Nature Needs Action
By Laura Brook
Conservation Officer
The exact date of the next General Election remains a relative unknown, but we do know it is likely to be announced before the end of 2024. What we are clear on is that the environment needs to be high on the agenda for our decision makers. The Wildlife Trusts has been working with Wildlife and Countryside Link to launch five asks on behalf of the sector that we want all political parties to include in their upcoming General Election manifestos.
Join us in calling on all political parties to include these five key asks in their upcoming General Election manifestos by signing our open letter to Party Leaders.
Ask politicians to take action for nature
Five actions for nature
A pay rise for nature
Farmers need greater support to help nature and manage over 70% of UK land - we want to see double the current budget for nature-friendly farming in future.
Make polluters pay
Business - from companies working finance to retail to energy - all contribute to nature’s decline and should contribute to nature’s recovery.
More space for nature
Just 3% of the land and 8% of English waters are properly protected for nature. We want rapid action to expand and improve protected areas, and ensure public land and National Parks contribute more to recovery.
A National Nature Service
We want lots of helping hands if nature is to recover quickly and at scale: a 'National Nature Service' would create thousands of green jobs as well as a healthier society.
A right to a healthy environment
Limited access to nature and pollution in the air and water affects everyone’s health: An 'Environmental Rights' Bill would drive better decisions for nature and improve public health.
Join us in calling on all political parties to include these five key asks in their upcoming General Election manifestos by signing our open letter to Party Leaders.
Find out more about the manifesto and supporting these asks here.
Comments
The Government needs to put nature first!
03 Aug 2023 10:44:00
I support all nature conservation societies and trusts in their efforts to hold the political parties to account
03 Aug 2023 10:51:00
This is simply self-interest for all of us.
03 Aug 2023 10:53:00
You won’t read this. You won’t do anything positive. You are on a downward spiral tailspin, and you know it. You will hog the trough, and fill your and your mates’ boots. And that’s how the little history we have left will remember you.
03 Aug 2023 10:55:00
Surely these demands are common sense, both for the mental health of the population and the continued beauty and tourist opportunities of the landscape. Wildlife and plants are not optional, they are essential parts of human experience and continued existence.
03 Aug 2023 10:59:00
A worthwhile pressure group
03 Aug 2023 11:07:00
It’s time politicians woke up to the fact that people are very aware of the climate situation and have the power to vote out governments that are only in power because of their self serving interests. We need intelligent and well informed leaders of this country( that counts out the civil service).
03 Aug 2023 11:16:00
Our wildlife is under threat as never before. Fine words and broken promises will not fix the problem. We need action.
03 Aug 2023 11:30:00
I’m writing to jointly call for the changes proposed by Sussex Wildlife. The support for the environment provided by individuals and organisations like Sussex wildlife is amazing but is swimming against the tide without a
Cohesive strategy and action from the government. It’s time for your action and to do this in partnership with experts like Sussex Wildlife.
03 Aug 2023 11:49:00
Without nature our planet continues to exist but we wont. Action is urgent .
03 Aug 2023 12:14:00
We need long term planning and action .
03 Aug 2023 12:16:00
Think about future generations and what your legacy will be!
03 Aug 2023 14:02:00
The Wildlife Trusts’ ideas will make Britain a better, happier and healthier country to live in, and contribute to helping the planet. It is an optimistic vision which every political party should support, and an alternative to the current managed decline.
03 Aug 2023 14:04:00
We must STOP polluting our landscape! Nature is very resiliant but at some point we, humanity, will go too far. The state of what remains of nature on the British Isles is already at a critical juncture.
NO more pollution as a result of GREED!
The population is paying the price for corporate greed by developing various serious health issues.
03 Aug 2023 14:07:00
We know that nature is struggling. For years we’ve been aware of the reduction in the number of insects – just by comparing the number that used to be on the front of our cars after a long journey back in the 1970’s with the number we find (or don’t!) today. And just this one thing means we have also lost huge numbers of bird species. In addition, weather patterns have drastically altered. All these worrying observations are as a result of our own poor actions and our frequent disregard for nature.
03 Aug 2023 14:27:00
Please listen to the ever rising calls, from children and adults alike, and keep your promises to nature. We must take care of the environment and wildlife around us today and for all our tomorrows.
03 Aug 2023 14:37:00
I am particularly concerned that energy companies make such vast profits on the backs of the poor, that water companies fail to mend leaks and they pour raw sewage into the sea, that industrial companies and farming pour chemicals into rivers, that single-use plastic is not yet banned, etc etc etc…
03 Aug 2023 14:51:00
The environment should be right at the top of all parties’ manifestos so I challenge them to commit to genuine action if elected.
03 Aug 2023 14:53:00
This is so important
03 Aug 2023 14:55:00
We shall be responsible for our own demise, if we don’t look after nature. The general public want our green spaces and nature nurtured and cared for, but we have no power. Politicians and those with the power need to do what we are asking for, as that is the only possible course we can take if we are to survive.
03 Aug 2023 14:58:00
These 5 actions are essential in our overcrowded UK.
03 Aug 2023 15:14:00
Much more urgency is needed in dealing with climate change and conserving the natural countryside. Building on brown sites is one step in the right direction.
03 Aug 2023 15:53:00
It just makes sense. Let’s finally see some wisdom in Government.
03 Aug 2023 16:01:00
The frantic hunt for housing must not disregard the natural habitats of the countryside. Climate change is affecting many habitats for plants and animals and changes must be handled with respect and care.
03 Aug 2023 16:21:00
Our beautiful countryside is important to everyone – keep it at the top of your agenda.
03 Aug 2023 16:22:00
We are losing our wildlife both on land and at sea at an accelerating pace. No-one believes political rhetoric, so party manifestos need to contain real, targeted, and funded commitments to reverse the tide of decline.
03 Aug 2023 16:46:00
Why is it not already too expensive to pollute and destroy nature?
03 Aug 2023 17:14:00
The Government need to get their act together fast
03 Aug 2023 19:01:00
The fate of the natural environment shouldn’t be political, nurturing it and respecting it is essential to survival.
Destroy it and we’re digging our own graves! These five actions are key.
03 Aug 2023 19:23:00
Please ensure no more greenfield sites are covered with bricks and concrete or solar farms but enhanced for the natural world.
03 Aug 2023 20:21:00
Give nature a chance as you promised
03 Aug 2023 21:03:00
Please act to save nature.
03 Aug 2023 21:35:00
Gov needs to wake up, we are an integral part of nature, and divorced from nature we all suffer.
03 Aug 2023 21:45:00
Protect Humans, Animals and Plants. The Government needs realise it’s own Destruction.
03 Aug 2023 21:53:00
The Government needs to understand that the people will not put up with this lack of respect for this land and nature. Disgraceful lack of respect for nature.
04 Aug 2023 06:11:00
The public need to take action as well as politicians. For example: stop wasting 30% of the food they buy, reduce all waste (unnecessary heating and lighting, car journeys, water), eat less meat, rewilding gardens and open spaces. etc.
04 Aug 2023 06:18:00
I will not be voting for any party that doesn’t support the needs of nature. The five asks set out above must be taken very seriously and nature must be top priority in their manifesto.
04 Aug 2023 06:58:00
Actions not words!
04 Aug 2023 07:12:00
Please be more aware that we are part of the natural system. We neglect it and abuse it at out peril.
04 Aug 2023 07:19:27
Polluters need to pay. Especially the water companies polluting our rivers and seas with sewage.
We need more reservoirs and other ways to save water.
04 Aug 2023 08:43:00
I am unable to add any further to the exemplary and intelligent comments which have already been posted. Therefore I am ‘borrowing’ one with thanks from a previous supporter…….“We are losing our
wildlife both on land and at sea at an accelerating pace. No-one believes political rhetoric, so party manifestos need to contain real, targeted, and funded commitments to reverse the tide of decline.”
04 Aug 2023 08:52:00
We can’t exist without nature
04 Aug 2023 08:53:00
Agree we need to kick these politician’s backsides now to get them to agree to take action. I worry for our children’s children too.. they won’t know wildlife at this rate! More needs to be done and soon as living by a river we can see vast decline in species!
05 Aug 2023 06:23:00
Lies and spin as the Government policy now shows…Sussex covered with inappropriate massive developments mainly on farmland, more oil and car-related projects allowed, greenwashing to fool those who are unaware and nature’s way now shown to to nature’s in the way! Get a grip before its too late. Voters in my Tory heartland – including my family – now leaving in droves and there will be a shock at the next election.
05 Aug 2023 10:31:00
I wholly support these ‘asks’.
05 Aug 2023 12:25:00
Our mental and physical wellbeing and that of our children can only be protected by protecting our nature
05 Aug 2023 12:29:00
Politicians need to begin listening to the science. Being intellectual about everything helps no one. Rishi sunak needs to shake himself out of his lethargy & grow up.
05 Aug 2023 21:59:00
Everyone including the Government has to do everything possible to help nature and the environment.
06 Aug 2023 11:44:00
We have a duty to our children and grandchildren to do whatever we can to undo the damage that is being done to our Planet.
07 Aug 2023 14:39:00
Protecting the natural environment is vital for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of future generations
07 Aug 2023 20:34:00
The flora and fauna of our precious world needs our support and without it you are condemning our children’s future also!
08 Aug 2023 06:40:00
We rely on an healthy environment for our own survival and the survival of the other species who share this planet with us. We need a step change in our attitudes and inspirational leaders in all areas including politics to take a lead.
08 Aug 2023 08:43:00
The flora and fauna of our precious world needs our support and without it you are condemning our children’s future also!
08 Aug 2023 10:14:00
Nature and protecting the environment must be a priority in any political manifesto.
Why do politicians continue to ignore the damage being done to our planet by climate change? The future of plants and animals and, therfore, humans is seriously under threat of extinction. Wake up and take action.
08 Aug 2023 14:15:00
Nature has inspired me all my life. I want to live in a world where there is plenty of wildlife, natural habitats such as trees to help keep the air fresh, plants and the like, as well as plenty of accessible greenspaces for all. Nature is vital to our survival and wellbeing, and everyone has the right to have nature near them.
Let’s start taking our survival seriously by taking nature seriously!
08 Aug 2023 20:35:00
This country is broken, utterly failed by our political leaders, whose priorities are driven by greed, hatred and ignorance, and if you need any convincing just take a look around at the state of our public services, almost all in a state of crisis, neglected and attacked by political dogma.
And so it is with nature, our environment, the world, this planet Earth, it too in a state of unprecedented crisis, neglected by the arrogance and complacency of the political elite and their masters and the priorities that they serve. All of this is heralding,not just here but worldwide, the first steps in the decline and probable extinction of humanity, unless there is radical change now.
The change must begin with the protection, preservation and nurturing of the planet, of the natural environment, our home. Without a healthy thriving planet no other human priorities, even those selfishly orientated, can be achievable or sustainable long term. Without it ultimately we are nothing.
Now our political leaders, this government and any future government, have no realistic choice other than to make the planet, our environment, nature, our number 1 priority, surpassed by nothing else.
09 Aug 2023 20:30:00
Dear Politicians, the evidence shows that the United Kingdom is one of the most nature depleted countries in Europe. We need to rewrite the political and economic script that has been playing out in this country for decades. We need our politics and economics to place put a higher emphasis on the role of nature that recognises its foundational importance to human existence. I urge you to take on the ‘five key asks’ put forward by the Nature Trusts and the Nature and Countryside Link and place them into your election manifestos for the next election.
Put simply… I’m more likely to vote for you if you do. Nature requires deeds not words.
10 Aug 2023 10:42:00
Please do something now before it’s to late.This is more important than ever and should be the top of any parties manifesto.
10 Aug 2023 11:34:00
I fervently support The Wildlife Trusts in their Five Asks of the government to be included in their next manifesto. I also ask them: why wait until end of 2024, why not introduce it as a legacy bill now?
16 Aug 2023 20:56:00
Our mental and physical wellbeing and that of our children can only be protected by protecting our nature
21 Aug 2023 21:39:00
The Government needs to understand that the people will not put up with this lack of respect for this land and nature. Disgraceful lack of respect for nature.
10 Sep 2023 06:14:00