Student Blogs - University Biodiversity: A Resolution for 2020

This month we are featuring a series of blog posts from students in the ENV 2301 course "History of Environmental Thought". We are super happy to highlight the thoughts and ideas of these bright young indiduals.

An iceberg in Tikhaya Bay in the Arctic Circle, Russia.Sputnik via AP/Vera Kostamo

It is officially the start of a new decade, and everyone is already losing their cool- literally.  

Amidst the devastating wildfires ravaging through Australia, as well as recent reports on increasing rates of melting Arctic ice* , concerns are growing around the world about the effects of climate change on important issues such as the protection of land and biodiversity.

Today, the University of Ottawa and many other communities are at a turning point to face climate change with new and effective solutions. How can this be done exactly? Here are three steps that present how the University Ottawa should protect land and biodiversity:

• Reduce Consumption- As society is driven on overconsumption, land resources, water, and animals are often exploited to meet overexerted market needs. By having the University of Ottawa invest in sustainable materials and practices, such as reducing paper use and establishing a bike rental program, less resources are needed, which in turn reduces waste, pollution, and the size of the university’s ecological footprint. By reducing consumption and following a “waste not want not” methodology, the University of Ottawa will able to decrease costs on resources while also protecting our land and biodiversity.
  
• Develop and Support Green Spaces- As many cities have expanded through urban sprawl, the number and size of green spaces, parks and wildlife reserves have significantly decreased and caused many wild animals to lose their habitats. By developing and supporting more green spaces on and off campus, the University of Ottawa will be able to promote wildlife habitats, conserve land and defend biodiversity.
  
• Educate and Inspire– As a center for education and communication, the University of Ottawa has the power to spread messages effectively to thousands of people. This unique advantage should be utilized to spread awareness about the environment and the threats of climate change. By promoting sustainable education courses or setting an environmental course as a prerequisite for all university students, the University of Ottawa will be able to educate and inspire thousands of students to take action towards preserving biodiversity and lands.

According the UN’s Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity (IPBES), about half of the land of key natural ecosystems has been lost and 80% of the biomass of wild animals on Earth has decreased.** 

Today is the day for humans to make a positive difference. Let us challenge the University of Ottawa to set these resolutions for 2020, and protect our land and biodiversity.

* Katz, Cheryl. “Warming at Poles to Soon Be Felt Globally in Rising Seas, Extreme Weather.” National Geographic, 5 Dec. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/12/arctic/.

** Harvey, Fiona. “Oceans, Biodiversity, Deforestation: What's on the Climate Agenda for 2020?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 21 Jan. 2020, www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/21/oceans-biodiversity-deforestation-whats-on-the-climate-agenda-for-2020. 

~ Audrey Roy