climate change

Climate change fuels accumulation of pollutants in Chinook salmon, killer whales

University of British Columbia researchers studying the marine food web of the Northeast Pacific Ocean have found that the exposure and accumulation of chemical pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organic mercury, will be exacerbated under climate change.

Sep 11, 2018

Researchers predicted that changes in fish community could be reduced by 30 to 80 per cent with a doubling of reef area. Credit: Katina Rogers/Flickr

Reefs help protect vulnerable Caribbean fish from climate change

New research from UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries suggests that larger reef areas may help protect the Caribbean’s coral reef fish communities from the impacts of ocean warming.

Mar 15, 2018

Warmer, wetter weather can increase the intensity of insect and pathogen outbreaks, including needle blight as shown on these pine needles. Credit: Robert L. James/U.S. Forest Service/Bugwood.org

As summers get warmer, more rain may not be better than less

Warm, wet summers are historically unusual and could bring unexpected disruptions to ecosystems and society, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Feb 28, 2018

Herbivores help protect ecosystems from climate change

Plant-eating critters are the key ingredient to helping ecosystems survive global warming, finds new UBC research that offers some hope for a defence strategy against climate change.

Oct 11, 2017

Some marine species more vulnerable to climate change than others

Certain marine species will fare much worse than others as they become more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, a new UBC study has found.

Sep 26, 2017

Warmer waters from climate change will leave fish shrinking, gasping for air

Fish are expected to shrink in size by 20 to 30 per cent if ocean temperatures continue to climb due to climate change.

Aug 21, 2017

Climate change jaw dropper: Great white shark could one day prowl B.C. waters

Great white sharks could one day be swimming in British Columbia waters, according to William Cheung, associate professor at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at UBC.

Jul 25, 2017

The future of climate policy under Trump

While Canada’s climate policy is steadily moving in the direction of carbon pricing, policy south of the border is in disarray with the Trump administration taking office this month.

Jan 10, 2017

UBC experts on first ministers meeting

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with premiers and Indigenous leaders today to discuss a plan to combat climate change. Trudeau and the premiers also plan to discuss health care.

Dec 9, 2016

UBC researchers use augmented reality to teach kids about climate change

While Pokémon Go has helped to bring augmented reality to everyday life, UBC researchers are using similar technology to teach high school students about climate change.

Sep 13, 2016

Future fisheries can expect $10-billion revenue loss due to climate change

Global fisheries stand to lose approximately $10 billion of their annual revenue by 2050 if climate change continues unchecked, and countries that are most dependent on fisheries for food will be the hardest hit, finds new UBC research.

Sep 7, 2016

Evolution drives how fast plants could migrate with climate change: UBC study

New research from the University of British Columbia suggests evolution is a driving mechanism behind plant migration, and that scientists may be underestimating how quickly species can move.

Jul 28, 2016

New UBC degree focuses on climate-proofing cities

With more than half the world’s population living in urban areas, cities need urban foresters who can deal with the unique challenges to help build sustainable, green communities.

Sep 24, 2015

Fish will have to find new habitats or perish if global warming is left unchecked

Climate change is forcing fish out of their current habitats and into cooler waters and many more species will soon be affected if climate goals are not met, say scientists.

Jul 2, 2015

Seafood supply altered by climate change

Seafood will come from further abroad in the future and many people will not be able to enjoy the same quantity and dishes due to climate change and ocean acidification, according to UBC scientists.

Jun 30, 2015

Freshwater and ocean acidification stunts growth of developing pink salmon

Pink salmon that begin life in freshwater with high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which causes acidification, are smaller and may be less likely to survive, according to a new study from UBC.

Jun 29, 2015

Canada pledges to cut greenhouse gases by 30%: UBC experts available for comment

UBC experts are available to comment on the federal government’s announcement that it will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent.

May 15, 2015

Western Canada to lose 70 per cent of glaciers by 2100

70 per cent of glacier ice in British Columbia and Alberta could disappear by the end of the 21st century, creating major problems for local ecosystems, power supplies, and water quality, according to a new study by UBC researchers.

Apr 6, 2015

Significant impact on water resources by land use change: UBC study

A UBC-Chinese Academy of Sciences joint study shows that land cover plays as significant a role as climate change on the hydrology of watersheds.

Mar 3, 2015

Heart problems triggered by climate change could devastate Chinook salmon stocks

Chinook salmon can acclimate to a warmer environment with subtle changes to cardiac functions, but only up to a point.

Dec 22, 2014