Focus on Research
Think Copenhagen, Act Locally
As the UN Climate Change Conference unfolds in Copenhagen, much is
being made of global ideas related to “carbon offsets,” and “cap and
trade.” But what can a small, rural community do to become greener?
The Stellat’en First Nation recently recruited environmental scientist
Stephen Déry from the University of Northern British Columbia to help
find answers for their community of Stellaquo, located west of Fraser
Lake.
Leaving No Child Behind
A National Centre based at UNBC is fighting for the well being of children in First Nations communities. The National Collaborative Centre for Aboriginal Health recently partnered with UNICEF Canada on the first Canadian supplement to UNICEF's State of the World's Children Annual Report that reveals serious threats to the health and welfare of aboriginal children.
Watching the Glaciers Melt
A unique, comprehensive study of the current state and
future fate of western Canada's glaciers is underway, and the early
results are disturbing.
Full story.
A Buried Northern TreasureAnthropology
professor Farid Rahemtulla recently led an archaeological dig involving
UNBC students and local Aboriginal people. The results provide a window
to the past.
Full story.
The Value of an Ancient Forest
Imagine cedar trees thousands of years old and several
metres around. This isn’t Haida Gwaii or Vancouver Island. It’s an ancient
rainforest 1000 kilometres inland and UNBC student
Dave Radies was the first
to tell people about it.
Making Concrete With Wood
British Columbia is facing a big question: what to do with the billions
of trees killed by the mountain pine beetle? Sorin Pasca doesn’t have
the whole answer but he has a concrete suggestion.
Climate Change and the Pine Beetle
Could
the sea of red forests in BC be contributing to global warming? The
pine beetle has already benefited from climate change. New research is now exploring whether the beetle is also contributing to climate change.
Mercury Contamination
Mercury is a planet, a Roman god, a plant, and a singer from a famous
rock band. For Laurie Chan, it's a major issue affecting the health of
aboriginal people across Canada. He has recently contributed to an
international declaration aimed at bringing attention to the
issue of mercury contamination.
World Record in Terahertz Technology
X-ray vision is yesterday’s news. Terahertz technology is the wave of
the future. Terahertz occupies space on the electromagnetic spectrum
between microwaves and x-rays and that’s where UNBC prof Matt Reid has
focused his vision. He has just beaten a world record set in 1993,
putting him in competition with researchers from MIT.
Cancer Research Discovery
After suffering the loss of his two-year old niece to leukemia, cancer
had become very personal to
Chow Lee. Then a 15-year old growing up in
Malaysia, he decided to make a difference in cancer research. Now in
Prince George, Dr. Lee has made an important discovery.
Full story
Snow and Climate ChangeIn the middle of winter, we may think that global warming is not such a
bad thing….as long as the snow is good for skiing. But to Stephen Déry,
snow and ice are not just fun and picturesque, they’re vital to our
survival.
Lifespan of Beetle Wood
Millions of dead trees later, it’s pointless to talk of the
mountain pine beetle outbreak as a new issue. But thanks to forestry
professor Kathy Lewis, we’re closer to identifying a “best before” date
for those red trees.
