The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) aim to free the world from hunger, poverty and inequity while tackling the challenges of climate change. There are 17 SDGs with number 11 focused on making cities and communities more sustainable.

Well cared-for greenspaces in urban areas help make cities beautiful, encourage biodiversity and contribute to healthy communities. Healthy urban greenspaces offer a range of benefits for people, including providing food and habitat for wildlife, producing clean oxygen, capturing carbon, reducing the warming effects of hard surfaces and creating outdoor nature spaces for people to enjoy.

Unfortunately, these greenspaces can come sometimes come under threat from pests. For example, the infamous dandelion multiplies quickly and can take over lawns and sports fields if left unchecked. The invasive emerald ash borer, a wood-boring beetle, is responsible for wiping out millions of trees in Canada. Other invasive species, like giant hogweed, can make walking trails and other recreational areas less safe.

“In order to keep our cities and communities sustainable, land managers and homeowners should have access to necessary tools to control things like insects, weeds and diseases,” says Justine Taylor, director of sustainability at CropLife Canada.

“Pesticides are a big part of the toolbox when it comes to supporting sustainable cities and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In Canada, all the ones on store shelves have been reviewed by Health Canada to verify they’re safe for people and the environment.”