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Universities taking action to address the climate emergency

People and Places | Strategy 3: Thriving Communities
Theme: Innovation
Photo credit: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

A recent groundswell of student climate activism prompted the University of British Columbia to join organizations around the world in declaring a global climate emergency and committing to full divestment of investments from the fossil fuel industry. As part of the declaration, and after expansive consultation, in January 2021 UBC’s Climate Emergency Task Force released a report with a bold vision for our climate emergency response.

In an editorial that appears on Inside Higher Ed, Prof. Santa Ono, UBC President, and Grace Nosek, founder and inaugural student director of the UBC Climate Hub, speak about UBC is working to bring stakeholders and members of the community together on climate action, by empowering students as change agents; moving beyond campus sustainability; and embedding climate justice into action plans.

Younger generations have been deeply impacted by the intersecting crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and systemic racism, yet their resolve to be agents of change on these issues remains steady… The energy youth have shown in putting climate change on the political agenda and global protests in support of social justice this past year remind us that this generation has a vision for a post-pandemic world that is more sustainable and equitable for everyone. Now is a pivotal moment for institutions of higher education to empower our students to lead us there.

Prof. Santa Ono and Grace Nosek

Please visit the President’s website to read the full editorial.

UBC is committed to supporting the ongoing development of sustainable, healthy and connected campuses and communities (Strategy 3: Thriving Communities).