The importance of endangered…

The importance of endangered species protection and conservation measures span so much more than the land they cover. Preserving green space effects literally every level and aspect of life, up to and including human lives. Clearcutting green space for concrete and asphalt will lead to significantly more and hotter storm water surging into our rivers and lakes, demolishing the habitats and environmental qualities that our native species need to survive, and instead creating breeding grounds for invasive and harmful new species. Lake Ontario already experiences severe outbreaks of toxic algae blooms, 100% the result of the amount of concrete and pollution from the mass urbanization of its shoreline.

Development and housing is important, I understand, but it CANNOT come at the cost of livability. Livability for the smallest and seemingly most insignificant has a direct correlation to livability for human beings. Every civilization that has come and gone, fell because they demolished the last of their green infrastructure, drought and famine set it, and the civilization either revolted or disbanded. This is happening at a GLOBAL scale, and there will be nowhere new to go.

Housing MUST incorporate existing green space and work in conjunction with it, and not against it. It cannot be replaced. Instead of entire condo buildings of microscopic bachelor units and suburban sprawl of single-family homes maximizing square footage over soft surface, why not design apartment units with livable two and three bedroom suites complimented by large, preserved green spaces that allow everyone to thrive? It is well documented how important green spaces are for our mental health, and we're not all rich politicians with family cottages up north to escape to. For some of us, this is all we have. Lake Ontario and Lake Erie are our vacation destinations, as well as the migratory landscape for countless bird species. Have you READ A Silent Spring? This legislation should terrify and disgust anyone with any minute sense of ecological function. This is unacceptable.