Thanks to Kizzie for sharing details of this latest news from the Wildlife Trust. Ed
The ‘Nature and Wellbeing Act’ Green Paper – published yesterday – sets out compelling evidence which shows just how much people need nature. It offers an ambitious package of measures to turn around the decline in our natural environment and contribute to many of our most pressing social and political objectives.
Our health linked to health of the natural world
The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB – which together have more than two million members who want to protect nature – warn that the health of our economy and communities, education and our own wellbeing are inextricably linked to the health of the natural world and our quality of life will fail if society doesn’t take action for nature.
Act for Nature
The charities have joined forces to launch a campaign called Act for Nature, working together as part of a growing movement of people and organisations who wish to see the natural environment recognised for its true value and contribution to our lives.
They are calling for cross-party agreement on the need to invest in nature and press all parties to include legislation for nature and wellbeing in their manifestos ahead of the General Election in May.
Ensuring nature thrives
The General Election means political parties are now painting their visions for a brighter future, providing an opportunity for people to ask politicians to recognise how nature is intrinsically at the heart of better places to live in towns and cities as well as across rural landscapes. Ensuring nature thrives and plays a part on all of our lives means decisions must not be based on short-term expediency.
Inactivity and obesity are escalating; poor mental health is having a significant impact on wellbeing; climate change is already affecting our urban areas and the productivity of our countryside; many of our villages, towns and cities face growing risk of flooding; and our economy continues to use much of the natural world in an unsustainable way, which is likely to be a brake on progress and development in the future.
The Green Paper shows our need for nature in every part of our lives:
- The most deprived communities are 10 times less likely to live in the greenest areas.
- Fewer than one in 10 children regularly play in wild places, compared to almost half, a generation ago.
- If every household in England were provided with good access to quality green space it could save an estimated £2.1 billion in health care costs.
Already lost a 97% of our wildflower meadows
Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust added:
“At a time when our need for nature has never been greater, it is under more pressure than ever before. If we want the health and wellbeing benefits that nature provides, we must act to restore its health too. We’ve already lost a staggering 97% of our wildflower meadows and 60% of all wildlife species are still in decline. The protected sites we do have are in poor condition and our rivers have high levels of pollutants in them.
“Hampshire’s population continues to grow – it is predicted to rise by at least 100,000 people in the next ten years, mostly in the older age groups. Health professionals are now starting to recognise the contribution that nature can make to wellbeing – but there simply isn’t enough nature, in good condition, to support the health needs of our growing society. It’s vital we act now to restore nature before it is too late.”
Local initiatives
Locally, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are already demonstrating some of the many benefits that nature provides, examples include:
At Winnall Moors in Winchester, the Trust has been working with local people and anglers to restore habitats in and along the River Itchen. This work has seen a remarkable recovery of populations of wildlife and wild fish stocks in this urban wildlife reserve and has restored natural flood processes that provide protection for the City.
On the Isle of Wight, the Trust has been running a Woodland eco therapy project to support adults with mental health issues. Participation has been life changing for some of the attendees, demonstrating huge benefits from connecting with nature.
Forest School programmes, delivered across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, prove that children can learn more effectively and build their confidence in outdoor surroundings.
Healthy nature a vital prerequisite for long-term health
Dr Tony Juniper, author and campaigner, said:
“For too long we’ve become used to seeing nature as a ‘nice to have’, a luxury we can afford in the good times. Even worse we have recently been told that looking after nature gets in the way of growth and competitiveness. All this is plain wrong. Nature is neither an optional extra nor a barrier to development. Healthy nature is a vital prerequisite for our long term health, wealth and security. That is why we need a new Act of Parliament, to help reverse historical trends and to restore nature in a generation.
“I warmly welcome this campaign from The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB and will be backing it every step of the way and until we get the new laws we need.”
Why we need urgent change
Steve Trotter, The Wildlife Trusts’ Director, England, said:
“The green paper provides powerful and irresistible arguments for why we need urgent change. If we look after the natural environment, it will look after us and it can help solve some of society’s most expensive problems.
“We need new and visionary legislation to underpin the needs of 21st century society in building a better relationship with nature – for people and wildlife. It’s vital that we have a joined-up and scaled-up approach for the recovery of wildlife and wild places – and to bring nature into everyone’s everyday lives.”
Connecting people with our natural world
Martin Harper, Conservation Director for the RSPB, said:
“We know that nature is good for us but we also know that nature is in trouble and that our children rarely play in natural places. In this Green Paper, we demonstrate that our national wealth and our national health depend on action to protect nature, and so do many of our most wonderful species and habitats.
“That’s why the RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts are challenging all political parties to introduce a Nature and Wellbeing Act in the next Parliament—only by valuing, protecting and connecting people with our natural world will government achieve its social and economic plans.”
Find out more
From Wed 29 Oct 2014, A Nature and Wellbeing Act’ Green Paper can be downloaded from The Wildlife Trusts’ and RSPB’s websites.
Every Prospective Parliamentary Candidate in England will receive a briefing document, which can be downloaded from the links provided above.
You can join the discussion and follow the conversation on twitter with #actfornature
Image: © RSPB
