Extinction is forever. I…

Extinction is forever.

I have attached a link to the Intergovernmental Science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) recently released report summary for policy makers. All government officials who are in any way connected to environmental policy, in particular the proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act, must read every word of this report. Ontario should be setting an example to the world that ecosystems can be protected while benefitting our society and economy.

I teach grade 9 students about sustainability and the balance that must be maintained. Your government's plans are ignoring basic grade 9 geography concepts.

One thing I encourage is the reading of publications from reputable organizations so that my students will be informed by experts. Your government officials would benefit from reading and learning from scientific studies written by experts. Ecosystems provide essential services that must be considered as economic assets. Weakening the Endangered Species Act essentially ensures the reduction of Ontario's natural capital. These spaces also mitigate the impacts of the flooding that is expected to only worsen and cost further damage of property and significant economic impact to individuals and municipalities.

Ontario Nature's list of concerns (attached link) clearly expresses my concerns. I wanted to focus on two or three particularly offensive parts of the proposal, but it is impossible to be so restrictive with so many destructive ideas being proposed.

Money cannot replace life; a fee instead of remediation action or avoidance of harm is completely unacceptable. Too much time spent postponing action and ignoring science will undermine all other efforts to help species at risk. Species on the fringes of their territory, such as many Carolinian species, often have the strongest and most diverse genetics; critical characteristics with climate changes posing immediate and significant threats to Ontario. Assuming that other jurisdictions will take responsibility for safeguarding species is an abdication of Ontario's moral responsibility for all species within its boundaries.

I again urge you to read, in its entirety, the intergovernmental report on biodiversity that is attached. It was released May 6, 2019. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that human populations can thrive, but not at the expense of all other populations.