Act for nature

The RSPB and Wildlife Trusts are calling on political parties to ‘act for nature’ by introducing new laws to protect and restore the environment and improve people’s access to it, not only for nature's sake but also for the contribution it makes to our health and wellbeing.

The Nature and Wellbeing Act green paper, published today (29 October 2014), sets out compelling evidence showing the benefits of nature to people. It offers an ambitious package of measures to turn around the decline in our natural environment.

The two charities warn that the health of our economy and communities, education and our own wellbeing are linked to the health of the natural world and our quality of life will suffer if we don’t protect our environment.

Joining forces to launch a campaign called Act for Nature, the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts are calling for cross-party agreement on the need for nature. The campaign will urge all parties to include legislation for nature and wellbeing in their manifestos ahead of the General Election in May.

The charities argue that inactivity and obesity are escalating; poor mental health is having a significant impact on wellbeing; climate change is affecting urban areas and the productivity of the countryside; many villages, towns and cities face growing risk of flooding; and the economy continues to use much of the natural world in an unsustainable way, which is likely to be a brake on progress and development in the future.

The green paper shows our need for nature in every part of our lives:
• The most deprived communities are 10 times less likely to live in the greenest areas.
• Fewer than one in 10 children regularly play in wild places, compared with almost half a generation ago.
• If every household in England were provided with good access to quality green space it could save an estimated £2.1 billion in health care costs.

A new Nature and Wellbeing Act should herald a wider long-term commitment by government to take consistent account of nature and the wider environment across all policy making and legislation.

Martin Harper, Conservation Director for the RSPB, said: “We know that nature is good for us, but we also know that it is in trouble and that our children rarely play in natural places. In this green paper, we demonstrate that our national wealth and health depend on action to protect nature, and so do many of our most wonderful species and habitats. That’s why the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts are challenging all political parties to introduce a Nature and Wellbeing Act in the next parliament – only by valuing, protecting and connecting people with our natural world will government achieve its social and economic plans.”

Click here for more information and to download the green paper.