I reached out to Jamil Fiorino-Habib, who is running unopposed for Sustainability Commissioner, to discuss his plans to make Vic a more sustainable space. Fiorino-Habib outlined his plans for student activism and practices for the upcoming year.
What are some of the current running projects that you plan to make a reality in the upcoming year?
One of the projects that I am most excited about continuing into the upcoming year is our investigative short doc series, “The Inside Scoop.” The first episode is currently in the works. It has been a very revealing experience for me to see what kind of practices are taking place on campus. Making this series has lead me to better understand the source of the issues at hand, so the root of the problem can be addressed head on. Our first episode on waste production has shown us the importance of implementing a receptacle labelling program on all unmarked bins, and our follow-up episode on food waste will push us towards an investigation in Burwash dining hall. Though I already have some hypotheses as to what needs to be done in terms of food waste, this doc series only serves to further support the commission’s initiatives, while making students more conscientious of their actions.
You claimed that you are hoping to inform students of sustainability movements happening on the international scale. Do you have any plans to involve Vic in these movements? And how do you plan to bring Vic’s attention to these movements?
Opportunities to get involved in these international efforts arise as the campaigns for these efforts unfold. For example, when it comes time to consider the events of next year’s ever-so-crucial Cop22 Summit [the United Nations’ annual climate change summit], I will ensure that we have another mock Climate Summit, and push for Vic students to share their voice with parliament. In between these times of activism, I’m hoping to involve students in divestment campaigns, especially since we have no official word as to whether UofT will be divesting from fossil fuels. Moreover, the success of our Doc and Talks has shown to be a very effective way of introducing students to these international movements, giving them the necessary awareness and education to get involved.
How do you plan to adopt and maintain sustainable practices at Vic?
Simple–by altering student culture. In my view, any lasting change in our daily habits must stem from a broader cultural movement. While I will be working with the administration on certain aspects of campus life, like pushing for more vegetarian meal days at Ned’s and Burwash, promoting simple sustainable choices for students will be at the forefront of my concerns. If students can show that they want change by producing less waste of all kinds, for instance, it’ll be far easier to leverage support for the Sustainability Commission.
What would you like to see changed at Vic in regards to sustainable practices?
I would really like to see change on campus itself, especially in regards to our food and organic waste situation, but I also want to see a change in student behaviour. If I can show how intuitive sustainable behaviours can be, students can wholeheartedly adopt these important practices and lead forward on their own merits. I want to help teach students about sustainable behaviours that they can take with them outside of the school context and share with others throughout the years.
Many of these practices will require a lot of student activism, like you said, but will also require administrative approval. How do you plan on managing the two?
Administrative approval is never a straightforward task, especially when there are third-party contractors working on waste management and food services, and also since health and safety must be insured above all, at all times. However, a shift in student culture through increased awareness and activism will only strengthen our ability to make the necessary administrative changes. If students can effectively communicate to the administration through their actions that they are ready for change, and if the Sustainability Commission can successfully show how interconnected these sustainable changes are to other issues, like issues of equity, we will be reaching our highest potential.
Voting takes place Saturday, March 19th through to Wednesday, March 23rd online at voting.utoronto.ca
