From firefighters to respiratory therapists, everyone has a part to play in the green economy

Posted on Monday, July 18th, 2022

Rising yearly temperatures, regular occurrences of wildfires and progressively warmer waters are just some of the many reasons we all must do our part in the fight for a healthier, happier planet.

Algonquin College has joined millions of organizations globally in embracing sustainability as a strategy that drives better business performance, innovation, new employment opportunities, greater social equity and a healthier planet.

In 2013, Algonquin College launched a Sustainability Strategy Framework guided by the S-E-E model which would incorporate the three pillars of sustainability, social, economic and environmental. The framework shaped many of the College’s practices and decisions related to College affairs and curriculum over the years, including LEED certification for new buildings, the introduction of environmentally focused programs and effective implementation of energy-saving measures.

Now, almost ten years later, this framework continues to guide Algonquin College’s earth-friendly efforts. But the prevailing realities of climate change only grow harsher with each passing year, signalling the need for a renewed commitment to sustainability, climate action and environmentalism.

While it’s common to think of sustainability as a matter of environmental initiatives, meeting present and future human needs involves a much larger spectrum of considerations. Algonquin College’s approach to sustainability equally weighs economic and social considerations against environmental ones. The College is committed to meeting not only the evolving needs of people locally but across our global community as well.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article about the impact of fossil fuel emissions on children, including dermatologic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The article included some startling first-hand accounts from the director of the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Kari Nadeau. Nadeau said many of the children coming into her clinic have “terrible asthma” as well as other medical complications as a result of wildfire smoke. As wildfires increase each summer, young Canadians will likely be subject to similar health fallouts — something our learners need to be prepared to address.

Algonquin College offers a wide range of programs that teach skills essential to navigating and mitigating new challenges brought on by climate change. From firefighters to green architects, the College prepares learners for their stewardship in what will be a critical path forward. Not only will firefighters need to adapt to an increase in extreme weather incidents, but so will nurses and respiratory therapists.

Algonquin College’s renewed commitment to sustainability will focus on providing a post-secondary education aimed at shaping global citizens capable of working toward a better future for all.


Comments

Comments are closed.