The city of Sudbury, Ontario, faced severe environmental degradation due to a century of mining and smelting, resulting in 80,000 hectares of contaminated land. Sudbury is Canada’s largest mining community and was built on Atikameksheng Anishinaabek, known as the people of Whitefish Lake. The boundaries of their tiny reserve were deliberately drawn to exclude mineral-rich lands. Although over $1 trillion has been taken from the Sudbury region, the First Nation has received no compensation and no apology.
Over more than 100 years of smelter operations, the major pollutants were sulphur dioxide, lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, arsenic, cobalt, and selenium. The contamination spread over 80,000 hectares. Despite the urgent need for regulation, it took over 50 years to effectively limit and ban these emissions and illegal mining activities.
For ten years, from 1999 to 2009, mining companies avoided reporting toxins in their waste rock piles and tailings impoundments to the National Pollutant Release Inventory until a MiningWatch Canada court case forced them to comply with the law.
The restoration of 3,400 hectares of land across Sudbury was made possible by the brilliant work of university-based scientists from Laurentian University, community volunteers, a few dedicated mining company staff, and government subsidies. In fact, Laurentian University (LU) and the Science North center played a pivotal role in the region’s environmental recovery and sustainable transformation.
Research conducted by LU’s scientists in collaboration with the Lakes Center provided robust data on pollution levels and ecosystem recovery, serving as the evidence base for new industrial regulations and local restoration efforts.
Moreover, science communication programs at Science North and within the university curriculum helped the public, including children and adults, understand the science behind local environmental issues in an accessible way. The efforts motivated local communities, and they initiated several campaigns. Students, inspired by their coursework, initiated tangible projects such as a paper recycling program and a “Beppi” forest corridor on campus, which became a popular public trail in Sudbury.
A study published in the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education in August 2025 revealed that the decades of concerted effort, fueled by science communicators and community buy-in, resulted in a 90% reduction in pollution and the recovery of ecosystems, transforming Sudbury into a globally recognized model for environmental restoration.
Scientists at the University of Canada conducted this research to examine how sustainability education is nurtured and augmented through community engagement and various learning, teaching, and research activities at the University of Canada.
This study suggests that universities and academic institutions interested in building capacity with complementary policies to support the SDGs should cultivate innovative curriculum development across disciplines within their educational programs. These relevant research activities can engage local communities in sustainability solutions.
Dr Andae Rivera Sosa, a coastal management expert in Mexico, set another inspiring example to follow. Her research on sewage contamination of coral reefs highlighted the connection between improper waste treatment and human health. By communicating the immediate, personal impact of the pollution on the local community’s livelihoods and health, Dr Rivera stimulated community collaboration to better integrate watershed management practices.
These case studies show that sustainable awareness is not just about knowing the facts—it’s about using that knowledge to make responsible choices and decisions. Science communication equips individuals and organizations with reliable information that influences decisions specifically related to environmental protection, healthcare, and SDGs.
Science communication plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals worldwide by bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and research to a diverse range of communities, from laypeople to students, researchers, and policymakers. It empowers people to make informed decisions and take collective action for a better and safer livelihood. It effectively communicates complex research, allowing policymakers to develop evidence-based strategies that promote public awareness and foster collaboration among all stakeholders.
However, being a developing country at the forefront of the climate crisis, Pakistan does not seem to have established the necessary framework to communicate science to its public effectively. The scientific knowledge gained from research conducted in universities and research institutions mostly stays in scientific journals and hardly communicates with the general public and policymakers for awareness and being utilized for national development.
In Pakistan, students are taught science by memorising theories and scientific laws rather than understanding the core scientific concepts through experiments, thus curtailing students’ cognitive abilities. Under such circumstances, it is a daunting task to develop and nurture scientific thinking and analytical skills.
Worldwide, emerging social platforms are playing a crucial role in effective science communication, complementing both print and digital media on a global scale. However, in Pakistan, the public often spends time on social media engaged in creating memes, trolling, and arguing over trivial matters. Additionally, major media outlets tend to focus more on political and entertainment news, giving little attention to credible science reporting.
Prominent Science Communicator Manzoor Somroo stated in his research conducted in 2020 that Pakistani media, including electronic and print, are vibrant sources of information, but science reporting does not rank high among the priority areas of media outlets and newsroom hierarchies across the country.
“However, with the emergence of online and digital platforms, many startups and non-government entities have stepped up to leverage technology to promote Scientific culture in Pakistan. Over the decades, Pakistan has witnessed innovative and encouraging trends in the promotion of public awareness of science and technology.”
These efforts are not enough to address the serious challenges the country currently faces, such as climate change and environmental degradation. These issues are having a damaging effect on the core pillars of the nation’s economy, including agriculture, fisheries, and the textile industry. As these economic sectors suffer, it becomes increasingly important for people to be well-informed about the threats that lie ahead.
Raising public awareness about these issues is essential, as it equips individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to develop effective solutions. Importantly, people should be empowered to take proactive measures and contribute to positive change, rather than relying solely on government intervention. By fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging collective action, society can become more resilient in the face of these pressing environmental and economic challenges.
Science communicators can foster this awareness, motivate laypeople to inform decision-making, and force them to action towards sustainable practices by translating complex research into accessible information and promoting evidence-based practices. By making scientific knowledge understandable, relevant, and actionable for diverse audiences, they can significantly contribute to the transformative vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720362082#:~:text=Sudbury%20(%20Greater%20Sudbury%20)%20%2C%20Ontario%2C,pH%20%3C%206.0%20(Neary%20et%20al.%2C%201990).
- https://scientiamag.org/aliza-ayaz-speaks-on-climate-action-and-sustainable-development-goals/
- https://scientiamag.org/the-roots-of-inequality-understanding-gender-disparity-in-pakistans-stem-education/
- https://www.emerald.com/ijshe/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2024-0741/1272096/The-role-of-science-communication-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/5185/Science-Trust-and-Policy-report.pdf#:~:text=Communication%20and%20relatability.%20There%20has%20been%20a,trustworthy%20by%20many%20members%20of%20the%20public.
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344234943_Changing_landscape_of_science_communication
- https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=7/30/2025
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Saadeqa Khan is the founder, CEO, & Editor-in-Chief of Scientia Pakistan. She’s a member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (Second Cohort) and NASW. Saadeqa is a fellow of NPF Washington, The Falling Walls Foundation, and the Science Journalism Forum. Saadeqa has won several international journalism grants and awards for her reports.
