The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.
Re The Ring of Fire failure to ignite (Oct. 22): Reporter Rachelle Younglai deftly digs into the Ring of Fire and goes beyond the rhetoric. What’s missing, however, is the ecological context.
The Ring of Fire is located in the heart of an irreplaceable environmental treasure. This wilderness of trees, wetlands, lakes and rivers is part of the planet’s largest intact forest – the Boreal Forest. First Nations call these lands their ancestral home and have inherent rights to the land.
The region supports hundreds of plant, mammal and fish species, most in decline elsewhere, and is the continent’s main nesting area for nearly 200 migratory birds. For some species, it’s the last refuge. As one of the world’s largest storehouses of carbon, it helps keep climate change in check.
Sadly, there is no plan or over-arching vision here to ensure these irreplaceable values are protected forever before new mines, roads or transmission lines are built. It’s time Ontario takes the lead on developing such a plan with local First Nations, scientists, industry and the public. We can all get behind that.
Anna Baggio, director, conservation planning, CPAWS Wildlands League, Toronto
For the original source, click here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/rob-letters/oct-31-canadian-insurers-lead-adaptation-and-other-letters-to-the-rob-editor/article21414541/