Why we must find our solutions in nature
May 22 marks the International Day for Biological Diversity; a perfect time to reflect
When the pandemic began, we flocked to the parks and trails. We wanted fresh air, exercise, the break from our anxious thoughts, immersion in nature. When they became overwhelmed and unable to allow safe physical distancing, they were closed to the public. We realized just how important these spaces are to us, and how we longed to get back outside to the calming effects of nature. Now that they are beginning to open up again, how can we capture this feeling of longing and harness this energy to protect the nature we so missed?
May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity, a day to reflect on the importance of biodiversity and our relationship to it. Nature lifts our spirits during this period of lockdown and isolation. With many outdoor spaces closed, peo- ple have had to find different ways to get outside, and many are rediscovering their neighbourhoods. Many of us have become more interested in backyard gardening, realizing that this would help improve our food security as we witness empty shelves and long lines at the grocery stores. In a changing climate, these skills will increase our community resilience. Staying home has allowed others to realize the nature that exists in their own backyards or out their windows. Many new birders have been watching to see what unique species will visit feeders. Others are lifting up rocks and logs for the first time, spotting the plethora of insects (and maybe the occasional salamander, if they are lucky) staying cool in the soil. Some budding naturalists are interested in learning more about what they are seeing. Put this curiosity to good use with iNaturalist, a free app that lets us all become citizen scientists sharing our biodiversity observations. You can explore the observations in Hamilton throughout our lockdown with the project Nature in the Time of COVID-19.
The Convention on Biological Diversity has set the theme for this year as “Our solutions are in nature.” We all depend on healthy biodiversity for pollination, food, water, medicines, our well-being, resources, and much more. We are not separate from the global ecosystem — we are part of it, making big changes and capable of taking steps toward remediation.
This year wraps up the United Nations’ Decade on Biodiversity. In 2021, we will begin the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. We can use nature as a solution and a driver for restoration, with ecosystem based solutions to address the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
How can we build our resilience through nature at home? Grow a tree to help create shade, filter the air, slow and absorb stormwater and provide habitat. Plant some native wildflowers and shrubs at home. Add a few into your existing garden, or make a full-on pollinator garden providing food and habitat for these important critters. Explore the Hamilton Pollinator Paradise Project’s online tool kit to learn how to get started and where to find plants.
Most changes need to happen on a larger scale. Biodiversity needs to be widely understood and appreciated. As a city, let’s call on nature, remembering why it’s so important and how we depend on it. Let’s make biodiversity a mindful part of our decision-making in every corner of the city, from gardens in our parks to how we proceed with developments. Hamilton is now an official Bee City, recognizing the steps we are taking to incorporate nature into an urban habitat.
Nature has been a beacon of hope and joy throughout hard times. Perhaps we cannot engage with nature in the same way as we have in the past, but take this as an opportunity to connect more deeply. While we miss our hikes and wanderings through our favourite natural areas, observe the progression of spring to summer on each tree and flower in your yard.
Tune in to nature all around you. The birds flitting noisily about preparing their nests, the sounds of frogs by nearby waterways, the ringing and chirping of cicadas and grasshoppers. Look down to the ground to observe overlooked nature, like moss and lichen, insects living beneath the leaf litter, new plants unfurling in the dappled sunlight.
As we recover from the effects of this pandemic and unprecedented situation, we need to “build back better,” aiming to use nature as a solution. Now, more than ever, let’s celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity by putting these solutions into action to prevent biodiversity loss and increase our resiliency, for the benefit of nature and humankind.