Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called on countries with the largest land masses to endeavor to protect the biodiversity of their land and water.
Trudeau made the call recently during a special session of the United Nations through video conference on the sidelines of a virtual General Assembly meeting.
Trudeau took part in the Leaders Event for Nature and People that also included leaders of Norway and Costa Rica.
The Prime Minister pledged Canada’s support for a UN initiative that aims to guard 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030.
According to Trudeau, Canada is the only country in the top-10 largest countries by land mass that has so far joined the initiative.
He said: “Every country will find it difficult to protect 30 per cent of their land and protect biodiversity. So, it’s not about who is doing better.
“In terms of sheer acreage of the world, we need to get those other nine largest countries in the top 10 to do their part and step up as well.”
While talking further, Trudeau said Canada would liaise with Indigenous People as necessary partners due to the fact that they “understand how important it is to be good stewards of these lands and these waters that sustain us.”
An indigenous leader has applauded Trudeau’s statement and said it could also help the ongoing efforts of Canada in respect of reconciliation.
While talking about the Trudeau’s statement, Frank Brown, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation and Indigenous Leadership Initiative’s Senior Leader said: “Respecting this leadership will also advance reconciliation and build a more equitable and sustainable future. Much of the recent progress in conserving lands — including forests and wetlands that store massive amounts of carbon — has come from Indigenous Nations.
“Now, by placing Indigenous-led conservation at the heart of its approach to protecting both nature and climate, Canada can lead the world in promoting a new model of ethical conservation — one rooted in respect, responsibility, and reconciliation.”
Also, Trudeau said the government would forge ahead with its plans to plant two billion trees, prohibit many single-use plastics and guard wetlands. He said he wanted “Canadians once again to connect to their nature.”
The initiative is known as the “high ambition coalition” and it was launched in late 2019 by Costa Rica and France.
In a statement, the government said that Canada is “uniquely positioned” to take part due to the fact that it has the second-largest land mass in the word, 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, and the longest coastline in the world. Cumulatively, Canada’s natural features play a critical role in fighting climate change.
The statement read: “Our forests, grasslands, and peatlands absorb enormous amounts of carbon pollution and are our best ally in protecting our climate.”
