Great moments in UVic's history: PICS

An unprecedented climate initiative is born

UVic made national history in January 2008 when it was awarded the largest single contribution to a Canadian university endowment—$94.5 million from the Government of BC—to create the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). “BC universities have some of the top climate scientists and researchers in the world,” said then-Premier Gordon Campbell, who referred to climate change as “the single largest challenge facing our generation.” Led and hosted by UVic, PICS is a collaboration of BC’s four research-intensive universities, government and the private sector. It harnesses the intellectual resources of BC to understand climate change science, find ways to lessen the impacts and adapt, promote the commercial development of solutions, and stimulate public debate. “That our university [leads] an initiative of this magnitude is due to the tremendous knowledge, expertise and dedication of our faculty, students and staff,” said UVic President David Turpin in 2008. Today, more than 100 researchers collaborate each year under the PICS umbrella on a range of projects in five theme areas—the low-carbon-emissions economy, social mobilization, sustainable communities, resilient ecosystems, and carbon management in BC forests. PICS also publishes policy papers, hosts public events, and develops online short courses for government decision-makers and others.

On the evening of October 4, PICS is sponsoring a public lecture on visual tools to communicate climate change issues. More info