Pollution and Biodiversity Loss in Canada
- Simon Sage
- Oct 31, 2024
- 1 min read
The Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective has engaged in a deep exploration into biodiversity loss. Through the Vanishing campaign, we’ve brought together expert scientific opinion with beautiful photography to showcase biodiversity problems and solutions. Read our briefing to learn more.
One of the major causes of biodiversity loss is pollution. Pollution remains a highly visible threat to life of all kinds, humans included. Microplastics and chemicals tend to earn the most attention, and indeed do the bulk of the damage, but they aren’t the only threats. For example, light and noise pollution disorient wildlife feeding and mating instincts enough to affect population numbers.
Plastics are an issue on both land and sea. They are often mistaken for food, which causes all sorts of internal disruptions. For one, these plastics can be vehicles for heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Besides providing no nutritional benefits and obstructing digestive tracts, plastics also affect endocrine systems, which can reduce fertility.
Air pollution is a major contributor to the precipitous decline of pollinator biodiversity. Transportation, waste disposal, agricultural activities, and home cooking are all sources contributing to these emissions. Air pollution can also acidify rain, which in turn can degrade habitats needed by land animals.
Insufficient regulation continues to allow polluting forces like these to continue unabated. There are best practices we can engage in on an individual level, but much more needs to be done institutionally. We’re eager to showcase some of the solutions to pollution and other sources of Canadian biodiversity loss through our briefing document. Read on at the link below to learn more.
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