Alumna's International Research Tackles Climate Change
Amanda Stubbs '14 hopes her research will play a role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide, her strong academic standing in this area has led to a royal invitation to Buckingham Palace
April 23, 2024
Leftover materials from mining and quarrying may hold some of the answers to combatting global climate change.
Amanda Stubbs ‘14 (Gzowski College), a climate-change scientist pursuing her PhD in the U.K., says her current research focuses on basalt rocks, which are rich in calcium and magnesium and naturally store atmospheric carbon via a process called rock weathering. As the rock weathers over time, it eventually forms minerals that lock in CO2.
“As the rock is exposed to rainfall and atmospheric CO2, it will naturally form minerals that are a sink for CO2,” she says. “I hope to accelerate and optimize this process so even more CO2 can be stored.”
On Earth Day (April 22), as people worldwide are reminded of the importance of reducing carbon emissions, Amanda says she’s hopeful that her research will someday be a small part of the solution for a healthier planet.
Moving forward, Amanda also plans to research how the same type of rock could be applied to agricultural settings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase crop production, and improve the overall health of soils.
She emphasizes the importance of finding more than one avenue for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, as it will take many avenues and a collective effort to reach global reduction targets.
Trent Ignited Climate Passion
Amanda credits Trent for igniting her passion about climate-change research. She had initially wanted to major in History but, thanks to Trent’s focus on interdisciplinary studies, she took a few Geography courses and fell in love with Science and Geology.
“Trent changed my life for the better,” she says.
After completing her B.Sc., Amanda got the opportunity of a lifetime when she joined Professor Ian Power, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geoscience, for fieldwork in South Africa at some of the largest diamond mines in the world. She decided to pursue her Master of Science at Trent where she researched the carbon-storing capabilities of kimberlite, the rock which is mined for diamonds.
“Having the opportunity to travel to South Africa for fieldwork was unforgettable, and being in the field with incredible scientists from around the world only motivated me more to pursue research into carbon dioxide removal,” she says.
Bigger Impact on Horizon
Amanda has another unforgettable experience on the horizon. After receiving the Canadian Centennial Scholarship for outstanding academic work in 2023-24, Amanda recently represented Canada at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebrations in Westminster Abbey. Through that experience, she was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on May 8 to meet King Charles, a passionate environmental advocate.
Looking further ahead, Amanda hopes to make a bigger environmental impact post-graduation by pursuing a career with a carbon-removal company to address the alarming CO2 levels on the planet.
“It’s something that needed to be done on a global scale a long time ago, so it’s time to speed things up,” she says.
If you believe that climate solutions require investments in new ways of thinking, learn more about supporting Trent University researchers in tackling the world’s leading environmental issue.