Habitat loss is a major driver of both wildlife loss and climate change and is one of the greatest threats to life on Earth.
In Canada, at-risk species are affected by an average of five threats, which may include pollution, climate change, habitat loss, industrial pressures, invasive species and over-exploitation. Past solutions have addressed one problem at a time, but threats and their impacts rarely occur in isolation and are often cumulative and cascading. We need approaches that tackle multiple threats to reverse biodiversity loss.
The dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are fueling a vicious cycle of ecosystem loss. WWF-Canada is working to prevent this destruction by safeguarding habitats for at-risk species and ensuring carbon stays locked in nature.
Habitats are threatened by human activities and climate change, exacerbating wildlife loss. In fact, some wildlife populations have been on the decline for decades. WWF-Canada is helping restore habitats across Canada so wildlife can recover.
The destruction and degradation of nature (i.e. burning fossil fuels) is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide – a potent greenhouse gas that accumulates in the atmosphere, trapping solar radiation, warming the planet and destabilizing the climate. Canada is a critical steward of carbon-storing ecosystems for the entire planet and WWF-Canada is working to protect carbon-rich ecosystems.
Industrial activities such as shipping, mining and forestry disrupt habitats, disturb waterways and impact air quality. To manage these impacts, WWF-Canada is collaborating with industry, governments, Indigenous communities and civil society to reduce industry impacts on wildlife and habitat.
Wildlife simply cannot survive in increasingly degraded and destroyed habitats. Alongside Indigenous, local and national partners, WWF-Canada works for the conservation and stewardship of ecologically important marine and terrestrial areas, the creation of protected area networks and the restoration of habitats across the country. While we’ve come a long way, there is much more that must be done to ensure a safe and healthy future for nature and people.
WWF-Canada has an ambitious 10-year goal to restore one million hectares of damaged habitats and steward and protect one hundred million hectares of vital ecosystems for wildlife, climate and nature.
The dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are a growing threat to wildlife and people. Luckily, nature already provides us with many of the solutions we need to tackle both issues. Nature-based climate solutions such as protected areas and habitat restoration can help us store carbon in soils and vegetation, while simultaneously supporting at-risk species and important ecosystems.
Protected areas are a vital component of any conservation strategy. These spaces act as refuges for wildlife that cannot survive in managed landscapes and as areas where natural ecological processes can continue comparatively unhampered by human interference.
We’re working to protect vital ecosystems to ensure long-lasting, connected networks of well-protected habitats for all kinds of species, especially those at risk. Find out more.
According to the Indigenous Circle of Experts, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are “lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance, and knowledge systems. They are Indigenous-led, represent a long-term commitment to conservation, and elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities.”
WWF-Canada believes that Indigenous-led conservation is the most effective, equitable and efficient way to safeguard nature.
Find out more about our work with Indigenous partners.
Habitat fragmentation and loss is one of the biggest threats to wildlife across Canada. In some highly developed areas of the country, wildlife simply don’t have enough of the natural habitat they need to thrive.
We’re working to restore lost or degraded habitats, to help recover wildlife and sequester carbon in nature. Find out more.
Sea ice is the foundation of Arctic life, and it is rapidly disappearing. Ice-dependent species such as polar bears, seals and whales are watching their habitats shrink, move and change. In the face of a changing climate, WWF-Canada is working to help Arctic ecosystems stay in balance.
Centuries of overuse and neglect threaten to leave us with a vast blue wasteland. We urgently need smart ocean management plans that will protect important ocean ecosystems. WWF-Canada is advocating for protection in priority regions and working with industry on lasting solutions.
Canada’s freshwater systems are facing increasing pressure every day from pollution, habitat loss, invasive species and climate change – among other threats. WWF-Canada is working towards a future where all Canadian waters are in good condition.
As urban areas grow in population and size, pristine natural spaces disappear. WWF-Canada is working to protect and restore biodiversity in Canadian cities while raising awareness of the importance of building resilience to climate change.
Help protect threatened species and their habitats.
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