Dr. Sarah (Sally) Otto, Dr. Peter Thompson, and CPAWS-BC Campaigner Brynna Kagawa-Visentin talk about a recent report that looks at the changing status of imperiled species in British Columbia over the last 15 years — in the absence of a dedicated provincial species at risk act (or law) — and reveals that species at risk in BC have risen, with most changes in status not reflecting genuine recovery: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.30.679339v1
Please note for context that this is a non-peer-reviewed preprint and the manuscript is currently under consideration for publication at a peer-reviewed journal.
We also discuss the recent announcement by the Alberta Government of their plans to pitch a new oil pipeline to the West Coast following the AB Government's failure to find a private sector backer - stay tuned to the end! Read Sierra Club Canada's full release on that subject, and the economic futility of a new pipeline, here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/alberta-pipeline-major-projects/
Other Resources / Points Regarding Species at Risk:
- Former report on BC Biodiversity: https://www.sfu.ca/~amooers/scientists4species/Protecting_Biodiversity_in_BC.pdf
- Associated paper:
https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2018-0042 - A recent legal report card on provincial species-at-risk protection (backgrounder on the legal gaps): https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2023-0229
- A WWF-Canada report Brynna mentioned regarding grassland birds:
- https://wwf.ca/media-releases/the-starkest-picture-of-wildlife-loss-in-canada-to-date-wwfs-new-living-planet-report-canada/
- Dr. Otto points out the huge contribution of tourism to the economy of BC ($9.7 billion of GDP annually), higher than forestry ($1.7B), as well as mining or oil and gas. The importance of a thriving tourist industry, as well as a thriving forestry sector that is sustained by a much smaller land base but focuses on high-end wood products (cabinetry, furniture, heavy duty wood, etc.), would strengthen jobs while moving away from a deforested BC: https://www.destinationbc.ca/news/opinion-british-columbias-tourism-industry-is-an-economic-powerhouse/
Other Resources on Pipelines, Oil, and LNG:
- Canada can and must instead start a rapid transition to a fully renewable economy: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/
- And here's a link to sources regarding the health impacts of LNG: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/
Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/
And don't forget to take action: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/
Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.