This giant, inflatable An owl was born. On the crisp morning of January 31st, an important message was delivered to Prime Minister Trudeau's doorstep.:
![](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-canada-stateless/2024/02/2e8911e1-gp0stzi1z_low_res.jpg)
As we set up our unconventional displays, curious onlookers flock to take pictures and raise eyebrows at our oversized bird friends. You may be wondering what's going on with owls. Simply put, they inflated a giant owl on the grounds of Rideau Hall, near Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's residence, and demanded it be moved. Promised nature conservation law. For a long time, this owl represents more than you might think. Meet the spotted owl, once the pride of Canada's rich biodiversity, but now on the brink of extinction.
Spotted owl as a symbol of extinction
In the 1990s, There are an estimated 40 breeding pairs in British Columbia.. Today, only one barred owl remains in the vast expanse of temperate rainforest, making it a clear symbol of impending extinction. Logging and industrial development are Destroyed the landscape and destroyed the habitat., pushing the spotted owl to the brink of extinction. But spotted owls are not a special case. In Canada, More than 2,000 wild species are at risk of extinction.
„The owl is a symbol of government inaction and the urgent need for legislation to protect Canada's wildlife,“ explained Greenpeace Canada spokesperson Dina. „We wanted to remind the Prime Minister that time is running out and we can't ignore nature. So we came up with the idea of an inflatable owl.“
The plight of species like the spotted owl highlights the urgent need for comprehensive federal policy.of Lack of effective federal policies and laws to protect and restore nature That has allowed industries like the logging industry to ravage wildlife for decades. As a result, the federal government could not be achieved Any List of targets for the past 10 years under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nature COP).
At a time when nature is clearly in crisis, we should not put profit above nature or humans. The case of the spotted owl is a perfect reminder of this. This is why we helped this owl get its message across.That's not the problem we At Greenpeace Canada, we're tired of waiting, and that's natural. Can not hang on. More than 2,000 wild species are at risk in Canada; One million species are at risk worldwide. Nature and wildlife are under tremendous pressure from all sides due to industrial activity, deforestation, unsustainable logging, and the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides by large agribusinesses.
The new Nature Act will not only help protect species at risk, but also force governments to practice accountability and transparency, respect the rights of indigenous peoples, and restore access to nature for all. I request that.
Countdown to natural COP
This action marks the countdown to the next UN biodiversity negotiations in October 2024, so timing really is everything. „We need to actually pass the new natural law promised by the government before the next round of UN negotiations in the autumn,“ Dina explained.
![](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-canada-stateless/2024/02/9b14d0fa-gp0stzi1o_low_res.jpg)
![](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-canada-stateless/2024/02/9b14d0fa-gp0stzi1o_low_res.jpg)
Over a year ago, during the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Summit (NatureCOP) in Montreal, the Trudeau government actually signed global biodiversity agreement This is called the Kunming-Montreal Framework, and it sets binding international targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Stephen Guilbeault, then Minister of the Environment, said: Work to pass the Nature Conservation Act To make that happen here in Canada. The federal government recently I reconfirmed That commitment At the end of 2023. These announcements are powered by the mobilization of our supporters and thousands of ordinary people, demonstrating the power of collective effort.
However, after repeating words and making an „official announcement“, blah blah blah As the clock continues to tick. It's time for Prime Minister Trudeau to make his own move. We need conservation laws that:
- ensure government accountability
- Prioritize indigenous knowledge
- Prioritize access to nature
- Ensuring achievement of biodiversity targets (particularly taking into account past failures)
This year's Nature COP, held in October, is a time for countries to share their efforts and show how much, or little, they have done to meet global biodiversity targets. Canada, with its rich biodiversity, should be ready to showcase its progress at this year's Nature COP. Let's urge Prime Minister Trudeau to take real steps and pass legislation to show something on the world stage, rather than announcement after announcement. Prime Minister Trudeau needs to keep his government's promise and pass strong biodiversity legislation before the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations this October.
Conveying the message of a lonely owl through the power of people
What's important about the meetings, actions and work we do here at Greenpeace Canada is that we not only have an amazing team of volunteers and supporters who support us on the ground, but who also support us far and wide. It's also a collective effort. All of Canada.
![](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-canada-stateless/2024/02/44b21e87-gp0stzi1q_low_res.jpg)
![](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-canada-stateless/2024/02/44b21e87-gp0stzi1q_low_res.jpg)
„Knowing that there is only one Northern Spotted Owl left in Canada resonated with people on a personal level,“ Dina said. “People are starting to realize that if species continue to decline, our children won't be able to see all of nature's diversity.
While our field team was focused on delivering Muffalo's message to Trudeau's doorstep at Rideau Hall, online supporters echoed her message in other ways. especially, Over 63,000 people across Canada They are currently asking the federal government to pass new conservation laws through a digital petition. Additionally, hundreds of people shared the lone owl's message on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, tagging Justin Trudeau so she could be heard loud and clear.
Regarding how the owl has been received by both the public and the media, Dina said: „Some of our supporters in Ottawa came to see us on the day, and many passersby exclaimed that our owls were beautiful. This story was shared locally and nationally. The goal of bringing more attention to Canada's natural crises was certainly achieved, as we received a lot of media coverage.“
I take action
The inflatable owl may no longer be outside Prime Minister Trudeau's window, but we need to continue to reflect on his message. If you want to make sure Justin Trudeau hears us, here's an easy way to do so.
Step 1: Echo Owl's message online!
Download the graphic here Instagram stories and here For Facebook. Don't forget to tag Justin Trudeau and Greenpeace Canada. You can copy and paste the following text into your post.
The plight of Canada's last wild barred owl is a stark reminder of the crisis in our nature. In Canada, he said, more than 2,000 species are at risk and the clock is ticking. Justin Trudeau passes the Nature Act at this year's #NatureCOP. #protect nature
Step 2: Add your name to the petition!
With the help of people across the country, we can make passing strong biodiversity laws a reality. More than 60,000 people in Canada have signed our petition calling for swift passage of the new Natural Law.
As we tentatively inflate and pack up the owl and bid farewell to Prime Minister Trudeau's doorstep, we are filled with a sense of purpose and determination. Greenpeace Canada doesn't just make noise. We are trying to make a difference. So the next time you see a giant inflatable owl making headlines, remember this. This isn't just a quirky protest, it's a call to action for a better future. And we won't back down until we get it.