Promoting Sustainability

What Governments, Groups and Individuals Can Do

Let’s start big picture: what can governments and groups do?

Governments and Groups

Example: Lake Erie In the 1970s, Lake Erie was full of sewage,

farm chemicals and industrial chemicals This pollution caused huge algal blooms =

large growths of algae Algal blooms caused other organisms in

Lake Erie’s ecosystem to die It was called “Dead Lake”

1) Restoring Ecosystems

1978: U.S. and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

The governments created management plans to clean up the Great Lakes and to restore the ecosystems

The amount of pollution entering the lake was monitored and controlled

As a result, Lake Erie made a great “comeback”

Government Action

Algal blooms continue to plague Lake Erie because of run-off from fertilizers

This is an example of non-point source pollution

The overuse of fertilizers is an unsustainable practice

Also, sewage is overflowing from overburdened sewage plants in busy cities

Work Needs to Continue

Conservation biologists work to find ways we can understand and protect biodiversity

Remember: strong biodiversity is key to keeping ecosystems intact

There are currently over 200 species at risk of extinction in Ontario

There are two main ways governments and groups are trying to protect biodiversity…

2) Conserving Biodiversity

1) Protecting Species in Human-Made Habitats◦ Example: Metro Toronto Zoo◦ This strategy is used when the species’ habitat is

threatened or no longer exists, or if the remaining population is extremely small

◦ Example: the black-footed ferret is part of the zoo’s captive breeding program

Conservation Strategies

Conservation Strategies 2) Protecting Species in

their Native Habitat◦ The main strategy is to protect

a species’ habitat◦ Example: the loggerhead

shrike is an endangered bird◦ Its habitat is short grasslands

with trees, shrubs and hedgerows

◦ Much of this habitat has been changed by farmers who have removed hedgerows to grow crops

◦ Conservation biologists have worked with farmers to help maintain the hedgerows to help the shrike population survive

In 2007, Ontario passed the Endangered Species Act◦ Prohibits killing, capturing, possessing, selling or

trading species endangered in Ontario◦ It also makes it illegal to damage or destroy

ecosystems on which these species depend◦ E.g. the badger has protected status

3) Protecting Endangered Species

National and provincial parks Wildlife reserves Marine sanctuaries Protected areas help keep ecosystems intact by

leaving them relatively undisturbed Conservation biologists have identified some

“biodiversity hotspots” that have many unique ecosystems and whose biodiversity is threatened these hotspots need protected areas

Parks also allow humans to enjoy ecosystems, but it can be challenging to balance human and ecosystem needs

4) Protected Areas

Example: Algonquin Park

5) Preventing Introduction of Invasive Species

BOO!

Example: the Asian long-horned beetle is an invasive species that may have arrived in wooden packing crates used to deliver goods from Asia

It is a threat to hardwood tree species in Ontario

Toronto has by-laws against moving wood that may contain the beetle

Agriculture Canada has strict laws about citizens or visitors bringing any foreign food, animals or plants into the country

This is to prevent accidental introduction of other invasive species

Being an environmental steward means taking care of our natural resources in a sustainable way that will ensure they will be around for future generations

Individuals and Communities

Organic Farming and Locally Produced Food Notes on video:

Sustainable Living and Construction Notes on video:

Reduce emissions (ride your bike, take public transit, use fuel-efficient vehicles)

Save energy (use less heat and AC, unplug small appliances, use energy-efficient lights)

Eat locally produced food (reduces pollution from transport and pesticides)

Plant wisely (native species, drought-tolerant plants)

Buy wisely…and less Get involved

YOU can…