We’re at Code Red for nature.
SOME OF THE FACTS
“THE UK IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST NATURE-DEPLETED COUNTRIES ON EARTH”
“Wild animals now represent just 1% of the overall weight of vertebrate animals (32% humans, 67% livestock). 10,000 years ago it was 99% ”
“62% of sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) “are not in favourable condition””
“43% of UK bird species are in decline”
“There has been a 69% drop in populations of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians since 1970”
“Since the second world war, we have lost 97% of our wildflower meadows in the UK”
“UK’s flying insects have declined by 60% in 20 years”
“‘The UK, like most other countries worldwide, has seen significant loss of its plants, animals and fungi. The data from State of Nature cover, at most, 50 years but this follows on from centuries of habitat loss, development and persecution. As a result, the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.”
“With each report our monitoring of change improves and we have never had a better understanding of the state of nature. Yet, despite progress in ecosystem restoration, conserving species, and moving towards nature-friendly land and sea use, the UK’s nature and wider environment continues, overall, to decline and degrade.”
“To restore stability to our planet, therefore, we must restore its biodiversity, the very thing we have removed. It is the only way out of this crisis that we ourselves have created”
“The truth is, every one of us, no matter who we are or where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless by the scale of the issues facing our planet, but we have the solutions. I am hopeful for the future, because although nature is in crisis, now is the time for action, and together we can save it”
“Nature is in crisis , this is no longer up for debate. Our government needs to lead by example and introduce world-class laws for nature to ensure that we have a sustainable planet for all to live on”
“The amazing wildlife and wild places that make the UK so special are being destroyed at terrifying speed. Huge numbers of animals, birds and habitats have been quite literally wiped out in our own lifetimes and we must now accept that without urgent and collective action, our economy, the climate and the stability of future generations living in our wild isles all face a ticking timebomb”