Are you starting to feel that burned-out sense of nihilistic “doomerism” brought on by the combined effects of lockdown, climate change, environmental destruction, and social injustice? Consider joining an environmental group on campus! Environmental groups tend to be friendly, optimistic groups that are well-connected to other sectors of campus activism and student government. They’re a great way to get involved in campus life and meet friends, all while making a positive change. All of the groups listed below are currently active on campus (and online). Checking out each group on social media or sending a quick hello via email will keep you in the loop of all the goings-on of environmental activism on campus.
Leap UofT: This campus chapter of The Leap focuses on taking direct action at the intersections of environmental and social justice. They run the campaign for fossil fuel divestment, pushing UofT to stop investing money in oil and gas companies and to reallocate those investments to sustainable projects. The group also organizes educational panels, rallies, and a radical book club. If you like intersectional environmentalism on the front lines, this group is for you!
Fridays for Future UofT: Inspired by Greta Thunberg’s school strikes for climate, this UofT chapter of Fridays for Future organizes climate strikes on campus and works closely with the Toronto chapter to organize youth school strikes for the climate. They also collaborate with a number of other campus groups to support other environmental causes. If you’re interested in organizing upcoming climate strikes, FFF is for you!
Dig In! Campus Agricultural Network: Do you like gardening? Want to get your handsdirty? Do you yearn to pull weeds, till soil, and harvest the sweet fruits of your labour? Dig In! is a group that tends to community gardens on campus, and they’re always looking for volunteers!
Green Up Initiative: If you’re interested in waste reduction and green living, check out Green Up! This campus group hosts workshops and events to inform students about making the switch to a sustainable and low-waste lifestyle.
UTEA: UofT Environmental Action (UTEA) is a well-organized student group that supports environmental policy at the national, provincial, and municipal levels, as well as advocating for sustainability initiatives on campus. They host and support a variety of educational and solidarity events on campus. If you’re interested in getting involved in environmental initiatives with a focus on policy, check out UTEA!
ENSU: The Environmental Students’ Union (ENSU) represents students enrolled in courses and programs in the School of the Environment. They host a variety of fun events throughout the year where you can broaden your consciousness about environmental issues and socialize with students from the School of the Environment.
Sustainability Office (SO): Staff at the SO run waste reduction projects and events through Facilities & Services. Though it’s not a student group, you can still find work-study positions and volunteer opportunities at the SO to make our campus more sustainable.
College-specific groups: Every college approaches sustainability differently. Most have elected sustainability commissioners who advocate for sustainable events and policies within their student governments (Innis, New College, University College (UC), Victoria College, and Woodsworth), and getting in touch with your college’s sustainability commissioner can be a great way to get involved. The sustainability commissions at UC and Victoria College are particularly well-known for their activism. Trinity and St. Michael’s College (SMC) do not have sustainability representatives within their governing bodies, but instead run independent groups outside of student government (Trinity College Environmental Society and Clean SMC).
UTERN: The UofT Environmental Resource Network (UTERN) is a source of funding and a central networking hub for students and groups that are working on, or interested in, environmental initiatives at UofT. If you’re looking to get involved in environmental groups and initiatives (and if this article left you wanting to know more), contact UTERN!
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