MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

By SHAGORIKA EASWAR

Not long ago, Gauri Sreenivasan led a discussion with Bernadette Jordan, the then Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Coast Guard, on how marine conservation can help fight climate change, advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and build a healthier future.

Sreenivasan applauded the leadership in building momentum toward ocean protection targets, but says there’s some heavy lifting ahead and we need to double our land and marine protections.

“This work cannot slow down as the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change continue to threaten our collective future.”

Sreenivasan is Nature Canada’s Director of Campaigns and Policy and Nature Canada is Canada’s voice for nature. Representing over 100,000 nature lovers and a network of more than 1,000 nature groups, it has helped protect millions of acres of parks and wildlife areas in Canada and countless species that depend on this habitat as well as engaging hundreds of thousands of Canadians in nature through its activities. It is one of the country’s oldest in nature conservation, having been in existence for over 80 years.

Her mandate is to provide leadership and she works with an “amazing team” to frame and implement policies and ensure that they mobilise policy changes that benefit nature.

The links between her prior experience in international co-operation, human rights, global justice and social justice, and issues of supporting sovereignty, Indigenous rights and nature conservation are obvious.

Having had the opportunity to travel and be in Cree Territories in James Bay, and with people fighting for the grasslands in southern Saskatchewan, to name just two, she highlights the importance of Indigenous knowledge systems and Indigenous-led conservation in protecting biodiversity.

“They have proposals on ways to protect territories. Indigenous wisdom and perspective can help us steward species at risk.”

Canada is committed to protecting 25 per cent of its lands and oceans by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030 – we’re sitting at 13 per cent currently.

With 25 per cent of the world’s fresh water and 30 per cent of the remaining boreal forests, Canadian policies will have a planetary impact.

It’s going to mean focusing on new technologies and on new ways of doing things. It’s going to mean tough choices, but it needn’t be about nature versus economy, she says. We have to rethink the impact of commercial logging, we have to respect the laws of nature.

“You know what they say about there being no economy on a dead planet. We have to look at transitioning to other economic options, we have to envisage a new kind of future. Our continued ability to feed ourselves depends on protecting insect populations that pollinate crops. With marine protections we see a revival of fish stocks and thus of the economy. There’s a commitment to plant two billion trees over the next 10 years. The role we play is, how do you do that sustainably? Plant trees not just to harvest them a few decades later but to protect and renew forests.

“Humanity is part of nature,” she says, stating a simple truth. “Our ecosystems are the foundation of all life and Nature Canada’s focus is on the health and vitality of nature, on defence, discover and restore.”

The team mobilize their voices and mobilize Canadians to engage with other Canadians and partners across the country.

Nature Canada’s Naturehood program helps increase the ability of underserviced and marginalized communities to access nature. They are committed to equity and anti-racism.

“COVID helped redefine what is essential to us, the pandemic really opened our eyes to how nature is our safety net,” says Sreenivasan. “But racism exists not just on the subway in downtown cores but also in the parks. We have to acknowledge environmental racism and improve access for everyone. We bring this thinking to our advocacy work.”

Over 600 species are at risk in Canada. Canadian wildlife populations being monitored by World Wildlife Fund fell by an average of 42 per cent since 1970.

There are also threats to plants and other systems, threats to forests. Sreenivasan gives the analogy of bolts and rivets on a plane in flight. Losing a couple may go unnoticed but lose many more and the plane is headed for disaster.

The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points to the same scenario, extending its “code red for humanity” to all life on Earth.

“Natural climate solutions like replanting forests, restoring wetlands and protecting ocean ecosystems are a critical one-two punch in our climate-fighting repertoire,” says Sreenivasan. “No other strategy on the table can capture carbon and reverse the extinction by protecting and restoring nature at the same time. And natural solutions provide protection from climate impacts like the floods and fires we’ve seen this year, too. Natural climate solutions could reduce Canada’s greenhouse gasses by as much as 78 metric tons a year in 2030 (over 10 per cent of Canada’s total emissions). The most effective climate strategies combine natural solutions with ending fossil fuel use and investing in renewable energy to drastically reduce net emissions and restore nature at the same time. Protecting and restoring nature is a key part of what the IPCC’s ‘code red’ calls for if we want a liveable planet by 2100.”

 But 2100 is so far away in terms of a human lifetime that most of us won’t be here when it rolls around. How does one get those who dismiss climate activists as flaky or conspiracy theorists, or worse, agenda-driven, to take the crisis seriously?

Sreenivasan says she would ask why they think renewable energy is unnecessary or futile. She would provide examples of how well it works, discuss its strong potential.

“There have been major steps in using wind energy in Tamil Nadu in India, for instance. I’d say we need to believe in the power of human ingenuity. I’d encourage people to think about allowing nature to provide the solutions. And to do it for their children and grandchildren. It’s important not to alienate people, to bring them along.

She says that they encourage individual action, mobilizing Canadians to protect nature by lifting their voices and speaking to decision makers. New rules and laws that will curb damage and create safe havens are the need of the hour.

Suggestions on Nature Canada’s site on what individuals can do include creating pollinator gardens to encourage bees, butterflies and beneficial insects and also community gardens to grow more food. Also on how to create bird-friendly cities by using better designed windows and turning off lights at night to something as simple as keeping one’s cat indoors.

In Canadian cities increasingly threatened by climate impacts like floods, heat waves, air pollution, fires and storms, green infrastructure like urban wetlands and green roofs can help cool the air, absorb excess water, and reduce energy use while supporting biodiversity and making cities more liveable.

Nature-based climate solutions are also cost-effective and are expected to stimulate our economy through the creation of new jobs or revenue streams for Indigenous communities, farmers, ranchers and foresters.

“We must use all the tools in our tool box,” reiterates Sreenivasan.

 Her father, a theoretical physicist originally from Mysore, India, and her American mother moved to Canada in the 60s from Germany. They came as part of the first wave of academics being invited to Canadian universities. The family settled in Calgary where Sreenivasan, the first Canadian child in the family, was born in 1967.

As academics in a small but tightly-knit community, her parents didn’t face many of the challenges other newcomers face, but she was aware of being different, she says.

“Calgary was not the incredibly diverse city that it has grown into, but there was a small Indian community. I was in an immersion program and part of a small group that grew up together and we are still friends. But in the larger circle, I have experienced racism. It was not overt, not daily, but on the bus or on the street when boys chased me while I was on my paper route. My name was different, our vegetarian food was different. We were not people who skied or went trekking or had a cabin or cottage by the water – we did picnics and walks! But I have very fond memories of the city. Nothing moves me the same way, moves my heart, as the drive up from the foothills to the mountains.”

Her father became interested in reviving art and culture and founded an institute for languages and performing arts. She attended Tamil lessons for two years and learnt how to read and write the script, but she didn’t go to India as a child because travel was expensive for a large family. Her father went back regularly to visit his family and she grew up hearing about them and stories about India. Her first visit happened through an international co-operation effort organized by the Aga Khan Foundation and she’s been back often, since.

“And now my father is in Ottawa and so I get to enjoy the best dosa and sambhar!”

Her husband, Bruce Goodman, works in international development and the couple have two daughters. Mallika, 22, is studying engineering at Queen’s University and Maya, 18, also just began studying engineering at the same university.

For those who seek her guidance on how to succeed in Canada, Sreenivasan has this to say:

“One of the most important things, of critical advantage specially for young women, is to identify what they are passionate about and then look for guidance and support from those who are already in that field. The relationships I formed with people I admire have benefited me greatly. Don’t be shy to ask. I speak from my own experience of underestimating how much they’d be willing to mentor and help.”

Sreenivasan finds working with other highly motivated individuals with a passion for seeing the difference raising one’s voice for issues that matter can make very rewarding.

“Seeing the impact, the progress, and seeing new commitments being made is very inspiring. We are able to achieve that by coming together.”

• Grant’s is proud to present this series about people who are making a difference in the community. Represented by PMA Canada (www.pmacanada.com).