Nature is amazing. It's also under threat.
The first episode of Wild Isles showcased the beauty and fragility of our isles, that are sadly becoming a lot less wild.
How did the white-tailed sea eagles make you feel as they towered over Islay? Did the puffin’s courtship bring a tear to your eye? Or was it the cunning kingfisher that captured you heart?
There’s a real danger that these three red-listed species won’t be here in years to come if we don’t protect them.
Every year there are fewer birds singing, insects buzzing, and fish in our seas. Globally nature is in perilous decline, but did you know how serious the problem is at home? The UK is one of the most nature- depleted countries on the planet, and Northern Ireland comes 12th worst in the world for nature loss out of 240 territories. According to the State of Nature report (2019), 41% of assessed UK species are in decline - and since 1950, 133 species have been lost from these shores completely. If we do not act, these alarming statistics are predicted to get a whole lot worse, with 11% of species risking extinction across the island of Ireland.
Seal and seal pup, Credit: Ruby Free
Recently, countries across the globe came together to agree a plan that aims to tackle the nature crisis – you can read more about The Global Deal for Nature here.
This framework sets out a Nature Positive plan that aims to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030. If implemented fully, this global plan will be a serious commitment to tackle biodiversity loss within the decade. As well as putting the UK’s wildlife on a path to recovery, it will help recover wildlife right across the globe. To learn more about the actions needed to get nature positive in the UK by 2030, read RSPB NI’s latest report, A World Richer in Nature.
Northern Ireland can and must be a key player in championing its delivery.
The UK Government will now need to produce a domestic national implementation plan, combining plans and strategies from the governments of all four countries of the UK, to ensure we are delivering on this landmark global deal for nature. However, local implementation is key, and this should be driven by the development of a new Biodiversity Strategy and funding to deliver outcomes. The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy is currently in development but it is already late, and given the scale of the crisis, it’s not progressing fast enough. To read more about the Biodiversity Strategy and why it matters, click here.
Photo by @RathlinStickyBeak
Prioritising nature recovery across government.
What’s needed now is action! To deliver a nature positive Northern Ireland richer in nature by 2030, the Government needs to take holistic action which brings multiple solutions for nature. This can only be achieved by embedding and prioritising nature recovery across government, recognising nature’s crucial role in our food system, economy, and for tackling and adapting to climate change.
Nature underpins all of our lives. The healthier it is, the more we thrive.
If Northern Irelands wildlife is to be set back on track towards a flourishing future, as part of a thriving planet, we must act now.
Find out how we can #SaveOurWildIsles at Save Our Wild Isles.