I found some this week. This may have had something to do with the evening I spent sampling whiskies at our Scottish Staff Conference. The evening was hosted by our partners, Famous Grouse. In 2008 they launched a new blend called Black Grouse. And since then, sales have helped generate about £300,000 for black grouse conservation on RSPB reserves in Scotland (Corrimony and Inversnaid), Northern England (Geltsdale) and in Wales (Vyrnwy). This is species that it is in desperate trouble. The population is down to 5,000 lekking (displaying) males – a fifth of the number in the 1970s.We need more of these partnerships. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the scale of the challenge facing our environment is too big for any one organisation. So we have to work smarter with others. And, now it appears that our nation’s happiness will be back under the microscope of the UK Government and Office of National Statistics (ONS). Further to an earlier blog, the next stage of the ONS consultation on the “National Wellbeing Measure” has been launched. The public consultation for this process is open to all and running until the 23rd January 2012. It’s a relatively quick online questionnaire, so please take some time to have a read and add your thoughts.The good news is that the ONS has acknowledged the impact that nature has on our happiness. ‘The Natural Environment’ forms one of the 10 sections of the overall measure, in amongst other issues such as ‘Health’, ‘Relationships’, and ‘Personal Finances’. For many of us, this is motherhood and apple pie. We need nature to keep us functioning. I’d go further – my own physical and mental well being is dependent on contact with nature. Just ask my wife.We are quite keen to keep this process alive. The prize is great – a measure of progress that is more than just about material wealth.How does nature improve your quality of life? How do you think this can be measured? How should the government advertise, promote and use the National Wellbeing Measure? The ONS and I would be glad to receive your comments.
Taffy - I think you have a point. You should tell them this. Will try and see if we can make it easier for people to respond.
Yep - we do support the petition about vicarious liability. I think we have been promoting this through social media. I shall write something on this once the autumn statement is out of the way.
Hi Martin,could you please tell me will the RSPB give full backing and publicity to a petition on Mark Avery blog a few days ago to help raptors,I understand 100,000 sinatures are needed for it to be debated,look forward to your comment as I would think it must be very important to have Mark's backing.
Having commented on the first part of the consultation, I thought I'd take a look at this part- thanks for the link, Martin.
Well, the first bit wasn't tooooo bad, but after that..... well, I think you'd need to be a professor in something or other to follow it all! So I gave up.
So, just how 'fair' are these consultations? What proportion of the population really get the chance to contribute their opinions? Or is that the intention of the powers that be, that only a certain section of society should be able to put their ideas forward, which are then acted upon as being from the majority?
The "green" movement these days, if they allow houses to be built at all, would seem to wish that people live in flats. This entails a disconnection from the earth and the "garden" that is/was perhaps an Englishman's dream ? So can I suggest spatial development that allows for an allotment or garden and green space FOR ALL; not just the middle classes.
Also I hope that the RSPB might note that equity and equality are THE key to happiness that is "if we are all in it together" is it the "Spirit Level" that is key to this.
The wider nature bit is as important and access is vital; when do you see a black face in the countryside ? We have a very alienated from nature urban culture; all the old programmes for getting poor kids to the country have largely gone.
Peter Plover