If news of the general election is making you feel a bit like Brenda from Bristol, then there are two events this weekend that could bring cheer and perhaps even offer some clues for current or aspiring politicians about how they can effectively use their voices for nature.
First up tomorrow is a chance to celebrate #EarthOptimism in Cambridge. This is part of a series of events taking place on Earth Day, 22 April, uniting people across the world, from Washington to Hong Kong. The premise of #EarthOptimism is that conservationists have been very good at documenting declines in wildlife (as recent State of Nature reports testify) but we also now have experience of improving the natural environment. The events being organised are therefore designed to showcase conservation successes.
The RSPB is supporting the Cambridge event because we think it is incredibly important to tell stories about what has been achieved not only to learn from experience but also to give confidence that we can make a difference and inspire more people to step up for nature. Two of the stories being shared relate to work the RSPB has done in partnership with others...
Image courtesy of Dimas Gianuca.
...the Albatross Task Force: in 2004, 19 of the world’s 22 albatross species were (according to the Red List of Birds) threatened with extinction, largely due to commercial fishing practices. With BirdLife International partners, we influenced fishing policy and built an international team of expert instructors to work with fishermen to refine fishing techniques to help them catch fish rather than seabirds. The results have been spectacular. We have seen bycatch rates reduce dramatically in fisheries where we have been working (for example, there has been a >90% reduction in bycatch in some South Africa fisheries). And, this has played a significant part in the down-listing in threat status of four species (including the black-browed albatross).
...the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project: we have worked with Crossrail and others to create around 700 hectares of coastal habitat in the Thames Estuary. The project is designed to combat the threats from climate change and coastal flooding by recreating a wetland landscape of mudflats and saltmarsh, lagoons and pasture. It will also help to compensate for the loss of tidal habitats elsewhere. It is a fabulous project and demonstrates what can be achieved when business and charities work together.
As well as hosting talks from a wide range of world-renowned conservationists (including Sir David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and Steven Pinker), #EarthOptimism also includes a 'Solutions Fair' – open to the public – where visitors can find out how their behaviour and choices as consumers can have the biggest positive effect for the natural world. I hope to see you there but if you are unable to attend you can watch live streaming of all the speakers here.
Second, it's also the RSPB Weekend with over 400 RSPB supporters joining staff in Nottingham to hear more about how we are saving nature together and to see some of our sites in the region. I'll be there on Sunday and look forward to catching up with friends and colleagues.
The two events are timely.
They will demonstrate the public love of nature and that despite huge pressures on the natural world there are brilliant people working hard to improve our environment. Yet, I also hope they serve as a reminder that if we want more good news stories and fuel our optimism for the planet's future, then current and future governments must make it easier for people to do the right thing for nature. That means politicians must set the right ambition, incentives and penalties while supporting institutions with clout to enforce the law and transform land/seascapes for wildlife.
Last month we launched our manifesto about how we create a greener UK following the UK vote to leave the European Union. In the run up to the election on 8 June, need the political parties to pick up this gauntlet and outline in their manifestos what steps they will take to restore nature in a generation. To give them an added incentive, I hope our supporters (most of whom vote) to 'ask the nature question' during the election campaign and challenge the prospective parliamentary candidates on the doorstep and at local hustings about what, if elected, they will practically do to help wildlife.
Whatever you are doing this weekend, be active and optimistic for nature.
Martin, a really important post - and the clear answer to people who understandably feel 'its all so awful, why bother ?' When you look at what has happened over the past 30 years it really is a very sharp game of two parts - where conservation & concern for the environment has focussed there has been a very high level of success - including in areas where it would be reasonable to see the problem as insurmountable, the incredible achievement of the Albatross projects being a shining example.
Looking at the Manifesto, I do feel we are missing opportunities to build on past success and future thinking. We surely need to get beyond seeing primary production of commodities like food as being the overriding priority for the environment - at an obvious level, how do water and food compare ? Slightly less obvious, but hugely important in our crowded country, how does access to nature and primary production compare ? Nature's Home and the media are full of 'nature deficit' - and the Natural Capital Committee have said that 250,000 hectares of new green space around our towns and cities - bringing nature to where people live - would have an economic benefit of £500 million per annum - and think of the wildlife that land could support !