George Hoberg on B.C. Government’s New Bitumen Restriction
MPPGA Professor George Hoberg with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs was recently interviewed on CBC about the B.C. government’s recent bitumen restriction. Any restriction on the flow of diluted bitumen would prohibit an expansion of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline.
A Reminder from Hawaii
A Reminder from Hawaii Lauren Borja, M. V. Ramana January 17, 2018 Find the full article here. Summary: UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs’ M.V. Ramana and Lauren Borja contributed an article to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists about the recent missile false alarm in Hawaii. They outlined the potential dangers in having a […]
The Courage to Challenge the Nuclear World Order
Professor M.V. Ramana and Zia Mian reflect on the nuclear disarmament activism work that has culminated in the Nobel Prize win of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), as well as the adopting of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Why do some communities resist mining projects while others do not?
Why do some communities resist mining projects while others do not? M Conde, P Le Billon The Extractive Industries and Society May 20th, 2017 Find the full article here. Photo Credit: Bernardo Ranieri Abstract: The pace of mineral extraction has greatly accelerated since the mid-1950s, with a major mineral boom taking place in the past decade. […]
Canada must change course on nuclear disarmament
The M.V. Ramana, Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) and Lauren J. Borja, Postdoctoral Fellow at SPPGA recently contributed an opinion article in the Vancouver Sun. Ramana and Borja note that Trudeau’s congratulatory speech to Setsuko Thurlow, a representative of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear […]
LNG projects in Western Canada
Dr. Wenran Jiang, IAR Senior Fellow has been interviewed in multiple news outlets on LNG projects in Western Canada. BNN – Why it may be too soon to declare LNG in Western Canada dead Calgary Herald – Corbella: Our LNG could help the world cut CO2. July 29, 2017
MPPGA professor Rashid Sumaila wins Volvo Environment Prize
Dr. Rashid Sumaila, Professor with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, has won the 2017 Volvo Environment Prize for his innovative work in fisheries economics and sustainable governance of ocean resources. His research covers all aspects of the future health of the oceans: overfishing, oil spills, plastics pollution, ocean acidification, and climate change.
Professor Philippe Le Billon investigates white collar crime in post-war natural resource sectors
Post-war situations can present an opportune context for white-collar crime in resource sectors – including corruption, tax evasion, land dispossession, and illegal resource exploitation. This paper investigates various forms of white-collar crime and associated human rights abuses, and points at biased processes of ‘criminalization’. Whereas white-collar crime is frequently legitimated under the guise of reconstruction […]
A new normal? The changing future of nuclear energy in China
A new normal? The changing future of nuclear energy in China M.V. Ramana and Amy King Learning from Fukushima 2017 Find the full downloadable eBook here, and find Ramana’s chapter here. Abstract: In recent years, China has reduced its goal for expanding nuclear power capacity, from a target of 70 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 issued […]
Old Plans, Ongoing Handouts, New Spin: Deciphering the Nuclear Construction Announcement
Last month, the union cabinet of India announced their approval for the construction of 10 additional 700 megawatt (MW) pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). Authors, M. V. Ramana and Suvrat Raju delve into the complexities and challenges such a decision presents in their article published by Economic and Political Weekly.
Nuclear power: Expensive, hazardous and inequitable
Published in The Hindu, authors Suvrat Raju and M.V. Ramana question the Indian Government’s recent approval of 10 new nuclear reactors. This op-ed piece brings economic, environmental, and social concerns to the forefront, challenging “India’s commitment to sustainable development” and the viability of nuclear power as a whole.
Nuclear power: Expensive, hazardous and inequitable
Published in The Hindu, authors Suvrat Raju and M.V. Ramana question the Indian Government’s recent approval of 10 new nuclear reactors. This op-ed piece brings economic, environmental, and social concerns to the forefront, challenging “India’s commitment to sustainable development” and the viability of nuclear power as a whole.
Report: Nuclear Power and Small Modular Reactors in Indonesia
M. V. Ramana with the Liu Institute for Global Issues and his collaborators from the Indonesian Institute for Energy Economics, the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability, and Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security have published a report which surveys and synthesizes the historical and contemporary factors affecting nuclear power in Indonesia.
Liu Debates – “Should we label GMO foods?”
The Liu Debates aims to provide space for critical, engaging conversations with informed participants at UBC by hosting frequent events on a topic of current policy interest. “Should we label GMO foods?” That was the question posed to attendees of the “Liu Debates” held on March 2, 2017. The panelists – who come from diverse backgrounds […]
Indonesia’s Environmental Pledge
Joanna Fensome and Nathan Seef discuss the Indonesian government’s plan to devote $1 billion annually to clean up its seas before reflecting on a decision about Israeli settlements in the West Bank that is rather different from the one we discussed several weeks ago.
An Enduring Problem: Radioactive Waste From Nuclear Energy
An Enduring Problem: Radioactive Waste From Nuclear Energy Professor M. V. Ramana February 16, 2017 M. V. Ramana, Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Affairs at the Liu Institute for Global Issues at UBC has published an article on nuclear waste in Proceedings of the IEEE. Find the article here. Abstract: Decades after the idea […]
The tumultuous revival of Keystone XL
Featured in the most recent episode of CBC’s Early Edition, MPPGA Professor George Hoberg discusses the straining relationship between the environment and economy, as Trump’s decision to revive the Keystone XL pipeline brings uncertainty to both the Canadian and American populous.
What is this thing called organic? How organic farming is codified in regulations
Published in Food Policy (vol. 68), a new paper led by UBC Postdoctoral Fellow Verena Seufert and co-authored by MPPGA Professor Navin Ramankutty and Tabea Mayerhofer examines why organic regulations need to better incorporate environmental best practices.
Pipeline politics: the battle of Kinder Morgan
In a recent Vancouver Sun article, MPPGA Professor George Hoberg provided insight on BC’s Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, noting on the ultimate uncertainty of the project when considering the involvement of First Nations and opposing parties.
Welcome to Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz
The Liu Institute for Global Issues is pleased to welcome a new faculty member to our community, Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz. Nadja Kunz is an Assistant Professor at the Liu Institute for Global Issues and Norman B Keevil Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus. She will be teaching in the Master of […]
Welcome to Professor M. V. Ramana
The Liu Institute for Global Issues is pleased to welcome a new faculty member to our community, Professor M. V. Ramana. M. V. Ramana is Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security at the Liu Institute for Global Issues. He will be teaching in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program. Professor Ramana has focused his research […]
Land-use regime shifts: an analytical framework and agenda for future land-use research
Land-use regime shifts: an analytical framework and agenda for future land-use research Navin Ramankutty (Liu Faculty, University of British Columbia) and Oliver Coomes June, 2016 This publication is available for download here. Source: Ecology and Society Vol. 21, No.2. Article 1. Liu Professor Navin Ramankutty and co-author Oliver Coomes present an analytical framework for understanding land-use regime shifts […]