Population and Economic Activity

Taking Action - What is Being Done, What Can You Do?

Some ways governments, businesses, and individuals are working to manage the impacts of human population and economic activities on the environment include:

Federal Government Initiatives

• In 1995, Canada ratified the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation and modified the Canada Shipping Act. This places restrictions on tankers and oil handling facilities and requires companies shipping oil to respond to any major oil spill.
• Canada’s National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities

Provincial Government Initiatives

• Integrated land use planning on B.C.’s public lands includes Regional Land Use Plans and Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs).
• B.C. Forest and Range Practices Act

Industry Programs

Programs to assist companies committed to operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner include:

• Canadian Business for Social Responsibility
• GVRD Smart Steps
• The Green Workplace

Product Certification

For Canadian forests there are at least four voluntary programs to identify and label forest products from sustainably managed forests:

• The Forest Stewardship Council.
• The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Program.
• The Canadian Standards Association.
• The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes.

The Forest Certification Resource Center provides more information about these programs and forestry certification.

The Marine Stewardship Council has developed a wild fisheries certification standard and operates an accreditation programme.

• The B.C. Salmon Marketing Council, acting for wild salmon harvesters and processors, initiated the MSC certification process in September 2001.

Stewardship Partnership Initiatives

• Stewardship Canada has published Coastal Shore Stewardship: A Guide for Planners, Builders and Developers.
• The Pacific Estuary Conservation Program protects waterfowl and shorebird habitat in estuaries throughout B.C.
• The Labour Environmental Alliance Society (LEAS) “Wood Not Waste” program is partly aimed at protecting and restoring shoreline habitat in the Fraser River Estuary through log salvaging.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

As an individual, there are many ways to help reduce the environmental impacts on the B.C. coast:

Support “green” businesses. Certification labels can help you make environmentally sustainable consumer choices. Products and services rated for environmental impact include:

• forest products
• seafood
• hotels

Encourage environmentally sustainable efforts.

• Drive less: walk, take public transit, join a car pool, ride a bicycle, or buy a fuel efficient car.
• Reduce consumption and disposal of unnecessary goods.
• Recycle materials, conserve energy and water, and reduce waste.
• Promote sustainability at your office tips

Participate in local stewardship initiatives. There are many local projects and initiatives. Some stewardship programs aimed at protecting B.C.’s marine environment include:

• The Living by Water Project
• The Green Boating Program
• Victoria’s Keeping Oil Out of Our Harbour Program

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report.