The Institute for Research and Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS) has developed a Speaker Series as one of its strategies to reach out to the student body, share knowledge, spread awareness and create networking opportunities for students and faculty.

2009/10

The 2009/10 Speaker Series has the following speakers lined up — most dates and locations still to be determined. Check back soon!

• Sustainable Purchasing Policies: Developing and Implementing Living Documents — Business & Society Program, September 24th, 2009
• A Panel on Cradle to Cradle & Green Buildings — Bob Charette (Concordia University), Lisa Rocha (TRCA), and Frank-Martin Belz (Universitat Munchen, and visiting professor at Schulich). Co-hosted by the Canada Green Building Council Greater Toronto Chapter, and the YorkU Bookstore, November 19, 2009, 5:30-7:30 pm in Accolade West 109
• Microfinance and Women in Afghanistan — MEDA: Mennonite Economic Development Associates, January 20th, 2009, 11:30-1:00 pm, Location: Room N109, Schulich School of Business, York University. View the MEDA Presentation.
• A Panel on Urban Forest Studies in the GTA followed by the launch of York University’s UFORE Report — Lionel Normand (Terrestrial Biologist at TRCA), Meaghan Eastwood (Urban Forestry Technician at TRCA) and Dr. Cecilia Tagliavia (Ecology Consultant & IRIS Senior Fellow), February 8th, 1:30-3:00pm, Location: Room N280, York Lanes, York University.
• Book Launch “Perilous Imbalance (A): The Globalization of Canadian Law and Governance” — Stepan Wood (IRIS Exec Member) and Stephen Clarkson (University of Toronto), April 7th, 12:30-2:00 pm, Location: Schulich Executive Learning Centre, Private Dinning Room
• Climate Change and Discounting luncheon – Hosted by James MacLellan (IRIS Core Faculty and seconded to FES from Environment Canada). Tentatively scheduled for March 2010.

2008/09

The 2008/09 Speaker Series focus surrounds ‘The Sustainable Built Environment’. Our built environment is responsible for 40% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and, with the current building stock composed of very inefficient and wasteful buildings, holds the greatest potential for GHG abatement strategies. This year’s topics include speaker events addressing:

• Bringing the Green Back into Buildings — Andrew Bowerbank (WGBC) , October 29th, 2008
• The Green Economy — Gabriel Draven (Village Technologies), October 29th, 2008
• Tour of the Earth Rangers Building — LEED Gold Certified building located in The Living City Campus at the Kortright Center, March 23rd, 2009 at 10 am.
• Exploring Sustainability Possibilities for University Campuses — Peter Love (Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer) , April 2nd, 2009
• Sustainable Transportation for the GTA — Chris Wong (York University Development Corporation), Jody Graydon (Smart Commute), Joshua Engel-Yan (Metrolinx), and Nicole Arsenault (York University Transportation Services), April 27th, 2009

2007/08

The 2007/08 Speaker Series included topics around the social and environmental implications of common sewage disposal methods, hydrogen fuel as an energy source and the extractive industries in the global south. These speaker sessions involved leading representatives from industry and academia, receiving lots of interest from across faculties and departments.

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