Faye X. Sun

“This program helps you understand that no issue is just about one single aspect of the environment.”

How did you end up choosing the Environmental Science program?

Initially I wanted to do law, but after I took a bunch of environmental philosophy courses, I realized that this is the kind of field I’m really interested in -- combining my background in the humanities with the sciences. My thesis was trying to bridge the gap between social and ecological knowledge.

What have you enjoyed about the program?

It’s very interdisciplinary. It incorporates all aspects of the environment: the political, the social, the economic. We discuss how economics impacts environmental issues. I took a political ecology course that basically talked about all the social impacts of environmental issues – ultimately after taking all these courses, you realize that all these issues are intertwined, and they have to be addressed together.

One course I really enjoyed was Environment and Indigenous People, which is a climate change course.  Often when you’re learning about climate, you’re only learning about the sciences side.  I think it’s so important that students understand that, beyond the science that we’re learning, you have to be able to communicate about other interconnected issues as well.

What are your plans for after you graduate?

I’m looking into grad school now. I’m going to be focusing on environmental policy, and hopefully will be able to apply my research toward policy changes. There is quite a lot of research already from the sciences about how to fix certain problems. I think the main obstacle to applying that knowledge is on the side of policy. It’s really difficult to push for these changes because the government is very hesitant. There are many different economic and political consequences – so trying to present this knowledge in a way that is translatable and accessible is especially important.

What advice do you have for students starting out in the program?

Try to really go in with your cup empty, and explore different fields within the program. This program helps you understand that no issue is just about one single aspect of the environment. With specialized degrees, it’s easy to have a narrow mindset. But to be able to really listen to different cultures and viewpoints is really important.

Building relationships with people and getting involved is also important. I’m working at the Concordia Student Union as the Sustainability Coordinator right now, and that’s been a very informative experience in terms of forming relationships and working together to make changes happen.