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Dear colleagues,
I emailed the academic-discussion list last week about the Climate Strike happening in Vancouver on September 27th. I’m writing again as a reminder and to provide some updates.
Youth around the world have been striking for bold, just action on climate change. This September 20-27th, they are asking their elders to join them to support swift action to address the climate crisis. We have a very short window of opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid catastrophic climate change. The time to act is now.
There is a major Climate Strike event organized for September 27th in Vancouver (see: https://www.facebook.com/events/659383604564246/). Many SFU students will participate, and they are asking for our support and presence at the event. If faculty show up, it sends a strong message to the students that we applaud and support their efforts. And it sends a message to the general public and people in power that there is broad support for climate action. Of course, if we don’t show up, that sends a message, too.
There are also plans for SFU community members to meet up at Broadway-City Hall Skytrain station at 12:30, and then move to the main start location at City Hall before 1pm. SFU community members are encouraged to wear red so that we can more easily find each other. See https://www.facebook.com/events/398690757509394/ After some talks etc., at City Hall, we'll march across the Cambie Street Bridge to Downtown Vancouver, and finish on Hamilton Street between Georgia and Robson.
The Climate Strike does conflict with the Terry Fox Run events planned at SFU. It’s unfortunate that these two worthy events have a time conflict, but I am convinced we have enough engaged faculty at SFU to make a strong showing at both. Right?
Please consider helping in one or more ways:
1) Show up for the demonstration on Friday the 27th. The event starts at 1PM at Vancouver City Hall, 453 W12th, and goes until 5pm. Check the facebook page for more details and updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/659383604564246/ For the SFU-specific event: https://www.facebook.com/events/398690757509394/
2) Help organize a group from your unit to attend on the 27th. Heading to a demonstration is always more enjoyable when you do it as a group. If you are willing to organize people in your department (even if just a couple of people besides yourself), please email mschmitt@sfu.ca so that we can keep track of how organizing is going and to send you relevant updates. Feel free to forward this email or reuse some or all of its contents in your communications with others.
3) Tell students and colleagues about the event and encourage them to go.
4) Cancel any events or appointments that might conflict with your or your students’ ability to attend on the 27th. Although the University’s official position is that it’s business as usual on September 27th, I know of some faculty members who have decided to cancel their afternoon classes. If you are holding class then, please consider minimizing any penalties for students who are participating in the Climate Strike.
Thank you,
Michael Schmitt John Calvert Stephen Collis Rosemary Cornell Maya Gislason Shane Gunster Geoff Mann Arne Mooers Lynne Quarmby Tim Takaro Kirsten Zickfeld
-- Michael T. Schmitt, PhD Simon Fraser University Department of Psychology 8888 University Drive Burnaby BC, Canada V5A 1S6 The SFU Burnaby campus is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, and Kwikwetlem Nations. mschmitt@sfu.ca https://schmittlabca.wordpress.com/ |