The UBC Psychology Climate Stories series highlights members of our community who are taking thoughtful, collective action in response to climate change. Through short Q&As, members of the UBC Psychology community share the climate actions they’ve taken to adopt climate-positive behaviours.
We begin with Dr. Lillian May, a lecturer in the department of psychology. Dr. May shares how a department-wide forest clean-up she initiated has become a meaningful way to practice reciprocity with the lands we work and learn on, support local ecosystems, and build community at the start of the academic year. Her reflections remind us that climate action can be grounded in care, relationships, and doing something good together.
Can you tell us about your climate action?
For the past two years, we have organized a department-wide forest clean-up. To launch the academic year, we invite department members to come together and spend a bit of time in one of the nearby forest lands to clean-up trash.
What motivated you to take this action?
The motivation for this event came from several directions. First, it was an action of reciprocity towards the lands we work on, and the traditional caretakers of the lands. Reciprocity is a value often emphasized by Indigenous communities, and in Indigenous approaches to education. It refers to giving and taking in equal measure; of understanding that we live in relation to all life/land, and must care for each other. In our department, we work and learn on these beautiful lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people—spending an hour cleaning the forest close to our building is one small gesture of giving back. Additionally, time spent cleaning up our forests is also beneficial for the climate. Removing trash can help necessary plants and wildlife, and may reduce greenhouse gases.
“In our department, we work and learn on these beautiful lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people—spending an hour cleaning the forest close to our building is one small gesture of giving back. Additionally, time spent cleaning up our forests is also beneficial for the climate.”
What advice would you give others who want to take similar steps?
In doing the forest clean-up, one of my favourite things has been getting to spend time with colleagues and friends, doing something good. It’s impossible to leave in a bad mood.
My advice would be to think of community and connection in climate action—it’s really nice to bring folks together to do this work.
The UBC Psychology Forest Clean-up Crew
What resource (like a book, research paper, or documentary) do you recommend for learning about climate action?
I’m a teaching-focused person, and I have found work on incorporating climate action into pedagogy to be really interesting! I recommend this Teaching in Higher Ed podcast on Climate Action Pedagogy.
We want to hear your story!
Every action—big or small—counts. Your story can inspire others to make a difference too.
Psychology Climate Action Committee
Our goal is to become the world’s first net-zero psychology department by 2030, advancing climate action in our department and beyond.
