Mission and Vision
Mission – To develop resources and share knowledge mobilizing faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Asian Studies to act on climate change and related issues. The Sustainability Initiative Committee develops and supports action plans in our department to address climate change via operations, research, and teaching.
Vision – Working to improve our relationship with nature and acting in alignment with Indigenous caretakers of the land, at UBC and beyond.
Committee Members
Vicky Baker
I am a Research Project Manager and also a Sustainability Coordinator, connecting with other staff across campus to help departmental operations be more sustainable. There are many things I do to reduce my own impact and work toward positive changes, and as a lover of plants and an avid gardener, I have a particular passion for good food and local sustainable food systems.
Pamela Francis
I am the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Asian Studies. I have a Masters Degree in Art History and have worked at UBC for 12 ½ years. I am very keen to become more environmentally conscious and learn tips and tricks for how to reduce waste and my carbon footprint and assist the department in doing the same.
Camila Minutti (on leave)
I work for the RHNHFF Buddhism in Contemporary Society Program and, as an amateur explorer and nature lover, I am interested in learning and applying that to my everyday life, trying to minimize our impact on the environment and sharing that knowledge with others. I believe each one of us can be part of the solution to create a greener future.
Janet Um
I am a Lecturer in the Department of Asian Studies, who teaches classical Sanskrit and courses on the literary traditions and cultures of premodern South Asia. My personal commitment to reducing the carbon footprint inspires me to collaborate with others in raising awareness around sustainability.
Xiaoqiao Xu
I am a lecturer in modern Chinese Literature and Cinema. I teach modern Chinese fiction and cinema courses. My work involves exploring the historical and cultural narratives within Chinese literature and how they intersect with contemporary issues. I am keen to explore ways to integrate environmental studies into my classroom and am eager to learn from everyone.
Rhea Dinesh
I am the Sustainability Assistant at the Department of Asian Studies, supporting the Sustainability Committee in advancing sustainable practices within the department and in the broader Asian Studies community. As a fourth-year undergraduate studying International Relations with a specialization in Economy and Development, I am passionate about fostering dialogue and exploring the role of policy and institutions in shaping just futures.
Hok Yau Tim Pit
I am a PhD student in the Department of Asian Studies, with research interests in non-human animal history, welfare, and other topics within the terrain of Environmental Humanities including waste studies and climate crisis. I believe that individual commitment to mitigating climate crisis matters, and that is why I am a vegetarian.