A partnership of charities has called for new laws to restore the quality of the country’s natural space to boost public health.
The Wildlife Trust and RSPB claim the economic and community health of the country is ‘inextricably linked’ to the wellbeing of the natural world, which must now receive backing through manifesto commitments in the run up to the General Election.
The country’s most deprived communities are 10 times less likely to live in the greenest areas, while the number of children regularly playing in wild places has dramatically fallen in a generation - the Nature and Wellbeing Act Green Paper says.
Prime minister David Cameron famously committed to delivering the ‘greenest government ever’ after taking power in 2010, yet was handed a ‘red card’ by MPs earlier this year over government failings to protect biodiversity, reduce flooding and combat air pollution.
Charities have escalated pressure on political parties to affirm commitments and establish consistent recognition of environment across all policy-making and legislation.
Dr Tony Juniper, author and campaigner, said: ‘Nature is neither an optional extra nor a barrier to development. Healthy nature is a vital prerequisite for our long-term health, wealth and security. That is why we need a new Act of Parliament, to help reverse historical trends and to restore nature in a generation.’
Trustee of The Wildlife Trusts, Peter Young, added: ‘It is time to start the long road to recovery of our natural capital, and stop threatening our future physical and economic health through its neglect. Nature's deficit is huge, a repayment plan needs to start now. This call for a new Nature and Wellbeing Act is therefore timely. Creation of nature, not its destruction, should be the future by-product of good business activity.’
