PICS Announces Major Funding Boost for BC-led Climate Change Research

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) recently announced $1.8 million in new funding for British Columbia-led projects aimed at finding solutions to the environmental, social and economic challenges, and opportunities brought about by climate change.

Project durations range from eight months to 2.5 years and come under one of the PICS research themes: the low carbon emissions economy, sustainable communities, social mobilization, and resilient ecosystems.

Research topics include:

• determining the next best steps for BC’s groundbreaking carbon tax
• using solar energy to turn the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) into a clean energy fuel
• investigating opportunities to reduce GHG emissions and create green jobs through zero waste policies
• designing a framework for dealing with the employment impacts of the shift to a low-carbon economy
• determining if BC’s luxury tax steered motorists towards cheaper, smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles
• investigating whether energy from ocean waves can be a viable electricity source in BC
• creating a new computer tool to help local governments ‘test drive’ their energy and emissions planning>/li>
• analyzing social media’s effectiveness at mobilizing youth to reduce energy consumption
• development of tools and better management systems to safeguard BC’s forests and fisheries, and
• maintaining biodiversity in BC’s mountains which are tipped to lose up to 97 % of alpine habitat by 2085.

Research projects under a fifth theme, carbon management in BC forests, will be announced later this year. For more information please contact PICS communications at (250) 588-4053.