Dear Colleagues,

As we embark on the start of our fall term, I am reminded of how blessed we are as a community. Our strategic plan is about transforming lives for a transforming world, and nothing exemplifies how rapidly our world is transforming than the impacts of climate change.

Right now, as we celebrate the arrival of our students, nearly a third of Pakistan is under water following unprecedented and unrelenting monsoon rainfall, runoff from melting glaciers, and rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean. Flash flooding and landslides have claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people.

As many as 33 million people are affected by this climate emergency. The scale of what is happening seems unfathomable, especially when you consider that the population of Canada is just over 38 million people. My heart goes out to the people of Pakistan and members of our campus and community who are impacted.

Humanitarian organizations like the Canadian Red Cross are working with its counterpart, the Pakistan Red Crescent, to provide and coordinate relief. Their frontline efforts include supporting evacuations, providing healthcare, and delivering humanitarian aid. Yet the sheer magnitude of the disaster means more help is needed.

If you can, please donate today to the Red Cross Pakistan Floods Appeal to support their lifesaving work, or select an organization of your choice. Together, we can help those in need.

If you or your family and friends have been impacted by this disaster or if you simply require help understanding your feelings about the devastation in Pakistan, or another topic of concern, please reach out to Acadia’s Student Counselling Centre or the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

Thank you for your generosity and caring.

Sincerely,

Dr. Peter Ricketts President and Vice-Chancellor 

Produced by University Communications, Office of the President.