Climate Strike Statement

September 18, 2019

The Biodiversity Research Centre (BRC) and Beaty Biodiversity Museum support the local and global actions of our members to increase awareness of the global climate crisis and to push for change.  According to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services “the fraction of species at risk of climate-related extinction is 5 per cent at 2°C warming, rising to 16 per cent at 4.3°C warming. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to climate change and are projected to decline to 10-30 per cent of former cover at 1.5°C warming and to less than 1 per cent at 2°C warming. Therefore, scenarios show that limiting global warming to well below 2°C plays a critical role in reducing adverse impacts on nature and its contributions to people.”

The BRC is one of the world's strongest groups studying how climate change is altering the biosphere. Our research is fundamental to this cause, and with the Museum, we are committed to providing leadership in climate research and education. We stand by our students, faculty, and staff in their climate awareness actions. From September 20-27th, the BRC’s “Black Hole” Lounge will be dedicated as space for our members to promote these community events and to create signs to support the cause. All sign-making supplies will be donated and we encourage all interested members to participate.

In solidarity, BRC seminars (BLISS and EDG) have been cancelled the afternoon of September 27th. Our members should expect reduced services in the Biodiversity Research Centre that afternoon, as BRC staff may wish to participate in the climate actions.

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum will remain open on this day of action to educate the UBC community and the public about the importance of biodiversity, our climate-change research, and the role humans have played in species decline and habitat destruction.

Loren Rieseberg FRS, FRSC                                                    
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre                               
University Killam Professor, Department of Botany  
   
and
 
Eric B (Rick) Taylor
Director, Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Professor, Department of Zoology

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