Creating investment capital to decarbonize your buildings
_ Creating investment capital to decarbonize your buildings _ _ Article by TCI's CEO, Tim Cresswell _ On the journey to net zero for building owners have many challenges: access to capacity, capability, culture readiness, to transform, or corporate will. Arguably investment capital to fund net zero projects is the elephant in the room. No money, no journey. _ For over [...]
SOFIAC, accelerating the pathway to net zero for public and private sector buildings
_ SOFIAC, accelerating the pathway to net zero for public and private sector buildings. _ An Interview with Stuart Galloway, Executive Vice president / Ontario and Western Canada _ _ _ Marie Cresswell Who is SOFIAC and what do you do? _ Stuart Galloway, Executive Vice president / Ontario and Western Canada Stuart Galloway SOFIAC - we're enablers. Through [...]
Warming Could Push the Atlantic Past a ‘Tipping Point’ This Century
_ Warming Could Push the Atlantic Past a ‘Tipping Point’ This Century _ _ Source: nytimes.com _ The system of ocean currents that regulates the climate for a swath of the planet could collapse sooner than expected, a new analysis found. _ The last time there was a major slowdown in the mighty network of ocean currents that shapes the climate [...]
ASHRAE Approves Groundbreaking Standard to Reduce the Risk of Disease Transmission in Indoor Spaces
_ ASHRAE Approves Groundbreaking Standard to Reduce the Risk of Disease Transmission in Indoor Spaces _ _ Source: ASHRAE.org _ ATLANTA (June 24, 2023) – ASHRAE announced the approval for publication of its highly anticipated airborne infection risk mitigation standard for buildings, bringing numerous benefits to occupants and promoting healthier environments. _ ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols establishes minimum requirements to [...]
2023 Annual OMC Conference Workshop – Ventilation Challenges & Strategies
_ 2023 Annual OMC Conference Workshop - Ventilation Challenges & Strategies _ _ OMC Workshop – July 12-14, 2022 _ _ Increasing Ventilation – Three Schoolboards share their experiences. PDSB, RCDSB and DSBONE share insights on the lessons learned during a comprehensive ‘ventilation rehabilitation program’ that is designed to drive more airflow to under-ventilated classrooms and harvest energy in over-ventilated spaces. [...]
2023 Annual OMC Conference at the Deerhust Resort, Huntsville ON
_ 2023 Annual OMC Conference at the Deerhust Resort, Huntsville ON _ _ The OMC conference, held from July 11-14, was a highly anticipated event for school board facility officials. The theme of this year's conference was Facing the Future Together, to navigate new waters to re-emerge stronger and more collaboratively. _ _ The conference commenced on July 11 with an opening ceremony, where distinguished keynote speaker [...]
An Interview with Domenic Maniccia, Retired Facility Manager, GEDSB, Ed Advisor TCI
_ Lessons Learned - The Role and Importance of Ventilation _ _ Domenic Maniccia, Retired Facility Manager, GEDSB, Ed Advisor TCI _ What lessons can you share that impact the quality of the learning environment and improve ventilation in schools? The Pandemic has placed a greater emphasis on improved ventilation in schools. Many schools were not equipped with HVAC systems or had [...]
Safety group will go to court if government doesn’t improve air quality in Ontario schools
_ Safety group will go to court if government doesn’t improve air quality in Ontario schools _ By: Abdul Matin Sarfraz _ Ontario School Safety (OSS) is considering legal action to force the provincial government to improve indoor air quality in schools and on school buses. They issued the threat after claiming multiple attempts to discuss this issue directly with the Ford government were ignored, [...]
Leadership, Communication & Experiential Learning at the Forefront of Peel SB Sustainability
_ Leadership, Communication & Experiential Learning at the Forefront of Peel SB Sustainability _ _ Sustainability in education requires a myriad of skill sets today: leadership, innovative and engaging communications, and experiential learning, as noted by staff at Peel District School Board (PDSB). In a recent interview with PDSB, Shahid Naeem, Manager, Energy and Sustainability, notes how important leadership messaging and modeling are to engage [...]
People and Partnerships Drive Sustainability at Fanshawe College
_ People and Partnerships Drive Sustainability at Fanshawe College _ _ Many academic institutions are enhancing their environmental efforts to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets set out in the Paris Accord and become more sustainable overall. Sustainability requires creating a balanced approach to all aspects of campus life, from waste diversion and reducing energy use to retrofitting aging infrastructure, improving indoor air quality and [...]
Ontario Releases 2023 Budget
_ Ontario Releases 2023 Budget _ _ The Government of Ontario has released its $204B 2023 Budget. CBC reports that 5.9% of the budget for 2023-24 has been allocated to the postsecondary sector. Over the next decade, the budget’s capital plan includes $5.4B for the postsecondary sector, which includes $2B in capital grants to support the modernization of classrooms, critical repairs, and improved environmental sustainability. [...]
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES?
_ WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES? _ _ Preventing the spread of airborne viral illnesses is an important consideration in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Canadian air quality professionals explain how poor air quality is linked to increased infection rates and what Canadian school administrators can do to help prevent their students from getting sick. [...]
New Years’ Resolutions for a Healthier Planet
_ New Years’ Resolutions for a Healthier Planet _ _ TCI and Cleaner Air for Schools offers some food for thought when it comes to your new years’ resolutions and how to make them achievable, measureable and connected to what we are passionate, about our planet. With recent weather changes it is even more evident that Mother Earth needs our support more than ever so [...]
A Year in Review
_ A Year in Review _ Improved Occupant Health & Safety, Energy savings and a reduction in GHG emissions post pandemic and a a better performing building into the future, an interview with Tim Cresswell, CEO, TCI. _ _ So, when the pandemic hit back in March of 2020, a variety of authorities like The Science Table and ASHRAE providing recommendations on how [...]
Nerva Celebrates with Fire, Food, Music and Giving at their Grand Opening October 20th
_ Nerva Celebrates with Fire, Food, Music and Giving at their Grand Opening October 20th _ _ NERVA Energy recently opened their new office in Hamilton and celebrated their Grand Opening October 20th with fire, food, music and giving, all in their newly furnished 33,000 sq. ft. facility located in Hamilton to support their continued growth and expansion in Ontario and beyond. A good portion [...]
Indwell: Hopes and Homes for All
_ Indwell: Hopes and Homes for All _ _ Compassion Drives Staff Efforts to Support Community One thing for sure is that the people at Indwell are compassionate and often come from a place of personal experience and advocating for those people with mental health and well-being issues. “We support those who are living in poverty, because of their state of mental health and [...]
Ventilation Improvement Program for Ontario Schools Reaches a Major Milestone
Ventilation Improvement Program for Ontario Schools Reaches a Major Milestone - - Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario schools have definitely had their share of ups and downs. From student cohorts, to online learning, and then back to in-person learning - the last two years have proven to be a roller-coaster of new experiences. There seems to be a silver lining in all of this chaos [...]
ERDI Fall Conference in Vancouver
_ ERDI Fall Conference in Vancouver _ Article written by Marie Cresswell, President, TCI. _ ERDI Fall Conference in Vancouver welcomed 50 Directors of Education and Superintendents and over one hundred corporate partners from thirty-five Canadian corporations to share exchange ideas and develop innovative programs, services and products for students and staff in the schools across Canada. _ _ Gina Niccoli-Moen, [...]
The President’s Classic Golf Tournament with Mohawk College
_ The President’s Classic Golf Tournament with Mohawk College _ _ For Mohawk College, the President’s Classic Golf Tournament was more than just a golf tournament it was a fabulous way for staff, partners and community members to reconnect not only socially but for a very important cause – student wellness. _ _ On September 22, 2022 one hundred and thirty golfers [...]
Storybooks Podcast, Gregg Jorritsma with…Tim and Marie Cresswell, Thomas Cole Inc.
_ Ep. 16 - Storybooks, Gregg Jorritsma with...Tim and Marie Cresswell, Thomas Cole Inc. _ Conversations with everyday entrepreneurs about their start and the lessons learned along the way. _ Tim and Marie join the show to discuss clean air, schools and sustainability which are just a few of the cornerstones of their business Thomas Cole Inc. _ _ Listen to the [...]
7 Tips to Save Energy & Reduce Carbon in Your Schools, Colleges, Universities and Hospitals
_ 7 Tips to Save Energy & Reduce Carbon in Your Schools, Colleges, Universities and Hospitals _ Written by Josh Lewis, VP Energy Engineering, Nerva Energy Group _ Managing energy performance and carbon emissions is no easy task. Each school building is unique, and as a result, will require a different combination of measures in order to drive maximum efficiency. As we [...]
Sustainable Seneca
_ Sustainable Seneca _ _ Building Partnerships across Academics, Operations, Community and Culture. _ Exciting changes are afoot at Seneca, which now includes more than 45,000 full-time students and more than 45,000 part-time registrants. With the recently established Office of Sustainability, the institution is now putting its core values front and centre in a way that embodies “sustainable Seneca.” Don Forster, [...]
Celebrating Clean Air Day with our Partners on June 8th
Celebrating Clean Air Day with our Partners on June 8th The TCI and Nerva team wish to recognize Cleaner Air for Schools Partners who have taken a leadership role in the Province enhancing the quality of air in classrooms creating healthier, safer more sustainable places to teach and learn. We would like to recognize the facilities teams for their tireless efforts to keep learning and teaching front [...]
St. Clair breathing better thanks to Cleaner Air for Schools and Campuses program
St. Clair breathing better thanks to Cleaner Air for Schools and Campuses program St. Clair College has taken an important step to improve the quality of its learning and teaching environment by joining the Cleaner Air for Schools and Campuses program. The Cleaner Air for Schools and Campuses (CAFS) program is a collaborative initiative between Nerva Energy, Mohawk College, Thomas Cole Inc., and climate change leaders to [...]
Renfrew County District School Board Showcases New Ventilation Technology
Renfrew County District School Board Showcases New Ventilation Technology Nerva Energy and Thomas Cole Inc. were pleased to co-host a special Cleaner Air for Schools ventilation, demonstration event with the Renfrew County District School Board at Pine View Public School, Petawawa on Wednesday, November 24th. The Board welcomed representatives from the National Research Council, Ottawa Community Housing and Renfrew Victoria Hospital, the Renfrew County Catholic District School [...]
Stories of Resiliency, Reconciliation and hope at ERDI 2021 Fall Conference
Stories of Resiliency, Reconciliation and hope at ERDI 2021 Fall Conference Written by: Marie Cresswell Photos by: Marie Cresswell Sharing stories of resiliency, reconciliation and hope promotes inclusive and healthy conversations about reconciliation at ERDI fall conference plenary last week. For many of us the September 30th was a day to wear an orange T-shirt, not for Kevin Chief, it is a day to share stories and [...]
Cleaner Air for Schools Receives 2022 Clean 50 Top Project Award
Cleaner Air for Schools Receives 2022 Clean 50 Top Project Award Written by: Juan Malvestitti The Cleaner Air for Schools (CAFS) program was born from a COVID-19 pandemic task-force, comprised of award-winning engineers and indoor air quality specialists. The key objective of this program was to develop a solution that could help schools increase airflow and improve indoor air quality without sacrificing their energy performance goals and [...]
School boards received $700M for facility improvements, but are kids returning to healthier schools?
School boards received $700M for facility improvements, but are kids returning to healthier schools? Ontario schools have definitely had their share of ups and downs. From student cohorts, to online learning, the 2020/2021 school year proved to be a roller-coaster of new experiences. As parents and students adapted to a myriad of public health measures, including facemasks and social distancing, school facilities were faced with unprecedented operational [...]
Utah charter school says their HVAC system prevents spread of COVID-19
Utah charter school says their HVAC system prevents spread of COVID-19 BY CHRIS JONES AND NADIA PFLAUM, KUTV KUTV — For Jackie Rawlins and her family, the beginning of 2020 seemed like the perfect time for a new beginning. They moved to Utah from Idaho in March, excited for a new chapter. Then COVID-19 upended the world. “It was a weird time for everybody, trying to figure [...]
Active air purification technology to make its offices COVID-secure
Lloyds of London installs innovative air purification technology to make its offices COVID-secure More and more organisations, like Lloyd’s, are waking up to the power of air purification technology for combatting COVID-19 Renowned insurance and reinsurance market, Lloyds of London, is installing innovative air purification technology into all of its UK offices so that staff members can return safely to work. Founded in 1688, Lloyds has become a [...]
Momentum – Future leaders
Mohawk College launches Climate Change Leaders, which will see students learn through real-world data Ten school boards have made commitments to set carbon reduction goals and to partner with Mohawk College to bring climate change curriculum and awareness of low-carbon alternatives into elementary and secondary classrooms. Climate Change Leaders will see Mohawk introduce micro-credits in climate change in which students learn from the energy use data collected in [...]
Students to gain better air quality
Mohawk College, Grand Erie District School Board and Nerva Energy to install innovative Active Air Purification Technology, including hands-on learning Brantford, ON - With renewed attention on air quality in Schools during the pandemic, two area schools are the first in Ontario to retrofit their HVAC systems with an active, in-duct, air purification technology, providing students with a virus- and bacteria-reduced environment and a chance for hands-on learning [...]
Mohawk College launches Climate Change Leaders Partnership
Sustainability education initiative involves nine school boards, 270,000 students Hamilton, ON – Mohawk College announces today a historic voluntary agreement with nine Ontario school boards (Niagara Falls to Brantford and north to Halton Hills), establishing a large-scale learning partnership offering students opportunities for new skills, curriculum connections and research, as they learn first-hand how to reduce the carbon footprints in their schools. The initiative, called Climate Change Leaders, [...]
