Parents want urgent action to protect nature at COP15

Written By Peter Allan

Montrealers at the "March for Biodiversity and Human Rights" on Dec. 10, 2022. (Credit: CityNews/Pamela Pagano)

By Matteo Cimellaro

Dragons, unicorns, and monarch butterflies. One of these things is not like the others — at least, not yet. But if Canada doesn’t take biodiversity loss seriously, that could change more quickly than we realize. The iconic butterfly, along with thousands of species large and small that we take for granted and rely on for our health and well-being, will exist only in the imagination of future generations.

While world leaders continue to meet about the loss of biodiversity worldwide at COP15 in Montreal, this is hitting home for me as a parent. Last Saturday, 3,500 people from countries around the world marched through the streets of Montreal to send a message to Canada’s leaders. As a parent, I'm calling on Canada to recognize and respect Indigenous rights and knowledge, make good on its commitment to protect at least 30 per cent of land and water in this country by 2030, invest in nature-based solutions and divest from activities that are harming nature.

Why is this so important to me? Because there’s a harsh reality I see through my kids’ eyes every day.

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Peter Allan
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