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Student Network Groups

Youth voices are essential to working towards a sustainable future. These student groups at Western are fantastic contributors to sustainability within their various focus areas and networks!

Office of Sustainability and partnering student clubs hold an annual Sustainability Fair which continues to grow each year with over 20 clubs & groups currently involved. This group of student-facing clubs and campus organizations has banded together to form the Western Environment & Sustainability Network (WE&SN). Our network meets throughout the year to share ideas and develop collaborations amongst the various groups. 

If you are part of another group that should be featured here, or are interested in joining the WE&SN please let us know by emailing sustainability@uwo.ca.

Biology Undergraduate Society (BUGS)

The purpose of BUGS is to broaden the academic and social experience of Western undergraduate students with an interest in biology. BUGS aims to connect undergraduate biology students with similar goals to each other, to serve as a liaison between undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and department officials, and to foster an environment where students can learn about scholarship, career, scholastic, and volunteer opportunities. Connect with BUGS on Instagram, Facebook, or by email at westernbugs@gmail.com.  

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

EWB Canada invests in people; the organization identifies, encourages, and equips talented leaders to have a positive impact on local, regional, and global communities. EWB invites and empowers people who value collaboration and cooperation to develop solutions to local and global poverty, inequality, and sustainability issues. EWB offers immersive experiences at Western, across Canada and sub-Saharan Africa to launch future leaders equipped to understand and engineer systems change.

EWB Western is a highly active chapter within the organization, with portfolios that focus on a range of global and local issues such as: Climate Change, Fair-Trade, Food Systems, Youth Engagement, Gender Equity, Political Advocacy and more! Connect with EWB Western on Facebook, Instagram, Slack, or by email at uwo@ewb.ca. 

EnviroSynBio

EnviroSynBio is a multi-faculty team of passionate students creating solutions to real-world problems using principles from a variety of fields including biochemistry, computer science, political science, Indigenous studies, and much more! Our focus is to promote synthetic biology to all undergraduate students, as well as to explore how synthetic biology can be used to create solutions to environmental problems. Our team tackles a wide range of projects and student-oriented events to provide diverse opportunities for gaining new skills and experiences (including but not limited to research papers, policy analysis, collaboration with external partners, on-campus events, and podcasts). Our team consists of 4 committees (Academics, Advocacy, Research, and Communications), ensuring that there is a space for everyone to explore whatever they’re interested in! (Instagram: @envirosynbio)

Enviro USC

Enviro USC is a USC student service that promotes a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues that are important to students at Western. Enviro provides numerous opportunities and initiatives for students to get involved in on campus throughout the year relating to gardening, sustainable food, waste, water, outreach and more! For questions, project ideas, or to join, contact EnviroWestern by Instagram, Facebook, or by email at envirousc@westernusc.ca. 

Food Resources and Education for Student Health (FRESH)

FRESH is a comprehensive peer nutrition education program that utilizes a partnership with Brescia's Food and Nutrition program and Western's Hospitality Services to increase awareness, improve knowledge, build skills, and influence the campus food environment. Through interactive events and healthy eating initiatives, FRESH strives to make Western and its affiliates the healthiest campus in Canada!

If you are interested in requesting a FRESH event, please email FRESH at fresh@uwo.ca. For Resources and information regarding FRESH, check out the website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Indigenous Students Association (ISA)

The goal of the Indigenous Student Association (ISA) is to maintain a sense of community amongst their peers across campus while also providing programming, events, and workshops in order to educate Western's Campus about Indigenous peoples, their nations, and their distinct cultures alongside current issues involving Indigenous peoples presently. 

Learn more and connect with the ISA on their website, Instagram, and Facebook, or by email at isa.westernu@gmail.com. 

Ivey Social Impact Club (SIC)

In 2017, Ivey Social Impact Club (SIC) was formed as a merger between the Ivey Not-for-Profit and Ivey Sustainability clubs. Since then, the group has been connecting passionate Ivey students to opportunities in the impact space by promoting business as a tool to create positive social and environmental change.

Learn more and connect with the club on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Marine Biology Society

The Marine Biology Society is focused on raising awareness for issues facing marine life, including plastic pollution, global warming, and oil spills. This year, they are planning to organize online events with marine biologists all across the world, connecting students with internships and other opportunities to do real life research on marine species. The group also plans to host conservation-based events with other clubs that focus on living a sustainable lifestyle.

The Marine Biology club began in 2019 and they are looking for excited new members to continue building up a presence at Western. Interested students can get in touch through Facebook, Instagram, or by email at marinebiology.club@westernusc.ca. 

Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee strives to make SOGS an environmentally sustainable organization. Centralized by the SOGS Climate Emergency Declaration, the committee works closely with the SOGS Climate Commissioner, graduate students, the campus community, and city stakeholders to better communicate and educate SOGS members about issues pertaining to the global climate crisis and environmental sustainability. Email the committee at sogssustainability@uwo.ca.

Student Energy at Western University (SEWU)

Student Energy at Western University (SEWU) seeks to provide students with the knowledge, connections, resources and practical experiences that will inspire and empower them to lead the just transition to a sustainable energy system.

SEWU joins 43 other Student Energy chapters in 24 countries. At Western, SEWU has hosted a model energy policy negotiation and climate simulation, move night on fusion energy featuring Q&A with leading international researchers, and partnered with Facilities Management and EnviroWestern to host Western's first pitch competition for solutions to help the university achieve carbon neutrality. SEWU has also led a number of advocacy, education and service initiatives. Students are encouraged to get in touch via Facebook, Instagram, or by email at western@studentenergy.org.  

UES Sustainability

The UES Sustainability Committee is a group of undergraduate students that operates under the Undergraduate Engineering Society (UES). The goal of the committee is to run initiatives that educate engineering students and promote sustainability in their daily lives and professional careers. This committee also works to provide all UES activities with guidelines for being sustainable, audit all UES activities' environmental footprint, and suggest improvements for the following year.

Students interested in attending events, checking out resources, or contacting UES Sustainability can stay updated through Instagram, or email the group at ues.sustainability@gmail.com. 

WaterAid Western

Hundreds of millions of people do not have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. This issue impacts health, poverty, education, and the growth of communities. WaterAid Western is a chapter of WaterAid Canada, and the organization aims to bring awareness to, and fundraise towards, making clean drinking water, reliable toilets, and good hygiene accessible to everyone. Connect with WaterAid Western on Facebook, Instagram, or by email at wateraid.club@westernusc.ca. 

Western Active Transportation Society (WATS)

WATS is a multidisciplinary group of students, faculty, and staff at Western University who are passionate about researching and promoting safe cycling and walking as a means of transportation. Much of current infrastructure is focused on cars, and while cycling and walking is not for everybody (and not for every day), WATS believes that better support for active transportation will yield important and significant benefits. Cycling and walking is fun, and research clearly shows that it is good for body, brain, society and environment. 

WATS sends out a bi-weekly newsletter by email and hosts bi-weekly meetings where all members are welcome! Connect with WATS on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or by email at wats@uwo.ca. 

Western Engineering Green Technology Club