Written by: Anika Hazra, National Conservation Communications Coordinator and Florence Daviet, National Forest Program Director

What do draining wetlands, cutting trees and burning coal have in common?

If you guessed emitting greenhouse gases that cause climate change, you are correct.

If you guessed harming biodiversity, you are also correct.

Last year, youth from around the world came out in unprecedented numbers to call attention to the impact of climate change on our planet. In this great video, Greta Thunberg points out how nature-based climate solutions – actions with both a climate and biodiversity benefit – can make a difference.

Here in Canada, nature-based climate solutions are finally on the agenda, and it’s time to decide how to implement them. To get the ball rolling, representatives from NGOs, Indigenous groups, businesses and government and will gather at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on February 5-6 for a Nature-Based Climate Solutions Summit.

From Big Ideas to Big Action

What’s the big idea? With 12 partner organizations, CPAWS is working to bring together thought leaders on climate change and biodiversity policy to develop a roadmap for implementing nature-based climate solutions.

Summit participants will discuss nature-based climate solutions from different angles, digging deeper on the role of Canadian ecosystems – forests, wetlands, grasslands and even the ocean – in addressing climate change. Participants will also consider different approaches for implementing nature-based climate solutions, such as carbon pricing, forest management regulations, protected areas, ecosystem adaptation and restoration and Indigenous-led solutions.

Florence Daviet, CPAWS’ National Forest Program Director, will be leading a working session discussing solutions best suited for Canadian forests, as well as a working session on carbon pricing and offsets with Amanda Reed from Nature United.

It’s the beginning of a new year, and with it comes the opportunity to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues with renewed energy. Here’s to 2020 being the year where we make the connection between nature and climate change!

Learn more and register for the summit: https://www.naturebasedclimatesolutions.ca/

Read our climate report: https://bit.ly/39ApoVW

Read our recommendation to the Federal government for a Nature-Based Climate Solutions Fund: https://bit.ly/2QB8Apg