This week, the RSPB and over 40 conservation organizations collaborated in a call to action directed at politicians of all parties, seeking immediate steps to restore nature in the UK. Protests were held nationwide, with the largest gathering outside DEFRA offices in London, led by wildlife TV presenter and RSPB Vice President Chris Packham. The demonstrations aimed to address the alarming findings of the State of Nature report, revealing the unrelenting loss of wildlife in the UK.
The report disclosed that almost 1,500 species in England, Scotland, and Wales are at risk of complete extinction, with 281 facing a similar fate in Northern Ireland. Chris Packham expressed dissatisfaction with current investments in nature restoration and emphasized the need for government assistance to meet biodiversity targets.
Various conservation and wildlife charities, including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, WWF UK, Butterfly Conservation, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Bat Conservation Trust, and River Action, joined the protest outside DEFRA. The collective call for urgent government action resonated, urging politicians to embed nature in decision-making processes and enforce environmental protections.
Alice Hardiman, the RSPB’s Director of Campaigns and Mobilisation, stressed the need for swift and comprehensive action, stating that waiting another decade might be too late for nature. The State of Nature report, published by over 60 conservation organizations, highlights the UK’s status as one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. Despite grim statistics, the report also underscores the effectiveness of conservation efforts when action is taken.
The RSPB encourages individuals to contact their elected representatives and participate in an e-action to push for nature restoration and wildlife protection. The message is clear: Nature can’t wait, and urgent action is needed to ensure the preservation and revitalization of the UK’s natural world.