Trees, birds and climate change matter in this election

“Trees don’t matter – we have bigger problems to worry about.”

This is what I read on Facebook after someone posted about the importance of voting for municipal candidates who care about Winnipeg’s trees.

I think everyone can agree that our city has many challenges. But I think what is missing in the narrative about this election is that voting with nature in mind isn’t important just because we love our neighbourhood elm tree or enjoy birdwatching.

Nature — in this case, I am referring to trees, birds and climate change — does not exist in a vacuum. Voting for candidates who value our urban canopy, want to have a bird-friendly city and seek to reduce the impacts of climate change is a key way of solving some of those “bigger problems.” According to a recent Abacus Data poll, Winnipeg has been given a failing grade by residents on transit, street maintenance and parks. Not only this, but one half of Winnipeggers think their city is going in the wrong direction.

So, what do trees, birds and climate change have to do with that?

First, trees aren’t just tall and pretty. A vote for trees means longer-lasting infrastructure, lower energy bills, and better parks. Trees reduce flooding and soil erosion, which reduces the chance of your street becoming a swimming pool.

Trees create shade, which reduces your need to turn up the air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter, when they block the cold winter wind. Trees provide shelter in parks, improve air quality and draw birds and wildlife into our city, allowing us to connect with them and each other.

Birds aren’t just cute and quirky. A vote for birds means fewer pesky bugs (they love to eat insects and pests), better mental well-being and a way to connect with the outdoors from your window, even when it’s -30 C outside. It also means more birds grabbing a snack at your feeder, pollinating your garden or zipping by you in the park. Birds tell us when things are going right and when things are going wrong in our city, and it’s up to us to listen.

As for climate change, it isn’t just global, it’s local, too. A vote for climate change means better roads and transit.

To reduce our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, we need increased investment in public transportation and cycling infrastructure. With more people biking or taking the bus, this means fewer vehicles wearing down the road, and therefore less need for constant street and infrastructure maintenance. Let’s face it, no one likes construction or potholes.

These are just a few examples. Many of us are passionate about nature because it is wildly fascinating and brings us joy. We also want voters to see how intertwined it is with our quality of life, mental and physical health, and our future.

To help with this, organizations across Winnipeg are taking the lead on asking municipal candidates to show residents where they stand on nature and climate. For example, Trees Please, led by Erna Buffie, has created the Trees Please pledge for municipal candidates to indicate their support for protecting and maintaining Winnipeg’s urban forest. Bird Friendly Winnipeg created a survey for candidates to indicate how they will help urban birds and support becoming a Bird Friendly City. Climate Action Team Manitoba created the municipal candidates transit pledge, so candidates could pledge their support to increase spending on transit operations and advocate to the province to restore the 50-50 transit funding agreement. Finally, the Climate Reality Project Canada created a questionnaire for candidates to help residents learn where they stand on climate action, housing, transportation and public services.

Many candidates have signed or responded positively to these pledges and surveys, which illustrates the importance of these issues in this election. We need to help people understand the many connections municipal politics has to our daily lives. By electing a government that cares about trees, birds and climate change, we can help get our city going in the right direction.

So, trees do matter — and so does your vote.

Alison Conrad is a local bird nerd and co-founder of Bird Friendly Winnipeg, a group of volunteers advocating for bird-friendly policies, encouraging people to care about birds, and supporting projects and partners that protect birds.