Martinique, 30 degrees, bright sunshine. The trade wind blows on the beach lulled by the rolling waves. A tropical paradise for tourists looking for a rest? Yes, but not when these waves bring back sargassum, an algae that releases toxic gases as it decomposes.
Nauseating odor, respiratory problems in children and pregnant women, headaches, throat irritation… these algae poison the lives of Martiniquans. But not only them. Sargassum, whose presence has exploded over the past 10 years, extends across the Caribbean Sea and sometimes as far as the Gulf of Mexico.
It is proof that the chemistry of our oceans has radically changed, affecting all biodiversity…from the fish that are dying by the thousands, right up to us, the humans, who are at the origin of these upheavals.
According to a study published in the journal Naturethe proliferation of sargassum would depend in particular on the destruction of Amazonian forests for the benefit of cattle ranching which increases the dumping of fertilizers and manure in the rivers, but also on climate change which causes more torrential rains and runoff wastewater and agricultural discharges into the oceans.1
The sargassum forces several observations, as Montreal prepares to host, from December 7 to 19, the COP15 on biodiversity, which will bring together 20,000 delegates from around the world.
First, it must be clearly recognized: humans are largely at the origin of the rapid deterioration of biodiversity, which must be stopped as quickly as possible.
Then, climate change is inseparable from the erosion of biodiversity. One problem feeds the other, creating a vicious circle that must be broken by tackling both issues head-on.
It is imperative to act, because at the current rate, the Earth is aligning towards the 6e great mass extinction in its history.
And our action must absolutely be concerted on a global scale, because actions taken in one country have repercussions everywhere.
Unfortunately, three decades after the first COP on biodiversity, in 1992, the response is not up to par, in Quebec as elsewhere in the world. None of the 20 Aichi targets set in 2010 has been achieved.
On the contrary, 60% of vertebrate populations have disappeared since 1970. And today, a quarter of animal and plant species are on the verge of extinction on a planetary scale, which represents approximately one million species, according to the ‘IPBES, the world reference in biodiversity, like the IPCC for climate change.2
We must turn things around at all costs. But where to start ?
Agriculture will get a lot of attention at COP15. In particular, we would like to reduce the use of pesticides by two thirds, if we rely on the draft which will serve as a basis for negotiation.
This is not so far from the objective of the European Union which wants to reduce pesticides by half, by 2030. But the challenge is gigantic for Quebec which has not succeeded in reducing the use of pesticides. these last years.
Agricultural waste is causing tragedy in our lakes and rivers, where the population of aquatic invertebrate insects is dropping. Notice to Quebecers who would be tempted to rejoice: insects are not a nuisance, but a benefit for nature.
Very young, they are the first to be affected by pollution, the first to the front. But it’s the whole food chain that tastes it. The impact is felt right down to our plate. That’s why better beacons are needed.
Ditto for sewage spills that Quebec should regulate more seriously. In 2021, Quebec experienced 36,391 sewage spills, according to the Rivières Foundation.3 However, urine carries contaminants, such as hormones from birth control pills, which alter the reproductive system of aquatic animals.
But we can set targets and establish policies, all that does not work if the measures are not followed. And that’s exactly what happens with the protection of wetlands.
Quebec had set a “no net loss” objective. Very good. But the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water, adopted five years ago, is ill-conceived. Developers continue to destroy these crucial natural environments, and the money that should be used to compensate for the losses is not being reinvested.
A dismal failure.
If we want to preserve biodiversity, we have to put a stop to urban sprawl, as the mayor of Saint-Lin–Laurentides did so well, who wants to develop his city within the urban perimeter, instead of giving in pressure from promoters wishing to eat away at agricultural land.
We congratulate him.
But it would be up to Quebec to set clear guidelines if it really wants to “counter the loss of natural environments and agricultural land”, as specified in its national architecture and development policy, adopted last summer. .
Please, let’s stop playing the ostrich. The planet is not spinning. And all species, including humans, are paying the price.