Nature and Global Warming

Global warming is rapidly changing our planet and our province. Polar sea ice is melting faster than predicted. Droughts are withering crops. And the frequency of super storms is increasing.

In British Columbia, large tracts of forest have been destroyed by a Mountain Pine Beetle outbreak caused by warmer winters. Carbon emissions are acidifying the oceans, threatening marine life at large and B.C.’s shellfish aquaculture industry.

Thousands of species in our province are at risk of additional stress  because of global warming. If we continue along the intensifying fossil fuel path, several degrees more warming are predicted for our province by the end of this century (4-6⁰ C).

Nature is our best ally in stopping the most devastating impacts of global warming. So far, forests and oceans have been absorbing about half of our climate pollution. But nature itself is now undergoing climate upheaval. We have to play our part, with immediate action to reduce emissions and protect nature in order to maintain healthy ecosystems. Photo: Andrew S. Wright.

The scope of the challenge is hard to grasp and it is even greater today because we have delayed real action for a long time. But it is not too late to stop the worst impacts of global warming, if we act immediately.  Alternatives to fossil fuels exist, and their development would create more jobs.

But phasing out fossil fuel isn’t enough. We also need to protect and restore nature to avoid crossing a truly dangerous climate threshold.

Given the urgency of global warming, we can no longer afford to misuse and neglect some of the best carbon sinks on the planet – B.C.’s temperate rainforest and seagrass beds. By ending destructive land use practices and increasing conservation, BC’s rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems can make a significant contribution as carbon sinks, instead of releasing carbon.

Expanded conservation is also critical if species and ecosystems are to have a chance to adapt to the changing climate. Biologists refer to the current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction event (the last one occurred 65 million years ago). Only species with space to migrate, e.g.  toward the cooler polar regions or to higher altitudes, will have a chance to adapt.

Take action. Write to the BC Premier and the leader of the Opposition and ask for decisive government action is critical to make the shift from dangerous resource extraction to a sane, low-carbon economy.

Watch this short video from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to find out how the provincial Natural Gas Strategy (including fracking) makes it impossible for us to meet our legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets.

The good news is that, because of our extraordinary natural landscapes and abundant natural resources, British Columbia has greater opportunities to reduce emissions in the short term than other parts of the world. By moving quickly to a low-carbon economy and by conserving rainforests and seagrass beds that store carbon safely, we can not only reduce emissions but also reduce carbon in the atmosphere.