Welcome to our nature news round-up for the week ending Friday 20th of October.

1. Welsh Water admits spilling untreated sewage near dolphin habitat for decade

Welsh Water has admitted to spilling untreated sewage near a rare dolphin habitat for at least a decade.

A BBC investigation found the water company had been illegally discharging untreated wastewater at dozens of sewage plants, often for years at a time.

The organisation has promised to tackle the problems after viewing the analysis, which it did not dispute.

Water companies across England and Wales frequently discharge sewage into rivers and seas. In England, sewage was spilled via storm overflows more than 300,000 times last year.

2. Aged 16-24? Get your nature hit – for free!

Big news – if you’re 16-24 you’ll soon be able to visit some of the UK’s most wonderfully wild places – for free. Starting from November 6, RSPB nature reserves will be yours to explore without spending a penny – here’s all you need to know.

Nature is for everyone.  It’s our ambition to encourage more and more people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with wildlife and wild places and make our natural world as accessible as possible.  

At the moment we know we need to do more to engage and connect with 16-24 year olds. Young people are less likely to visit our nature reserves than other age groups and we know that cost is one of the main barriers.  By removing entry charges, we hope more young people will come to explore these wonderfully wild places and connect with the great outdoors in new ways.

From November 6, all you need to do is show a valid photo ID with your age on it when you arrive at the nature reserve. This could be a driving license, a proof of age card or your passport.

3. New project aims to get urban communities involved in nature

Newport’s Maindee area, Pwllheli in Gwynedd, and Neyland in Pembrokeshire are part of a new UK-wide initiative announced today, seeking to help local, mostly urban, communities stand up for nature in their neighbourhoods, tackling the global climate and nature crises at a local level.

Three-quarters of people in the UK are worried about the state of nature, yet we are in the bottom 10% of countries globally for protecting it. In March 2023, the People’s Plan for Nature set out recommendations to reverse the UK’s shocking declines in nature, including calls for greater investment in ways to help communities take action to protect and renew nature at a neighbourhood level. The Nature Neighbourhoods project is a direct response to those calls.

4. Greta Thunberg detained at Fossil Free London protest

Greta Thunberg has been detained during a Fossil Free London protest.

The Swedish climate campaigner had joined other activists outside the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane where oil executives were meeting.

The protesters attempted to block access to the hotel by occupying the area by the entrance.

Fossil Free London posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Breaking – Greta Thunberg has just been arrested.”

Images on social media showed the 20-year-old activist being led away by police officers and placed in the back of a marked van.

In a statement, the Met Police said it had imposed conditions on the activists under Section 14 of the Public Order Act, to “prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests”, and had asked them to move from the road and on to the pavement.

5. Number of nesting seabirds on Lundy island at nine-decade high

Tiny island in Bristol Channel has 25,000 Manx shearwaters – 95% of England’s breeding population – and 1,335 puffins.

There are more seabirds nesting on the island of Lundy than at any time since the 1930s, conservationists have revealed.

The tiny island in the Bristol Channel, a globally famed location for Britain’s seabirds, is now home to 25,000 Manx shearwaters – 95% of England’s breeding population – as well as 1,335 puffins and more than 150 pairs of storm petrels, a species that only arrived on the island in 2014.

Despite the recent threat of avian flu, which has decimated wild bird populations in some of the world’s most sensitive locations, and the problematic decline in wild sources of food such as sand eels, the total number of seabirds on Lundy stood at 40,000 this summer.

This is a massive turnaround after just 7,351 remained in 2000. Puffins were close to extinction, with just 13 counted on the windswept 450-hectare island in 2001.

6. UK’s biggest nature charities publish shared Nature Markets Principles to help combat corporate greenwashing

The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Woodland Trust and National Trust have today published a set of principles for ensuring ‘nature markets’ truly deliver for nature, climate and people. 

With an estimated £6 billion annual funding gap for UK nature recovery across land and sea, the UK Government has set an ambitious target to grow annual private investment in nature by at least £500 million by 2027, rising to over £1 billion by 2030. It published its Nature Markets Framework in May and is working with the British Standards Institute to develop robust standards for green financing.

7. Hull set to allow ‘right to grow’ on unused council land in UK first

City councillors pass motion to let community groups, charities and neighbours cultivate fruit and veg

Hull is set to become the first city in Britain to give people a “right to grow” on unused council land.

Community groups, charities and even small groups of neighbours would be able to cultivate fruit and vegetables on suitable council land in what campaigners say will provide healthy local food, boost mental health and revive neglected spaces.

Hull councillors unanimously passed the “right to grow” motion that means the council will produce a map of suitable land it owns and help those who want to grow food on it overcome practical obstacles such as insurance or provision of water for the plants.

8. Storm Babet: ‘It’s the price of climate change’, says expert

A CLIMATE change expert has said Scotland can likely expect even more intense storms than Babet due to global warming.

Storm Babet has wreaked havoc on the north east of Scotland. Parts of Angus are accessible only by boat after heavy flooding on Thursday night, including the entire village of Brechin – with First Minister Humza Yousaf saying he “cannot stress how dangerous” conditions are for residents.

Angus Council said the flooding was a “very serious emergency” and “completely unprecedented”.

Heavy rain and strong winds are also causing major transport disruption across Scotland and northern England on Friday.

Simon Tett, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, told The National that he’s sorry for those impacted by this extreme weather.

He warned, however, that not only is the likelihood of extreme weather events like Storm Babet higher, they already have and will also likely become more intense.

Thanks for reading our news round-up! If you enjoyed it and want to amplify these stories, why not give this blog a share on your social media, and help us celebrate and commiserate the good, the bad and the ugly from this week! See you next week!

Welcome to our nature news round-up for the week ending Friday 13th of October.

1. ‘Government has no evidence to back up nature recovery claims, say campaigners’ – The Independent, 10th October

The Government has no evidence to back up a recent claim it made saying the UK is on track to meet its internationally-agreed targets on improving nature, campaigners have said.

After the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) found there to be just over 3% of land and up to 8% of sea protected for nature – when the target is 30% – the campaign group accused the Government of failing to make headway.

2. ‘Formidable coalition’ of policymakers and NGOs rap Rishi Sunak for biodiversity rollbacks – edie, 9th October

The accusation forms part of an open letter published in The Independent on Friday (6 October) as part of the Nature 2030 campaign, which implores all major political parties to set out meaningful and credible plans to halt and reverse nature loss in the UK.

It was revealed recently that one in six of the UK’s plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction. Even for those species not at risk, there has been an average decline in abundance of 19% since 1970. Worryingly, that decline rises to 54% for flowering plants and 43% for birds.

These are all findings from the State of Nature Report. This includes data from 60 organisations including the National Trust and Natural History Museum.

3. Ealing: Beaver family released in west London wetland – BBC News, 12th October

Beavers have been reintroduced to west London for the first time in about 400 years in a bid to improve biodiversity and help mitigate the impact of climate change.

The family of five Eurasian beavers were released at Paradise Fields, an area of wetlands in Ealing.

They were relocated from a wild beaver population in Scotland by a coalition of wildlife groups. It is hoped they will improve the local habitat and reduce flood risks. The project is being paid for as part of the mayor’s Rewild London Fund.

Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo, told BBC London: “Beavers became extinct in the UK 400 years ago so this is part of bringing them back into the landscape where they deserve to be.”

4. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award winners and highly commended images announced – Natural History Museum, 11th October

Selected from 49,957 entries from 95 countries, the winners of the Natural History Museum’s prestigious wildlife photographer of the year competition were revealed at an awards ceremony in South Kensington on Tuesday. The flagship wildlife photographer of the year exhibition featuring the awarded images will open on Friday 13 October 2023 at the Natural History Museum in London [from The Guardian online].

5. UK seaweeds face an uncertain future in a warming ocean – Natural History Museum, 13th October

The conservation status of Britain’s seaweeds has been revealed for the first time.

While just 7% are currently considered threatened, there’s simply not enough information to reveal the true picture.

Seaweeds are vital for health of our planet, but we are unaware of just how threatened they might be.

While we know that climate change, invasive species and pollution are having an impact on the marine macroalgae, the difficulty of studying them due to their wide range of lifestyles and shapes makes it hard to know the exact impacts on individual species.

6. Key UK nature report highlights Little Terns project – News from Wales, 11th October

Work to protect a Denbighshire bird colony is worthy of international significance according to a major annual report on UK nature.

Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service Gronant Little Terns project has been listed as a positive example for protecting wildlife in the latest State of Nature Report.

The State of Nature Report 2023 is split into the individual UK countries and is produced through a collaboration of over 60 biodiversity and nature related group partners.

Species studied by the collaboration have on average declined by 19 percent since monitoring started in 1970. The declines are much higher for some groups including birds which stands at a 43 percent loss.

However, the State of Nature Report highlights the Little Terns Project as a positive piece of conservation work of ‘international significance’.

7. World’s largest offshore wind farm sends first power to UK grid – New Scientist, 10th October

The first wind turbine has been installed at the site of what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm – and it has already begun sending power to the UK grid.

The plan is to install a total of 277 wind turbines at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, located about 130 kilometres off the north-east coast of England. Once fully operational in 2026, the wind farm is expected to power more than six million UK homes.

The first turbine at the site is a GE Haliade-X turbine with spinning blade tips reaching 260 metres above sea level – about the same height as New York City’s Rockefeller Center. The power it generates flows through an array of high-voltage direct current cables that connects to the coast of north-eastern England.

8. Giant living artwork unfurled at Westminster as waiting lists for allotments double in a decade – Greenpeace UK, 11th October

A 30-metre-long living artwork made of seed paper was unfurled and displayed at Westminster this morning by artists and allotmenteers. They are urging the government to enable people to exercise their rights to allotments as part of the solution to food insecurity, the cost of living crisis and the climate and nature emergency. 

The artwork, which was taken to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is embedded with clusters of seeds as well as ash from burned Amazon forests, spelling out the message “We the 174,183 demand allotments”. It is a visual representation of new data collected by Greenpeace UK and the artists via Freedom of Information requests to all councils in England, Wales and Scotland. 

The data shows there are now at least 174,183 applications sitting on local authority allotment waiting lists across Great Britain – with England figures almost double what they were in 2011. Waiting times average at 3 years and the longest average waiting time recorded was 15 years. The local authority with the longest waiting list is Bristol at 7,630 applications, followed by Sunderland, Portsmouth, Southampton, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Thanks for reading our news round-up! If you enjoyed it and want to amplify these stories, why not give this blog a share on your social media, and help us celebrate and commiserate the good, the bad and the ugly from this week! See you next week!

Written by Nell Miles

What is it?

The UK State of Nature Report is the most comprehensive report on the UK’s current biodiversity, based on the latest and data from biological monitoring and recording schemes across the country. The 2023 report is the fourth to be published since the State of Nature Partnership was founded in 2013.

What does it say?

The report is 213 pages long and covers the current state of nature in the UK, followed by information on current conservation responses and what the Government could do better to more adequately protect nature. The ‘key findings’ section features some rather dire figures – the abundance of 753 terrestrial and freshwater species has dropped 19% on average across the country, 58% UK priority species have shown a decline, and only a small percentage of our natural habitats (14% of priority habitats, 7% of woodland, and 25% of peatlands) have been assessed to be in good condition. Public sector funding for biodiversity conservation has also decreased 24% over the last five years.

Only 25% of the UK’s peatlands have been assessed as being in ‘good condition’

Current conservation responses are also clearly inadequate: only 11% of UK land is in protected areas, 44% of woodland is certified as sustainably managed, and only a fifth of farmland is in agri-environment schemes – only a small part of this is considered nature-friendly farming. The picture is similar for marine ecosystems: large areas of the UK seafloor were reported to fail to meet Good Environmental Status owing to habitat disturbance from fishing, and half of marine fish stocks are unsustainably harvested.

Is there any good news?

While the report is admittedly largely negative, there are some key wins to be celebrated. A trial of nature-friendly farming on the RSPB’s Hope Farm featured diversified crop rotation and conversion of 10% its formerly cropped land to support nature, and suffered only a small drop in food energy production (90.4% previous levels) whilst breeding bird populations increased 177% and greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 9.4%. There is clear evidence that some species conservation projects have worked, and reduced sulphur dioxide levels owing to the EU National Emissions Ceiling Directive have contributed to population recoveries of several bryophyte species (mosses, liverworts and hornworts).

Reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions have contributed to bryophyte recovery in the UK

It’s also important to remember that the fact we can have this data is a positive too. Only once we know about the problem can we do something about it, so the wealth of data on which to assess the state of UK nature is an invaluable resource. It has also been collated as a result of thousands of incredible volunteers whose work has contributed to the findings – an example of how brilliant collective action can be.

What are the report’s recommendations?

The State of Nature report is very clear about what is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss: the Government must not only increase conservation and restoration efforts, but also tackle the drivers of biodiversity loss, especially in relation to our food system. We need ambitious legislation backed by meaningful action and investment to restore nature.

What can I do?

Reports like this, at a time when the UK has already been in the news for a sleuth of environmental harms and issues, can be extremely disheartening. But it’s important to remember that we can make change. We need rapid systemic change if we are to reverse the loss of nature and mitigate global warming, but we are not powerless in this fight. Young people have power in our votes, our consumption, in the time we can spend volunteering or spreading the word. If you are feeling hopeless and want help in finding how you can make a difference, get in touch.

On Saturday 9 September, we held an Urban Nature Festival in Liverpool to launch our new Urban Nature campaign. The day included talks, a panel, workshops, and walks, fostering a whole host of conversations on topics ranging from ecology to creativity and capitalism. These discussions have laid the foundation for further action through the Urban Nature campaign, so watch this space! 

Here, Amelia and Elise will take you through some of their favourite parts of the day as relatively new members of the UKY4N organising team.

Amelia’s reflections

B4Biodiversity- Bee Walk

During the afternoon, I attended a walk of the local green spaces with B4Biodiversity. The venue was situated in the Liverpool One development, which is lucky to have a lovely green space built in. We explored bees as a central pollinator and learnt about the types of species, how they live and work as well as the importance. There are three main groups of bees; solitary bees, bumble bees and honey bees. I was shocked to learn that of the 270 species of bee in the UK, over 250 of these are solitary bees, showcasing just how many insects are out there pollinating aside from the well known bumble bee and honey bee species. 

As well as understanding bee behaviour, I found it interesting to explore the design of the garden and green spaces of Liverpool one and how design decisions can have such positive nature impacts. We saw so many pollinators on the doorstep of the venue- right  in central Liverpool! Furthermore, it was interesting to see the benefits extending not just to pollinators, and other species- but also to humans too. This green space acted as a respite from the harsh busy city and offered places to relax and socialise. During our short walk I noticed someone meditating within the calmness of the trees and several friends meeting and chatting. This showcased that the benefits of good urban design for nature not only benefits the bees, but also us humans too.

Radical Roots

It was really refreshing to feel so aware of yourself as we often live too deeply within our minds. The idea of living within your body really helped me to feel more connected with the rest of  the world. Ultimately, the workshop helped to rewild myself and understand the body as an ecosystem which as a mindset can assist in imagining alternative urban futures for both people and planet. 

Access to Nature Panel

For me, the access to nature panel was all about listening and absorbing. 

The most prominent takeaway for me was a reframing about creating connections to nature. (City Girl in Nature) responded to a question relating to how to get people from marginalised and diverse communities to have a connection to nature. They completely reframed the issue for me and suggested that it is not because these communities don’t have a connection to nature, instead its: 

• because their connection is not in the way others deem they should have a connection
• not currently priority due to other constraints where they do not have the privilege of time/money/safety to access nature and foster these connections
• have previously been excluded from these spaces 

The biggest take home message from the panel was to meet people where they’re at, it is assisting people in a reasonable and respectable way to help them access nature on their own terms. Co-production is central to accessing nature, designing walks, groups and activities and to allow everyone to have a voice. 

Overall, the event has reframed my understanding of nature, it is not something remote and rural, it is everywhere, including within ourselves. 

Elise’s reflections

The Urban Nature Festival in Liverpool was the first event I have been involved with as part of UK Youth for Nature, having joined the team just a few weeks earlier. I reached out to UKY4N partly to counter my frustration at many people’s apparent lack of concern for the environmental threats we face, so it was incredibly encouraging to spend the day in a room full of nature enthusiasts who care about protecting our planet. 

Access to Nature panel

The panel particularly led me to reflect on the power of representation and the importance of simply asking people what they need to engage with nature, rather than imposing ‘solutions’ that are unwelcome or exclusionary. 

As someone who hasn’t studied science for a decade, I was in awe of the knowledge shared by those at the event who have dedicated their education or careers to conserving nature. Nevertheless, the festival also proved to me that you don’t need to be an expert on nature to help protect it. I was inspired by the Creative Campaigning workshop led by our Co-Directors, Ellen and Roisin, which showed how the UKY4N team has enacted change not only thanks to their ecological expertise, but through their incredible creativity, courage and compassion. I am so excited to get more involved and can’t wait to see where the Urban Nature campaign goes next. 

Read more about our urban nature campaign here, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with what were doing!

Feeling inspired to join our team? Click here to find out how you can get involved.

How did you get here?

Not in the easiest way, but with unadulterated determination! I had a windy road, having I was not from a nature-focused background. Still, I always found nature to be something I wanted to learn more about and developed a strong emotional connection to it, as unbeknownst to me, I have AuADHD! After fumbling around a bit and getting onto my course, it wasn’t until I was on my placement year that all those years clicked together, and that began with falling in love with birds and moths (a killer combo). As we emerged from the COVID pandemic, I had the chance to gain experience that let my passions to flow and have an output. Since then, I’ve never really stopped being proactive, taking every opportunity I could and sharing that with other young people in my community – we do not gatekeep environmentalism whilst I’m around!

What do you believe to be an absolute non-negotiable for the future of our planet?

I firmly believe that to achieve global unity in the face of the climate crisis, we must allow space
for all cultures and communities to be heard. The face of environmentalism need not be that o
western ideals; after all, western ideologies have a lot to learn. That means even in the UK we make
environmentalism more accessible and give people the tools to decide how they feel our shared pot
of earth should be treated. It also means more acknowledging of the colonialist roots of western
conservationism across the globe and working to untangle that. To learn from and empower
indigenous cultures and their ideas of interacting with nature!

Biggest nature obsession

I absolutely love animal behaviour! It’s so fascinating to me, hence why it’s a big focus of my dissertations. It’s not enough for me to know just what decisions animals make. I need to understand WHY they make the decisions they make! From the aggressive purple emperor males that will attack not just each other but even birds to maintain their own territory to white storks bringing animal dung to their nests so their young can practice eating on their own! It’s crazing and an absolutely fascinating part of ecology!

What’s the most interesting nature fact you’ve learned lately?

This is something I learned in my time at Knepp Estate, and I love to share this with people, it is how the Tamworth pigs that they introduced during their rewilding journey churn up the soil when searching for food. This disruption in the soil actually allows the scarlet pimpernel plant to grow, and its seeds are one of the key food sources turtle doves depend on! As a red list species, it demonstrates how important those behaviours and interactions are!

Urban nature campaign

When discussing our upcoming urban nature campaign with our community, we discovered that there were lots of us nurturing our own mini nature reserves in our back gardens, balconies, universities and parks. Biodiversity in gardens and sustainable gardening practices have been in the news a lot of late, highlighting the negative impacts of our desire for highly manicured, nature devoid outdoor spaces. When we think of rewilding, the image that often gets conjured up is vast expanses of land, but, with this blog series, we’re going to show you that no matter how small your patch is, how high up it is, or even whether it belongs to you (permission was granted in the instance we’re referring to!), that rewilding can be something everyone can participate in. Gardens cover a huge amount of the UK, so collectively we can have a huge impact for wildlife.

So, whose garden do we get to have a look in first?!

Megan Adamou

We moved in 3 years ago, and got the keys a week before we went into lockdown in 2020. The garden was what drew me in to the house, I saw the potential of a clean slate!

We started with a few potted trees, a Weeping Silver Birch and some Black Bamboo being the first! I then decided to plant the birch, and slowly over the years have been gifted and bargain-bin hunted shrubs, flowers and trees to fill the garden.

Spot the moth!
I have created different sections of garden to try and encourage as much diversity as I can. We have a log pile with a variety of ferns underneath the weeping birch, and have planted native bluebells and snowdrops underneath. We then have a border of (currently potted) native trees and shrubs. I also let the ivy grow over the top of the fence as the berries and flowers are great for birds and insects – I just cut away any bits that might cause damage and the rest can stay.

Slow worm!

We found a free pond so have plonked that in and will dig it as a semi-raised pond later this year once we cut all the grass back. The grass is left from the end of April and we then only cut paths in until the beginning of September, where I will cut the grass back section-by-section with shears so the creatures have time to safely move on. We have a massive cricket & grasshopper population so I do what I can to give them somewhere to live!

We feed the birds and have 2 bird baths, and use interactive feeding for the corvids (hiding food under coconut shells, hours of fun).

The next steps are to build a raised vegetable patch on the patio (to save it from the ant-army we have in the lawn) and to plant in some foxgloves, UK native plants (including honeysuckle), and put more trees and shrubs in the ground.

What I find most important when working on my garden is that when we move, a lot of work I’ve done can be easily managed so hopefully won’t be removed. There is still lots of lawn and the trees won’t affect the sun in the garden, so hopefully it has longevity as well as instant impact.

My garden is my haven as well as being one for my local wildlife.

Are you a young person interested in urban nature? We’re running an Urban Nature Day Festival on 9th September in Liverpool to celebrate the UK’s city-dwelling shrubs and critters and a fun creative space to meet like-minded people. Get more information and book free tickets here.

A day event full of workshops, panel discussions and nature walks in the centre of Liverpool!

Introducing our Urban Nature Festival, this September, kicking off our brand new Urban Nature Campaign! The festival will be a day to celebrate the UK’s city-dwelling shrubs and critters and a fun creative space to meet like-minded people.

What’s on?

Working in collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts, we will be hosting a variety of talks, panels and activities throughout the day including:

• Get Guerilla Gardening with Ellen Miles

• A panel discussion around access to nature with: Jasmine Isa Qureshi, Mahnoor Kamran, and City Girl in Nature.

• Nature walks to transform the way you view urban ecology, including: Urban plants and Bird Walks (with RSPB)

• Workshop: creative tools for environmental campaigning

• Plus a chance for you to come and tell us what you want to see governments doing for biodiversity in your towns and cities + many more!

…and there’s more!

Full breakdown of the day to come soon. Your ticket includes lunch! Vegetarian, Vegan and gluten free options will all be available.

***Please note that if you are under 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian***

Learn more about who we are here.

The article below was written by UK Youth for Nature Co-Director Roisin for RSPB Wingbeat – a publication created for the organisation’s youth membership. Find out more about it here.

Sharing the load

I joined UK Youth for Nature , the leading youth network calling for urgent action on nature loss, in September 2022 as one of the co-directors. I don’t have many friends who are interested in wildlife or nature, and it sometimes frightens me that people don’t seem to care enough. It adds to the eco-anxiety I feel when I have no one to talk to about the changes we are seeing, or how bad my eco-anxiety has become. Joining UKY4N was transformative because suddenly I was able to sit online and chat with other young people with a huge range of life experience, who want to act for nature. There is something reassuring about the idea that every week we meet via Zoom.

We plan meetups, throw around ideas for how we can turn the latest government announcement into a meme or trending sound on TikTok, plan out what march we want to attend, and decide how we can influence politicians to do more for nature. In November, we all headed to Birmingham to spend the day planning out our Not So Freshwater and Urban Nature campaigns. Over piles of sticky notes with scrawled ideas for the next big campaign action, and surrounded by lists of our favourite nature podcasts, books, films and resources, I felt part of something that made the loneliness and anxiety loosen its grip. A passion for nature and campaigning, and the desire to meet other people who felt the same way, had brought us together.

Finding your people

Whether it is UK Youth for Nature that floats your boat or a local group close by, you absolutely have skills that are worth sharing with a cause you care about. You might be excellent at campaigning already, or maybe you’re more behind-the-scenes, curating the perfect social media post? Maybe you’re a passionate ecologist, or a skilled nature artist? Whatever you bring to the table there are other people who will celebrate those skills, and communities who could use them to advocate for a brighter and more nature-rich future. So, if you ever feel in that lonely space, reach outwards rather than inwards, and find that new community. It sometimes takes a bit of bravery, but it’s so worth it in the end.

Learn more about joining UK Youth for Nature here.

OUR STANCE

At UK Youth for Nature, we work with politicians of all parties to push for better policies for nature, climate, and people. We try to remain positive. To remain optimistic that things will change. That the groundswell of support for nature will translate into meaningful policy and legislation. That our governments will take action to protect this wonderful planet and the species that call it home.

But the UK government seems intent on doing the opposite.

Today, we’re angry. Today, we’re fuming. But we’ve been fuming for a while.

The announcement of new oil and gas licenses is awful and this government should be ashamed of themselves. But this is just the latest step in the government’s anti-environment, anti-people, pro-big-business path. From pushing back water quality targets to ill-informed and destructive infrastructure projects, this government does not care about our planet and our future. And it shows.

We stand in solidarity with campaigners who have worked tirelessly on this issue, not only because of the links between climate change and nature loss, but because we know the mental, emotional, and physical burdens that come with campaigning on these issues.

Are you angry too? We think one of the best ways to help eco-anxiety, and get things done, is to join a community of like-minded people. UK Youth for Nature might just be the organisation for you! Learn more about joining here.

Read more about this story here.

Getting a vote for nature in our political parties’ commitments

We all need nature. It is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing, our economy and our planet, but right now nature is in trouble, it needs us to be its voice – and be loud. The new Nature 2030 campaign aims to secure an environmental legacy for the future, giving hope for wildlife and habitats that may otherwise be lost forever.

What is Nature 2030?

UK Youth for Nature has joined with over 80 nature, health, planning and equality organisations and nature experts including Steve Backshall, Chris Packham and Megan Mcubbin, to create the Nature 2030 campaign. The campaign is calling on all political parties to commit to the ambitious action needed to reverse the decline of nature by 2030. We have five big asks of politician, tos: give farming for nature a pay rise; make polluters pay; create more space for nature; create more green jobs; and put a right to a healthy environment in law. Together these would go a long way to help reverse nature’s decline, improve public health and tackle climate change. 

What is Nature 2030 asking for?

Nature is not a ‘nice to have’ – it is essential to a healthy society and economy – from the pollinators that help produce our food, to the wetlands that filter pollution in our rivers and the natural spaces near our homes that boost our health and wellbeing. But the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Much of the green and blue space that we do have is in a poor condition and wildlife is being pushed to the brink.  

That’s why we’re  demanding the following changes from our next government.

A payrise for nature-friendly farming: Farmland covers 70% of land in England and the single biggest cause of nature loss in the UK. But it is possible to find harmony between farming and nature. We’re asking the government to give nature a pay rise. To double the budget for farmers and land managers and support the switch to nature-friendly farming and forestry techniques, to move away from relying on intensive practices and harmful chemicals, and giving nature space to grow across our farmed landscapes. 

Making polluters pay: The most harmful and polluting private sectors such as energy, retail and finance are contributing to nature’s decline – and so they should contribute to nature’s recovery. We are asking for the Government to make it harder for big businesses to damage our natural world by making sure they plan for nature and pay their fair share when they damage it. 

Creating more space for nature: The Government has promised to protect 30% of our land and seas for nature by 2030, but progress has been far too slow and too many of our treasured nature sites are damaged and in decline. We need more space for nature, with more protected areas that are better managed for nature. We also need nature’s recovery at the centre of the priorities for National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other protected sites. 

Creating more green jobs: Achieving these goals isn’t going to be easy and will need many more boots on the ground to achieve. Yet we have a nationwide green skills shortage. We want to see the Government fund a “National Nature Service” targeted at young people and marginalised communities to receive paid work and training to grow the pool of people with nature restoration skills. Transforming nature and the career prospects of thousands at the same time.

The legal right to a healthy environment:  Establishing an enforceable human right to clean air and water and access to nature will help hold our Government to their promises. In turn, this will improve health outcomes for millions, particularly within disadvantaged communities who experience the most harmful levels of pollution and least access to healthy nature spaces, and ultimately save billions for the NHS and social care.   

How can I get involved?

This is our chance to make a difference and protect nature – but we need your help. Will you join us? Sign this open letter to political party leaders today and ask them to commit to our path to put nature into recovery by 2030.