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Canada’s moment of truth at the UN Biodiversity Conference

Canada’s moment of truth at the UN Biodiversity Conference

Instability seems to be the new normal in this country lately. In the east, record-breaking floods dashed hopes of a normal summer in several affected communities. In the West, ski resorts were closed due to low snowpack and warm temperatures last winter, while smoldering fires underground flared up again in the spring.

These are not isolated cases, but rather everyday realities driven by the rapid decline in biodiversity. Meanwhile, the political landscape is equally fragile. In Parliament, political infighting has stalled legislative action and threatened a critical moment for nature in Canada: the passage of a landmark landmark Nature Strategy and Nature Responsibility Act.

This week, world leaders are meeting in Colombia for the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to discuss the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, signed in Montreal less than two years ago. This framework is a lifeline and offers the only realistic way to reverse the catastrophic loss of species and ecosystems while stabilizing human societies.

Its key goals – protecting 30 percent of our planet’s land and oceans and restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030 – are non-negotiable. They are the bare minimum to keep the Earth habitable for all life. For millions of species, including humans, achieving these goals is a matter of survival.

But this global ambition means nothing without action at home. Canada’s commitment to global biodiversity is at risk unless it is enshrined in law. A bill requiring Canada to meet these goals is now being introduced in Parliament. Yet it remains in legislative limbo and bogged down by political wrangling.

This delay not only blocks the passage of the bill through the parliamentary process, but also prevents the crucial changes needed to strengthen it. With 70 percent of the public supporting a federal accountability law, political leaders must ensure this law is passed before the next election. Political leaders must put aside their differences and deliver what people – and the planet – need.

Political parties have a unique opportunity to prove that they can put people and the planet first by passing this crucial biodiversity law before the next election. History shows that voluntary action is not enough. In 2010, governments around the world failed to meet biodiversity targets set at the Aichi Conference. Since then, species extinctions and habitat destruction have only increased. The effects not only affect wildlife, humans are also in the crosshairs.

A recent panel of experts ranked biodiversity loss as the second-biggest threat facing Canadians today and warned that ecosystem collapse would trigger a domino effect: clean air, drinking water and food security at risk. The terrible reality of this crisis has been underlined a historic court decision in which seven youth activists launched a groundbreaking climate case against Ontario, It highlights how urgent and personal these environmental threats have become.

If such a grave threat cannot force political parties to unite around a common cause, what can? Politicians have a historic opportunity to demonstrate that they care more about the safety of communities and healthy ecosystems than political games.

Politicians have a historic opportunity to prove that they care more about the security of communities and healthy ecosystems than political games, writes Charlotte Dawe @ClimateChar @ecojustice_ca #COP16 #cdnpoli

Fortunately, the ability of ecosystems and wildlife to recover is remarkable. Over 10,000 wild salmon returned to Hada Creek in the Broughton Archipelago, an increase from a staggering all-time low of 47. The elusive pine marten has now reached the thousands. The Tsuut’ina Nation-led reintroduction of bison into Banff has increased the herd from 16 to 370 in just six years.

These remarkable recovery stories remind us that when ecosystems are protected and restored in consultation with Indigenous communities and land protectors, native biodiversity bounces back. Hope lies in the will of the species to survive.

Do political leaders have the same will? Now is the time to prioritize nature over politics – this is a fight for survival and for the safety and prosperity of future generations, and Canada must act now.

Charlotte Dawe is agGovernment Relations and Campaigns Specialist at Ecojustice Canada.