Somerset, Politics, Climate and Nature
Dear Candidate,
During this important by-election I am asking what you would do to tackle the climate and nature emergency in Somerton and Frome if elected on 20th July?
As you know, no issue is more important than tackling the linked emergencies facing our climate and natural environment. It is encouraging to see the greater focus on this during recent election campaigns, most notably the recent Somerset Council election. With this in mind and to encourage debate we will publish this letter on the Somerset Wildlife Trust website and your response on the Somerset Local Nature Partnership website so that voters can see what their candidates thoughts and outline plans are on this vital issue.
The UK State of Nature 2019 report showed that biodiversity in the UK continues to decline. The UK is now one of the most nature-depleted places on earth. This is not about conservation but restoration of our natural environment and on a very large scale.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that one million species are at risk of extinction due to 5 human activities: land use, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and the spread of invasive species. The report stated:
“We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.” Not only is biodiversity decline in part caused by climate change, it is also true that restoring biodiversity at scale can contribute natural solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation.
I am currently leading the Natural Environment Climate Emergency workstream for Somerset Council, and Somerset’s Local Nature Partnership, working towards a natural environment restored as a resilient, connected biodiverse network which provides significant and measurable natural solutions including carbon sequestration, natural flood management, and improved wellbeing for Somerset’s residents.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that we have now barely 7 years to take far reaching and fundamental action to tackle climate change in order to keep global warming below 2 degrees. In reality, this means initiating urgent policy action now to ensure we are finally on the right trajectory to meet this essential target.
We all depend on our natural environment. It is in all of our interests to work together to tackle these crises that are affecting the natural world. If elected, I would be very keen to arrange a meeting with you so we can discuss our shared environmental priorities, and your approach to the key issues that are affecting Somerset right now.
Somerset Wildlife Trust is a membership organisation with over 20,000 members, the largest environmental organisation in the county. All of these 20,000 members want to see stronger environmental protections. We work everyday to protect and improve the fabulous natural landscapes of Somerset and restore the species that call these landscapes home. We work with communities, landowners, and farmers to find ways to protect our county.
I look forward to hearing how you would tackle this emergency and especially how you can create opportunity for Somerton and Frome in a nature restored landscape if elected.
Yours Sincerely,
Georgia Stokes, Chief Executive Officer, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Chair of Somerset Local Nature Partnership