Globe: New study examines how best to address species declines in Southern Ontario

[John Hollins]

Compliments to Richard and Geoff, whose letter on species decline in Southern Ontario was published this morning  by the Globe and Mail, following another letter in the same vein.

I attach the article to which they were responding.

Cheers,

John 

Nature of things

Re “New study examines how best to address species declines in Southern Ontario” (Nov. 3): Can we afford conservation? Keeping wildlife may be laudable, sure, but perhaps it’s simply unaffordable.

Consider the rolling hills of Southern Ontario, where the pressures of development are threatening many species, from spotted turtles to bumble bees. In this densely populated region, securing a future for wildlife will require investment of an estimated $113-million per year.

That sum represents a fraction of what Ontarians spend, for example, on soft drinks. The numbers are telling: Conservation is not just about what we spend but, more fundamentally, what we value.

James Schaefer Professor of biology, Trent University; Peterborough, Ont.

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While the cost to salvage these flora and fauna may seem high, their extinction could cause an upward cascade of higher-order creatures suffering similar fates. 

For example, bumblebees, butterflies and birds are essential pollinators for much of the fruit that humans grow for food, while destruction of crucial vegetation causes animal extinctions and leaves the way open for unhelpful invasive species.

Humans have brought this on through overextraction of resources and climate change caused by burning fossil fuels. We cannot continue our assault on resources without replacement. 

Richard van der Jagt Ottawa 

Geoff Strong Climate scientist; Cowichan Bay, B.C.

New study examines how best to address species declines in Southern Ontario

[Madeleine Aubrey]

Thank you John ,

Yourdiligence in providing us with these contributions from our CACOR membership in various newspapers. These articles  informs us and also make us proud to be part of CACOR.

Madeleine

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<Species decline.pdf>

Cheers,

John

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