Connecting Past and Present
March 24, 2024 By: Sam McQuillan-Gordon
I selected two distinct articles from 2023, both focusing on conservation in British Columbia. While both articles address conservation efforts in B.C, they offer contrasting perspectives.The first piece from the Vancouver Sun, sheds light on a concerning fact: B.C. ranks second in Canada for the number of ecosystems facing threats. It highlights the urgent need for conservation action in the face of ecosystem collapse, particularly due to threats like logging, urban development, and climate change.The absence of a national classification system for ecosystems in Canada also raised questions about how we coordinate conservation efforts effectively. It’s a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and preserving our natural world.This discussion echoes themes familiar from our unit, and ties in with the second article I found.
On the other hand, the second article has a more optimistic tone. The article by the North Shore News delves into the complicated and extensive conservation and biodiversity protection efforts being undertaken in B.C. and Canada at large. It highlights B.C.’s commitment to conserving 30% of its land and water by 2030. However, it also highlighted lingering concerns about the quality and impact of our conservation measures, especially regarding the designation and management of protected areas. Additionally, the article emphasized the invaluable role of Indigenous communities in conservation efforts and advocated for innovative approaches to land use and urban development. It made me realize how similar the challenges faced by modern conservationists are to the problems faced by the first conservationists. The article stresses the importance of collaborative conservation strategies in tackling the complex challenges posed by urbanization and industrial activities and emphasizing the urgency of prioritizing biodiversity protection in policymaking and land management decisions.
Links:
B.C. has second highest number of threatened ecosystems in Canada, as 41 per cent face collapse in U.S.: Studies
Vancouver Sun
“B.C. makes ‘significant progress’ on protecting biodiversity, report says”
North Shore News