environment

UBC experts on Earth Day and Leaders Summit on Climate

On April 22, the world will celebrate Earth Day under the theme “Restore Our Earth,” with a focus on natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

Apr 21, 2021

Why North Americans should look to British Columbia’s carbon tax as a model

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently proposed a national carbon “floor price” by 2018, while south of the border, Washington state residents will vote on Nov. 8 whether to implement the United States’ first revenue-neutral carbon emissions tax.

Nov 3, 2016

How “time is money” thinking can hurt the environment: UBC research

Thinking “time is money” can be a barrier for people to act in environmentally friendly ways, even for tasks like recycling that take mere seconds, according to UBC research.

Apr 21, 2015

UBC experts for comment on federal report about Enbridge Northern Gateway

The federal review panel released its environmental report and recommendations about the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and UBC experts are available to comment.

Dec 19, 2013

Delayed gratification hurts climate change cooperation

Time is a huge impediment when it comes to working together to halt the effects of climate change, new research suggests.

Oct 20, 2013

Marine life outracing land animals toward cooler habitats

Marine species are migrating toward the poles as much as 12 times faster than land-based species as a result of the warming climate, according to a new study.

Aug 4, 2013

Sharks worth more in the ocean than on the menu

Sharks are worth more in the ocean than in a bowl of soup, according to researchers from the University of British Columbia.

May 30, 2013

‘Fish thermometer’ reveals long-standing, global impact of climate change

Climate change has been impacting global fisheries for the past four decades…

May 15, 2013

“Fish thermometer” reveals long-standing, global impact of climate change

Climate change has been impacting global fisheries for the past four decades by driving species towards cooler, deeper waters, according to University of British Columbia scientists.

May 15, 2013

Expedition team releases photographs of threatened double-barrier reef

A rare double-barrier reef in the Philippines is facing grave threats and urgently needs increased protection, according to new photographic evidence released today by a team of marine conservationists and photographers organized by Project Seahorse, a partnership of the University of British Columbia and the Zoological Society of London.

Apr 15, 2013

Against all odds

Monica Pearson wades into the chilly waters of the Fraser River to save Canada’s last 300 Oregon spotted frog breeding females

Apr 3, 2013 - by By Brian Lin

Mountain Pine Beetle. Photo by: Ward Strong, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations

Mountain pine beetle genome decoded

The genome of the mountain pine beetle – the insect that has devastated B.C.’s lodgepole pine forests – has been decoded by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre.

Mar 26, 2013

Silvana Costa (centre) with community relations staff at New Gold's Cerro San Pedro mine information centre in Mexico. Courtesy Silvana Costa Photograph

Mining the possibilities

How UBC engineers are leading a more sustainable approach to resource extraction

Feb 6, 2013 - by Brian Lin

UBC and Fraunhofer Society enter $4.9 million clean energy partnership

A $4.9-million research partnership between UBC and Germany’s Fraunhofer Society – Europe’s largest applied research institution – will advance clean energy research in five critical areas, from wind energy to zero emission vehicles.

Jan 15, 2013

UBC experts available to comment on Enbridge, Keystone and Kinder Morgan pipeline debates

UBC researchers can provide expert commentary on three proposed pipeline projects that would carry Alberta bitumen to U.S. and foreign markets. Next week the Joint Review Panel of the National Energy Board re-opens hearings for the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline.

Dec 7, 2012

UBC experts for comment on Doha climate conference

UBC experts are available for media analysis on issues from climate science to policy negotiations at the upcoming United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar (Nov. 26-Dec. 7).

Nov 23, 2012

UBC, SFU to further global sustainable mining practices through $25M Institute

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University will lead an international coalition to help developing countries benefit from their natural resources in environmentally and socially responsible ways.

Nov 23, 2012

“Genius grant” helps secure Okanagan habitats for at-risk species

University of British Columbia zoologist Sarah Otto is using her MacArthur “genius grant” toward preserving fragile habitats in the South Okanagan region of British Columbia.

Nov 2, 2012

How to make global fisheries worth five times more: UBC research

Rebuilding global fisheries would make them five times more valuable while improving ecology, according to a new University of British Columbia study, published today in the online journal PLoS ONE.

Jul 13, 2012

Seabirds study shows plastic pollution reaching surprising levels off coast of Pacific Northwest

Plastic pollution off the northwest coast of North America is reaching the level of the notoriously polluted North Sea, according to a new study led by a researcher at the University of British Columbia.

Jul 4, 2012