UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability

06/05/2026

IRES students and CoSphere colleagues call for microfibre filter standards and bold biofibre investment, protecting oceans while creating economic opportunity for Canada.

"Plastic Sunset" focuses on solutions at a time when many environmental conversations are dominated by problems. Check it out:

Today’s solution is for this country to mandate that laundry appliances include a built-in microfiber filter—like a lint trap for your washer that captures up to 90 per cent of fibers at the source. Oregon, California, and Ontario have proposed such legislation, and it's already law in France.

06/04/2026

Jiaying Zhao and Elizabeth Dunn ()'s new book earned praise from the New Scientist, which calls it a "counter-intuitive climate book" packed with practical, hopeful ways to help the planet and boost wellbeing.

Woohoo! 🎉

The most exciting popular science reads this month explore everything from symbiosis to hormones, while Alice Roberts takes on an editor-in-chief role in her latest book

06/03/2026

Let's imagine the future of cities together! Join this FREE walking or virtual experience, organized by one of our PhD students...

Where:
📍 Downtown Vancouver (or perhaps from your couch!)
What you get:
🎟️ Chance to win $100 CAD (lottery draw)
💵 $5 gift card for optional focus group
☕ Complimentary treats
Tours run May 16 - September 7, 2026. Spots are limited and released on a rolling basis.
Reserve now → https://urbanfuturewalks.com (or scan the QR code)

06/03/2026

Ethical data governance that centers farmers’ perspectives is essential for creating a just and sustainable agri-food system. Sarah-Louise Ruder and Hannah Wittman are advancing this work by examining farmers’ views on trust and data sharing across Canada.

🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2026.104076

06/03/2026

Facing geopolitical and economic pressures, Dr. Simon Donner warns Canada may be heading “the wrong path in the long term," noting that Canada is concentrating on incremental emission cuts from current activities instead of planning how to replace them

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Researchers say the highest emissions climate scenario used in global climate reports is no longer plausible. But the debate over why it was removed remains hot

06/02/2026

For RES 505, led by Dr. Leila Harris, graduate students produced 3 knowledge mobilization projects that explore how to implement more sustainability and well-being at UBC.

For more details about the projects: https://ires.ubc.ca/courses/course-information/

05/29/2026

Countries are increasingly worried about becoming dependent on foreign-owned AI systems in the same way many became dependent on foreign energy, manufacturing or supply chains explains Milind Kandlikar in the National Observer

Read more:

Putting a data centre in Canada does not automatically mean Canada controls it. The servers may be inside Canada but the technology, software, customers or parent companies behind the project could still be foreign.

05/25/2026

Congrats to our IRES graduates, Glory Apantaku, Rudri Bhatt, Joanne Fitzgibbons, Samantha Gorle, Annie Lalande, Sveinar Lunde Soldal, Valerie Zimmermann, and Anna Santo! 🎓

05/20/2026

Canada has finally acknowledged environmental injustice. Now the real work begins. With consultations on the horizon, public participation will be key to turning recognition into action.

Your voice matters. IRES's Manvi Bhalla explains what’s at stake:

05/19/2026

Simon Donner is featured in Blue Dot Living for his insights on helping young people build genuine climate hope through action and solutions.

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More than half of Canadian young people feel anxious and powerless about climate change, according to a 2023 study.