Civil engineering PhD students Marianne Touchie and Ekaterina Tzekova were undergraduates when they were first introduced to Jacques Cousteau’s Bill of Rights for Future Generations. Inspired by the conservationist’s document – an appeal to leave an “uncontaminated and undamaged Earth” for our children and grandchildren – the students drew up their own contract in 2009, calling it A Promise to Future Generations.
Those who sign the document agree to make informed environmental choices, and to act as trustees for future generations by using resources responsibly. This past June, more than 30 students participated in the ceremony – which took place at the Galbraith building following the civil engineering convocation. While many signatories are engineering grads, students from throughout the university – as well as faculty, staff and alumni – have also taken part.
“The ‘promise’ is an active choice and duty to protect the Earth for those inheriting it,” says Tzekova. “It’s not something you tuck away after – we encourage participants to frame the document as a reminder of our personal commitment.”
To learn more about the Promise to Future Generations, visit ptfg.org.
Recent Posts
For Greener Buildings, We Need to Rethink How We Construct Them
To meet its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2050, Canada needs to cut emissions from the construction industry. Architecture prof Kelly Doran has ideas
U of T’s 197th Birthday Quiz
Test your knowledge of all things U of T in honour of the university’s 197th anniversary on March 15!
Are Cold Plunges Good for You?
Research suggests they are, in three ways
