2024 Climate Studies IBPOC Student Support Fund recipients: Hammad Jabr (right) and Abul Bashar Rahman (left)
Now in its second year, the Climate Studies IBPOC Student Support Fund is pleased to announce our 2024 recipients: undergraduate students Hammad Jabr and Abul Bashar Rahman. These two exceptional students are being recognized for their dedicated work on climate change initiatives and their lived experience tackling challenges facing their communities.
This fund aims to support underrepresented communities working at UBC in areas related to climate change and action, while Indigenous, Black and racialized people have been disproportionately impacted by the climate emergency. An initiative between UBC’s Departments of Geography and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS), providing funding to these students enlivens Geography’s Climate Action Plan and shines light on the students’ impactful work.
“There are so many students deserving of this award. We hope to expand the program in the future with additional fundraising so we can support more of UBC’s students engaged in climate studies and action. We extend our congratulations to Hammad and Bashar- this year’s stellar student recipients exemplifying the spirit of the award.”
Hammad Jabr was born and raised in Ramallah, Palestine. Arriving in Vancouver in 2021, Hammad joined the UBC International Scholars Program and is currently majoring in Geography, minoring in International Relations, and completing a Certificate in Climate Studies and Action. His current research focuses on “Urbicide,” the systematic destruction of urban infrastructure in Gaza by the Israeli forces and its extensive social, economic, and environmental impacts. Hammad’s work highlights the intersection of armed conflict and environmental degradation, showing how urban destruction exacerbates climate vulnerabilities and affects community livelihoods and environments in both the short and long term.
Hammad has also served as a project coordinator for What is Fast Fashion, a research initiative funded by the UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning in collaboration with Threading Change Foundation. This project focuses on raising awareness about the retail textile industry—its processes, environmental impacts, and the colonial injustices within them. Delivering workshops for primary and secondary school students, the project empowers young people to make informed decisions about their consumption patterns and engage with climate justice issues early on.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the importance of work in climate justice and advocacy. With this support, I can further my education and deepen my studies in climate change and action, continuing the fight for climate justice for all. As a Palestinian, this award reaffirms my ability to achieve and make a difference,” states Hammad.
The second recipient, Abul Bashar Rahman is an International Economics student also pursuing a Certificate in Climate Studies and Action. Raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Bashar’s commitment to climate justice grew from seeing the firsthand impacts of environmental change on local vulnerable communities. Bashar’s focus is amplifying voices that often go unheard in global dialogues on climate action. As the sole UBC undergraduate delegate attending COP27, Bashar contributed to discussions on climate resilience and sustainable development. Attending COP28, he premiered his documentary film, Stories of Change, which captures the courage and resilience of communities across Bangladesh adapting to environmental challenges. Through his film project, along with his work on the Climate Atlas Bangladesh, Bashar has helped to connect local climate initiatives to global support networks, channeling vital resources to frontline communities.
His previous worked with the UBC’s Climate Solutions Research Collective focused on collaborative interdisciplinary projects in sustainability and equity. Deeply committed to climate justice, Bashar believes in the power of storytelling to inspire understanding and mobilize action toward a just and sustainable future.
“Receiving this support has provided both encouragement and validation for my work in climate justice. It allows me to continue amplifying voices from vulnerable communities and pursue innovative projects that connect local actions to global climate solutions. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and excited to continue contributing to a sustainable and equitable future,” shares Bashar.
With bright lights like Hammad and Bashar in our midst, we remain hopeful the work being done by our UBC research community will pave the way for innovative and just climate solutions. Join us in congratulating these two young scholars on their remarkable leadership and accomplishments in the climate justice field.
