Sustainable Concordia is a student-based organization that has worked hard to bring their university community towards a more sensible footprint for more than seven years. It aims to help facilitate the conversations that will guide the school towards “more economically responsible, ecologically aware, and socially equitable” activities and policies; and since inception, has accomplished quite a bit.
SC has completed comprehensive campus sustainability assessments in 2003 and 2006, where they examined waste management, purchasing & materials policies, energy consumption, transportation issues, campus space and planning. As well as community health & well-being, research being performed & curriculum surrounding sustainability, their indoor environment & air quality, incomes & investments, governance and water use. Reporting what has been done, and collaboratively working with staff and faculty to determine directions to go in the future.
Once changes are made, they continue to monitor the new efforts. With initiatives such as, the ongoing promotion of sustainable transportation, recycling and waste mitigation programs, a greenhouse rejuvenation plan and a Sustainable Business Conference to name a few. In the near future, one of their goals is to eliminate the use of disposable cups on campus, through education and the distribution of reusable bottles and thermal travel mugs.
Continually building awareness of sustainability issues is a main focus for SC. On September 20th, the university will play host to the second Blueprints for Change festival of the year. Students and community members will be showcasing sustainable living in Montreal, with a community fair, workshops, food & drink, a film festival and live music.
Workshops are free and topics vary from Herbal Gynecology to Net Zero energy home design (Note: the Net Zero home design project is associated with the Canada Mortgage & House Corporation’s ongoing efforts in sustainability. For more information on the CMHC’s work, visit their site) and Sustainability and Youth Engagement. There will be a beer garden offering locally brewed organic beer and vegan/vegetarian meals will be served for lunch and dinner. Anyone living in or visiting the Montreal area are welcome to attend any part of the day.
The festival will be held on the Hall building Terrace at 1455 de Maisonneuve West, opening at 11am and wrapping-up around 11pm. For more information and directions you can visit their website.
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