UVic Sustainability Scholar, Sabrina Skotnitsky

April 17, 2025

Sabrina sitting at a table — UVic Sustainability Scholar, Sabrina Skotnitsky at a community event for climate equity

The UVic Sustainability Scholars Program offers paid internships to graduate students to advance applied sustainabililty research projects for community, government, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations.

UVic School of Environmental Studies, graduate student, Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky created inclusive climate adaptation plans with equity-denied community members as part of her sustainability scholars internship with the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria.

“This internship enabled me to grow my skills and experience in public outreach, community-engaged research, and knowledge mobilization, and connect more deeply with the Victoria community.”

table

Q & A with Sabrina about her internship:

Can you describe the environmental challenge you are working on?

Climate change is impacting communities in Canada and around the world. In the city of Victoria we are already experiencing climate impacts such as extreme heat, sea level rise and drought among others. Community members most vulnerable to climate change include First Nations, newcomers, people who are houseless, youth, the elderly, Black and People of Colour, LGBTQ2IA+ people, and those who are disabled and have chronic health conditions. This is because they face historical and current systemic barriers to accessing resources and information to mitigate these impacts and protect themselves and their loved ones.

Can you explain your solution to this challenge?

Many of the communities who are most vulnerable to climate impacts also tend to be excluded from conventional policy-making processes. During my internship with the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, we used community meals, artmaking and other creative approaches to engage equity-denied community members and understand their concerns, needs and priorities related to climate adaptation. All the input we received was reported back to city of Victoria staff to inform their Municipal Climate Adaptation Plan, including my research into case studies of other municipalities that have been successful in implementing equity-driven adaptation policies.

Why is this important to you?

Every person deserves to live in a community in which they feel safe, supported and connected. Creating sustainable, resilient and socially equitable communities is of utmost importance as we tackle the climate crisis. Not only do marginalized community members deserve to be included in climate action and adaptation, but they also have knowledge, relationships and lived experiences that can greatly strengthen our climate solutions.

Why did you join the Sustainability Scholars Program?

As a white settler and graduate student in Environmental Studies, I feel it is deeply important to use my privilege to amplify the voices of marginalized peoples and ensure they can meaningfully contribute to research and policy that directly affects their lives. This internship enabled me to grow my skills and experience in public outreach, community-engaged research, and knowledge mobilization, and connect more deeply with the Victoria community.

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