Sustainability & Climate Action

Land-based learning programs can help address ecological grief and foster community

Why planting trees that support insects and microbes matters more than you might think

UBC researchers have found a way to remove microplastics from our water supply—using natural, renewable materials

Tips include planning meals, sharing food and making the most of leftovers

How the future of fishing and fish connects to economics and the way we value—or don’t value—nature

There are boundaries to what our planet can provide

How we can make Canadian cities more flood-proof

How to know when air quality is poor and how to protect yourself from the health effects of smoke

Providing a basic income could boost global GDP while acting to curb environmental degradation

Here’s what may have happened to all the butterflies, and what we can do to help

More resilient buildings help people get back in their homes faster after an earthquake

How to build sun-safe and creative outdoor play environments

How we can promote co-existence between humans and wildlife

Indigenous peoples are global leaders in environmental justice and conservation

How to cool down with fans and more when you don’t have AC in your home

Why planning ahead is key for climate-friendly gardening

How climate change amplifies inequities and existing vulnerabilities for women, girls and gender-diverse people

What individuals, businesses and communities can do to reduce their wildfire risk

How the public can help protect wild bees and preserve biodiversity

Eco-friendly food packaging and innovative food processing can help make our food last longer

The reasons behind rising food prices and grocery prices might surprise you—and what impacts the cost of food

These sustainable farming practices can help us produce more food while fighting climate change

Everyday choices can help to reduce emissions in our food systems

As the climate changes, there’s plenty we can do to help ensure both global and local food security

Indigenous food sovereignty can help heal both the land and its people as we face the challenges of climate change

Farmers do more than produce food—sustainable farming practices can help fight climate change

Insects could be the meat of the future and a sustainable alternative protein

Researchers must work with the most vulnerable populations to build a more resilient city

Technology could help us decode the sounds of nature and non-human communication

These steps can help you move from eco-anxiety to positive action

Tips for conserving water in British Columbia

Food quality, not just quantity, matters when it comes to the health and survival of southern resident killer whales

Climate activist Naomi Klein shares insights on tackling climate injustice in BC, Canada and beyond

Many “green” solutions represent more violations of Indigenous rights and territories, without consultation or consent

Envisioning a different future can help us overcome inaction on climate change, says Dr. Simon Donner in his TEDx talk

UBC researchers are developing better batteries for electric cars, solar panels and more

Dr. Suzanne Simard’s Mother Tree Project at UBC could transform how we manage forests.

From reducing your plastic use to choosing sustainable seafood, every action counts

As BC coastal waters warm, sockeye salmon are moving north to Alaska. Here’s what’s moving up to BC

Despite learning that climate change is hitting the planet faster than scientists predicted, society has been slow to decrease the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate storytelling can help us navigate the complexity and find solutions.

Elders expressed great concern about the role of greed in management choices

As ocean temperatures rise, you’ll see more squid and sardines on menus and less sockeye salmon

Why we need to address the inequities that communities face in dealing with wildfires

Inequity and armed conflict play a large role in world hunger

Vancouver has some of the best air quality in the world. Here’s why we need to fight for it.

Learn about air pollution sources and how weather and location affect air quality in BC

Water needs to be at the centre of climate change strategies with a better understanding of the costs and benefits of solutions

Insulated bee hives could protect bees from heat stress

Here’s why citizen action matters for climate change, despite uncertain outcomes

More sustainable gift options can help beat inflation while reducing holiday landfill waste

Tied to reducing, reusing and recycling, this concept could be the key to a more sustainable future

With plastic in everything from computers to clothing, UBC researchers connect what we’re buying to what’s harming our oceans

An international emissions-trading system being discussed at COP26 could bring an end to the production of coal-fired electricity

A new tool co-developed by UBC experts helps to estimate how much affordable housing a city needs

UBC landscape architecture professor Kees Lokman explains how nature-based solutions could help coastal communities adapt

By Julia Waring Change starts locally. Here’s how UBC students doing on-the-job training are contributing to a diverse workforce across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Like many UBC students, Mona Behrouzian—in her fourth year at the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering—commuted over an hour each way for her recent co-op work term. Behrouzian was […]

Green hydrogen could allow us to drive for 1,000 kilometres on a single tank of fuel without any emissions

UBC researcher Zhaohua (Cindy) Cheng is empowering Metro Vancouver communities to combat our region’s rising temperatures.

The NEXE pod exemplifies the innovation that happens when industry partners are closely connected to an anchor research institution like UBC

A chemistry professor at UBC Okanagan explains why wildfire smoke poses a massive threat to BC’s wine industry

UBC’s Dr. Daniel Skerritt explains how fishing subsidies limit our ability to sustainably manage our fisheries

Protect yourself from the risks of hazardous wildfire smoke

Windows crashes are much more common than you might think, but there is plenty you can do to help

UBC’s Dr. Lorien Nesbitt explains how urban trees and parks are unfairly distributed, and the nature experience is not equal for everyone

Canada’s new conservation goal, 30 by 30, requires innovative action to protect natural areas

The Citizen’s Coolkit offers ideas for action to help cool your neighbourhood

When pollinators like native bees are threatened, so is the abundance and diversity of foods we eat

Wasting food wastes money and the resources used to grow and distribute it. Here’s how Canadians can reduce household food waste

Environmental degradation threatens our human rights, including the rights to life, health and food

Well-meaning individuals often make poor choices when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint

The pandemic interrupted climate justice protests, but the youth climate movement is adapting

UBC researchers are looking at ways to improve bee health