(Northlands College, Canoe Campus in La Ronge)
By Karsten Henriksen as President & CEO of Northlands College.
Standing at the edge of environmental uncertainty, the need for urgent action towards sustainability and addressing climate change is intensified by the escalating climate crisis, evident in the increasing global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, ocean desalination and unpredictable weather patterns and forest fires.
In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, the role of educational institutions in fostering sustainability has never been more crucial. As beacons of knowledge and innovation, colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to instill a sense of environmental stewardship in their students and communities. It’s essential to recognize the pivotal role of education in advancing sustainability. Achieving a sustainable future demands a holistic strategy. A steadfast dedication to sustainable development reverberates worldwide, illustrating that sustainability is more than just a goal—it’s a collaborative endeavor, necessitating collective accountability, inventive solutions, and a steadfast dedication to education and enlightenment.
As President and CEO of Northlands College, I’ve come to understand that teaching our learners about the effects of climate change and the proactive measures we can adopt to lessen its adverse consequences and adaptation is an essential starting point. It has become apparent that embodying the notion that benevolence starts within our own households. This awareness can inspire the integration of environmental education into the curriculum. Institutions of higher education, such as Northlands College, have revamped not just the curriculum but also operational practices and organizational culture to embrace a greener, more sustainable future.
Greening Campus Operations: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions
Considerable attention has been given to the concept of teachers as role models within school environments, but this aspect has received less emphasis in higher education. Here, the focus has predominantly centered on teachers’ roles as potential champions for environmental causes. However, there’s been a recent shift in focus towards viewing institutions themselves as role models, particularly concerning campus sustainability. Many institutions are actively engaged in sustainability research, and when teaching practices are informed by research, it’s probable that this will have both a direct and indirect impact on student learning. Put simply, small and large initiatives can make an important impact.
One of the cornerstone initiatives at Northlands College is the implementation of an Application Management System. By digitizing the application process and eliminating the need for paper-based applications, printing, and physical mailing of documents, the college has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. This not only saves resources but also enhances efficiency and streamlines administrative processes. Educational institutions worldwide can follow suit by adopting similar digital solutions, thereby minimizing their environmental impact, and promoting sustainability in their operations.
Additionally, Northlands College has taken steps to green its transportation infrastructure by upgrading its fleet to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). By reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation options, the college sets an example for other educational institutions and communities to follow. This not only contributes to local air quality improvements but also demonstrates the importance of sustainable transportation in mitigating climate change. The college has also done its part to mitigate the EV changing infrastructure gap in Northern Saskatchewan by installing charging stations at its campuses.
Empowering Learners Through Hands-On Education
Contemporary higher education students understand the significance of environmental concerns, yet the conventional curriculum lacks sufficient opportunities for students to directly connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications of environmental sustainability. In today’s world, the significance of ‘environmental education’ has surged as human actions continue to affect the natural environment. An impactful method within environmental education is experiential learning, where students engage in hands-on experiences followed by reflection. As a catalyst of educational advancement, I believe it’s our responsibility as educational institutions to provide avenues for experiential learning in environmental education, essential for nurturing environmentally aware individuals. This can also include or, be blended with indigenous education thereby supporting and addressing the goals of environmental education while, helping learners connect to indigenous cultures and approaches to environmental management while, supporting the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People Peoples and United Nations Sustainability Goals.
In this regard, Northlands College has also embraced sustainable agriculture through the installation of hydroponic gardens on every campus. These innovative gardens not only serve as practical learning environments but also demonstrate the latest agricultural technologies. By utilizing space efficiently and carefully managing soil, water, and nutrients, the college is able to enhance yields while minimizing environmental impact. Such initiatives provide students with hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and empower them to become future leaders in environmental conservation.
Collaborate For Sustainable Education
Effective collaboration relies on a common goal, transparent communication, and well-defined responsibilities. Engaging with sustainability-focused gatherings can kickstart these alliances, initially focusing on modest endeavors to establish trust and rapport. Recognizing the importance of hands-on training, Northlands College invited Baselode Energy Corp., a uranium exploration company, to provide invaluable experiential learning opportunities to our learners by offering access to specialty radiation survey devices. Through this immersive experience, our learners had the unique opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge technology and gain practical insights into the intricacies of uranium exploration. Excited by the prospect of unlocking the secrets hidden within rock core samples, our students embraced this hands-on training experience with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
In fact, Baselode Energy has exploration initiatives already in place for several uranium projects in northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin area.
Educational institutions play a vital role in shaping the values, behaviors, and actions of future generations. By integrating sustainability principles into their curricula, operations, and campus initiatives, colleges and universities can empower students to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond. Northlands College’s initiatives serve as a testament to the transformative power of education in building a sustainable future.
We have a responsibility to lead by example and promote sustainability in all aspects of their operations. By implementing practical initiatives such as digitalization, sustainable agriculture, green transportation, and meaning collaborations, colleges and universities can make significant strides towards a more sustainable future.