The Importance of Nature

We all want a world where our climate is stable, nature thrives, and where all people have health, happiness, and prosperity – it’s our human right, right?

Unless we change things, we are on track to breach the 1.5°C temperature increase limit set by the Paris Agreement by 2030. The breach risks irreversible environmental degradation and runaway climate change that will affect all our societies and economies.

An essential ally against the climate crisis is nature. We are losing nature at an alarming and unprecedented rate. For anyone who has been watching David Attenborough’s latest BBC programme, Wild Isles, you will know that Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

In the last 50 years over 38 million birds have disappeared from our skies, 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and over one quarter of our mammals are at risk now. Putting species at risk of extinction, places us humans in danger as we stand to lose our homes and access to basic necessities like food, clean water and a liveable environment. I’m not trying to be dramatic, we need nature to survive as a species.

We have to prioritise nature’s recovery alongside that of our climate’s, so that by 2030, we end the decade with more nature than we started, not less. And as Sir David Attenborough wisely says,

“The truth is, every one of us, no matter who we are, or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature.”

 

 

If you are inspired by nature and want to do something positive for planet, there is a wealth of information on simple steps we can all take to make a positive impact on our website. The Wild Isles BBC programme has a fabulous website with information and is supported by WWF, The National Trust and RSPB and they all have fantastic information on their websites for supporting nature, gardening for wildlife and increasing biodiversity where you live. Sussex Wildlife Trust also has some fab information.

By Melanie Nurse