Essay by Eric Worrall
“… forward-thinking universities won’t be measuring excellence using status rankings and H-factors. Instead, they will show their value through community-based metrics …”
Universities have a vital role to play in tackling climate change
Published: June 26, 2026 2.55am AEST
Sarah Elizabeth Wolfe Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability, Royal Roads University
Philip Steenkamp President and Vice-Chancellor, Royal Roads UniversityGovernments, corporations and other institutions must all play constructive roles in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Universities, too, can and must help with that effort.
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The Canadian government’s drought assessment shows above-normal temperatures and lower precipitation across the Pacific Northwest this El Niño season. An early-season drought — which could affect Vancouver Island — will negatively impact farms, wetlands, wildfire risks and water demand from seasonal tourism. Higher temperatures, tinder-dry forests and already scarce water supplies are a lethal combination.
Given those climate realities, the most successful, influential and forward-thinking universities won’t be measuring excellence using status rankings and H-factors. Instead, they will show their value through community-based metrics: directly and persistently applying their expertise to help local communities deal with the risks they face.
This means an intentional, place-based approach to research and teaching that’s organized around a region’s unique and specific problems — its people, histories, economies, risks and opportunities. At a place-based or community-embedded university, excellence comes via a whole-institutional approach that goes beyond rhetoric to meaningful action.
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Read more: https://theconversation.com/universities-have-a-vital-role-to-play-in-tackling-climate-change-284946
This is the same kind of absurdity which leads leftists and greens to regularly suggest we should judge national economies by measuring happiness instead of GDP.
This point is easily refuted by asking a question: Which helps students get a job? The skill to do the job, or the love of the community their university served?
If you were seriously ill, would you rather your brain surgeon was the absolute best he or she could be, or would their commitment to climate action and track record of good works for the community be more important to you?
I’m not dissing the value of endorsement for good works. Reputation and character are important, and love from your community might open doors. But ultimately if you can’t do the job, there is no point hiring you.
