Earth Common Journal returned with gusto after a pandemic-fuelled hiatus. Not only did the journal of student work related to sustainability, conservation and climate adaptation relaunch its print format, but it also added a website and three new podcast series.

Led by editor-in-chief Dr. Lucille Mazo, managing editor Jacqueline Ohm (Bachelor of Communications ’22) and three student editors worked with student contributors to share their papers exploring the theme “adaptation.”

The journal and spinoff podcasts include such a range of must-consume content, says Ohm, that selecting a winner for Best Article wasn’t easy. “There were so many wonderful pieces of work – from a nice, digestible article on sustainable energy in Iceland to one on elephant conservation in Thailand to another on the impact of social media on activism.”

The big winner was “No One is an Island,” by Elyse Colville, Heather Hutchinson and Grace Pratch, which challenges corporate rhetoric and messaging that shifts responsibility for the climate crisis to the individual.

Other articles took on a life of their own. Based on Michelle Huley’s research on fire management in Alberta, Fire on the Landscape manifested itself as a podcast rather than a paper. Throughout three episodes (one currently available to two others to be released this year), Huley asks how we might adapt to extended wildfire seasons created by changing climate conditions. 

Word Nerds, the journal’s second podcast, is a fun concept written, researched and voiced by sessional instructor Marlene Wurfel and students Jack Gillard, Leanna Bressan, Kaylin Wilson and Priya Thapar. If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning, etymology or impact of ecogrief, eco-anxiety or eco-sexuality, this one’s for you. 

“We wanted to present the incredible research students are doing across the university in a way that is accessible,” says Ohm. “Launching two podcasts was a fun way to share information and spark conversation. I’m excited to see how that will grow.”

And grow it shall. A third podcast series from the journal is set to launch in February. Adaptation and Climate Change is an on-the-ground, live series developed during the launch event in November. And Earth Common Journal is already working on its ninth edition that will build on the theme of “adaptation” with a look at “influence.”

“It’s a natural evolution,” says Dr. Mazo. “As we learn how to adapt in a world where things will continue to change, we need to look at how we influence that adaptation. That influence comes from political leaders worldwide, but it also comes from students – how students influence each other and beyond as they go out into the world and work to affect positive social change.”

Earth Common Journal’s editorial team would love to see all different types of submissions, says Ohm. “If you’re not sure your work will fit, reach out to us, or just submit anyway. We really want Earth Common Journal to be inclusive and represent all forms of scholarship.”