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Dead yellowhammer at side of the road

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#DefendNature: We Need You

Healthy wildlife and a thriving environment are the answer to many of the challenges we face today. The UK Government have set legally binding targets for nature's recovery and international climate commitments. However, recent announcements show a lack of ambition and action to meet these targets, and we remain concerned that future governments could weaken the laws that safeguard nature, water and food standards.

The most recent risk to environmental protections was the government proposal in the Levelling Up Bill which would axe rules on river pollution and 'Nutrient Neutrality' which requires housebuilders not to increase river pollution. The House of Lords rejected these amendments, following concerns raised by the Office for Environmental Protection and conservation organisations.

We need to reverse nature's decline - not make it even worse.

The 2023 State of Nature Report has shown that the UK – already classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries in the world – is continuing to allow nature to decline.

We are calling upon all political parties to commit to a plan to finally halt and reverse this trend. Their policies must be targeted towards species recovery, addressing water pollution, funding wildlife-friendly farming, enabling healthy communities, and tackling climate change.

Read our priorities for the next UK Government here

We hold onto the fact that Ministers are now on the record at every turn with promises not to weaken environmental protections, and will challenge them to keep to these promises.
Joan Edwards, OBE
Director of Policy & Public Affairs, The Wildlife Trusts

How you can help: step-by-step

Otter in river

Luke Massey

STEP ONE

Send a 'letter to the Editor'

Using our simple form, you will be matched up with your nearest local newspaper Editor and can send your letter direct.

Send your letter to the Editor

 

 

Postcard
STEP TWO

Send your MP a postcard

Ask your MP to #DefendNature by sending a postcard that will land on the doormat of their office. 

Choose your postcard

 

 

 

A poster at a climate march reads: "I want you to act as you would in a crisis. Act like our house is on fire because it is!"
STEP THREE

Write to your MP

  1. Find your MP here
  2. Send your letter by post or email to your MP
Further guidance here

 

 

Climate march COP26

Climate march Nottingham by Leanne Manchester

STEP FOUR

Write to your local Councillor*

(*This impacts where you live and they need to speak up too!)

  1. Find your Councillor here
  2. Send your letter by post or email to your Councillor.

                       

 

Kingfisher

Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

STEP FIVE

Tweet your MP

We've made it easy for you to highlight your views directly with your MP. Use this simple form to post a message on Twitter (X).

Tweet now

Why are The Wildlife Trusts and other environmental charities so concerned?

No political Party has yet set out the ambitious action needed to set the UK’s nature on the path to recovery, despite the environment being a key issue for many voters.  This is why The Wildlife Trusts and other environmental charities have come together to set out what needs to happen. 
 
In the last year we have seen repeated government attacks on nature despite promises to the contrary. The latest proposals place fragile rivers and our natural world at greater risk through a relaxation of pollution laws.  As the impacts of the nature and climate crises worsen, it is clear that any incoming government will be increasingly judged on their environmental record - and expectations from voters remain high.

You can read more about these issues in our blogs shared below.

 We will never stop campaigning for the natural world.