Trent University in Peterborough joins new green technology hub in eastern GTA region

A Trent University researcher works on reversing groundwater pollution, one of the initiatives of the new Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) District launched by a consortium of five post-secondary institutions in the eastern GTA region. (Photo: Trent University) — A Trent College researcher works on reversing groundwater air pollution, a single of the initiatives of the new Environmental and Linked Systems Hub (EaRTH) District released by a consortium of 5 publish-secondary establishments in the eastern GTA area. (Photograph: Trent College)

On the eve of the 2021 United Nations Local weather Improve Conference (also identified as COP26), 5 write-up-secondary establishments in the japanese GTA region — together with Trent University in Peterborough — have officially released a new green technology hub referred to as the Environmental and Associated Technologies Hub (EaRTH) District.

Along with Centennial School, College of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario Tech University, and Durham College or university, Trent College is part of a consortium that aims to function with the community and private sectors, as effectively as Indigenous communities, to develop the region’s sustainable technological innovation sector by collaborating on exploration, educational programming, and commercialization of sophisticated technology.

“Through this collaboration, we appear forward to driving environmental technologies to spark new partnerships, and foster the financial wellness of our locations and outside of,” claims Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice chancellor of Trent College in a media launch. “With 11 character places, experimental farm and rooftop gardens, and 15 environmental degrees, as well as renowned scientists, labs, amenities, and Cleantech Commons, Trent is home to the environmental leaders of right now and tomorrow.”

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Some of the EaRTH District initiatives currently under development incorporate:

Sustainable farming technological know-how, which include Canada’s 1st net-zero vertical farm as properly as off-grid farms that would permit for sustainable nearby foods creation.
New systems that will reverse groundwater pollution to boost h2o basic safety.
Transportation sector innovation, these as capturing power from auto brake programs to recharge batteries for hybrid hydraulic large motor vehicles and hybrid electrical large motor vehicles, strengthening gas economic climate by up to 70 for each cent.
Making use of microbes to change biomass-derived squander (this sort of as paper-building waste, foods waste, and sewer sludge) into price-extra products and solutions.
Coaching the clear power workforce to fulfill the developing need for routine maintenance of web-zero households, electric autos, and a lot more.
Incubating and supporting business owners and thoroughly clean-tech startups.

A conceptual rendering of Canada's first net-zero vertical farm, one of the sustainable technology initiatives being developed by EaRTH District. (Graphic: University of Toronto, Scarborough and Centennial College) — A conceptual rendering of Canada’s 1st web-zero vertical farm, just one of the sustainable technologies initiatives remaining created by EaRTH District. (Graphic: University of Toronto, Scarborough and Centennial University)

A research commissioned by the consortium estimates EaRTH District will create $8.4 billion in complete immediate cumulative output, $1 billion in taxes, and far more than 4,000 work above the upcoming two a long time.

In accordance to the examine, EaRTH District initiatives have the prospective to decrease vacation by more than 36 million kilometres, yielding a reduction of in excess of eight million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions as well as tens of millions in value cost savings.

“Given the condition of our setting, the situation demands speedy motion that can only be solved with the finest minds operating jointly, which we have ideal in this article,” claims Andrew Arifuzzaman, main administrative officer at the College of Toronto, Scarborough. “Collaboration amid the five put up-secondary establishments performing on remedies amplifies the exertion exponentially. It’s time for us to lead on a world-wide amount, and EaRTH is the gateway to performing so.”

For far more information and facts on EaRTH District, go to earthdistrict.ca.