EOAS Statement on Global Climate Strike

The UBC Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) is a global leader in research and education advancing understanding of the Earth system.  Our faculty, students and research staff work on the front-lines of global change, examining the unprecedented anthropogenic impacts on the oceans, atmosphere and land, and developing innovative approaches for climate mitigation and the sustainable use of Earth’s natural resources.  We believe that scientific expertise must inform public debate and policy on global environmental issues.

EOAS recognizes the existence of a climate crisis, which demands coordinated and determined global action.  In the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, society must urgently take steps to avoid the worst potential outcomes of anthropogenic climate change.  We thus support those students, faculty and staff who will gather outside the Earth Sciences Building at 10:30 on September 27 to stand in solidarity with the Global Climate Strike.  EOAS students will be organizing a sign making event at 9 AM in the undergraduate club space (EOAS Main, room 208), with light breakfast snacks provided.  In addition, the UBC Climate Hub is hosting a Climate Solutions Showcase on Thursday the 26th, featuring a wide range of climate-focused workshops and talks.  We encourage department members to participate in these events and show their support for the global climate solidarity movement. 

While EOAS supports the climate strike, we also believe that education and research are essential to understand the scope of global climate change, and develop new solutions for mitigation and adaptation.  Following the policy outlined by UBC, the EOAS department will remain open on Sept. 27, continuing to advance its teaching and research mission.  A number of EOAS classes on that day will focus on climate change issues, bringing diverse expertise and perspectives to bear on this critical problem.  Academic concessions will be made for those students who miss class in order to join the Global Climate Strike.

Philippe Tortell

Professor and Head