The Nature of Data: A Look at the Census of Environment - Video transcript
(Text appears on screen "THE NATURE OF DATA: A LOOK AT THE CENSUS OF ENVIRONMENT")
(Images of space and planet earth)
What if we told you that Statistics Canada collects information not just about our people and economy, but about our land too.
(Images of cars, people and nature)
Through the census of environment, it will be possible to get a full picture of the complex relationships between our country's ecosystems, the economy, society, and human well-being in one easily accessible location.
(Images of forests and various Canadian landscapes)
For example, forests are among the most important ecosystems across Canada. They cover about one third of Canada's terrain and play a crucial role in Canada's environment. Forests provide timber, they store carbon and provide spaces for recreational activities.
(Graphic of Census of Environment map appears on screen)
Through a detailed map from the Census of Environment, you can now see all the different types of land cover in Canada, like forests, which helps visually show exactly how much of these ecosystems exist and where each type is located across the country.
(Images of hot climate, rain hitting leaves, and rivers)
Nowadays, ecosystem conditions matter more than ever because of our rapidly changing climate. A healthy forest, for example, provides benefits like clean water that flows downstream to communities.
(Images of tree harvesting and forest fires)
But impacts from forest harvesting and forest fires can affect these benefits in the long run.
(Images of various landscapes, our agriculture and wildlife habitats)
That's why measuring our ecosystems over time is important. It helps us understand changes to the environment, the benefits these ecosystems provide, and helps us measure nature's contributions to our everyday lives like food, clean air, clean water, flood protection, wildlife habitat, local climate regulation, spiritual benefits and more.
(Images of Ottawa, researches and smiling Canadians)
With the right information, governments, researchers, and everyday Canadians can make informed decisions about the environment.
(Images of people enjoying the outdoors, hiking and having a picnic)
The Census of Environment is a key data source to help us value, protect, restore and pass on the land we call home to future generations because it matters to all of us.
(Text appears on screen "Find out more at www.statcan.gc.ca/CensusOfEnvironment")