As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a year of immense challenges and inspiring milestones as the fight to protect nature and biodiversity continues. The urgency of our mission is underscored by sobering statistics: according to the most recent Living Planet Index, global biodiversity has declined by 74% since 1970. This crisis affects not just the number of species but the health of ecosystems that sustain all life on Earth, including our own. 

Yet, amid these daunting realities, there have been glimmers of hope and progress. 

In February and May, the Federal Court issued landmark rulings affirming the government’s responsibility to protect migratory birds and consider emergency protection for the Spotted Owl—Canada’s most endangered bird. These decisions highlight the potential of legal tools to hold governments accountable and safeguard vulnerable species. 

In June, the introduction of Bill C-73, the proposed Nature Accountability Act, marked another step forward. If passed, this legislation will enshrine Canada’s global biodiversity commitments into domestic law, a critical move toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss. We hope that 2025 will see this Act strengthened and enacted. 

On the global stage, October’s UN Biodiversity Convention in Cali, Colombia, brought together nations to assess progress on the Global Biodiversity Framework. This framework, adopted in Montreal in 2022, outlines 23 targets aimed at reversing biodiversity decline. Stories shared at the convention—especially those of Indigenous Peoples and local communities leading restoration efforts—were a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of traditional knowledge and stewardship. We were honored to join Indigenous women who spoke of how practicing culture on the land is healing both the land and their communities. 

Closer to home, December brought encouraging news as Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister of Environment and Climate Change confirmed that the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival, and that this means they are legally obligated to recommend that Cabinet make an emergency order to protect them from these threats.
These steps reaffirm the importance of legal advocacy and public pressure in driving meaningful biodiversity protection. 

A Challenging Landscape 

Despite these achievements, 2024 has been a difficult year for many. Environmental disasters, inflation, and geopolitical conflicts have compounded the strain on communities worldwide. In Canada, political gridlock and the rise of populism have hindered urgent action to address environmental crises. Such movements often dismiss scientific evidence and prioritize short-term corporate interests over long-term sustainability, posing a grave threat to both democracy and the planet. 

Experts warn that ecosystems are nearing irreversible tipping points, where changes become permanent and recovery impossible. While statistics and studies emphasize the gravity of this crisis, the evidence is also visible in our daily lives—fewer birds in the skies, diminishing pollinators, and shrinking natural habitats. 

We are inextricably linked to the web of life. Indigenous legal traditions worldwide emphasize this relationship, underscoring the necessity of laws that center biodiversity and reflect our interconnectedness with the Earth. For future generations to thrive, we must shift our approach to nature—a message echoed by scientists, policymakers, and communities living close to the land. 

Opportunities Ahead 

In 2025, British Columbia could lead the way with its proposed Biodiversity and Ecosystem Framework Law. Collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to implement this framework offers an opportunity to place biodiversity at the heart of decision-making in Canada’s most biodiverse province, making it even more impactful. This legislation could also align with the Global Biodiversity Framework, reinforcing Canada’s international commitments. 

Realizing these opportunities requires relentless effort. Ecojustice’s legal and advocacy work has been pivotal in strengthening species and habitat protections, yet the scale of the biodiversity crisis demands even greater innovation and collaboration. Our approach in the coming year will focus on: 

  • Campaigning for laws that centre nature and create space for Indigenous legal systems. 
  • Addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss. 
  • Ensuring equitable treatment of communities as part of achieving effective biodiversity protection. 

These times call for unwavering dedication and creativity. By using every legal and campaign tool available, and connecting with communities across the country, we can protect the species and habitats integral to our ecological and societal health. 

A Call to Action 

The path ahead is daunting, but together we can make a difference. Public engagement and support are critical to maintaining momentum in the fight against biodiversity loss. In these challenging times, collective action is a beacon of hope, reminding us that change is possible when we join forces. 

As we enter 2025, let us recommit to safeguarding nature for the generations to come. Together, we can ensure a future where the web of life not only survives but thrives. 

How can you act NOW?  

Right now, we have the opportunity to make a real difference for nature and climate. The UN Biodiversity Conference is about committing to protecting 30 per cent of lands and oceans by 2030.  Now, we need Prime Minister Trudeau to pass a law with clear timelines and accountability for these targets. Will you be a voice for nature? 

Yes, I’ll add my voice   

The fight for biodiversity and climate justice needs your support. Your donation will help us hold Canada accountable and protect ecosystems for generations to come. Will you help turn promises into action?  

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