Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream
The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream welcomed its first cohort of students for the 2018-2019 academic year. Created in close consultation with the University of Toronto’s School of the Environment, this stream will examine the most challenging issues surrounding Human beings, the planet and our future together. The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream will use an interdisciplinary approach that combines both the sciences and the arts. Students will learn how to think about the complexities of environmental sustainability from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
This stream is open to all incoming Faculty of Arts & Science students, however we recommend at least one senior-level high school science course as preparation.
The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream was established thanks to the generous donation of George and Martha Butterfield and is funded by sustainable investments.
STREAM REQUIREMENTS
Students in the Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream must enroll in two Trinity One seminars in their first year: TRN140Y1: Ethics, Humans, and Nature and TRN141Y1: Environmental Science & Pathways to Sustainability. Each course amounts to 1.0 FCE and will continue throughout the fall and winter semesters. These credits will account for 2.0 credits of the typical 5.0 credit load in the first year. To learn more about each course, click below!
AFTER TRINITY ONE
The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream provides an excellent foundation for many of the programs offered by the School of the Environment. In addition to the School’s core Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors, students should consider the collaborative programs offered, including Environmental Ethics and Environment and Health. Students may also be interested in a directed minor, intended for students looking to acquire environmental knowledge in a specific discipline, or one of the environmental programs offered by other University of Toronto departments such as Environmental Biology or Environmental Chemistry.
The Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream’s interdisciplinary emphasis also helps students prepare for a variety of Humanities and Social Science programs. Students may be interested in pursuing studies in Philosophy, Political Science, International Relations, or Public Policy.
STREAM MENTORS
Your stream mentors will support you throughout the academic year by hosting workshops and activities to assist you with course assessments and to facilitate community building. They will be your first point of contact should you have any academic concerns or questions about student life! Meet your stream mentors below!
|
Program(s) of Study: Biochemistry (Specialist), Neuroscience (Major), and Immunology (minor) To Christina, Trinity One was an enriching and rewarding experience. Through the Butterfield Environment and Sustainability Stream, she is grateful to have formed connections with like-minded peers while immersed in nature. Inspired by the community of activists and researchers in environmental justice, Christina strives to make her own impact through working in tandem with advocacy groups such as Lost Rivers and the Trinity Food System Lab. Outside of TrinOne, you might be able to catch Christina cruising around the city on her bike with her headphones on full blast. On rainy days, she stays inside reading books or playing Animal Crossing. In her free time, Christina is also involved in advocacy for children’s rights against discrimination, poverty, and violence demonstrated in her work with Education For All and UNICEF. Christina recognizes the immense impact of the Trinity One program and the prolific network of mentorship and support groups and wishes to be a part of the system that helped her through first year. To all whose reading, feel free to reach out to Christina with any inquiries or concerns and she looks forward to meeting all the incoming students this year! |
|
Program(s) of Study: Synthetic and Catalytic Chemistry (Specialist), Certificate of Sustainability, Focus in Green and Practical Analysis Chemistry The Environmental Science and Sustainability Stream has profoundly shaped my current interests and interactions with my surroundings. I particularly enjoyed the small-seminar lecture style classes and the hands-on learning experiences that encouraged interactive engagement with course material in unique ways. These classes were always the highlight of my weeks. Beyond the classroom, I’m actively involved in the Trinity College community: you can catch me at meetings of the Trinity College Environmental Society (TCES) and helping out with edits for the Trinity Review. When I’m taking a break, you’ll often find me lost in a good fantasy novel, rewatching Neil Gaiman productions, or spiking a volleyball with some friends. I always look forward to connecting with new people and having meaningful conversations. Welcome to Trinity One! I’m excited to be your mentor this year, to create a space for productive learning and to welcome you to university life. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime for guidance or simply to chat! |
Chiara-Marie Marchesano
ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
Hear from graduates of the Trinity One program – Environment & Sustainability stream!
As caps and gowns fill up the seats at Convocation Hall, I was honored to interview one of the newest graduates for the June 2024 Convocation cycle! Emme Caplan is graduating with a double major in Environmental Science and Physical and Environmental Geography, minor in Environmental Biology, and a certificate in Sustainability Pathways. During her time in Trinity One, she completed the Environment and Sustainability Stream.
Emme enjoyed the diverse yet complementary nature of the ENV courses where she was introduced to contemporary issues through Western and non-Western perspectives. As environmental science is inherently interdisciplinary, she learned to write in a wide array of styles from research reports to reflective essays. The small, seminar style classes offered a comforting contrast to big lecture classes during pandemic learning as they provided a congenial space to share ideas and form friendships.
Emme encourages the incoming and current undergraduate students to “find a creative outlet that speaks to you and aligns with your interests”. University is a clean slate for students to match personal interests with causes that support their motivation. Emme also states that “university is a place to understand the background and perspectives of peers around you. Thus, use the collective passion of to become a better version of yourself and don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments.”
After graduation, Emme will pursue an accelerated double master degree: Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics School of Public Policy and Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Emme is excited to move to London for the upcoming school year to pursue her studies!
I would like to thank Emme for sharing her journey, insight, and experience from her undergraduate to her future plans. Congratulations again on Convocation and I wish you the best in your future endeavours!
Written by: Chrisina Xie, Trinity One Program Assistant, Environment and Sustainability ’23
I had the pleasure of speaking with Angel Bella about her Trinity One and undergraduate experiences, along with her future plans now that she is graduating with Peace Conflict and Justice Studies major and Environmental Science and Creative Expression & Society minors.
Trinity One Alumna (ENV Stream) Angel Bella
Angel completed the Environment and Sustainability (ENV) Stream and believed the program significantly impacted her undergraduate and career trajectory. She found the holistic educational approach nourishing, especially because of the many opportunities to spent time outdoors. Her experiences with the ENV stream opened her eyes to the possibilities in Environmental Science oriented research. TRN141 (Environmental Science and Pathway to Sustainability) and especially Professor Spiegelaar gave Angel the skills and confidence to apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar. Now, 2 years into her research into sachet consumption in the Philippines, Angel has found “the heart and soul that goes into research.”
As a commuter student, Angel worried about missing out on the full college experience. During her first year, she realized that she must be proactive and overcome her limiting beliefs. She would explore various activities, events, and opportunities to explore her interests further and amplify her voice wherever possible. This past year, Angel was the co-executive director of the Feminist Equal Rights Alliance and conducted research as a Laidlaw Undergraduate and Research program. Angel’s advice to future TrinOne students: Although easier said than done, we must have the belief and confidence to pursue our goals, to go for it!
After graduation, Angel will pursue her Master’s in Human Geography at the University of British Columbia, where she will be conducting research in food systems and women migrant-care workers. Along with her academia, Angel hopes to dedicate more time to her visual arts endeavours and develop her music album to be released by the end of summer 2023. I would like to thank Angel for the wonderful conversation we had! We would like to congratulate Angel and all the other new graduates of U of T and wish them the best in their future endeavours.
Written by: Yang Jing Zheng, Trinity One Program Assistant, Environment & Sustainability ‘22
Environmentalism, politics, humanitarian crises and climate change are all wrapped up in one!
I love how the Butterfield Environment & Sustainability stream will not shy away from teaching the complex, interwoven nature of environment and social justice issues.
- Nathan Postma, 4th Year Environmental Studies Major
