Time to call a nature emergency

The world is undergoing a crisis of climate and biodiversity decline. The two things are inextricably linked, with the devastation of natural phenomena, like trees and peat bogs, increasing carbon emissions, which change the climate. Both biodiversity and climate need addressing in unison. Unfortunately, the two things often seem to have been treated as separate, with biodiversity very much the junior partner. Whilst human beings are the cause of much of the destruction creating climate change, their actions on biodiversity border on the suicidal. Some 54% of insects have disappeared between 2004 and 2023. Bees are under threat from insecticides used on the crops. Without these insects, it will be impossible to provide the food we all need to survive. Nearly one in six species in the UK are threatened with extinction. Some 19% of species have become extinct since the 1970s. The present populist rhetoric of some in government that seems to imagine it is bats and newts stopping housing developments rather than greedy profiteers, gaining from land banking, beggars belief. Nature is also vital to the mental and physical wellbeing of human beings. It has been humanities desire to dominate and destroy, rather than work with nature, that has brought the world to crisis point. Yet, despite these stark and alarming statistics, humanity seems content to sleep walk into oblivion. Political leadership is needed, not more denial. Now, is the time to call a nature emergency. A number of councils (28%) around the country have done just that. Locally, this would be something similar to the climate emergency that was passed by Redbridge Council in 2019. A nature emergency would include developing a nature emergency action plan, thereby, ensuring that nature recovery was embedded as a key part of plans and policies. It needs to become a fundamental part of the council DNA, not an add on. One specific would be to manage 30% of council land for nature recovery by 2030. More trees and wild areas. And, the adoption of initiatives like No Mo May. A number of local groups have put a petition on the council petitions site calling for a nature emergency. This enshrines the principles of what is required and can be found at: https://moderngov.redbridge.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=2088RPID=81311114&HPID=81311114. The petition and hopefully a motion, with a comprehensive plan, can be brought forward later in the year. There are positive things happening, like the grow zone areas, pollinator pathways, tree planting programs, restore nature pledge, days of community action and the promotion of community gardens. But much more is needed. It is time to put nature front and centre of the environmental emergency. The crisis in nature is on a par with that effecting the climate. It can no longer be treated as a secondary consideration, if the planet is to be saved for our children and children's children the whole crisis must be given priority.