North York Moors (Credit Nick Fletcher)
The snap UK General Election on 8th June is happening at a crucial time for wildlife.
Never before have the stakes for wildlife been so great. The majority of our environmental laws are currently wrapped up with our membership of the European Union; and so are some really key policies that affect wildlife, including agriculture and fisheries.
The rewards for making the right decisions would be considerable: a UK which is a world-leader on the environment with clean air, clear water, a stable climate, healthy seas, beautiful landscapes and thriving wildlife in the places we care about most. All this is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of our own and future generations.
The Westminster Government has a key role in making this happen, so The Wildlife Trusts would therefore like to see all parties commit to:
1. Nature's recovery in a generation. To achieve this will require us to transfer all current EU environmental laws into statute in the UK and ensure they are policed, and in England, to enact an Environment Act that restores the ecology of our rivers, farmland, soils and cities.
2. Protection of our marine wildlife through a well enforced and complete network of marine protected areas in UK seas and sustainable fisheries policies.
3. New sustainable policies for our farmland to allow wildlife to thrive alongside food production. Taxpayer’s money should be invested in creating abundant wildlife, healthy soils, clean water, climate change mitigation and beautiful landscapes for the benefit of everyone.
Take Action!
You can help give wildlife a safer future. Candidates will be talking to you on your doorsteps and in your streets. You can let them know how much wildlife matters to you, and ask them what they plan to do to help it thrive. We’ve set out a few simple questions you can ask yourself and share with family and friends who share your commitment to the natural world.
1. What will your party do to ensure our wildlife laws remain strong and that steps are taken to restore the damage we have done to nature?
If you've got a bit longer, why not ask: Specifically for England, will you commit to an ambitious new Environment Act?
2. What will your party do to ensure that wildlife thrives in our seas once more? If you want more detail, ask them: Will you make sure that more marine protected areas are designated and policed?
3. What will your party do to ensure we have new farming policies in each part of the UK to provide for nature’s recovery? More specifically: Will you make sure that any payments to farmers are for positive environmental action?
Read our General Election blog posts here.
Helen, Ana and David explore what nature means to them at the General Election.