A critical look at current topics in sustainability science

While flood risk is a continuous measure, common methods of designated flood zones are binary: you either live within or outside of a flood zone. This creates a false sense of security for those and areas not yet officially counted as at risk. The “safe development paradox” ensues, whereby an increase in development, and therefore the number of people at risk, will be justified by the very communications meant to signal danger. This presentation will explore how the “safe development paradox” is created, the actors whose interests’ perpetuate it, and the importance of ultimately resisting its lure.

Hope Moon is completing a MSc in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment.

Habitat fragmentation and climate change are important challenges to primate survival. This study examines how food availability and temperature influence the space use of blond capuchin monkeys, Sapajus flavius, in a fragmented Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Long-term monitoring revealed that capuchins reduced their movement when fruit productivity was scarcer but expanded their range in warmer minimum temperatures. These findings highlight the complex relationship between environmental variables and primate behaviour and the importance of year-round food availability for conservation efforts that help capuchin populations and forest regeneration. 

Italo Ferreira Pereira is completing a PhD in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve protects the largest remaining intact, inland pitch pine-scrub oak barren. Barrens are fire-dependent ecosystems and prescribed fires are now used to mimic the natural fire cycle in this highly managed landscape. We used sedimentary charcoal and pollen to reconstruct the vegetation and fire history of the area since deglaciation. Fire is present throughout the Holocene, in particular over the past 6,400 years and pine-oak assemblages dominate the vegetation record. Human activity is now the primary driver of change in this rare ecosystem and the fire history can inform future management decisions.

Megan Tremblay is completing a MSc in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment.

Rivers are dynamic systems that naturally shift and expand, yet human development often restricts their movement. The concept of “freedom space” or mobility space allows rivers to adjust naturally, reducing erosion and infrastructure damage. This presentation examines the Des Mares River using historical aerial photographs and post-flood analysis to illustrate how constrained river mobility contributed to severe damage during the 2023 flood. By highlighting the importance of allowing rivers room to move, we explore sustainable flood management strategies that prioritize ecological resilience and risk reduction for communities.

Susan Ly is completing a MSc candidate in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment.

The world has seen a rise in the popularity of far-right political parties in recent years. A defining feature of many far-right parties is their dismissal of climate science and their promise to roll back policies that impose limits on highly polluting industries. In this presentation, I will examine the implications of this turn in global politics for sustainability science. I will argue that without immediate and concerted effort, the popularity of these parties will likely grow, with potentially devastating outcomes for the future of humanity and the natural world.

Anthony Garoufalis-Auger is completing a MSc in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment.

Amid economic instability, US tariffs, and the increasing impacts of climate change, Canada relies heavily on food imports, while local organic production remains largely accessible to affluent groups. Foraging, often dismissed as primitive, provides overlooked food sources and opportunities for urban dwellers to reconnect with nature. Beyond attracting enthusiasts, urban foraging fosters cultural connections and increased biodiversity, yet it faces political restrictions, accessibility issues, and limited knowledge sharing to promote engagement in the practice. Foraging teaches us to view food as more than just its consumption value, and rather as a service that benefits both people and urban resilience. 

Tessa Hansen is completing a MSc in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment.

Michael Ekwe is completing a PhD in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment.

Zahra Najmi is completing a MSc in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment.

There is extensive documentation of the health effects of wildfire smoke components on humans; however our understanding of its impacts on wildlife, particularly in the physiological and morphological alterations of insects like forest tent caterpillars (FTC), remains to be elucidated. By revealing how smoke exposure and rearing environment influence FTC wing condition and weight, our findings provide valuable insights into the ecological impacts of environmental disturbances. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the broader implications of climate-driven disturbances on wildlife populations.

Rosa Castillo is completing a MSc in the Department of Biology.