Leaders of the three main political parties have been sent a letter from The Wildlife Trusts – urging them to introduce a White Paper on nature and ecological restoration in their manifestoes.
The leaders are also being asked to commit to the implementation of the Marine Act and securing the designation of Marine Protected Areas by 2012. In her letter, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, Stephanie Hilborne OBE, reminds them that any decisions taken to secure the natural environment’s future are critical.
She said: “The UK Government must ensure the restoration of wildlife is at the heart of decision-making over land use and management. Nature is important to us all but it is in deficit. A new impetus for restoring the natural environment is urgently needed. A White Paper would focus attention on what the next government should do to restore our natural environment and ecosystems.
Hilborne added: “Our natural world is precious. It inspires millions of us every day and provides us with essential services like flood protection, food, climate regulation, carbon absorption and pollination. These are fundamental to our health, well-being and a successful economy.
“Already seriously depleted and damaged, the pressures on the UK’s wildlife and ecosystems are increasing, exacerbated by climate change. It has never been more important to protect wildlife everywhere and on a landscape-scale. It is now increasingly recognised we must restore nature, as well as part of plans for climate change adaptation.”
The Marine and Coastal Access Act, which recently passed through Parliament with all party support, is the first step on the road to recovery for our seas. The UK’s seas are potentially among the most productive and wildlife-rich on earth. Marine Protected Areas should provide safe havens where our wildlife can be protected and restored. The next Government must provide strong leadership, commitment and resources to effectively implement the new legislation.
