March 10, 2022: The Human Right to a Non-Toxic Environment

March 10, 2022: The Human Right to a Non-Toxic Environment

IRES/SPPGA professor and UN Special Rapporteur Dr. David Boyd is set to present his report (https://undocs.org/A/HRC/49/53, 6th in a series shown above) on the right to a nontoxic environment to the UN Human Rights Council on March 10th.

Bringing Out the Best in Wild Birds on Farms

Alberto Campos and Kai Chan: Rewilding can Restore Ecosystems and Biodiversity in B.C.

Pollution Causing More Deaths than COVID, Action Needed, says U.N. Expert

The Climate Crisis Demands Courage Not Optimism

March 3, 2022: IRES Student Seminar with Celeste Pomerantz and Atlanta-Marinna Grant


IRES Seminar Series

Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Location: AERL Theatre, Room 120 (2202 Main Mall)

Note: This seminar was recorded.  Please email info@ires.ubc.ca to request the video link.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Decarbonizing Canada’s Remote and Off-Grid Communities: Assessing the feasibility of Implementing Energy Storage Technologies to Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependency

Abstract:

Canada’s remote communities are heavily reliant on fossil fuels as their primary power source. Multiple challenges associated with the use of fossil fuels to power these communities such as a lack of year-round road access, increasing costs of fossil fuels, and the rising variability of unpredictable weather patterns has resulted in energy insecurity. Several renewable energy projects have been considered by the government of Canada and the provincial governments to aid communities with the reduction of diesel consumption and provide energy independence. Few of these initiatives consider energy storage as a viable option. Energy storage technologies store excess generated electricity from renewables during times of low demand and deploy stored energy during times of high demand or low generation. This research seeks to analyze multiple energy storage technologies to determine which will be the most feasible solution for implementation within Canadian remote communities to reduce fossil fuel reliance and provide potential long term cost savings.

Celeste Pomerantz

MSc Student

Bio:

Celeste Pomerantz is a masters (MSc) student at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, supervised by Dr. M.V. Ramana. Her research focuses on energy storage in Canadian remote and off-grid communities. She has a BSc in natural sciences from the University of Calgary concentrating in alternative energy and geosciences. Celeste grew up on the north shore of Vancouver and spent nearly all her time outdoors. When not in school or working, you can find her backcountry skiing in the winter or mountain biking in the summer.


From Food ‘Waste’ to Food ‘Cycle’: biocultural heritage and the sharing of oral histories for secure and sovereign communities.

Abstract:

My research aims to incorporate interdisciplinary approaches in the realm of Indigenous food sovereignty, governance, bicultural heritage and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge through oral histories and storytelling. More specifically, my work addresses the barriers towards reclaiming culture and accessing one’s bicultural heritage through the collection of food cycling (waste) practices and Indigenous food-related histories. Here, food cycling can be thought of as a life cycle, a circular food system, in which full utilization of the food product is considered, where chosen certain parts are eaten, and those uneaten are placed back into the land or repurposed with thoughtful and careful consideration. While my research will highlight food ‘cycling’ it also will hold the space for all other food-related oral histories. I strongly believe that food cycling (e.g., bone burial, full utilization hunting practices) can provide sacred teachings around how to ensure remote communities can practice their knowledge and create infrastructures that will allow for cultural-safe food security initiatives that are stronger than current agro-technology centered projects or any other food security spaces that do not acknowledge the protection and consultation of Indigenous knowledge. The non-relational mindset of our industrial food system hinders these forms of knowledge(s) and the potential behaviors that may follow. For Indigenous communities, our knowledge must be protected, through this cross-culture and collaborative research, food ‘cycling’, as well as food oral histories and knowledge, promote Indigenous food-governance from the communities it originates and preserve this sacred knowledge(s) and practices for the communities’ generational passing.

Atlanta-Marinna Grant

MA Student

Bio:

Atlanta is an Indigenous Masters (M.A) student in the Institute of Resources, Environment & Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Her research incorporates interdisciplinary approaches in the realm of Indigenous food sovereignty, Indigenous governance, bicultural heritage and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge through oral histories and storytelling. Instilling the narrative that food is not complacent; it is a teacher, has agency, and through its consumption we engage in a relationship with it. How the non-relational mindset of our industrial food system hinders these forms of knowledge(s) and the potential behaviors that may follow. Through this cross-cultural and collaborative research can food ‘cycling’ knowledge promote Indigenous governance from the communities it originates and preserve food ‘cycling’ practices for the communities’ generational passing.

March 17, 2022: IRES Student Seminar with Georgia Green and Justin Huynh


IRES Seminar Series

Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Location: AERL Theatre, Room 120 (2202 Main Mall)

View Zoom Video.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Characterizing Diverging Scientific Perspectives of Relevance for Chemicals Management

Abstract:

The risks hormone disrupting substances pose to human health are highly uncertain and it is therefore a research area defined by controversy and expert disagreement. There is reason to believe that these disagreements, to some extent, are rooted in diverging scientific styles of reasoning. Making these areas of expert disagreement clearer can help identify if relevant perspectives are being excluded in chemicals management policy. This study trials a new methodological approach to systematically characterise diverging scientific styles of reasoning in endocrine disruptor literature, combining bibliometrics and grounded theory. The trialled method shows promise and the initial findings suggest that there are distinct ways of reasoning about the validity and purpose of different methods, policy alternatives, endocrine disruptor definition and treatment of uncertainty.

Note: For questions for Georgia’s talk:

A) If you are on zoom, please type your question in the chat.

 B) If you are in AERL Theatre, please:

  1. Bring your phone or laptop
  2. Go to menti.com and enter the code shown on the presentation slides
  3. Type in your question

Georgia Green

MSc Student

Bio:

Georgia Green is a Master of Science student at the Institute for Resources Environment and Sustainability (IRES), co-supervised by Gunilla Öberg and Annegaaike Leopold.

Prior to joining IRES, she obtained an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Imperial College London. After working in science communication, Georgia developed an interest in the science-policy interface. Her current research focuses on different ways of knowing in science, applied to chemicals management.


Predicting the Impact of Minerals for a Low-Carbon Energy Transition

Abstract:

Production of low-carbon technologies such as solar PV, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries is more mineral intensive than that of fossil fuel technologies. Given that a large-scale low-carbon energy transition is proposed as a necessary step toward climate change mitigation, mining impacts could be exacerbated by increased demand for certain minerals. There is a contentious relationship between extractive industries and Indigenous communities in Canada, so it is important to consider the impact the low-carbon energy transition could have on Indigenous communities. This research will use remotely sensed imagery to develop a model that can relate various parameters of mineral extraction to the spatial extent of a mine’s impact. These impacts will then be interpreted through the context of Canadian settler-colonialism to consider the externalities of a low-carbon future where settler-colonialism remains.

Justin Huynh

MSc Student

Bio:

Justin Huynh (They/Them) is a MSc student, co-supervised by Dr. Milind Kandlikar and Dr. Nadja Kunz. Their research aims to quantify the potential for mining impacts to be exacerbated by a large-scale transition to low-carbon energy technologies. Justin hopes to integrate an analysis of settler colonialism with GIS and remote sensing methods to support movements for Indigenous sovereignty and shift narratives away from purely technocratic solutions to climate and other ecological crises. Outside of their institutional work, Justin is a community organizer working with the anti-imperialist struggle in the Philippines as well as Vietnamese migrant farm workers in Canada.

March 24, 2022: IRES Faculty Seminar with Danielle Ignace


IRES Seminar Series

Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Location: AERL Theatre, Room 120 (2202 Main Mall)

View Zoom Video.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Broadening our approach to find community-driven solutions to environmental challenges

Abstract:

Communities are facing ever-growing socio-ecological challenges due to the devastating impacts of pollution and climate change. Solving such complex environmental challenges will require new partnerships, connections, and collaborations that bring together many forms of knowledge, perspectives, and ways of communicating. We are at a unique moment where we can reimagine how science and scientists connect with society and the environment while re-centering the voices of knowledge holders from marginalized communities. Going beyond the peer-review publications and moving to include many forms of writings, knowledge sharing, artwork, and communication will be needed to find community-driven solutions to environmental problems.

Danielle Ignace

Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences

 

Bio:

Dr. Danielle Ignace is a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, an ecophysiologist, and science communication enthusiast. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at UBC. She studies how climate change and species invasions impact forest ecosystem health and Indigenous communities. Dr. Ignace is a Research Associate at Harvard Forest, Associate Editor for the journal Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, and is a Science for Social Equity Fellow (of Fair Count) finding community-driven solutions to climate change and pollution. As a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Society of Plant Biology and as an Indigenous woman in STEM, she is deeply committed to developing Indigenous curriculum and her unique perspective bridges Indigenous communities, people of color, and scientists.

April 7, 2022: IRES Professional Development Seminar with Andrea Reimer


IRES Seminar Series

Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Location: AERL Theatre, Room 120 (2202 Main Mall)

OR via Zoom:

********************************************************************************************************************************

Note: This seminar will not be recorded.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Abstract:

How many times have you seen great ideas take much longer to come to fruition than they needed to, or even fail altogether, because people or politics got in the way? Power informs the way we take up space and whether or not we leave room for others. How we unconsciously accept the way the playing field is tilted and cede ground to other people also reinforces power structures.

It doesn’t have to be this way: power literacy and competency are skills like any other that can be learned and perfected. Power Fundamentals is a foundational session to give participants a common language for power and the building blocks for a greater understanding of their own power and the power of others, as well as the tools for basic power mapping to assist advocacy and policy-making.

Andrea Reimer

Bio:

Andrea Reimer served four terms in local government from 2002-2018 including 10 years on Vancouver City Council where she led ground-breaking policy efforts on social justice, making Vancouver the greenest city in the world, democratizing engagement and the emerging economy. In government her efforts garnered numerous awards including the World Green Building Council’s Chairperson award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. After leaving office, she was awarded a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard in recognition of her civic leadership. She currently teaches about power at several universities and through her consultancy, Tawaw Strategies, acts as a strategic advisor to governments and advocacy organizations acting with courage on bold policy initiatives.

Launch Your Career in Canada | Mar 7-11, 2022