Protecting Biodiversity

Canada is often cited for its ecological richness. Indeed, Canada is comprised of 15 terrestrial and 5 aquatic ecozones, and is surrounded by 3 oceans. In addition, Canada has approximately 25% of the world's wetlands, 6.5% of the world's renewable water supply, 10% of the world's forest cover (30% of the world's boreal forest), and boasts over 71,000 known and an estimated 66,000 as yet unknown species of plants and animals. Nonetheless, plant and wildlife in Canada is often taken for granted. Only 8% of our forests are protected, regulations around the protection of our water are weak, and the existence of many species is becoming increasingly threatened due to unsustainable development practices, pollution, and climate change. Canada ranks 7th out of the 29 OECD countries in terms of the number of species officially considered endangered. Since European settlers first arrived in Canada, 30 wildlife species have gone extinct. Currently, over 500 plant and animal species are considered to be at risk in Canada. Protecting our biodiversity requires a coordinated approach involving government, industry, and civil society groups. Policies, strategies, and resources must be put into place to ensure that protection extends not only to the lives of animal and plant populations, but also to their habitats. Sierra Club Canada is working to ensure that all levels of government live up to their commitments under existing legislation, while at the same time continue to strive for improvements.