biodiversity

Ottawa, Canada - October, 2010 - Today, Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced the Government of Canada’s proposed policy on biodiversity. It will govern Canada’s negotiating principles for the 10th Conference of Parties (COP 10) under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) negotiations in Nagoya, Japan. “Effectively addressing global biodiversity loss requires strong, coordinated global action,” said Minister Prentice. “This means returning to the key principles and promises elaborated in the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, where the CBD was first signed.”

The biological diversity found in central Mexico’s 380,000-hectare Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve is on a scale unheard of in Canada. Positioned between the Nearctic and Neotropical bio-regions, the Sierra Gorda boasts 14 vegetation types, six feline species (including the jaguar) and 334 species of birds. Dominated by tropical forest, it is home to magnificent pine, oak and cloud forests too. Its 98,000 human inhabitants, who are mostly engaged in cattle-raising, as well as seasonal agriculture and forestry, are among Mexico’s poorest.

Where Our Food Comes From, Gary Paul Nabhan; The Murder of Nikolai Vavilov, Peter Pringle, reviewed by Heather MacAndrew

Food, Sex and Salmonella, David Waltner-Toews, reviewed by Greg Michalenko

Design Charrettes for Sustainable Communities, Patrick M. Condon; Integral City, Marilyn Hamilton, reviewed by Chris Lowry