Patricia Dijak, a graduate of the Climate Action Planning program—in partnership with the School of Environmental Studies—turned her curiosity into action.

With a passion for tackling the climate crisis, she explored global solutions locally, built connections with peers and mentors, and developed skills to drive change in her community. Patricia shares her journey in this Q&A, and how these programs gave her the tools—and hope—to make a difference.

Questions and answers

What drew you to Continuing Studies? Why did you choose to pursue your learning here instead of somewhere else?

I have a degree in electrical engineering from UVic; and after I retired from technology product marketing, I was looking for a way to give back to the local community and explore new ways to solve the climate crisis.

The program seemed like a great fit, because we could make connections between global and local issues and review case studies specific to BC or our area of interest.

From undergrads and retirees to urban and rural areas, the program was also set up to allow people of all ages and locations to share their knowledge and experience (e.g., students, project managers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, nurses, artists, operations managers and business owners).

Could you share a specific skill or knowledge you gained that has impacted your personal or professional life?

I’ve been able to find local actions—"leverage points" or "tipping points"—which can translate global climate strategies into local, on-the-ground solutions involving government, business and community organizations.

Also, people have a lot of shared values that we can leverage to enable collective action towards a common goal.

Why is this knowledge/skill important? In what ways is it especially important to you specifically?

Both individual and collective action are necessary to solve large-scale crises like the climate crisis. 

Students in all age groups seemed to have similar reactions to the current status of government action. There have been a lot of great high-level commitments, but not enough large-scale implementation. 

Also, there hasn’t been enough time, resources, or funds dedicated to the complete set of actions we need for both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The implementation of global climate, biodiversity, or sustainable development plans happen at the local level, so it’s important to keep up with local government projects and get involved in community decision-making.

We can make our voices heard at the local level.

What did a typical day in the learning experience look like? How did the experience fit into your daily life?

I could fit the coursework into my weekly routine because the schedule was flexible. I could choose my own hours to study the assigned articles, videos or podcasts; analyze and compare the different content; and then engage with other students verbally or in writing on what the readings meant to us.

What was the experience like with your instructors and classmates?

We had a lot of thought-provoking, collaborative discussions with peers and professors.

I appreciated how everyone was interested in analyzing the complexity of the problems, and then proposing tangible, realistic solutions that involved multiple co-benefits to the community, like jobs, health and well-being, food and water, resilience, and biodiversity.

I’m hoping that these types of approaches can bring communities together towards common goals. Everyone explored the issues from different points of view and took the time to respectfully reflect on the reasons for our different perspectives.

I also appreciated how Dr. Kara Shaw and the other instructors wanted us to personalize our studies with the issues that we were most interested in. Possibly the best example of Dr. Shaw’s ability to build capacity in others is the formation of an ongoing "TCA 210 Climate Group."

Four of us met online in course discussion groups and then in-person after the course finished. Since then, we have continued to email regularly and meet in-person to update and gather support from each other on our various climate action initiatives. Dr. Shaw continues to mentor beyond the classroom and provide on-going support of our climate work.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the program, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was identifying the best way to approach local governments to influence policy decisions, or to help local organizations achieve their goals in new ways.

What surprised you most about your experience in the program?

I was pleasantly surprised about the range of student backgrounds and experiences. Students aged 20 to 70 were seeing the same connections that I was—the links between the housing crisis and affordability, as well as biodiversity, which are all related to urban planning and the environment.

What was the single most important thing you learned? How has it had an impact on your life?

The need for collective action to encourage policy changes for government and businesses.

How has this program helped you in your current role or workplace?

It has helped me network with a wide range of other groups including climate, conservation and community groups. Also, it’s helped me communicate to decision-makers about the realistic ways to make the natural environment and ecosystems a priority.

How do you envision applying what you've learned in the next five years? What excites you most about your future with these skills/knowledge?

The UVic program opened the door for me to talk to more groups about how to make livable communities and apply nature-based solutions to climate issues.

For example, city staff and councillors, as well as climate, community, and conservation groups across the CRD, including those connected to the South Island Climate Action Network, Greater Victoria Naturehood and the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society.I was already a member of groups like Friends of Bowker Creek, Nature Victoria, and Bring Back the Bluebirds Project, and the program encouraged me to reach out to others.

Communities would like government decision-makers to make urban planning decisions that support "climate resilience"—both climate mitigation and adaption. This includes commitments to support the health of Vancouver Island’s fragile Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems, with Garry Oak and Arbutus habitat, which are unique in Canada, and only exist in urbanized areas around the Salish Sea. 

Local government decisions about urban development impact the ability of every community to reduce emissions, adapt to weather extremes, and maintain biodiversity. 

Also, communities recognize that technologies alone cannot solve the climate crisis because those use more energy. To adapt to extremes of heat and flooding in urban areas, we need supportive government policies, legislation, and funding for climate resilience, so we can retain and expand tree canopy and create connected green spaces that provide essential ecosystem services. This was also reflected in the Union of BC Municipalities Resolutions NR23 and NR73 in September 2024.

What’s one word you would use to describe:

• How you felt before taking the program?
  • Curious
• Your instructors?
  • Supportive
• Your overall experience with Continuing Studies at UVic?
  • Uplifting
• How you feel now about your future goals or opportunities?
  • Enthusiastic

• Posted January 13, 2025