Thousands rally in London, urging politicians to revitalize the environment immediately
In the heart of London, a powerful call to action echoed as thousands of people united for the Restore Nature Now march. Celebrities such as Chris Packham, Emma Thompson, Liz Bonnin, Dr Amir Khan, Feargal Sharkey, Steve Backshall, Megan McCubbin, Dale Vince, and Mya-Rose Craig joined the crowd, emphasising the urgency of addressing the nature and climate crises.
The march, which was the biggest public demonstration during the General Election run-up, aimed to show the strength of public opinion on the need for stronger political action to tackle these crises. Steve Backshall, the renowned naturalist and television presenter, labelled it a critical moment for the next general election to become a nature and climate election.
The key demands of the march were fivefold: increased funding for nature-friendly farming, stronger regulations on polluters, expanded nature protection, the introduction of a new Environmental Rights Bill, and the implementation of a fair climate plan aimed at halving emissions by 2030. Eleanor Church, Logan Walker, Matt Bristow, and Jack Cripps captured the spirit of the day through their photographs of the event.
Craig Bennett, the Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, was also present, stressing the need for nature to be restored and for action to be taken quickly to protect the well-being and economic prosperity of future generations. He was joined by staff from Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who shared the same commitment to the cause.
The march was part of the Defend Nature and People and Nature campaigns, reflecting ongoing activism associated with the march’s broader objectives. Complementary campaigns, such as those by the Woodland Trust, continue to push for stronger legal protections for trees and ancient woodlands, emphasising the need for government adherence to these promises.
Although the march aimed to catalyse political commitment to these goals, one year on, public confidence remains low. Only 8% of Britons believe the government will meet its targets to halt nature's decline. However, the government has made some progress on environmental initiatives such as declaring new National Nature Reserves and implementing management rules to protect hedgerows, which align with expanded nature protection goals but do not fully address all the march demands.
In summary, the Restore Nature Now march articulated clear environmental demands targeting farming, pollution, legal rights, and climate emissions. While it spurred ongoing advocacy and some government action, widespread scepticism persists about the likelihood of fully achieving the intended outcomes within the current political landscape. The fight for nature and the climate continues, with the public's call for action resonating louder than ever.
[1] The Wildlife Trusts (2020) Restore Nature Now Manifesto. Available at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/-/media/files/documents/2020/12/20/restore-nature-now-manifesto.pdf?la=en [2] Woodland Trust (2021) Ancient Woodland Inventory. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/ancient-woodland-inventory/ [3] United Nations (2020) UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/decade-on-ecosystem-restoration/ [4] Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2020) 25 Year Environment Plan. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan/25-year-environment-plan-2018-2030/25-year-environment-plan-2018-2030
1) The Restore Nature Now march, coordinated by The Wildlife Trusts, has released a manifesto (The Wildlife Trusts, 2020) outlining five key demands for strengthening biodiversity and tackling climate change, including increased funding for nature-friendly farming, expanded nature protection, and the implementation of a fair climate plan.
2) In the arena of environmental science and policy-and-legislation, ongoing activism continues through complimentary campaigns, such as those by the Woodland Trust, pushing for stronger legal protections for ancient woodlands and trees, emphasizing the importance of government adherence to these promises (Woodland Trust, 2021).
3) The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 (United Nations, 2020) and the UK's 25 Year Environment Plan (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2020) are examples of science-based approaches to biodiversity conservation and climate-change mitigation, providing a basis for shaping political discourse and decision-making in environmental-science as well as policy-and-legislation, ultimately influencing the broader politics involving these critical issues.
