What Governments Groups and Individuals Can Do Lets 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 ID: 482636
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Slide1
Promoting Sustainability
What Governments, Groups and Individuals Can DoSlide2
Let’s start big picture: what can governments and groups do?
Governments and GroupsSlide3
Example: Lake ErieIn the 1970s, Lake Erie was full of sewage, farm chemicals and industrial chemicals
This pollution caused huge
algal blooms
= large growths of algaeAlgal blooms caused other organisms in Lake Erie’s ecosystem to dieIt was called “Dead Lake”1) Restoring EcosystemsSlide4
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 ecosystemsThe amount of pollution entering the lake was monitored and
controlledAs a result, Lake Erie made a great “comeback”Government ActionSlide5
Algal blooms continue to plague Lake Erie because of run-off from fertilizers
This is an example of
non-point source
pollutionThe overuse of fertilizers is an unsustainable practice
Also, sewage is overflowing from overburdened sewage plants in busy citiesWork Needs to ContinueSlide6
Conservation b
iologists
work to find ways we can understand and protect biodiversity
Remember: strong biodiversity is key to keeping ecosystems
intactThere are currently over 200 species at risk of extinction in OntarioThere are two main ways governments and groups are trying to protect biodiversity…2) Conserving BiodiversitySlide7
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 smallExample: the black-footed ferret is part of the zoo’s captive breeding programConservation StrategiesSlide8
Conservation Strategies
2) Protecting Species in their Native
Habitat
The main strategy is to protect a species’
habitatExample: the loggerhead shrike is an endangered birdIts habitat is short grasslands with trees, shrubs and hedgerowsMuch 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 surviveSlide9
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 dependE.g. the badger has protected status 3) Protecting Endangered SpeciesSlide10
National and provincial parks
Wildlife reserves
Marine sanctuaries
Protected areas help keep ecosystems intact by leaving them relatively
undisturbedConservation 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 needs4) Protected AreasSlide11
Example: Algonquin ParkSlide12
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 OntarioToronto has by-laws against moving wood that may contain the beetleAgriculture Canada has strict laws about citizens or visitors bringing any foreign food, animals or plants into the countryThis is to prevent accidental introduction of other invasive speciesSlide13
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 CommunitiesSlide14
Organic Farming and Locally Produced Food
Notes on video:Slide15
Sustainable Living and Construction
Notes on video:Slide16
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 lessGet involvedYOU can…