Issues & Campaigns

Table of Contents

  • CLIMATE CHANGE

  • ENERGYAl Harvey Copyright

  • FOREST STEWARDSHIP

  • HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

  • MARINE & FISHERIES

  • MINING

  • POLICY

  • SUSTAINABLE LIVING

  • TRANSPORTATION

  • TOURISM & RECREATION

  • TOXICS & HEALTH

  • WASTE & POLLUTION

  • WILD PLACES

  • WILDLIFE

  • WATER

    • If We Don't, Who Will?

    If Not Now, When?

    British Columbia has a rich variety of habitats in need of immediate preservation and restoration: including many valley forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers and biologically sensitive inter-tidal and sub-tidal zones. Together, they support the greatest ecological diversity of plants and mammals of any province in Canada.

    In addition to their diversity, the populations of some species in B.C. have global significance. The province has 75 percent of the world's stone sheep, 60 percent of the mountain goats, 50 percent of the blue grouse, at least half of the trumpeter swans and 25 percent of the grizzly bears and bald eagles. All of these are threatened or endangered by one or more impacts arising from human activity.

    Al Harvey CopyrightIn modern times, in order to protect B.C.'s rich biodiversity, while allowing people to continue to earn a sustainable living from our environmental treasures, a strong, and diverse conservation community emerged over the last several decades which stands united to preserve and restore B.C.'s wild places and wildlife.

    B.C. conservationists well appreciate that without equally addressing the need for healthy communities, healthy lifestyles, and healthy bodies the environment will ultimately suffer no matter how much we preserve or restore today. In particular, industrial development that threatens or diminishes First Nation rights crys out for immediate reddress.

    Al HarveyThe entire Tatshenshini- Alsek region, almost one million hectares in northwestern B.C., has been protected as a Class A provincial park and has become a World Heritage Site. Combined with protected areas in adjacent Alaska and the Yukon, together, they create the largest contiguously protected area on the planet.

    Despite this notable achievement, there are many ongoing campaigns to prevent industry and government clawbacks and concessions which might degrade this and other protected areas in British Columbia. Such designations are also no insurance to global climate change, airborne pollution, or threats from mass tourism.

    The ECOBC membership and the people of British Columbia must remain ever vigilant in the knowledge that no environmental win is permanent. Yet losses often are.

    Our example is our greatest strength. Only together can we do what cannot be done alone.

    Your feedback is valuable to us!

    send to: network@bcen.bc.ca


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