ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Christine Scholman

What if you could be part of the solution to real-world challenges we’re facing today?

That’s exactly what our dedicated Engineering and Design alumni, students and faculty researchers are up to.

Whether it’s tackling pollution, climate change or harnessing renewable energy, our community is utilizing the power of engineering and design for a sustainable future. This Earth Day, learn more about how ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ researchers and alumni are doing just that:

Say No to CO2: ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Researcher Uses Metals to Produce Zero Pollution Energy

Each year, more carbon dioxide (CO₂)—the most dangerous and prevalent greenhouse—is released into the atmosphere than the Earth’s natural processes can remove.

Reza Kholghy, an aerospace and mechanical engineering professor and principal investigator in ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University’s Energy and Particle Technology Laboratory, believes using metals as fuel to store and release energy could reduce gas emissions and other pollutants released when we burn fossil fuels. .

Reducing Renewable Energy Uncertainty

Two of the most important technologies for mitigating global warming, according to the , are wind and solar power. Both are crucial if we are to wean ourselves off fossil fuels and significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Kristen Schell is using geospatial data, mathematical models and deep learning to develop more accurate forecasts about the availability of renewables such as wind and solar. .

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Researchers Author Chapter of United Nations Environmental Programme Climate Technology Report

With climate change driving higher temperatures and more rainfall around the world, the risks posed by weather events are growing increasingly acute.

Read the full story of how ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ professor Elisabeth Gilmore of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering presented on key findings at the .

Tackling Global Warming

Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and replacing them with renewable sources of clean energy is the most important front in the fight against climate change.

A Halifax-based company, , launched by a pair of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University engineering graduates, Mike Kelland and Brock Battochio, is developing an innovative solution rooted in the ocean’s capacity to serve as a carbon sink.

How People Use Buildings is a Key Contributor to Energy Efficiency

Buildings account for 22 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions—and more than double that when emissions associated with transportation between buildings is factored in.

Liam O’Brien is a civil and environmental engineering professor and the principal investigator in ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University’s Human-Building Interaction Lab, O’Brien’s research focuses on occupant comfort, resilience and energy use. to learn how he tackles these challenges through an engineering lens.

A Greener Future

In Los Angeles, nearly 20 per cent of trees grow in neighbourhoods where just 1 per cent of the population lives. A city’s tree canopy plays an important role in keeping it cool, and unsurprisingly, the city’s tree canopy is concentrated in its wealthiest neighbourhoods.

Aliza Sovani is helping this type of story reach a larger audience. She founded a multimedia production company called with her sister, environmental journalist Aliya Jasmine. The duo seek to amplify environmental stories, and ensure that diverse voices are heard. Read the full story.

Next Gen Net Zero

Researchers and developers are building a new kind of net zero residential community, one that will produce at least as much energy as it consumes.

Under construction in London, Ont., with cutting-edge energy efficiency and electric vehicle features, is the first of its kind, designed to meet consumer demand while not contributing to global warming. .

Building a Sustainable Career in Engineering

The Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Engineering program exists to meet the growing need for engineers with expertise in heritage conservation and sustainable buildings, and the program was the exact fit for alumni Abi Kang.

Read how ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Engineering and Design students are prepared for future-focused, flexible careers through a robust curriculum on building design, construction, analysis and assessment—all while providing real-world application collaborations and opportunities, such as external competitions and the .