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Environment

UVic ranked as a global leader in climate action

The Ring

A global impact ranking released today by Times Higher Education (THE) evaluating universities’ global contributions towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) puts UVic among the world’s top tier of leaders in climate action, and among the world’s top 100 institutions overall in contributing to a sustainable future for the planet. THE ranked UVic fourth among the world’s universities for climate action—meaning research and action taken to understand and respond to the global challenge of climate change.

Scholars celebrated for commitment to justice

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One researcher looks forward, the other back. But a commitment to justice unites two scholars being honoured for their respective efforts to strengthen Indigenous and Japanese Canadian communities in BC. Conservationist Chris Darimont and historian Jordan Stanger-Ross are the 2020 recipients of the Provost’s Award in Engaged Scholarship.

Strategic Framework helps hands-on learning

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Bryn Armstrong’s co-op office is different than most—she’s spending the fall keeping an eye on grizzly bears and other large carnivores in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Nourishing community, feeding change

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By bringing the first Meal Exchange chapter to UVic, Jessica Schellenberg truly gave back to her student community during her four years studying environmental and social justice.

Seitzinger to become AGU Fellow

The Ring

Sybil Seitzinger, executive director of the UVic-led Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, will be among the 62 scientists honoured as fellows at the American Geophysical Union’s meeting this December in California.

Sustainable Transportation

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A recent comprehensive review of UVic’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program showed that during 2018, 62.38% of commuters took advantage of sustainable transportation options (cycling, walking, carpooling, etc.)—including a 1.8% increase in the number of pedestrians and 0.9% increase in the number of cyclists.

Year of the Salmon study

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Trawling through international waters in search of salmon had its ups and downs according to geography PhD student, Vishnu Perumthuruthil Suseelan, who spent six weeks aboard the Russian vessel, the Professor Kaganovsky.

Rainforests of the ocean

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Kelp forests are a rich ecosystem critical to many species such as herring and salmon, but researchers know that kelp is decreasing in some areas of the Pacific Northwest. Detailed maps of kelp beds developed by the British Navy in the 19th century are helping modern scientists chart habitat change in coastal BC.

Patrick Lane: Rest in Poetry

The Ring

Award-winning poet and novelist Patrick Lane passed away on March 7 at age 79, the result of a heart attack. His publisher, McClelland & Stewart, made the announcement, calling Lane “one of Canada's most renowned writers” —a claim few would refute. His passing made headlines in media outlets nationwide.

Queenswood now the Ocean-Climate Building

The Ring

The Ocean-Climate Building officially opened Jan. 10 with an event acknowledging the funding support to renovate and reconfigure the Queenswood residential care facility. At the opening, the Government of Canada announced $12.6 million over four years for ONC, the anchor group in the building.

Peru field school teaches ecology, economy and spirituality

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Walking along the foothills of the northern Peruvian Amazon, 14 UVic environmental studies students—along with instructors Ana Maria Peredo and Kate Turner and mentors Murdith McLean and Frederique Apffel-Marglin—embarked on a unique learning experience this spring that wove together ecology, economy and spirituality in an Indigenous setting.

Perfecting a powerful polymer

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UVic team’s breakthrough makes a highly durable industrial plastic accessible for wider use in automobiles and other applications. Jeremy Wulff’s team has synthesized a plastic that could replace metal to make vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient.

New Raincoast research chair

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On May 30, UVic geographer Chris Darimont was named the Raincoast Chair in Applied Conservation Science at the university. The five-year chair role supports Darimont and his Applied Conservation Science Lab to grow their research, teaching and outreach programs in community-driven applied conservation science.

Nyoka Light Wand

The Ring

One morning at the Shambhala Music Festival in the Kootenays a few years ago, young scientist-to-be Paige Whitehead looked around at the vast piles of discarded glow sticks everywhere and was struck by the thought that there surely had to be a more environmentally friendly way to party.

Human disturbance affects fish diversity

The Ring

In a study that spans Canada's Pacific Coast, UVic researchers have confirmed that human disturbance of seagrass meadows results in lower fish diversity. While human activity is known to impact a variety of ecosystems, the effect of human activity on coastal biodiversity is largely unknown. Coastal seagrass meadows are important nursery grounds for commercial and ecologically significant fish species.

Impact of noise on killer whales

The Ring

Three UVic researchers have been awarded a total $935,000 in federal funding to study the impact of underwater noise on endangered southern resident killer whales and the chinook salmon they depend on for almost 80 per cent of their diet.

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