The global biodiversity crisis, characterized by the rapid decline of species and the degradation of life-sustaining ecosystems, will have severe consequences for human wellbeing. Governments around the world must act quickly to halt biodiversity loss and achieve transformative change in the way humans interact with the environment. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis and to protect and restore the world's biodiversity.

This blog post by Lisa Mitchell, Executive Director & Senior Lawyer at East Coast Environmental Law, is the first in a Tribute and Celebration series that reflects on 15 years of East Coast Environmental Law and pays tribute to our friend and colleague Meinhard Doelle, who was instrumental in establishing the organization and encouraging advocacy for a more just and sustainable world.

In March 2021, I wrote a blog post on Nova Scotia’s Bill 4, An Act to Provide for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Nova Scotia. The Bill had just passed second reading in the Nova Scotia Legislature and was on its way to the Law Amendments Committee for a mandated public review before it would return to the Legislature for its third and final reading. The text of the Bill that I considered, and wrote about, on March 17 was much different from that of the Bill that ultimately passed third reading on April 13, 2021.

In March 2021, I wrote a blog post on Nova Scotia’s Bill 4, An Act to Provide for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Nova Scotia. The Bill had just passed second reading in the Nova Scotia Legislature and was on its way to the Law Amendments Committee for a mandated public review before it would return to the Legislature for its third and final reading. The text of the Bill that I considered, and wrote about, on March 17 was much different from that of the Bill that ultimately passed third reading on April 13, 2021.

East Coast Environmental Law has been advocating for the creation of a Nova Scotian Biodiversity Act for some time, and we were pleased to see the Bill tabled. Others have responded with concern, and we are aware of several contentions now being voiced in opposition to the Bill.

There is an outcry on global, national, and local levels to address our quickly depleting biodiversity.

If not us, then who? If not now, then when? I wonder if those are questions that the youth of this small blue planet asked themselves when they made the courageous decision to enter the very adult world of litigation in a last-ditch effort to save their future. Youth speak eloquently and passionately at local, national and international venues, they leave their schools to march collectively for climate action, they draw on their social media savvy to try to make the point, and yet they are not heard. So, the youth who will live to deal with the consequences of our indecision and lack of action are going to court.