Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco warns that inadequate support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to COSEWIC may result in increased species extinction. He highlighted a troubling decline in the number of species assessments, advocating for urgent action to avert further biodiversity loss. COSEWIC’s funding has been stagnant, and without prioritizing assessments, many species may disappear unnoticed. The federal department has pledged to collaborate on defining necessary resources but lacks clear budget enhancements.
In a stark appeal for urgency, Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco has urged a critical reassessment of the support provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Noting a disturbing trend of declining assessments for species at risk, DeMarco emphasized that neglecting this vital phase could lead to an alarming increase in extinction rates. With the budget for COSEWIC hovering between $1.2 and $1.9 million annually, the resources allocated have become insufficient for the critical assessments needed to protect endangered species. He highlighted that the annual target for assessments dropped from 80 to just 60 in recent years without clear justification, reiterating the importance of robust support to avert a looming biodiversity crisis. DeMarco’s warnings resonate deeply as COSEWIC has already recorded 25 species declared extinct in Canada this year alone. He cautioned that without making species assessments a governmental priority, numerous others may vanish unnoticed. He called for setting ambitious targets while honoring Canada’s international obligations to biodiversity. In response, the department expressed commitment to collaborating with COSEWIC to evaluate needed resources, hinting at a risk-based approach to prioritize assessments for the most vulnerable species. The fate of countless species hangs in the balance, urging immediate governmental action before they fade into oblivion.
The article highlights the findings of Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco after he presented audit reports regarding the support provided to COSEWIC by ECCC. COSEWIC was established in 1977 to assess and advise on the conservation status of species at risk in Canada. This advisory body relies on sufficient funding and human resources to effectively perform this essential function. The decrease in assessment targets and the alarming trend of species extinction underscores the pressing need for increased governmental support and a more strategic approach to wildlife management.
The environment demands action, as Jerry DeMarco’s call for a reassessment of support emphasizes the critical nature of resources for assessing endangered species. Without immediate and sufficient support from ECCC to COSEWIC, more species may slip into extinction unnoticed. Only through prioritizing assessments can Canada hope to fulfill its international commitments and avert a biodiversity crisis. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to protect our planet’s precious wildlife.
Original Source: www.timminstoday.com
