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Where are we at?
The health of the world is not great. This is something that surely you are aware of by now and hopefully something that you think about every now and then. Without going into great detail about the specifics of the seriousness of this issue I’ll paraphrase something a comedian once said: “The earth isn’t in trouble. We are”. He meant it in complete jest, but there is a scary truth within the sentiment. The Earth has existed for billions of years and has seen extinctions, the ice age, and inhabitable climate crises and has continued to exist. However large the threats have been over time the Earth has found a way to prevail, to keep surviving, but its climate has been damaged irreparably by its most recent and vicious threat: us.
Between Canada’s deforestation, our pollution, air travel, and an endless list of problematic, normalized human behavior, we are in a very worrisome place. Our ability as the human race to present as an incredibly scary threat to the Earth is matched only by the irony that exists in the fact that what we are doing to the earth could eventually be the end of us. And will, if we don’t change.
Is anyone doing anything?
It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the negative, to rely heavily on pessimism, and lean into our complaints about what is wrong and how it will never get better. Sometimes scratching that itch tricks us into thinking we are actually doing something, but if we want to do what is right it typically involves taking action. Luckily for us, there are people who are working towards ameliorating the health of the world to reverse certain effects of climate change and its damage, and to (hopefully) inspire us to take action ourselves. In Canada, there are some large efforts being made by Indigenous-led conservation groups, the World Wildlife Fund, and other climate groups to work toward climate regeneration within the country.
The World Wildlife Fund’s Regenerate Canada Project
Regenerate Canada is an initiative created by The World Wildlife Fund to drastically change the course of climate change in the next ten years. They have a ten-year plan to increase environmental stability in Canada by working towards things like reversing wildlife loss and benefitting the wildlife habitat in Canada, reducing the frightening amount of carbon in the atmosphere, and lowering the increasingly alarming industrial impact on our country. This refreshingly realistic approach to climate change not only instills optimism but feels like a movement that we, as humans, need to be a part of.
Regenerate Canada is employing crucial tactics in their climate fight by acknowledging the importance of, and supporting Indigenous knowledge as it pertains to this project. This quote from the World Wildlife Fund’s website speaks to Regenerate Canada’s values and describes some of the importance of following Indigenous guidance and knowledge: “Indigenous knowledge and stewardship are cornerstones of wide-scale, long-lasting enhanced biodiversity. Conservation with justice and inclusion is not only equitable but also one of the most effective and efficient options” Indigenous-led conservation groups have shown time and time again their success in limiting the amount of dangerous destruction of carbon storage areas like mature forests.
There are important beliefs and ways of thinking that involve living in harmony and both maintaining and having a relationship with the natural world. By following the guidance of Indigenous peoples and their historic relationship with the Earth, we can learn to rethink the way we inhabit it.
How?
The World Wildlife Fund has created a three-part goal to accomplish within the course of the next decade. Three goals, that each in their own right would do a lot of good for the environmental stability of the country and ultimately the world.
- Restore 1-Million Hectares: The restoration of these million hectares is in reference specifically to the restoration of the declining habitats for endangered wildlife or wildlife that is slowly becoming endangered. We could see a reverse in the effects of declining wildlife populations by carefully creating and repairing the places in which they can grow and thrive. Using sustainable management, the efforts towards this goal are focussed on areas that have been statistically proven to need the most help or areas that have the most potential for regeneration and encouragement of biodiversity. Reparations of damaged and dwindling natural habitats, ecosystems, and the amount of natural (helpful) carbon storage that exists within these areas are also at the forefront of this restoration plan. Within this effort, there is reliance on, and support for Indigenous-led conservation efforts, working towards recovering areas like The Lower Fraser Watershed and the central interior of B.C. that have been damaged by natural disasters and climate decline.
- Steward 1-Million Hectares: This stewardship program intends to protect and create new protection for significant natural areas that are not being properly protected, or protected at all. These areas provide natural habitats for wildlife to find nourishment, breed, and live safely, but they also provide massive natural carbon stores that are crucial to the advancement of a healthy climate. The goals here are to reduce habitat disruption, advocate for Indigenous-protected conservation areas, and to focus protection efforts on important areas where large amounts of carbon are stored.
- Reduce Carbon Emissions by 30 Thousand Tonnes: This effort aims to protect the natural carbon storage areas that exist in Canada in order to reduce the number of greenhouse gases being emitted. Between terrestrial forest, rock, soil, and water Canada is home to some of the largest carbon storage areas globally. The WWF plans to continue working to centralize important areas for carbon storage so that they can implement appropriate protective measures for them. Reducing the impacts of industries such as deforestation are also on the docket. There is something called the Blue Carbon Action Plan that involves the collaboration and support of Indigenous and local communities around Canada to protect the Canadian coastal zones that store massive amounts of carbon.
What can you do?
While the Regenerate Canada plan is ongoing and aims to see these goals actualized by 2030, it is important to stay as involved as possible in any way you can. Continue to learn and look into the importance of these efforts so that you can find your own ways to contribute. Whether it is reducing your environmental footprint, sharing this information with others, or donating to a local conservation effort: action looks different for everybody, but is important for all of us. Click here to learn more about Regenerate Canada’s ten-year plan and to learn more about Indigenous-led conservation groups click here.
How GuidED Adventure App supports Conservation
Conservation EDucation is what GuidED is all about. Every time someone books an adventure on the GuidED Mobile Adventure app, at least one dollar (or more) is donated straight back to conservation! We are also a proud member of the 1% For The Planet Movement which means that one percent of our total revenue gets donated to conservation efforts. Education is our jam. After all, that is what the capital ED stands for in our name.
Our Discovery Hub within the app is the place for everyone, guides, travelers, and conservation organizations, to share information and exciting events, inspire each other to elevate our conservation practices, and learn together the importance of taking care of this beautiful planet and, IT’S FREE!!! How cool is that? Our climate health is our ability to live here. In unison we are strong, and the place we inhabit stands a chance to continue supporting life for humans, animals and plants, and more.
Together we can save Mountains!!!