AN OPEN LETTER TO LEADERS IN THE CONSERVATION FIELD

I am writing this letter on behalf of naturalist friends who are dismayed (frankly, petrified) about the way the natural world narrative is shifting negatively at the national level. Nature is increasingly portrayed as an impediment to economic growth and the prosperity of British society, seemingly without any high-level vocal push back from those who might be listened to. Perhaps paranoia plays a part, but naturalists and environmentalists now seem to be depicted as delusional and misguided individuals who are out of touch with the real world and whose aim it is to thwart any improvement in the quality of life of the British people.

I don’t think I am over-stating the case. Nor is it unrealistic to say that an anti-nature atmosphere pervades the media. You need only read and listen to the rhetoric and misinformation coming from government, let alone parties and politicians in opposition, to appreciate this. It is surely no coincidence that this rhetoric is seemingly being ramped up ahead of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) re-appearing in the House of Commons along with intended changes to (arguably the virtual elimination of) meaningful Biodiversity Net Gain. One can perhaps surmise that this is an attempt to thwart the conservation sector’s efforts to introduce meaningful amendments to the former, and to force abandonment of the latter.

Valiant organisations such as the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are playing their part at the local level, with lobbying weeks for example. However, what people are asking me is why is there no visible and vocal counter to this anti-natural world invective at the national level? Where are the daily appearances by NGO leaders and celebrity naturalists on major news outlets? And what about major public demonstrations against the PIB and other damaging changes in laws and regulations that relate to the environment? These proposed changes stand to sweep away decades of protection for the natural world and chart a course towards legalised destruction of British wildlife.

As individuals, the naturalists that I mix with feel powerless to affect any change. We realise that behind-the-scenes lobbying and influencing (e.g. of peers) is going on and may well achieve some results. However, our concern is that amongst the UK population, arguments for protecting the natural world (be they ethical or based on self-interest) are being eroded to the point where environmentalists are now seen as a lunatic fringe. Even more worrying is the fear that unrelated major public woes (real or imagined) that afflict Britain are being conflated with arguments relating to the natural world, with the environment and environmentalists portrayed as contributing to the malaise.

An army of conservationists are out there who want to defend British wildlife but who feel powerless and directionless. They need a rallying call. In addition, there are those who have not woken up to the clear and present danger that the natural world faces.

Only high-profile individuals and powerful conservation organisations can galvanise support and advocate loud and clear for nature. This is something that needs constant effort on their part, and visible support from individual conservationists at the grassroots level.

At the very least are there any national demonstrations planned for the near future that might serve to rally the troops?  If not, why not?

Yours sincerely,

Dr Paul Sterry

Author, Conservationist and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust member.