Every person, in every country will be impacted in some shape or form by climate change
Dalhousie University has been promoting sustainability in our operations and curriculum for over 30 years. However, global and local sustainability challenges such as energy security and efficiency remain, and these challenges are compounding.
Discover how our work in these key areas is taking action in the climate crisis
High-impact research
Dal scientists hunt climate clues on first‑ever Canadian‑led research mission to the Antarctic
A Canadian naval vessel with scientists from Dalhousie and other Canadian government and academic institutions has cruised into Antarctic waters, carrying cutting-edge equipment designed and built in Nova Scotia, in an unprecedented mission to conduct climate-change research at the bottom of the earth. Read the Dal News story about this first-ever Canadian-led Antarctic research mission.
Research reveals global increase in wildfires due to climate change despite human interventions
Researchers have made a direct link between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires around the world, while also linking it to thousands more smoke-related deaths over the last several decades. Read the Dal News story about the research that's finding worsening outcomes in the extent of wildfires and their effect on human health.
Dalhousie sociologist to cultivate network aimed at reducing emissions in Canadian agriculture
The researchers linked by Common Ground Canada Network will collaborate to share knowledge and work with people in the industry and community food organizations. The ambition is to assess systemic issues that could ultimately become impediments to Canada’s net-zero ambitions. Read the Dal News story about this national research network that supports an equitable transition to net-zero in Canadian agriculture and its periphery industries.
Transforming Climate Action: Making space for the ocean
What happens when climate change forces hard questions about our continued ability to inhabit the places we call home? Dalhousie researcher, Dr. Kate Sherren, spends most of her time trying to answer questions like this, with a focus on how people are experiencing climate-related changes to their coasts and how they respond. Read the Dal News story about this work with coastal communities.
Low emissions and economic survival — countries in the global south aren’t getting a fair deal
Green or climate-friendly investment places global south countries in an unequal position on the international energy chart. Developing countries face the dilemma of balancing fossil fuel extraction with climate-friendly investments. Read the article about achieving climate justice in The Conversation.
Transforming Climate Action: Where the atmosphere and ocean meet
Dal researchers are putting unprecedented focus on how carbon is cycling in and out of the ocean, the world’s most important climate sink, allowing Canada to take the lead in ensuring global climate targets are on track with our environmental reality. Read the Dal News story about carbon cycle research.
'Soil is everything': Inside one Dal prof's work to understand how dirt can help humanity
Dr. Heung is transforming data into knowledge that will help a farmer or a forester or even a higher-level policy maker in terms of defining their carbon policy and climate change mitigation strategies. Read the Dal News story about this soil researcher.
Dalhousie receives historic $154‑million investment to study the ocean’s pivotal role in climate change
The Dal-led research program receiving the funding, titled Transforming Climate Action: Addressing the Missing Ocean, is set to bring an ocean-first approach to climate science, innovation and solutions. It unites more than 170 researchers across Dalhousie and its partner institutions Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Read the Dal News story about this ocean research investment.
Dal project awarded millions to help cities fight emissions
Data collected in the first year, currently in the Halifax Regional Municipality, will inform the framework used to gather data from the other municipalities and give researchers the opportunity to more easily estimate the amount of GHG emitted from travel patterns within Canadian municipalities. Read the Dal News story about GHG related to urban travel.
Exceptional student experience
Environmental Law II ‑ Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Climate Change
This course takes an in-depth interdisciplinary look at one of our greatest global environmental challenges: climate change. Climate change is used as a case study to explore the role of law in addressing such challenges. Current law and policy approaches to climate change are considered at global, regional, national and sub-national levels.
Environmental Science Program Student Society (EPSS)
The Environmental Science Program Student Society (EPSS) works to create networking opportunities for students in Environmental Programs, help students communicate with faculty, and organize fun and informative events promoting sustainability and environmentally-conscious behaviours.
Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management
The Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development offers an online course on Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management that shows how understanding climate change forms the basis for responding to the natural disasters that come with it. There will be a focus on wildfire and climate change resilience, highlighting how different levels of government, indigenous communities, global emergency response communities, and everyday fire departments can tackle wildfire and climate change threats.
Dal PhD student wins global research competition
Joseph Bedard, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry, won top prize in the 2023 Falling Walls Lab Pitches competition in Berlin, Germany for his presentation “Breaking the Wall of Alternative Plastics.” His approach takes the most abundant resource in the air, nitrogen, and uses it as a building block for synthetic plastics. Read the Dal News story about this prize-winning alternative plactics idea.
Civic university with global impact
New research is helping communities across Atlantic Canada restore ocean plants that store carbon
In the ocean, seagrasses are responsible for storing nearly 10 per cent of the world’s carbon each year, even though they cover a mere 0.2 per cent of the ocean floor. Read the Dal News story about how the Community Eelgrass Restoration Initiative is working with communities across Nova Scotia to replant damaged eelgrass meadows.
Engage meaningfully with issues
Since 2010, the College of Sustainability has hosted a weekly ESS (Environment, Sustainability and Society) Lecture Series that is open to the public on topics related to environmental sustainability, social justice, and the impacts of climate crisis. Watch Carbon Markets, Carbon Finance and Net Zero Targets and others on Vimeo.
Can democracies get a grip on climate change? Takeaways from this year's Stanfield Conversation
While all three panelists expressed optimism that democracies can rise the challenge, the night's wide-ranging discussion made it clear that it won't be easy. It will require a lot more effort from politicians and citizens alike. Read the Dal News story about the conversation on climate change.
Dal alum recognized for youth leadership on climate action
Jasveen Brar (BSc’17) is the executive director of Youth Climate Lab (YCL), a Canada-based global non-profit organization that equips youth with the skills, financial access and policy knowledge needed to become leaders in the fight against climate change. Read the Dal News story about the alum-led Youth Climate Lab.
Bolstered by $397M research program, Dalhousie continues push for international ocean observation at COP28
A delegation from Dalhousie will participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) to elevate the role of the ocean in the fight against climate change. Read the Dal News story about prioritizing ocean research at COP28.
Dalhousie co‑hosts national trainee program seeking to reduce health sector’s impact on climate change
A new program launched this summer by a collection of national research groups in collaboration with Dalhousie and other Canadian universities offered trainees in health-related professions a window into the substantial impact of modern health care on climate change. Read the Dal News story on the trainee program.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
When we plan sustainable events, we put our values into actions
The Sustainable Event Certification is about recognizing our campus community for planning events that reduce our impact on the environment. The program focuses on waste,water and energy reduction as well as inclusivity and accessibility.
A decade of experience working on university climate strategies
On December 11, 2009, Dalhousie signed the University and College’s Climate Change Statement for Canada. Dalhousie's second edition of the University Climate Change Plan focuses on university operational climate objectives. Goals relate to mitigation, adaptation and education outcomes.
Green Labs
Dalhousie has over 1350 laboratory spaces across our four campuses and lab spaces typically are four to five times more energy intensive than classroom space. The Green Labs program goal is to develop standards and inspire the many behavioural changes that are needed throughout the scientific community.
Dalhousie's third STARS gold rating in a row marks a decade of improvement
Dalhousie has once again earned a gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). A charter participant in STARS, Dalhousie’s first submission ten years ago was given a silver rating — the university has been earning gold since then. Read the Dal News story about Dal's third STARS gold rating.