This report on the state of biodiversity loss in Canada warns that if Canadian policymakers don’t take drastic action, the country’s iconic species like the polar bear and the loon could be lost forever. As a 24-point action agenda, it suggests new strategies for informing Canadians about nature: designing cities with natural connections and using new technology and the arts to talk about protecting lands, waters and wildlife. It also includes bold asks for policymakers, like the creation of new protected areas, more partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and enforcement of species at risk legislation. Co-authored by Women for Nature following our conversation series exploring biodiversity loss in Canada, Biodiversity Conservation: A Call for Action for Canadian Decision-Makers argues that a loss of species is hard to notice if you can’t name the different plants or animals in your own backyard.
We live in a time of wicked, messy problems that cannot be solved by any one sector, discipline, government, Indigenous Nations, or community acting alone. The challenges we face demand unprecedented collaboration and government coordination. So how can Canadian communities become leaders in the implementation of sustainable technologies, infrastructure and building design? This agenda shares concrete actions organized under six critical imperatives in addition to reconciliation; access to opportunities and services, climate change adaptation and mitigation, social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, governance, and new economic/financial accounting measurements.
This action agenda is based on the MC3 climate change research outcomes. It provides 10 recommendations on how to stimulate more community innovation and implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation. We wrote this agenda to inform BC decision-makers about the necessary legislative and policy steps we believe need to be in place to continue the province’s leadership and innovation on climate action. Our research and knowledge outreach shows that provincial and municipal government alignment is critical for building innovation over the next three years.
This action agenda has been developed to inform Canadian decision-makers about new economic models that measure human well-being while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological vulnerability. It is derived from research and dialogues with over 100 researchers, practitioners, civil society leaders and policy-makers participating in workshops and panels convened by Ann Dale, Canada Research Chair on Sustainability Community Development, Royal Roads University (2004-2014).
There are enormous opportunities for Canadian cities to exemplify leadership in sustainable community development, while stimulating the green economy, dramatically reducing reliance on fossil fuels, creating resilient and adaptable cities, and improving the overall quality of life for Canadian citizens. This action agenda provides concrete solutions at multiple scales for sustainability implementation at the municipal level in a systematic and step-wise fashion.
