Reflection

Reflection

Canada’s west coast faces significant challenges caused by climate change. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification have worsened existing issues including overfishing, bycatch, and habitat destruction, threatening the local marine biodiversity and ecosystems. As we stumbled upon the Indigenous "clam garden," we were inspired and decided to create a documentary highlighting problems of the coast and learning about Indigenous sustainable practices as a potential solution. This experience provided some valuable insights into the relationship between nature and society, and why we ought to connect with and protect our local communities from climate change. At the community beach with Erich from Parks Canada, we learned that Indigenous peoples maintained a beneficial relationship with clams by harvesting them, which tilled the sand and promoted growth. However, due to pollution from nearby sewage, the beach is now unsafe for harvesting, resulting in the loss of this intimate connection. Similarly, with over 50 years of experience, local fisherman Bob spoke about the lost connection with the ocean due to climate change and overfishing, which has drastically reduced the size and number of fish. We realized that society’s relationship with nature should be cohabitation, not seclusion.