May 29, 2023 – A team of researchers from around the world is urging the international community to recognize the full environmental and health threat of plastics and categorize them as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) pollutants. In a new Viewpoint published in Environmental Science and Technology the researchers argue categorizing plastics, including micro- and […]
University of British Columbia
Posted inEnviro
It’s not too late to save 102 species at risk of extinction
November 30, 2020 – The Fraser River estuary in British Columbia is home to 102 species at risk of extinction. A new study says it’s not too late to save these species if action is taken now. “There is currently no overarching plan to save them. If we don’t act quickly, many species, including species of salmon […]
Posted inUncategorized
Impact of climate change on tropical fisheries would create ripples across the world
August 7, 2020 – Tropical oceans and fisheries are threatened by climate change, generating impacts that will affect the sustainable development of both local economies and communities, and regions outside the tropics through ‘telecoupling’ of human-natural systems, such as seafood trade and distant-water fishing, says a scientific review from UBC and international researchers. Seafood is […]
Posted inEnviro
Wildfire smoke has immediate harmful health effects: UBC study
June 24, 2020 – Exposure to wildfire smoke affects the body’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems almost immediately, according to new research from the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. In a study published today in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers found that exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter during wildfire seasons […]
Posted inSci/Tech
As many as six billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy, according to new estimates
June 16, 2020 – There may be as many as one Earth-like planet for every five Sun-like stars in the Milky way Galaxy, according to new estimates by University of British Columbia astronomers using data from NASA’s Kepler mission. To be considered Earth-like, a planet must be rocky, roughly Earth-sized and orbiting Sun-like (G-type) stars. It also […]
Posted inSci/Tech
Living near major roads linked to risk of dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and MS
January 24, 2020 – Living near major roads or highways is linked to higher incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests new research published this week in the journal Environmental Health. Researchers from the University of British Columbia analyzed data for 678,000 adults in Metro Vancouver. They found that living less […]
Posted inWorld
Effective fisheries management can reduce extinction risk of marine fish stocks
Aug. 27, 2018 – Numerous studies have highlighted that climate change impacts will put vulnerable marine species at risk of local and even global extinction; however, local actions through effective fisheries management can reduce the probability of those species’ extinction risk by as much as 63 per cent, says a new UBC study. Researchers looked […]
Posted inEnviro
Warmer waters from climate change will leave fish shrinking, gasping for air
Aug. 21, 2017 – Fish are expected to shrink in size by 20 to 30 per cent if ocean temperatures continue to climb due to climate change. A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia provides a deeper explanation of why fish are expected to decline in size. “Fish, as cold-blooded animals, […]
Posted inRegional
Human education can hinder negative encounters with the American black bear
Feb. 7, 2017 – The American black bear can rest easier thanks to conservation research conducted at UBC’s Okanagan campus. A recent study indicates that while urban sprawl results in more human-bear interactions, human education can hinder negative encounters. “Unless steps are taken to reduce human-bear interactions, we will see an increase in bears that […]
Posted inWorld
Global climate target could net additional six million tons of fish annually
Dec. 27, 2016 – If countries abide by the Paris Agreement global warming target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, potential fish catches could increase by six million metric tons per year, according to a new study published in Science. The researchers also found that some oceans are more sensitive to changes in temperature and will have […]