Abby Christopher is dedicated to environmental sustainability through her research and innovative policy proposal. Her proposal, “Harbouring Life: Managing Port Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems,” aims to address the lack of consistent ecosystem monitoring in Canadian ports.

The proposal’s novelty lies in its comprehensive approach, emphasizing standardized guidelines, transparency, and collaboration with Indigenous communities to ensure sustainable port management practices. Abby’s proactive approach seeks to protect marine ecosystems while fostering accountability and long-term development.

Proposal Inspiration
I was inspired to tackle the issue of negative environmental impacts from port activities when I was introduced to the absence of consistent environmental monitoring in the Nova Scotia Halifax harbour and port. As a hub of rich history, culture, and ecology, the Halifax harbour connects Nova Scotia to the world, driving economic, social, and cultural growth. However, research indicates that port and harbour activities can harm coastal ecosystems through pollution, erosion, habitat degradation, and more. Despite port’s and habour’s economic significance, neglecting environmental stewardship risks jeopardizing future ecosystems. Currently, there’s a lack of consistent ecosystem monitoring programs to assess port impacts in the Halifax harbour and in ports across Canada. Recognizing this gap motivated me to confront this issue, aiming to bridge the knowledge divide and advocate for policies that ensure sustainable development for both present and future generations.

Need/Opportunity for Action
Canadian ports play a crucial role in Canada’s economy, handling billions in exports and imports annually through over 550 facilities, including 17 designated as Canada Port Authorities. These ports collectively manage a substantial portion of Canada’s marine cargo. However, their operations also pose significant environmental challenges. Shipping, cargo handling, and industrial activities contribute to pollution, habitat destruction, and ecosystem degradation along Canada’s coastlines [4]. Despite federal environmental regulations like the Canada Marine Act and Port Authorities Operations Regulation, Canadian port authorities are not required to conduct regular ecosystem monitoring to assess cumulative environmental impacts [3]. This regulatory gap results in inconsistent monitoring efforts across ports, leaving ecosystems vulnerable to degradation without sufficient oversight [4]. Unlike Canada, countries like Sweden enforce strict legislation mandating comprehensive port environmental monitoring [2]. A 2021 Canadian government study highlighted the disjointed nature of current monitoring efforts, which lack a unified framework and national coordination. Localized monitoring programs often overlook key environmental parameters crucial for assessing port impacts comprehensively [4]. Consequently, environmental management in Canadian port zones tends to be reactive rather than proactive, addressing impacts only after they occur [1]. As Canada moves towards developing a Blue Economy Strategy, emphasizing sustainable growth in ocean-related sectors, the need for robust port environmental stewardship becomes even more critical [5]. Implementing a nationwide mandate for standardized, rigorous ecosystem monitoring programs is essential. Such measures would ensure that Canadian ports operate sustainably, safeguarding coastal ecosystems and supporting long-term economic growth [1]. In conclusion, addressing the deficiency in ecosystem monitoring is crucial for Canadian ports to achieve sustainable development goals. By establishing comprehensive monitoring programs guided by stringent regulations, Canada can mitigate environmental impacts, enhance stewardship, and secure the future health of its coastal ecosystems [1].

Proposed Solution/Policy Change
I am proposing a nationwide policy that would require Canadian port authorities to establish comprehensive monitoring programs, guided by specific guidelines and regulations. To ensure the development of robust guidelines and regulations tailored to the Canadian context, collaboration with government officials, rights holders, relevant stakeholders, and experts in port impacts, ecological monitoring, and oceanography is imperative in the creation of this policy. Engaging with Indigenous communities, who possess autonomy in their territories and constitutionally protected rights and title, is particularly essential, given existing formal relationships and partnerships between ports and Indigenous communities [1]. This policy seeks to address the urgent need for standardized and rigorous ecosystem monitoring in Canadian ports, thereby ensuring environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Central to this policy is the delineation of port zones of influence, encompassing all ecosystems affected by port activities. Prior to commencing monitoring efforts, all Canadian ports would be mandated to determine their zone of influence following specific guidelines outlined in the policy to ensure comprehensive coverage of impacted areas. Transparency is paramount; thus, port authorities would be required to publicly disclose their findings and results to foster accountability and public trust. This policy would provide a framework outlining clear steps and guidelines for ecosystem monitoring, addressing critical aspects such as water quality, habitat integrity, biodiversity, and environmental indicators [2]. This framework would serve as a blueprint for port authorities, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across all monitoring efforts. Drawing inspiration from successful monitoring frameworks or technologies utilized by other ports globally, such as the proactive model for environmental management known as Enviro-Actions developed by INREST, can inform the implementation of this policy and effective monitoring strategies. For instance, the Enviro-Actions model is currently being piloted in the industrial and port area of Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada, showcasing its potential applicability and efficacy [1]. While targeting Canadian port authorities, this policy would allow flexibility for ports to engage consulting companies for monitoring services if desired. However, regardless of the approach, ports must adhere to the same standards and regulations, while publicly sharing their findings. Furthermore, port authorities would be mandated to utilize monitoring results to inform sustainable port management practices, ensuring environmental considerations are integrated into port operations. They would be required to demonstrate this effort through an annual report. If a Canadian port authority fails to follow or implement this policy, they would be fined for not following their mandate. In conclusion, the proposed policy represents a proactive approach to environmental management in Canadian ports, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and accountability. By mandating standardized monitoring programs, promoting public disclosure of findings, and ensuring consideration of findings in port management, this policy aims to safeguard coastal ecosystems while fostering sustainable port development for the benefit of present and future generations.

Novelty/Creativity of Proposed Solution/Policy Change
The proposed policy for Canadian ports stands out for its comprehensive approach to ecosystem monitoring, emphasizing collaboration with Indigenous communities and stakeholders, which is novel and critical for addressing environmental impacts. It innovatively delineates clear zones of influence for monitoring, ensuring all affected ecosystems are covered, and mandates transparent public reporting to foster accountability and trust. Drawing inspiration from successful global models like Enviro-Actions showcases a creative adaptation to Canadian contexts, potentially enhancing effectiveness and applicability. The policy’s requirement for annual reports on sustainable management integrates environmental considerations directly into port operations, promoting proactive environmental stewardship. By enforcing uniform standards while allowing flexibility for monitoring services, the policy balances regulatory rigor with practical implementation, aiming to set a new standard in sustainable port development. Overall, its proactive stance on environmental management and emphasis on public disclosure elevate it as a pioneering initiative in ensuring long-term ecological health alongside economic growth in Canadian ports. This policy proposal draws upon insights gained from my internship experience and research in marine environmental monitoring, inspired by organizations such as Green Marine and the Port of Halifax.

Lay Abstract
Ports play a vital role in Canada’s economy, serving as gateways for trade and connecting us to the global market. However, their significance comes with environmental costs. For example, port activities, such as shipping and cargo handling, can lead to pollution, habitat destruction, and ecosystem degradation, posing significant threats to coastal environments. Despite these risks, there’s a concerning lack of consistent monitoring and established guidelines to assess the environmental impacts of ports nationwide. This gap leaves ecosystems vulnerable to degradation without adequate accountability. With increasing social and economic demands, along with environmental challenges, port authorities must continue to adopt measures to improve environmental performance and achieve sustainability in port operations. Currently, few Canadian Ports are being proactive to improve environmental performance as compared to European peers. To address this issue, I propose a policy that would mandate Canadian port authorities to consistently monitor their environmental impacts rigorously. This policy would include specific guidelines and regulations for environmental monitoring, ensuring standardized methods across all ports. This proactive approach not only protects our environment but also ensures that ports continue to thrive as vital economic hubs for generations to come.