What steps can we take to address unequal exposure to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions?
Increased global levels of greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change. Wildfires, transport and industrial emissions also impact local air quality and can lead to lung damage. Join this in-person panel discussion and hear from experts Dr. Amanda Giang, UBC Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Chris Carlsten, UBC Medicine, about how we can address unequal exposure to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Giang will discuss “Pathways to reduce air pollution exposure disparities for industry and transportation.” Dr. Carlsten will present “Lungs on Fire: Wildfire smoke, incident diseases, susceptible populations, and community values in Canada.” Presentations will be followed by a Q&A discussion, moderated by Julie Saxton, Program Manager for Air Quality Regulation, Environmental Regulation and Enforcement, Metro Vancouver.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Space is limited. Please register by Tuesday, January 14.
Date: Thursday, January 16, from 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Venue: BC Hydro Theatre, Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
Location: 2260 West Mall (Open on Google Maps)
This event is part of the Climate Justice Series, hosted by the UBC Sustainability Hub. The 2024-25 series focuses on the question 'What is Climate Justice?', which explores how climate justice intersects with multiple disciplinary perspectives and examines what working towards climate justice could look like across different areas. It showcases how climate justice is an integral part of climate research and teaching.
Panel speakers
Dr. Amanda Giang
Dr. Amanda Giang is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Environmental Modelling for Policy at the Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability and Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC. Her research addresses environmental policy analysis challenges through an interdisciplinary lens, with a focus on developing better modelling tools and methods for assessing and addressing pollution and environmental injustice, and understanding the links between air quality, decarbonization, and equity to inform planning decisions. One current focus is on enhancing the air quality and equity benefits of decarbonizing freight transport through action-oriented research in partnership with community groups and local and regional environmental, health, and transportation authorities in Metro Vancouver.
Dr. Chris Carlsten
Dr. Chris Carlsten is a Professor of Medicine, Canada Research Chair in Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease and holds the Astra-Zeneca Chair in Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease at UBC. He is the Head of UBC Respiratory Medicine, Director of the Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory as well as the Legacy for Airway Health. His research focuses on the respiratory and immunological health effects of inhaled environmental and occupational exposures, using diesel exhaust, western red cedar, and phthalates as model inhalants.
Q&A Moderator
Julie Saxton
Julie Saxton is the Program Manager for Air Quality Regulation within Environmental Regulation and Enforcement at Metro Vancouver, leading a team of 21 officers, permitting specialists, assistant officers, and environmental monitoring and technical assistants. The Air Quality Regulation group is responsible for permitting air emission sources, implementing air quality regulations, and handling air quality complaints, as well as promoting compliance and taking enforcement action. We serve the public by protecting the environment and human health.
Julie’s career spans over 20 years in the environmental sector. Prior to joining Metro Vancouver, she worked for the BC Ministry of Environment, in the Lewis group at the University of York, and in the Cass group at Caltech, specializing in atmospheric chemistry and air quality. Julie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, a Master’s degree in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from the University of London (Birkbeck College) and an undergraduate honours degree in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Sussex. She is a Professional Chemist of British Columbia.