourth year independent research course, a Centre for Environment student worked together with City of Toronto staff to identify 10 to 12 case studies that would serve as significant examples of ESD within the Toronto area.

  • The development of a new Centre for Sustainable Life and Learning at the Toronto Zoo, providing a home for the Zoo’s various educational outreach programs.

Other proposals, such as designing a video-based presentation about climate change and sustainability challenges for Toronto, are also under discussion.

 

design coalescence