SDG 15: Life on Land

TMU researchers are advancing solutions to protect habitats and reduce human impact on ecosystems. From sustainable food innovations to wildlife conservation and smarter infrastructure, our researchers tackle complex challenges affecting life on land.

• Faculty of Science professor Guanghui (Richard) Wang and his collaborators are prototyping an easier way to detect and fight invasive insects: a small robot. The robot can scout a field periodically and use an on-board spray system when aphids are detected. This would save farmers work and reduce the negative impacts of excessive pesticide use through precision spraying. The robot would be accessible for different sizes of farms, including small operations where large spray systems may be too expensive for farmers.
• For more than 20 years, geography and environmental studies professor Dave Atkinson and his team have led research on Inuit lands in Northern Canada with permission. Using innovative data monitoring tools, they have successfully modelled physical and biological variables in a permafrost environment. Their findings help scientists understand and policymakers respond to environmental challenges posed by climate change.
• Chemical engineering professor Chung Lee is co-principal investigator of the RECYCLEAN initiative, which aims to develop real-world recycling solutions for the recovery and reuse of critical minerals and metals. These innovations can drive down the cost of production of key technologies, mitigate against growing risks to the supply chain, and directly contribute to the evolution of a clean electrochemical energy future.

Across campus, TMU integrates sustainability into daily operations and campus culture. Initiatives to reduce waste, limit pollution and promote responsible resource use help protect land and ecosystems for future generations.

• The Pitman Dining Hall is a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant under the Green Restaurant Association's rigorous standards in categories like water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable food, and chemical and pollution reduction.
• As part of TMU’s waste reduction strategy, initiatives like the Free Store and Furniture Rehome Program help divert materials from waste streams, disrupt throwaway culture and reintroduce unwanted items into service through reuse or repurposing.
• TMU Eats encourages the reduction of single-use items through its reusable OZZI container program, offering a bring your own mug discount, and eliminating single-use plastics such as straws from its retail locations.
• TMU participates in the Plastic-Free July (external link)  movement, encouraging students, faculty and staff to participate in weekly challenges and get practical tips for making more sustainable choices, adjusting long-standing patterns and adopting new practices.
• TMU students, faculty, staff and community members joined the Sustainability Office, Custodial and Groundskeeping Services and the English Language Institute to launch the next phase of TMU’s new Native Pollinator Garden. Located on Nelson Mandela Walk, the former lawn space is being transformed into a vibrant, pollinator-supporting habitat. Participants got their hands dirty and helped plant species native to the Greater Toronto Area like New England aster, butterfly milkweed, stiff goldenrod and wild bergamot.