Sustainability is a global challenge, in which we all have a part to play. As a host institution for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education, McGill community members can join the international conversation for free.
The annual Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE) offers keynotes, workshops, panel discussions, and more to allow students, staff, faculty to gather to discuss today’s most pressing sustainability issues. This year’s conference, held live from October 12 to 14, will be packed with fantastic learning opportunities, with sessions available to view on demand until December 31, 2021. McGill has 200 free passes available on a first come, first serve basis until October 14.
This year’s theme “The future is …” reflects the uncertainty about the future that many feel and invites participants to recommit themselves to the urgent work of building a future that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient. Sessions relate to the themes of Campus Operations, Culture & Communications, Emerging Issues, Governance & Administration, Public Outreach & Engagement, Student Organizing and Activism, and Teaching & Learning, meaning there is something available for everyone from every field!
You can view the complete schedule here, but the McGill Office of Sustainability has highlighted some sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities below. See you there!
Climate & Energy
Is Your Carbon Footprint BS?
Time: October 13th, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
This session debates individual vs. systemic actions, what really matters, and how to truly make an impact. Dive into the debate on individual actions vs. systemic change, what really matters, and brainstorm how your own unique skills and interests can best be applied to realizing climate solutions.
The Future is Being Resilient to Climate Emergencies
Time: Thursday, October 14, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
This session will examine why some communities are more vulnerable to climate emergencies becoming climate disasters while introducing how higher education can enhance community resiliency by being prepared for climate emergencies.
Waste
A Zero Waste Campus Is Possible
Time: Tuesday, October 12, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
This workshop is a facilitated discussion around how students can lead efforts to solve waste issues on their campuses. The main focus of the workshop will be on empowering attendees to take action on their campuses. We will draw on our national experience with campuses from across the country to highlight innovative ideas for how students can view waste as a resource through which they can generate revenue, save money for students and campus departments, and benefit the environment.
Zero Waste Networking Meeting
Time: Wednesday, October 13, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Audience: All
This is a meetup for all students, staff, companies, and professionals that are working on campus Zero Waste efforts. Whether you're helping your campus achieve Zero Waste goals or focusing on the development or expansion of a specific program, let's come together to share ideas, resources, and best-practices.
Food Systems
Assessing Food Security in Higher Education
Time: Tuesday, October 12, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
This session will provide the audience with knowledge and guidelines for evaluating campus food security.
Fun with Food Systems: Creative Ways to Increase Food Sovereignty and Build Community Remotely
Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
This session showcases collaborative, multi-disciplinary solutions to student food insecurity during remote learning.
Social Sustainability & Environmental Justice
Integrating Wellness and Diversity Into the Sustainability Model
Time: Tuesday, October 12, 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM
This workshop will introduce a sustainability model that includes a focus on wellness and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Advocacy for Justice: Classroom, Colleagues and Community
Time: Tuesday, October 12, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The discussion aims to generate intrigue for insightful and actionable steps toward justice within higher education. This session will provide an opportunity for an in-depth and perceptive discussion surrounding the intersections of justice across the varied social landscapes within Higher Education. Connected to this is an exploratory dialogue on how sustainability aligns with transdisciplinarity and how individuals have agency and capacity to be strongly connected to advocacy work for positive change.
Building the Future We Desire: Crossing Boundaries & Challenging Historical Ideas of Sustainability
Time: Wednesday, October 13, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
This session challenges us to grapple with historical injustices in our institutions' foundations on indigenous lands.
Moving from 'Sustaina-splaining' to Inclusion
Time: Wednesday, October 13, 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
This presentation introduces the concept of Inclusive Sustainability via student experiences and creative collaborations. Speakers will discuss how and why reframing the conversation to center intersectional identities in our sustainability work is imperative, while providing insights into how they work to shift from "sustaina-splaining" to a narrative that recognizes how communities of color have been at the forefront of doing sustainability work.
Putting the Equity in Sustainability Curriculum
Time: Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
This session will address some struggles, successes and motivations for making the curriculum more accessible and modifying environmental curriculum to address social justice.
Community Engagement
Fund Strategies to Develop the Most Spectacular Projects Possible
Time: Tuesday, October 12, 10:45 AM - 12:00PM
This session, hosted by McGill’s own Sustainability Managers Shona Watt and Krista Houser, shows how funds can use collaboration, feedback, and priorities to cultivate transformative projects by reflecting on the University’s flagship Sustainability Projects Fund.
Climate Communication: Practical Applications for Educators, Students, and Service Learning Programs
Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM
This a session will share the latest effective communication techniques for increasing public understanding and action on climate change and practical applications in hands-on coursework and issue campaigning.
Stay Rad, Post Grad!
Time: Thursday, October 14, 2021, 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
Are you graduating? Are you panicking? Or maybe you know exactly what you want to do, but it's just a matter of making it happen. This is a discussion space for recent grads, led by recent grads to talk about how to find impactful careers.
Join the global conversation on sustainability at this year’s GCSHE for free by following the instructions here. Have a question? Email sustainability [at] mcgill.ca ().
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