Governments, corporations and other institutions must all play constructive roles in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Universities, too, can and must help with that effort.

We are based at Royal Roads University in the south of Vancouver Island, a region that represents how communities need to plan for climate risks both big and small. This summer, El Niño means warmer seas and drier conditions. In June, early melting meant the island had already reached zero per cent snowpack reserve.

The Canadian government’s drought assessment shows above-normal temperatures and lower precipitation across the Pacific Northwest this El Niño season. An early-season drought — which could affect Vancouver Island — will negatively impact farms, wetlands, wildfire risks and water demand from seasonal tourism. Higher temperatures, tinder-dry forests and already scarce water supplies are a lethal combination.

Given those climate realities, the most successful, influential and forward-thinking universities won’t be measuring excellence using status rankings and H-factors. Instead, they will show their value through community-based metrics: directly and persistently applying their expertise to help local communities deal with the risks they face.

This means an intentional, place-based approach to research and teaching that’s organized around a region’s unique and specific problems — its people, histories,........

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