Policy

CWF has numerous policies on climate change. As far back as 1977, we recognized that energy production and consumption was on the rise in Canada, an increase that is not without social, environmental and economic impacts. Since this time, we have embarked on many education initiatives to encourage the conservation of energy, as well as the exploration into alternative forms of energy that do not exert such a heavy footprint. By the late 1980s, it was clear to CWF that wildlife and its habitat were seriously threatened by a changing climate. We recognized that the Earth’s climate was indeed warming, and that the combustion of fossil fuels and global deforestation were to blame for the billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year.

Fast forward through several other key CWF climate change policies to the year 2009. More and more scientific evidence exists that climate change is affecting every region in Canada, and that many species of wildlife, especially migratory species as well as those at risk, are increasing vulnerable to extinction unless we take a whole range of meaningful actions to address this growing global problem. Couple a changing climate with “traditional” conservation threats, such as pollution, habitat loss and fragmentation, and the need to change our course becomes that much more urgent.

CWF policy recognizes that we need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources. This is called mitigation and it addresses the causes of climate change. We need to be smarter and much more efficient when it comes to how we produce and use energy. We need to educate Canadians on ways to reduce personal emissions. We need to bring the public, government and industry on board to achieve the solutions necessary to avoid the worst case scenarios projected by scientists. CWF recognizes that there isn’t a single silver bullet solution, and that working collaboratively has never been so important. The solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be many, ranging from incentives for energy conservation, investing in energy efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, landfill gas capture and storing carbon.

As Canada’s voice for wildlife, we need to alert Canadians to the fact that wildlife can’t wait for technology to reduce emissions to sustainable levels. The reality is that even if we halted all greenhouse gas emissions today, the effects of climate change would continue into the next century because of the emissions already in the atmosphere. So while on the one hand, reducing emissions is absolutely necessary, on the other hand it does nothing to improve the situation for wildlife today.

In recognition of this predicament, CWF developed a policy in June 2009 that sets the best case scenario for wildlife’s ability to cope with changes to their habitats. “Biological sequestration” refers to carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere and stored in growing plants and soils. When we create habitat by planting more trees or restoring wetlands, we are not only removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, we are also providing additional habitat for wildlife, which will give them more “options” as they adapt to climate change.

Conserving and restoring habitats, connecting fragmented ones, helping wildlife migrate to new areas, controlling pest and invasive species, protecting and restoring coastlines, improving water management and reducing non-climate related stresses are all examples of actions that will help wildlife adapt. The problem is, these projects are very costly and already wildlife departments’ budgets across the country are inadequate. Who will pay for these activities?

The government of Canada has stated its commitment to create a carbon market in Canada, where carbon credits can be earned, bought and sold as greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. A cap and trade system in the United States has been announced, and many policy analysts feel that such a system in Canada is inevitable. CWF does not have a position on cap and trade or any other carbon market mechanism; we do, however, want a percentage or revenue generated from the imposed carbon market to go directly towards wildlife adaptation efforts. This would result in a substantial and reliable source of funding for wildlife and will change the face of conservation in Canada for generations to come. And don’t forget, what is good for wildlife is good for people.

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Want to find out what the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change are and are projected to be in your region? Natural Resources Canada assessed the situation in 2007. Check it out » 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has done a series of reports on climate change. 

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