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Earth Month

Join us in creating sustainable change

Throughout the month of April we are highlighting how our diverse community of changemakers are working together to create a better future by addressing complex challenges which matter most, such as sustainability — one of our core values. 

Join us to celebrate Earth Week (April 16 - April 22) and Earth Day (April 22).

We also invite you to join the York conversation by using the hashtag #YUEarthMonth.

White background with red frame with text "Celebrating 11 years of creating positive change towards a more sustainable world" text in the middle

Canada's Top 100 Greenest Employers

York University's outstanding progress in sustainability earns it the distinction of being one of Canada's Greenest Employers for the 11th consecutive year.

Why is sustainability important?

During the Earth Month 2023 tree planting event at the Keele Campus, we asked volunteers, from students to staff, about the importance of sustainability within our everyday lives.

Top 35 in the World

York University has been ranked highly by the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Impact Ranking, including top 10 for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

What Are You Doing to Be More Sustainable?

From preventing the use of single-use plastics to taking transit, the York community is creating positive change towards a more sustainable world.

Profile photo of Mike Layton wearing a grey suit jacket with white collared shirt while smiling at the camera

York welcomes Mike Layton as Chief Sustainability Office

As part of its commitment to become one of the most sustainable universities in Canada, York will welcome Mike Layton as its first chief sustainability officer to lead the institution and strengthen its impact in creating a more sustainable future.

#ExperienceYU: YU Eats

YU Eats are York University is a dynamic and inclusive dining program that engages the entire community, while prioritizing quality, wellness, sustainability, authenticity, and affordability.

United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals

York students, faculty and staff have undertaken a university-wide challenge to elevate York’s contributions to the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Greenery, such as trees and bushes, by a pond with the Bergeron building at York University in the background on a bright day

Office of Sustainability

York University has long been recognized as an international leader in sustainability-relevant research, teaching, partnerships, and campus practices. By challenging ourselves to deepen this work, and to track and report on our contributions, we reaffirm our longstanding York values of social justice, equity, sustainability, and excellence in all that we do.

UN Water Academy

York University’s growing area of strength in water research, strong local and global relationships, and commitment to positive change has resulted in the University being named academic lead in the United Nation’s (UN) new Water Academy.

President Rhonda Lenton outlines York University’s sustainability goals

The University will expand the Office of Sustainability to help achieve net-zero sooner, and a significant reduction of direct and indirect emissions by 45 percent by 2030.

Bringing youth from the inner city and from First Nations to build Climate Solutions Parks

The Climate Solution Parks (CSP) that are being built will focus on skills development in key areas such as community-focused agriculture, renewable energy, electric mobility, First Nations knowledge, sustainable construction and eco-tourism.

Hand curled in front of sunlight in front of a blue cloud filled sky

Lassonde professor’s research helps turn sunlight into fuel

A research collaboration between York University Professor Thomas Cooper and a Switzerland-based company are finding ways to produce sustainable solar fuel that is compatible with existing global fuel infrastructure.

Person on an E-cargo cycle, a bike with a large seat in the front, while on a path with a park map and greenery in the background

E-cargo cycle rides offer closer look at sustainability at Congress 2023

Rolling Toward Collective Change: Our Greenway’s E-Cargo Cycle Ride invites participants to consider how current social and ecological events have impacted northwest Toronto and how Greenway e-cargo cycles can be used to bring sustainable change to their communities.

Mutiple windmills lined up in a field with a pink sky above

Professor receives fellowship at Chemical Institute of Canada

As part of its commitment to become York University Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Sustainable Organomain Group Materials, Thomas Baumgartner, has been selected as a 2023 Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC), an honour that recognizes the merits of members who have made outstanding contributions in chemistry.

Hand holding a ball with the world map printed on it with South America facing the front. Mountains are blurred in the background.

Averting ecological ruin topic of upcoming EUC book launch

York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) wil celebrate the launch of Professor Emeritus Peter A. Victor’s latest book, Escape from Overshoot: Economics for a Planet in Peril (2023), on Wednesday, April 12.

Earth Month Events

York Community Tree Planting

The York community is invited to participate in tree planting events at the Keele Campus (April 13) and Glendon Campus (April 12) to help create a greener campus, restoring ecosystems to help mitigate climate change. The event has physical and mental well-being benefits and is a perfect way to de-stress.

See highlights from this year's events.

Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living Challenge

During the month of April, we challenge you to complete the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living! The series is an innovative and interdisciplinary open access program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of York’s world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability. 

Complete the digital badge here.

Campus 20-Minute Cleanup

Join York University's Sustainability team for 20-minute campus clean-ups to reduce land and water pollution, protect biodiversity and beautify our campuses. The event will take place on the Keele Campus (April 19) and Glendon Campus (April 18).

Register here.

Testimonials

#YUEarthMonth Social Feed