From studying climate science at 海角社区 to helping Canada prepare for extreme weather and a changing environment, BSE alumna Nikki Lulham is working with communities, governments and industries to better prepare for a rapidly changing climate, a field she describes as both urgent and deeply motivating.
鈥淚 remember first learning about the science of climate change as a student and it really stuck with me,鈥� she said.
Lulham completed her Bachelor of Science with Honours at 海角社区鈥檚 Bieler School of Environment back in 2006, where she focused on health and environmental sciences.
After 海角社区, she pursued a master鈥檚 degree in environmental studies specializing in sustainability policy and planning. That program opened key doors, including co鈥憃p placements at Environment Canada and the World Green Building Council.
鈥淎t the World Green Building Council, I worked on green building reports and managed an international internship program,鈥� she explains.
She later spent six months in Tanzania working with Sustainable Cities International, supporting local development projects. Returning to Canada, she took on communications and consumer engagement work with a worker co鈥憃p known for its fair鈥憈rade and organic chocolate.
But it was during her time at the International Development Research Centre that she discovered her niche: 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I found my calling in the climate change adaptation field.鈥�
鈥淐limate change adaptation is central,鈥� said Lulham. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about improving the resilience of all aspects of our lives, protecting people and communities, the economy, supply chains, and the natural environment.鈥�
Her current role at NRCan involves managing the a five鈥憏ear initiative that supports organizations across Canada. The program鈥檚 work spans four streams: mainstreaming adaptation into natural resource sectors like forestry, energy and mining; analyzing the economics of climate impacts and adaptation options; equipping Canada鈥檚 workforce with necessary skills; and advancing knowledge on emerging issues in adaptation, such as social equity aspects and better understanding barriers and enablers.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of work already underway,鈥� she said. NRCan alone 鈥渉as been supporting work on climate change adaptation for over 20 years.鈥�
Her team鈥檚 efforts support regions, sectors, and communities across the country as they聽plan and implement actions to reduce risks from climate change, like extreme weather, wildfires, flooding, and permafrost thaw.
But equally important, she said, is ongoing collaboration with Indigenous organizations, municipalities, universities, NGOs and the private sector.
It鈥檚 about 鈥渨orking towards shared goals, being flexible, welcoming different perspectives and ways of knowing, and early and continued engagement.鈥�
Lulham鈥檚 interdisciplinary education at 海角社区 continues to shape her career.
Interdisciplinary learning, she said, 鈥渋s essential for work in the adaptation field. It鈥檚 thinking about alternate ways of sharing information, to help inform decision-making,鈥� she said.
The adaptation program that Lulham is working on at NRCan is entering its final phase with the coming year to focus on analyzing and mobilizing findings.
She鈥檚 also working on the next series of national assessment reports 鈥� including the 2026 Canada鈥檚 Changing Climate Report, a special report on extreme events, the Living in a Changing Climate report, and a report assessing the state of adaptation.
Despite the accelerating pace of climate change, Lulham remains optimistic.
鈥淚 am inspired by the many people I鈥檝e met who are dedicated and passionate about building resilience to climate change,鈥� she said. 鈥淐hange does takes time, especially organizational and system-level change鈥� but there is progress being made.鈥�
She notes that climate education has expanded significantly in recent years, and that professionals in fields like engineering and planning are increasingly integrating adaptation into their work. Municipalities and businesses across Canada are also making important strides in adapting to a changing climate.
鈥淐hallenges often inspire creativity and innovation,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 incredible work on adaptation already underway within our country and internationally.鈥�