Inspiring Young Change-Maker: Kira’s Journey from Art to Activism
Meet Kira, an inspiring young change-maker in Grade 6 that is blending art with environmental activism. From crafting sustainable products inspired by her love for the Georgian Bay’s windswept pine to spearheading eco-initiatives at Sunnybrook School, discover how this young changemaker is making waves in the fight against climate change.
National Forest Week + Climate Week NYC – The Future of Forests
The Future of Canada’s Forests Lies in Greater Diversity
Today is the first day of National Forest Week.
Amazon Clicks on Supply Chain Scope 3 Emissions.
SEEING THE FOREST, AND THE TREES.
In the last few decades, greater attention has been paid to the role of trees in mitigating climate change. We now specifically value trees for their role in capturing carbon in the atmosphere to slow down climate change. Forest planting has become a go-to strategy in striving toward net-zero climate goals and part of the toolkit that is termed “nature-based solutions.” What now needs to be more recognized is the multitude of roles that forests play in our well-being, including helping us adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Engaging Youth in Climate Action: Overcoming Challenges and Creating Solutions
Today’s youth demand credibility and commitment to climate change action and have powerful communication channels to influence change as consumers and voters. However, they remain underrepresented in decision-making tables globally. Youth experience eco-anxiety and ecological grief and bring valuable skills and perspectives necessary for innovation in the green economy. Creating opportunities for youth and making room for their voice is vital for a more sustainable and prosperous future, and senior leaders must make space for them in decision-making tables.
Investing in Our Forests as a Path to Reconciliation
Through colonization and displacement, Indigenous people’s political, cultural, educational, and spiritual institutions were annihilated. With that went Indigenous knowledge and traditional stewardship practices. Building a sustainable and inclusive approach to forestry is important in the reconciliation process between Indigenous peoples and settler societies. This blog discusses four key pillars of change: land rights acknowledgement, true collaboration, combining traditional knowledge with innovation, and mutual sustainability and inclusive economy, as important steps towards rebalancing relationships and creating more resilient and biodiverse forests in North America.
De-Silo’ing our investment in forests for better returns
As the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, once said, it is “…only when the tide goes out, [that] you discover who’s been swimming naked.” Buffet was speaking about making money in a strong market, but I think a case can be made for another type of investment scenario.
Consider this: You can only discuss reducing the Earth’s greenhouse gas emissions by discussing healthy forests. And you can only speak about healthy forests if you talk about biodiversity.
Read my Lips: It’s Not Just Carbon
International Mother Earth Month – Invest in Forests
On April 22, we will join the United Nations International Mother Earth Day celebrations. But it’s crucial everyone understands that one day is simply not enough to influence the scale of change needed. So, we’re taking the entire month of April to share insights from highly regarded leaders across various industries.
A Business Guide to Investing in Nature – #IntForestDay
Our take on the Coalition for a Better Future’s first-ever Scorecard Report — and how CFT is playing a role in creating sustainable, inclusive economic growth
International Women’s Day. Women in Forestry.
Women’s Day: The forest sector is primed for new growth, offering opportunities for more women to take their place as leaders and contributors. But, to promote a sector that is a viable career path for women, more needs to be done.
World Wildlife Day Calls for Canadian Forests
World Wildlife Day calls for a reminder of the role forests play in preserving and protecting Canada’s wildlife.
Canada is home to about 80,000 species. Canada’s Boreal Forest alone is host to over 85 species of mammals and 32,000 insects. An estimated 3 billion birds breed in the boreal forest each year and as the largest intact forest on earth, many other species rely on the Boreal forest for their habitat, food and shelter. Across Canada, many species face numerous threats to survival.
Growing Canada’s Green Economy, with Indigenous Leadership at the Centre
Growing a Healthy Tomorrow at Forests Ontario’s 9th Annual Conference
I’m heading to Forests Ontario’s 9th Annual Conference February 16-17. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to… The theme of this Forests Ontario Conference is “Growing a Healthy Tomorrow,” focusing on the integral role nature and forests play in our everyday lives. This two-day event will bring together a wide variety of academics, forestry, conservation and biodiversity experts, Indigenous innovators, business leaders, sustainability professionals and government policymakers […]
Wetlands Soil – The New Gold | World Wetlands Day
I was catching up on my news last week and came across RBC’s John Stackhouse’s reflections on Davos. In his piece The MehMeh-conomy & Matterhorn-sized risk: 12 themes for a fragmented world, I was very pleased to see #8 in particular. “Soil, the new gold.” Why so pleased, you might ask? Stackhouse explains that Davos sessions on […]
Screens to Nature – Supporting Youth Mental Health With Climate Action
On #NationalMentalHealthDay, I’m reflecting on the topic of youth mental health and the need for more nature in young people’s lives. The research on the correlation between screen time and poor mental health is telling. Every additional hour above the recommended 2-hour threshold that a young person spends on their screen is connected to a higher likelihood of having health issues like […]
Cleaning up voluntary carbon credit markets. What’s “good enough”?
I reflected on this over the weekend as I dug into The Guardian’s recent investigation into the voluntary carbon credit market. The subject of its reporting is Verra, currently the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program… I could delve into the duelling methodologies that are fueling this back-and-forth exchange between The Guardian and Verra, but I’ll cut to the point for carbon market investors[…]
Launching the First School Smart Forest – Canada’s Forest Trust
Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation (CFT) has exciting news to share with students and teachers nationwide. We have just launched the first Smart Forest location in New Brunswick’s endangered Acadian forest region. Through the support of School Smart Forest Stewards, we will restore 95 acres of previously devastated land, bring back biodiversity, clean air and water, and support the local economy.
Interview: Canada’s Forest Trust’s Advisory Board Member and COP15 Delegate, Joanna Eyquem
CFT: Joanna – Like us, you believe that “services from natural assets should be valued.” Following COP15, how widely do you think this view is shared globally? Joanna: I certainly think there were some very positive signs to suggest that services from natural assets are being valued in decision-making. For a long time, finance […]
Climate-tech startups are putting profits before the planet.
With growth and impact driving innovation and investments, climate-tech start-ups are proving that when focusing on profits as the most important metric to success, they will achieve greater planetary impact in the long-term.
Sugar and Plastic: You’re Dismissed
Nurturing STEM education in youth to advance innovative climate solutions
Trees and Forests do much more than “just” sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere!
Canadian business is uniquely positioned to embrace nature-based-solutions for systemic business resiliency in a changing climate.
Why are Employees Demanding Companies Take Real Climate Action?
How to turn your company from a carbon source to a carbon sink with nature.
Becoming a corporate leader in reducing carbon emissions will require significant investments in carbon reduction or offsetting initiatives that will vary depending on your industry. These initiatives are becoming more and more critical for business continuity, employee retention, governance and meeting your overall ESG targets as new standards and status-quos are set across the board.
The Importance of Planting the Right Tree, in the Right Place at the Right Time.
Over the last decade, tree planting initiatives have taken the stage across Canada and the world. From one million to one trillion trees and beyond, commitments from organizations, governments and companies are expansive.