Nuclear Energy and Power-Hungry AI: Faculty Expert Opinion
With the power-hungry tech industry looking to nuclear energy to meet the rising demands of Artificial Intelligence (AI), SPPGA Director Allison Macfarlane and Prof. M. V. Ramana provide expert opinion about its risks, costs, and long-term sustainability. AI’s Energy Demands and Nuclear’s Uncertain Future In the recent Georgetown Journal of International Affairs article, “AI’s Energy […]
2025 Global Policy Project Symposium: MPPGA Students Address Real-World Policy Challenges
Learn about the capstone Global Policy Project (GP²), and the groups of MPPGA students who are working with clients from around the globe.
Integrated Approaches to Climate Change: UBC Delegation at the 2025 CARE Conference
A delegation of 11 UBC faculty, staff and students came together with close to 100 participants from all four CARE partner institutions as well as leading experts from the public and private sectors for this year’s CARE conference.
Where do Canada’s fruits and vegetables come from? New website maps the flow into provinces
Prof. Navin Ramankutty and Dr. Kushank Bajaj (SPPGA; IRES) help Canadians reconnect with the story of their food with the new website Canada Food Flows
Training Future Policy Leaders to Tackle Climate Change: A Conversation with Prof Milind Kandlikar
Professor Milind Kandlikar reflects on his career in a conversation with SPPGA, sharing his motivations and unpacking the global issues that he strives to address.
Juan Cristóbal Collado, MPPGA Second Year Student Exploring Solutions to Global Sustainability
Meet Juan Cristóbal Collado, a student in his second year of the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program. We chatted with Cristóbal to learn more about his background of conducting policy projects in Mexico, as well as how the MPPGA program has fostered his interest in research focused on natural resources and […]
Welcome 2025 Liu Scholars
Introducing 2025’s Liu Scholars, outstanding PhD students who will be mentored by our faculty to conduct multidisciplinary research to drive global impact.
Netheena Mathews, MPPGA Second Year Student Designing Policy through a Journalistic Lens
Meet Netheena Mathews, a current second-year student of the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program. We chatted with Netheena to discover how her unique experiences have shaped her interest in policy design, and listened to her key takeaways from the MPPGA program thus far. Introduce yourself! What is your background? I joined the […]
Food Security, Climate Change & Biodiversity Loss: A Conversation with Professor Rashid Sumaila
Professor Rashid Sumaila reflects on his career in a conversation with SPPGA, sharing his motivations and unpacking the global issues that he strives to address.
Call for Applications: Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2024
SPPGA is welcoming applications for the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
SPPGA 2022-23 Annual Report
Learn more about the major research, achievements, and programming of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in our 2022-23 annual report.
“Who stands to benefit?” To engage in deep-sea mining or not. Not, say international scientists
Rashid Sumaila-led analysis reveals deep sea mining’s minimal benefits, significant harm.
2023 Simons Award Recipients in Nuclear Disarmament and Global Security
UBC students won the 2023 Simons Award for research in nuclear disarmament and global security.
A partner in food security: MPPGA alumni present their agri-food trade project to policymakers
MPPGA Graduates make waves with with their GP2 project on Canada’s ASEAN agriculture trade.
SPPGA Assist. Prof. Tarun M. Khanna awarded Hampton New Faculty Grant
Congratulations Assist. Prof. Tarun M. Khanna for being honored with the Hampton New Faculty Grant!
Dr. Rashid Sumaila Earns Monaco’s Prince Albert I Medal
Dr. Rashid Sumaila, renowned in ocean sciences, receives 2023 Prince Albert I medal for his impactful, sustainable work.
Welcoming Dr. Tarun M. Khanna, SPPGA’s newest faculty member
Joining as an Assistant Professor, Dr. Khanna brings with him a wealth of expertise in energy economics and climate policy.
Professor Andrea Reimer Appointed to BC Climate Solutions Council
Adjunct Professor and political leader Andrea Reimer was recently appointed to the BC Climate Solutions Council.
Harsha Walia Breaks Down Borders: Speaking on Climate Migration, Racial Capitalism and Empire
Canadian activist, writer and organizer Harsha Walia tackles issues of border imperialism, racial capitalism and anti-migrant xenophobia in her recent talk with UBC.
Dr. Rashid Sumaila Awarded Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
SPPGA congratulates Dr. Rashid Sumaila for being named the 2023 Tyler Prize laureate.
Profs. Navin Ramankutty and Milind Kandlikar: How Can Machine Learning Help in Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Crop Yields?
Profs. Navin Ramankutty and Milind Kandlikar (SPPGA; IRES) examine how machine learning can inform climate change’s impact on crop yields.
Liu Scholar Sun Ryung Park: Green Tech Race in the Solar Supply Chain: Tracking Innovation
Liu Scholar Sun Ryung Park publishes a paper on innovation tracking in the “green tech race,” particularly in the solar industry in the US and China.
Prof. M.V. Ramana: Nuclear Fusion: It’s Really About Nuclear Weapons, Not Clean Energy
Prof. M.V. Ramana writes an article on nuclear fusion and highlights the challenges of achieving “clean fusion energy.”
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: How Can Fisheries Support Biodiversity Recovery?
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) is quoted in an article highlighting how fisheries and people can address threats against biodiversity.
Prof. Navin Ramankutty: Globalised Food Systems Are Making Hunger Worse
A 2018 study co-led by Prof. Navin Ramankutty (SPPGA; IRES) is mentioned in an article about global food systems.
Prof. Navin Ramankutty: 10 Billion Mouths to Feed
Prof. Navin Ramankutty (SPPGA; IRES) discusses how combating global food insecurity requires a complex set of solutions.
Elena Gordillo Fuertes: The Slow Violence of Air Pollution in Mongolia
MPPGA Student and IAR Fellow Elena Gordillo Fuertes writes an article on the toxicity of air pollution in Mongolia.
Prof. David Boyd: Here Are 5 Things To Know About COP15 and How It Affects B.C.
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) outlines how the COP15 biodiversity summit impacts B.C.
Senior Fellow Gisèle Yasmeen: Charities Offering Meals Grapple Shrinking Donations and Soaring Demand
Senior Fellow Gisèle Yasmeen comments on how political conflict and food insecurity are affecting organizations offering hot meals during the holidays.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Seafood Growth Rate Declining
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) comments on the declining growth rate of seafood and how it will impact minority groups.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Can Wild and Farmed Fish Co-Exist?
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) comments on the current aquaculture system and how land-based systems could be an alternative to open-net fish farming.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Scientists Say Farmed Fish Can’t Replace Fish Caught in the Wild
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses in a podcast a potential supply shortage of seafood.
Prof. David Boyd: Barrick Gold Under Fire by UN for Toxic Spills From Veladero Mine in Argentina
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) signed a UN letter expressing concern about toxic spills from the Veladero mine in Argentina.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Plant-based Seafood Substitute Meets Demand For Food Sustainability
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) comments on the benefits of plant-based substitutes for fish to achieve a more sustainable food supply.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Seafood Farming’s Growth Rate Has Already Peaked, and Now It’s in Decline
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses aquaculture over-optimism and seafood farming’s declining growth rate.
Prof. Allison Macfarlane: From Nuclear Power to Bamboo: The Climate Solutions at COP27
A study co-authored by SPPGA Director and Prof. Allison Macfarlane on nuclear waste is mentioned in an article about climate solutions proposed at COP27.
Prof. Philippe Le Billon: COP27: Which Countries Will Push to End Fossil Fuel Production?
Prof. Philippe Le Billon (SPPGA; Geography) co-writes an article on the need for international participation to end fossil fuel production.
Congratulations to 2022 Simons Award Recipients!
Six UBC students received the 2022 Simons Award in Nuclear Disarmament and Global Security for their research on nuclear disarmament, nuclear energy, and global security.
Prof. M.V. Ramana: Why It’s So Hard to Decide Whether Nuclear Power is a Good Idea for the Climate
Prof. M.V. Ramana comments on the financial costs and safety risks of using nuclear power as a main energy source in Canada.
Call for Applications: Olav Slaymaker Scholarship in Environment
Applications are open to UBC graduate students studying environmental issues and is supervised by an SPPGA faculty member.
IAR Fellow Sun Ryung Park and Prof. Yves Tiberghien: The Indo Pacific’s Green Industrial Policy Race
IAR Fellow Sun Ryung Park and Yves Tiberghien (SPPGA Faculty Associate; Political Science prof.) discuss the race for green innovation and policy among Indo-Pacific nations.
Prof. David Boyd: UN Says Trillions Needed To Close Financial Gap on Sustainable Development Goals
Prof. David (SPPGA; IRES) reports the two main reasons why states are not reaching UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Experts are Calling to Halt Fishing in Antarctica
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses how fisheries contribute to the overexploitation of Atlantic fish.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Protect Global Values of the Southern Ocean Ecosystem
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) co-publishes a research article on how climate change and overfishing threaten the value of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Rights and Representation Support Justice Across Aquatic Food Systems
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) co-publishes a research study that examines the significance of injustices in aquatic food systems.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Murder at Sea
A study by Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) on illegal fishing and trade is mentioned in an article by Hakai Magazine.
Prof. David Boyd: UN Says Access to A Healthy Environment Is A Human Right
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) calls for Australia to declare access to a healthy environment a human right.
Prof. Yves Tiberghien: Analysts Say China on Track to Meet Carbon Targets Despite Challenges
Yves Tiberghien (SPPGA Faculty Associate; Political Science prof.) speaks in a video interview on China’s progress towards meeting carbon targets.
Prof. Maxwell Cameron: Mélanie Joly Pushing for Haiti Plan at Americas Summit
Prof. Maxwell Cameron (SPPGA; Political Science) comments on Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s plan to address Haiti’s gas shortage that sparked violence among citizens.
Prof. David Boyd – Revealed: Huge Gas Flaring Emissions Never Reported
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) discusses how major oil companies fail to disclose significant gas emissions, emphasizing the prioritization of private interests over human health.
Prof. David Boyd: Drought Prompts Portugal to Restrict Water Usage at Hydropower Dams
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) dives into the drought issue affecting Portugal’s water source and the significance of hydropower dams being closed.
Prof. David Boyd: Slovenia: UN Expert to Assess Effects of Environmental Risks on Human Rights
Through a visit to Slovenia, UN Special Rapporteur and Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) will assess how environmental risks affect human rights.
Prof. David Boyd: Portugal: Accelerate Rights-Based Climate and Environmental Action
UN Special Rapporteur and Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) calls for accelerating rights-based climate action in Portugal.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Globe Climate: Why Getting Women and Girls in the Fishing Boat is Good for the Environment
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; UBC Oceans) comments on The Globe and Mail’s article on Globe Climate
Asst. Prof. Matias Margulis: Food Prices Soars As Inflation Cools And Solutions To Burnout In Healthcare.
SPPGA Asst. Prof. Matias Margulis is interviewed by CBCListen.
SPPGA Releases 2021-2022 Annual Report
Learn more about the major research, achievements, and programming of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in our 2021-22 annual report.
Liu Scholar Temitope Onifade: Low Carbon Justice in Canada’s Net-Zero Transition
SPPGA Liu Scholar Temitope Onifade advocates for applying a “low carbon justice” approach to Canada’s net-zero transition.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: EU Needs to Act on the Science to Preserve Oceans
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) is mentioned in an article regarding his research about the impact of overfishing on ocean health and climate change.
Prof. David Boyd: How Biodiversity Coverage Shapes Lives and Policies
Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) is mentioned in an impact report regarding his book, The Rights of Nature (2017).
Prof. David Boyd: Historic UN Resolution on the Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment
UN Special Rapporteur and Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) hailed the adoption of a historic resolution by the UN General Assembly. The resolution recognizes, for the first time, the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for everyone, everywhere.
Prof. Philippe Le Billon: Local Marine Stewardship and Ocean Defenders
Prof. Philippe Le Billon (SPPGA; Geography) recommends ways to support local marine stewardship and ocean defenders through research, policy, practice, and funding.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: How Much is the Ocean Worth?
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) speaks with CBC Kelowna about the economic value of BC’s oceans.
Prof. Kristen Hopewell: Canadian Pulse Producers Eye Improving Trade with India as Hefty Tariff Suspension Extended
SPPGA Prof. Kristen Hopewell discusses opportunities for strengthening agricultural trade between Canada and India.
Prof. Heidi Tworek: Using Animal History to Inform Current Debates in Gene Editing Farm Animals: A Systematic Review
Dr. Heidi Tworek (SPPGA) collaborates with researchers on published paper and bring animal history to contemporary research
Prof. David Boyd Comments on Why the UK Has a ‘moral Duty’ to Improve Air Pollution
The UN’s Special Representative on Human Rights and the Environment Prof. David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) issues an urgent call for Britain to tighten its policies on air quality
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Threat of ‘Heatflation’ Looms Large as Climate Change Shrinks Farm and Seafood Output
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses how rising temperatures are decreasing seafood supply from the South China Sea.
Prof. Philippe Le Billon and Liu Scholar Raphaël Deberdt: A Green Transition Should Prioritize the Ocean’s Carbon Sinks Over Deep-Sea Mining
Prof. Philippe Le Billon (SPPGA; Geography) and Liu Scholar Raphaël Deberdt advocate for a green transition in the deep-sea mining industry.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: US Needs a National Action Plan to Stem the Tide of Plastic Pollution
Prof. Rashid Sumaila co-authors an article highlighting the urgent need for a national plan to curb the high amount of plastic pollution in the U.S.
News Compilation: WTO Deal on Fisheries Subsidies Media Mentions
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) advocates for the ban of fisheries subsidies for the WTO’s Twelfth Ministerial Conference.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: The First Version of Puerto de Ideas Biobío Will Focus on Nature
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses the concept of “infinity fish,” and how protecting marine ecosystems would sustain fishery resources.
The Right to a Healthy Environment and Biodiversity Law: Embedding an Intersectionality Approach for Transformative Change
Learn about the recent work of Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima, visiting scholar at SPPGA and senior researcher at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
Rashid Sumaila: Bottom Trawling in the Med Supported by ‘Generous Handouts’
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (IOF; SPPGA) comments on a new study he co-reviewed on the trawling sector in the Western Mediterrnean.
Prof. M.V. Ramana: Let’s Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, Before They Eliminate Us
Following the conclusion of the first UN meeting of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Prof. M.V. Ramana comments on the State Parties promise to eliminate nuclear weapons on an urgent basis.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Aquaculture Drives Aquatic Food Yields to New High
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) is quoted in an article about the role of aquaculture in increasing food yields.
IAR Fellow Younus Mushtaq Ahmed: Solving India’s Sanitation Scourge
IAR Fellow (CISAR) Younus Mushtaq Ahmed writes an article discussing India’s sanitation policy.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: The Cod Delusion
A report co-authored by Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) is quoted in an article discussing the Atlantic cod population.
SPPGA Director and Prof. Allison Macfarlane: ‘We Really Want to Find A Long-Term Solution’: Canada Inches Toward Permanent Storage of Radioactive Waste
SPPGA Director and Prof. Allison Macfarlane discusses concerns around safety of a permanent nuclear storage site in Ontario, explaining that “we don’t understand what the costs are going to be yet.”
UBC and Stanford-led Research Finds Small Modular Reactors will Exacerbate Challenges of Highly Radioactive Nuclear Waste
Small modular reactors, long touted as the future of nuclear energy, will actually generate more radioactive waste than conventional nuclear power plants, according to research from the University of British Columbia and Stanford.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Govt. of Canada Delivers on Commitment to Ban Harmful Single-Use Plastics
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses the positive environmental impact behind banning single-use plastics in Canada.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: 5 Truths About the Seafood Industry That Will Make You Lose Your Appetite
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) comments on the economic incentives behind selling expensive, low quality seafood that is often illegally or unethically sourced.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: We Have to Ensure We Don’t Empty the Oceans
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) explains why fishing must be carefully managed in order to remain sustainable.
2022 Global Policy Project Symposium
Leading up to their graduation, MPPGA students from the class of 2022 presented their policy findings at the annual Global Policy Project Symposium held by the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Canada’s Single-Use Plastic Ban
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) comments on Canada’s singe-use plastic ban as a “good start” with a lot more work to be done.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: UBC-Led Team to Find Out How to Feed the World While Protecting Nature with New Grant
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) co-directs the Solving Food-Climate-Biodiversity (FCB) project in Ghana and Nigeria. This project focuses on the Earth’s capacity to sustain life and support human wellbeing food security, climate mitigation, and safeguarding biodiversity.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: WTO Finally Nets Deal Curbing Fisheries Subsidies, but Tables Key Bits for Later
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses the outcome of the WTO’s talks aimed at curbing harmful subsidies for fisheries.
Five UBC SPPGA Faculty Awarded SSHRC Funding for Projects
Profs. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF), Timothy Cheek (SPPGA; History), Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History), Milind Kandlikar (SPPGA; IRES), and Navin Ramankutty (SPPGA; IRES) received SSHRC funding through Partnership Development, Partnership Grants, and Insight Grants for various projects.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Canada on Board for Ending Subsidies that Promote Overfishing
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses the subsidies that promote overfishing and Canada’s support behind ending these subsidies to promote sustainable development goals.
Prof. George Hoberg Awarded 2022 Donald Smiley Prize
Professor George Hoberg was awarded the 2022 Donald Smiley Prize by the Canadian Political Science Association for his book, The Resistance Dilemma: Place-Based Movements and the Climate Crisis.
Director and Prof. Allison Macfarlane: Why Nuclear Energy is on the Verge of a Renaissance
SPPGA Director and Prof. Allison Macfarlane discusses the global attitude shift towards embracing nuclear power and safe energy storage methods with CNBC News
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Scientists Urge WTO to Ban Subsidies that Promote Overfishing
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses WTO subsidies that cause overfishing, why these subsidies need to go, and how Canada will be affected.
Prof. Navin Ramankutty Appointed as Renewed Canada Research Chair in Data Science for Sustainable Global Food Systems
Prof. Navin Ramankutty (SPPGA; IRES) was appointed as a renewed Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Data Science for Sustainable Global Food Systems. Prof. Ramankutty is one of four new and renewed CRCs in the Faculty of Arts at UBC.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Sustainability Champions on how to Tackle the Planetary Crises
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) discusses solutions to climate change, biodiversity protection and preventing pollution with some of the world’s leading environmentalists. Prof. Sumaila won the 2017 Volvo Environment Prize.
Prof. M.V. Ramana: Do We Need Nuclear Power to Stop Climate Change?
Prof. M.V. Ramana discusses the debate over the apparent need for nuclear power to fight climate change and adopt green energy alternatives.
Call for Applications: 2022 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs welcomes applicants interested in applying for the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: PPE Litter is Making the Plastic Pollution in Oceans Worse
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) highlights the negative impact of PPE plastic waste on our oceans.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: 94 Masks per Person Tossed into Vancouver Trash in 2021
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; IOF) discusses the importance of a regional approach to managing plastic waste during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Millions of Dead Animals: the Growing Scandal of Fish Waste
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) highlights the economic drivers behind increasing sea waste and pollution in the global oceans.
Prof. Philippe Le Billon: Fish Crimes in the Global Oceans
Prof. Philippe Le Billon (SPPGA; Geography) co-authors the first global analysis research article examining data linkages among fisheries-related violations from 2000 to 2020.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: Vietnam Protests Annual South China Sea Fishing Ban
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) reports on Vietnam’s protest against the annual Chinese ban on fishing in the South China Sea.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila: New Report Analyzes China’s Own Fisheries Data
Prof. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) discusses China’s distant water fishing data and its impact on global relations and sustainability.