Imagine dozens of rooms buzzing with ideas— campuses alive with conversation, and researchers, students, and community members connecting over one shared goal:  advancing climate solutions. Over 2025/26, the PICS University Climate Knowledge Mobilization Events program brought B.C.’s climate research to life, funding 37 climate research mobilization events across UBC, SFU, UVic, and UNBC.  

Thousands of participants joined workshops, panels, and screenings — from small faculty-led discussions to campus-wide climate fairs — creating spaces for climate research and solutions to be shared.  

With up to $2,500 available per event, the university events program  sparks connections, encourages collaboration, and amplifies the work of researchers and students at B.C. universities. The funding program is open to all faculties and fields of knowledge, at a time where climate solutions are needed in all dimensions of society. 

A few highlights from the year: 

University of Northern British Columbia – Green Week: Waste-ED  

UNBC’s Green Week: Waste-ED highlighted an often-neglected facet of reducing emissions and strengthening community resilience: waste management. Over the week, participants explored what happens to their garbage, compost, and other waste both on and off campus, and discovered practical ways to reduce it. Highlights included a behind-the-scenes tour of Prince George’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant; a visit to the Foothills Regional Landfill to learn about municipal waste management and diversion; and a tour of the Cascades Recycling facility to explore plastics recycling and other waste reduction techniques. The week of events wrapped up with a visioning session led by UNBC’s Sustainability team, reflecting on the past, present, and future of waste management on campus. 

Simon Fraser University – Transit’s Next Top Funding Model  

At SFU, tackling Metro Vancouver’s transit challenges took center stage at Transit’s Next Top Funding Model. Hosted by SFU Renewable Cities in partnership with the Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders Association, the event invited policy innovators to pitch bold funding solutions “Dragons’ Den” style to a panel of judges and a live audience. The goal? Test which ideas have public support and provide decision makers with smart, fair options for the region’s transit future. The day also featured a keynote from Anna Zivart, author of When Driving is Not an Option, and wrapped up with a networking reception. Around 300 participants joined the event, exploring creative solutions for a transit system that keeps communities moving sustainably. 

University of Victoria – Victoria Climate Connections 

This sold-out event brought together more than 100 climate professionals to connect, collaborate, and explore UVic’s climate research initiatives. Co-hosted by the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders and supported by PICS, the event marked the launch of the UVic Climate Connector, a campus-wide initiative designed to strengthen relationships among researchers and with external groups to accelerate climate action. 
 
Attendees engaged with a wide range of exhibitors and enjoyed rapid-fire “lightning talks” from students, who distilled complex research into compelling 90-second snapshots. Topics ranged from green shipping fuels to offshore wind energy, highlighting the breadth of innovative climate solutions underway at UVic.  

University of British Columbia – Imagining Climate Resilient Indigenous Futurities through Film (part of the WDCAG Conference 2026) 

UBC hosted the 67th annual meeting of the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers (WDCAG) on March 5 to 7, featuring the premiere of The Icicle Calls Us Back, a documentary exploring climate resilience through Indigenous perspectives. As part of the Geography department’s contributions, the film screening was followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker and Indigenous participants, sparking dialogue on climate futures, place, and community. The conference also offered field trips, workshops, lightning talks, and interactive activities such as a campus scavenger hunt and self-guided “Hidden Geographies” tour, giving participants hands-on ways to explore the local environment and social systems.  

Across B.C.’s campuses, these events show climate knowledge truly gains impact when it’s shared. By bringing together researchers, students, and community members, the University events program sparks new connections, amplifies innovative ideas, and helps turn research into action.