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Water is Ontario's most powerful tourism asset. Our 250,000 lakes drive billions in visitor spending every year — from angling and paddling to cottage country getaways and waterfront dining. But those lakes are changing in ways that are already affecting visitor experience, destination appeal, and long-term business viability. In this Earth Day episode, Andrew Siegwart speaks with Dr. John Smol, one of Canada's leading environmental scientists to understand what's happening beneath the surface, and what it means for our industry.
About our Guest:
Dr. Smol is one of Canada's most recognized environmental scientists and a leading voice on lake health and climate change. He held the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change for the maximum three 7-year terms (2001–2021), has authored over 760 scientific publications and 24 books, and has conducted fieldwork on all seven continents. His PEARL Lab at Queen's University uses lake sediments to reconstruct centuries of environmental history — giving policymakers, municipalities, and industries the long-term evidence base they need to make better decisions. In 2013 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
What we Cover:
- The science of reading lake history from sediment cores — and what centuries of data reveal about how fast things are changing now
- Blue-green algal blooms: why they're increasing, why the old solutions aren't working as well, and what operators in affected areas should know
- Lake trout, walleye, and the angling economy — Ontario holds ~25% of the world's natural lake trout populations, and warming waters are shrinking their habitat
- Invasive species at our doorstep: Asian carp and what it would mean for Great Lakes-based tourism
- Ice fishing seasons at risk — some communities have already lost entire seasons due to unsafe ice conditions
- Wildfire smoke: how fires hundreds of kilometres away are already forcing visitors to stay indoors and cancel travel plans
- What the Montreal Protocol teaches us about galvanizing governments — and the role industry voices play in making that happen
- Practical starting points for operators who want to act on sustainability — and why Dr. Smol says the business case is stronger than ever
Resources and Initiatives:
Looking to take action or learn more? Explore these programs, tools, and organizations supporting sustainability across Ontario’s tourism ecosystem:
GreenStep | Sustainability that moves business forward
Take the Pledge | Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge
Discover unique Native Experiences in Ontario
Planning Resources for Responsible Events | Ottawa Tourism
Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show:
Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly
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