ROM partners with the Ontario Biodiversity Council to release landmark biodiversity report
Encouraging progress but more must be done to conserve Ontario’s lands, waters and wildlife
(Niagara Falls, Ontario – Tuesday, May 19, 2015) - A landmark report summarizing the state of Ontario’s biodiversity is being released today by the Ontario Biodiversity Council (OBC) and its partner member, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Members of the OBC are gathered for the Ontario Biodiversity Summit, taking place from May 19th to 22nd 2015.
The State of Ontario’s Biodiversity 2015 Report analyzed 45 different environmental and ecological indicators including freshwater quality, the status of various species and protection of rare ecosystems. The report also assessed progress on the 15 targets outlined in the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy, the document that helps guide biodiversity conservation in the province.
“This report shows us where the species and habitats that make up Ontario’s biodiversity are secure, or under threat,” says Steve Hounsell, Chair of the Ontario Biodiversity Council. “It also shows us where we’ve made good progress on conserving biodiversity, and, where much more work needs to be done. Indeed this mid-term assessment suggests we will be unlikely to achieve most OBS targets by 2020. That means a mid-course correction is needed to better focus our efforts and to ramp up the pace of action to achieve our targets and to conserve Ontario’s biodiversity”.
Report Highlights Include:
- Substantial progress made to increasing knowledge about biodiversity into elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and schools of business in Ontario
- Achieved targets in reducing Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions to be lower than 1990 levels
- More progress needed to improve the status of Ontario’s species and ecosystems
These targets were measured by various indicators relevant to Ontario’s ecosystems including pollution, habitat loss, resource consumption and climate change, and are based on the following four strategic directions; Engage People, Reduce Threats, Enhance Resilience, and Improve Knowledge.
The State of Ontario’s Biodiversity Report 2015 follows the 2010 version, which found that Ontarians were placing large demands on the province’s natural resources and that biodiversity losses were occurring, especially in southern Ontario. Compared to the 2010 report, the 2015 results show some important improving trends. For example, Ontario’s ecological footprint has been reduced and public awareness about the importance of biodiversity is high.
“At the Ontario Biodiversity Council, we have made tangible steps toward raising awareness about biodiversity through Ontario’s education system and societal actions,” says Dave Ireland, the ROM’s Managing Director of Biodiversity, and member of the Ontario Biodiversity Council. “With this report, we were pleased to see that 60% of Ontarians are aware of the term biodiversity, and the majority agree that biodiversity is important to their health and well-being.”
While there has been some progress made toward meeting Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy targets and to reducing pressures on biodiversity, the report shows that more must be done to stop biodiversity losses. This includes greater efforts to restore habitats and recover species that are declining. “It takes very little time to destroy habitats and a great deal of time to restore them,” explains Mr. Hounsell. "The good stewardship work that is taking place on Ontario’s landscapes will reap very positive results for biodiversity, but it will take time. We need to build upon this foundation and expand the effort. Measuring and documenting our biodiversity helps all Ontarians to make better informed decisions to help future conservation efforts and to protect what sustain us.”
The report can be found online at: www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/sobr. Indicators will be updated as new research and information is available.
About the Ontario Biodiversity Council
Founded in 2005, the Ontario Biodiversity Council (OBC) is a group of 27 representatives from environmental and conservation groups, government agencies, academia, Aboriginal communities and industry associations. The OBC’s purpose is the guide the implementation of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy. For more information on Council members, please visit the OBC website at www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca and follow the Summit activities on twitter @OnBioSummit
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