The health of many Canadians depends upon pharmaceutical products containing ingredients found only in higher plants. Even though less than 5 percent of the higher plant species have been chemically analyzed, one-quarter of all prescription drugs have ingredients derived from these plants. Our economy depends on sustainability utilizing biodiversity. The food we eat is also derived from wild plants and animals. Our planet's systems as a whole is kept stable, resilient and healthy by the multitude of ecological services performed by natural ecosystems-including purifying and recycling water, building, nourishing and stabilizing soils, providing oxygen and carbon dioxide balance and buffering climate change.
Scientists estimate that three-quarters of Canada is at significant risk of biodiversity loss.
We are the wild species of Earth, great and small, animal, plant, and micro-organism. Our ancestors have inhabited the planet for 3.5 billion years. We created the life-sustaining conditions for all beings and the birthplace for humankind.