On Wednesday 23 March UK Youth for Nature joined forces with Sand In Your Eye, the RSPB and a whole host of other organisations to draw lines in the sand on Scarborough beach, creating a whopping 50 meter long sand drawing. This incredible artwork depicted four biologically significant British species: The oak, Eurasian curlew, Eurasian beaver and the Atlantic salmon. But this incredible piece of art carries a powerful message... Britain's biodiversity is declining and we must act now. In fact, we are now one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
Image: UK Youth for Nature
No sooner was the drawing created than it was washed away, symbolising young people’s alarm about the disappearance of wildlife in the UK.
In fact, this #NatureStunt was well timed. Created in time for Earth Hour (26 March) and coinciding with the UN conference on Biological Diversity (COP-15) in Geneva, UKY4N highlighted their own targets and political promises that they want our UK government to prescribe to. 'By committing to these targets, the UK government can protect our air, water, and land, reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere, and provide immeasurable social and economic benefits.' - UKY4N
UKY4N are calling for the government to:
1. Set more ambitious targets for our 30 by 30 commitments.
2. Set an early target of 2025 to halt all nature loss in the UK, and reverse it by 2030.
3. Ensure all governments set high ambition targets at COP15 - and make credible, transparent action plans to meet them.
Drawing lines in the sand and saying enough is enough, UK Youth for Nature are highlighting that nature simply cannot wait any longer. Without nature, wildlife and healthy ecosystems... we will never tackle climate change.
Governments must do far more to halt the loss of wildlife and they must act now to stop the loss of nature.
For more information on this exciting project, head to: Lines in the Sand – UK Youth for Nature
#NatureCannotWait
#NatureStunt